Re: Need input on agitation

[Guest guest]

What does anyone know about morphine and LBD ?

Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

Lead Faculty

University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

Jrstr@...

Direct tel.

Sent from my iPhone

> Dear friends

>

> I have been a regular in this group but mostly in observation of how others

are coping with loved ones with LBD and I am always amazed and grateful for how

much I learn from all of u!

>

> I am writing tonite since I could use your help in figuring out what is up

with my 77 yr old mom

> Alittle background - my mother was first diagnosed with parkinsons in and

around 2003- after several fractures and general balance and rigidity problems -

when she began to exhibit a rapid decline in cognition April of 2010 she was

diagnosed with the LBD and we had 24/7 home care for her ever since with an

angel named -

>

> mom is on the excellon patch - cymbalta - Locartin ( for blood pressure )-

lipitor and levedopa - all of which has kept her stable and comfortable However

within the last 15 months she stopped talking, ambulating and now I'm not sure

I'd she recognizes me anymore

>

> At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking it

was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated - I

came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

>

> We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

>

> If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

>

> Thank you in advance

>

> Judy

>

> Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

>

> Lead Faculty

> University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> Jrstr@...

> Direct tel.

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

>

>

> > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So in

> > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > undesirable side effects.

> >

> > -Dorothy

> >

> > From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ]

> > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@...

> > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > To: lbdcaregivers

> > Subject: Ativan

> >

> > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

There is no one medication that will work in everyone. Probably you want

something sedating. Choices are probably along these lines: Ativan (lorazepam)

or other fast-acting benzo, Klonopin (clonazepam), Seroquel (quetiapine) or

other atypical antipsychotic.

>

> Dear friends

>

....

> At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking

it was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated - I

came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

>

> We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

>

> If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

>

> Thank you in advance

>

> Judy

>

>

[Guest guest]

Narcotics work fine in some with LBD and not with others. The key is to start

with a small dose, monitor closely, and increase the dose slowly if necessary.

>

> What does anyone know about morphine and LBD ?

>

> Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

>

> Lead Faculty

> University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> Jrstr@...

> Direct tel.

>

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

[Guest guest]

Hopefully the hospital will do a culture and sensitivity to see what’s going

on with the uti.

My mil reacted with great agitation and confusion to CIPRO, LEVAQUIN and AVELOX

– all flourquinalin antibiotics. You can find on the drug information mention

of this kind of reaction so it’s not unheard of. Perhaps your mother is

having similar problems with Cipro??

It certainly sounds like a UTI and hopefully they will give her a different

antibiotic for it. Then see if the agitation improves.

My mil has not tried morphine yet. We have used hydrocodone for the last 5

years since she broke her back and she has done fine with it thank goodness.

Dorothy

From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ] On

Behalf Of Judy

Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 8:41 PM

To: LBDcaregivers

Cc: LBDcaregivers ; <LBDcaregivers >

Subject: Re: Need input on agitation

What does anyone know about morphine and LBD ?

Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

Lead Faculty

University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

Direct tel.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 18, 2011, at 9:55 PM, Judy <jrstraussb@...

<mailto:jrstraussb%40aol.com> > wrote:

> Dear friends

>

> I have been a regular in this group but mostly in observation of how others

are coping with loved ones with LBD and I am always amazed and grateful for how

much I learn from all of u!

>

> I am writing tonite since I could use your help in figuring out what is up

with my 77 yr old mom

> Alittle background - my mother was first diagnosed with parkinsons in and

around 2003- after several fractures and general balance and rigidity problems -

when she began to exhibit a rapid decline in cognition April of 2010 she was

diagnosed with the LBD and we had 24/7 home care for her ever since with an

angel named -

>

> mom is on the excellon patch - cymbalta - Locartin ( for blood pressure )-

lipitor and levedopa - all of which has kept her stable and comfortable However

within the last 15 months she stopped talking, ambulating and now I'm not sure

I'd she recognizes me anymore

>

> At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking it

was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated - I

came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

>

> We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

>

> If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

>

> Thank you in advance

>

> Judy

>

> Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

>

> Lead Faculty

> University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

> Direct tel.

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> On Jun 17, 2011, at 1:09 PM, " dsinouye " <fullcircle@...

<mailto:fullcircle%40sonic.net> > wrote:

>

> > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So in

> > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > undesirable side effects.

> >

> > -Dorothy

> >

> > From: LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> ]

> > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@... <mailto:hibbittsjenn%40aol.com>

> > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > To: lbdcaregivers <mailto:lbdcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

> > Subject: Ativan

> >

> > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dorothy and especially about the cipro! They gave her a small dose of

morphine Nd she seems more comfortable

Beat,

Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

Lead Faculty

University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

Jrstr@...

Direct tel.

Sent from my iPhone

> Hopefully the hospital will do a culture and sensitivity to see what’s going

on with the uti.

>

> My mil reacted with great agitation and confusion to CIPRO, LEVAQUIN and

AVELOX – all flourquinalin antibiotics. You can find on the drug information

mention of this kind of reaction so it’s not unheard of. Perhaps your mother

is having similar problems with Cipro??

>

> It certainly sounds like a UTI and hopefully they will give her a different

antibiotic for it. Then see if the agitation improves.

>

> My mil has not tried morphine yet. We have used hydrocodone for the last 5

years since she broke her back and she has done fine with it thank goodness.

>

> Dorothy

>

> From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ] On

Behalf Of Judy

> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 8:41 PM

> To: LBDcaregivers

> Cc: LBDcaregivers ; <LBDcaregivers >

> Subject: Re: Need input on agitation

>

> What does anyone know about morphine and LBD ?

>

> Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

>

> Lead Faculty

> University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

> Direct tel.

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> On Jun 18, 2011, at 9:55 PM, Judy <jrstraussb@...

<mailto:jrstraussb%40aol.com> > wrote:

>

> > Dear friends

> >

> > I have been a regular in this group but mostly in observation of how others

are coping with loved ones with LBD and I am always amazed and grateful for how

much I learn from all of u!

> >

> > I am writing tonite since I could use your help in figuring out what is up

with my 77 yr old mom

> > Alittle background - my mother was first diagnosed with parkinsons in and

around 2003- after several fractures and general balance and rigidity problems -

when she began to exhibit a rapid decline in cognition April of 2010 she was

diagnosed with the LBD and we had 24/7 home care for her ever since with an

angel named -

> >

> > mom is on the excellon patch - cymbalta - Locartin ( for blood pressure )-

lipitor and levedopa - all of which has kept her stable and comfortable However

within the last 15 months she stopped talking, ambulating and now I'm not sure

I'd she recognizes me anymore

> >

> > At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking it

was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> > then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated -

I came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

> >

> > We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> > I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

> >

> > If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

> >

> > Thank you in advance

> >

> > Judy

> >

> > Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

> >

> > Lead Faculty

> > University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> > Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

> > Direct tel.

> >

> > Sent from my iPhone

> >

> > On Jun 17, 2011, at 1:09 PM, " dsinouye " <fullcircle@...

<mailto:fullcircle%40sonic.net> > wrote:

> >

> > > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So in

> > > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > > undesirable side effects.

> > >

> > > -Dorothy

> > >

> > > From: LBDcaregivers

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:LBDcaregivers

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> ]

> > > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@... <mailto:hibbittsjenn%40aol.com>

> > > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > > To: lbdcaregivers <mailto:lbdcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

> > > Subject: Ativan

> > >

> > > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

So glad to hear this Judy. My mil’s doctors advise to start off with very low

dose of anything we’re not sure about. So very glad she is comfortable.

Hang in there

Dorothy

From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ] On

Behalf Of Judy

Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 9:28 PM

To: LBDcaregivers

Cc: <LBDcaregivers >

Subject: Re: Need input on agitation

Thanks Dorothy and especially about the cipro! They gave her a small dose of

morphine Nd she seems more comfortable

Beat,

Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

Lead Faculty

University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

Direct tel.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 19, 2011, at 12:23 AM, " dsinouye " <fullcircle@...

<mailto:fullcircle%40sonic.net> > wrote:

> Hopefully the hospital will do a culture and sensitivity to see what’s going

on with the uti.

>

> My mil reacted with great agitation and confusion to CIPRO, LEVAQUIN and

AVELOX – all flourquinalin antibiotics. You can find on the drug information

mention of this kind of reaction so it’s not unheard of. Perhaps your mother

is having similar problems with Cipro??

>

> It certainly sounds like a UTI and hopefully they will give her a different

antibiotic for it. Then see if the agitation improves.

>

> My mil has not tried morphine yet. We have used hydrocodone for the last 5

years since she broke her back and she has done fine with it thank goodness.

>

> Dorothy

>

> From: LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

[mailto:LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> ]

On Behalf Of Judy

> Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2011 8:41 PM

> To: LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

> Cc: LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> ;

<LBDcaregivers <mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> >

> Subject: Re: Need input on agitation

>

> What does anyone know about morphine and LBD ?

>

> Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

>

> Lead Faculty

> University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

<mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

> Direct tel.

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

> On Jun 18, 2011, at 9:55 PM, Judy <jrstraussb@...

<mailto:jrstraussb%40aol.com> <mailto:jrstraussb%40aol.com> > wrote:

>

> > Dear friends

> >

> > I have been a regular in this group but mostly in observation of how others

are coping with loved ones with LBD and I am always amazed and grateful for how

much I learn from all of u!

> >

> > I am writing tonite since I could use your help in figuring out what is up

with my 77 yr old mom

> > Alittle background - my mother was first diagnosed with parkinsons in and

around 2003- after several fractures and general balance and rigidity problems -

when she began to exhibit a rapid decline in cognition April of 2010 she was

diagnosed with the LBD and we had 24/7 home care for her ever since with an

angel named -

> >

> > mom is on the excellon patch - cymbalta - Locartin ( for blood pressure )-

lipitor and levedopa - all of which has kept her stable and comfortable However

within the last 15 months she stopped talking, ambulating and now I'm not sure

I'd she recognizes me anymore

> >

> > At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking it

was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> > then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated -

I came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

> >

> > We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> > I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

> >

> > If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

> >

> > Thank you in advance

> >

> > Judy

> >

> > Judy R Strauss MSW PhD

> >

> > Lead Faculty

> > University of Phoenix/ Jersey City

> > Jrstr@... <mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

<mailto:Jrstr%40email.Phoenix.edu>

> > Direct tel.

> >

> > Sent from my iPhone

> >

> > On Jun 17, 2011, at 1:09 PM, " dsinouye " <fullcircle@...

<mailto:fullcircle%40sonic.net> <mailto:fullcircle%40sonic.net> > wrote:

> >

> > > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So in

> > > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > > undesirable side effects.

> > >

> > > -Dorothy

> > >

> > > From: LBDcaregivers

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> [mailto:LBDcaregivers

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:LBDcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com> ]

> > > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@... <mailto:hibbittsjenn%40aol.com>

<mailto:hibbittsjenn%40aol.com>

> > > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > > To: lbdcaregivers <mailto:lbdcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

<mailto:lbdcaregivers%40yahoogroups.com>

> > > Subject: Ativan

> > >

> > > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Just from my personal experience (I do not have LBD) - I took one Cipro pill

(for a sinus infection) and had to go to bed because of the " jitters " that I was

feeling: I was simply miserable trying to sit up - it was like I was tense all

over and could not relax. That is the same reaction I get to antihistamines

only it was more severe. Cipro may be fine for some people, but there are some

of us who absolutely cannot take it. I think if I had a drip and a catheter

stuck in me at the time, I would have been trying to take them out as well -

anything to get the tension to go away. I'd get the Cipro changed; there are

other choices; keep working at it till you find the one she can tolerate.

Ann

>

> > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So in

> > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > undesirable side effects.

> >

> > -Dorothy

> >

> > From: LBDcaregivers [mailto:LBDcaregivers ]

> > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@...

> > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > To: lbdcaregivers

> > Subject: Ativan

> >

> > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Warning - careful with Ativan - many here have experienced bad reactions from

the use of Ativan -- everyone is different -- but all meds should start low, go

slow and the LO be watched constantly...

> >

> > Dear friends

> >

> ...

> > At the beginning of this week mom was showing discomfort pointing to her

pelvis - we consulted with her dr who put her on a low dose of cipro thinking

it was a UTI and she seemed to show less discomfort

> > then Today I got a call from her aid catherine that mom was very agitated -

I came over to find my mom very anxious and sweaty and showing an even greater

cognitive dip-

> >

> > We r now waiting to be seen in the er NYC

> > I have trepidation about why drug might be useful in calming her down enough

for them to even examine or test her!

> >

> > If anyone gas had this experience or can recommend the best possible drug to

be used for extreme agitation I would appreciate your input

> >

> > Thank you in advance

> >

> > Judy

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Judy,

Wish I could do something in terms of advice.... will keep your Mom in my

thoughts.

Sending you strength from NY,

Helene

(Mom, 77, 11 years with LBD)

> > >

> > > > The regular dose of ativan puts my mil in delirium for days with strong

> > > > hallucinations. Her doctor urged me to try liquid and a small dose. So

in

> > > > emergencies I give her a very tiny bit if she is having extreme

> > > > anxiety/agitation and it helps sometimes. The liquid dose we give is .25

> > > > cc with a syringe, not the dropper. Anything more and she has very bad

> > > > undesirable side effects.

> > > >

> > > > -Dorothy

> > > >

> > > > From: LBDcaregivers

[mailto:LBDcaregivers ]

> > > > On Behalf Of hibbittsjenn@

> > > > Sent: Friday, June 17, 2011 7:50 AM

> > > > To: lbdcaregivers

> > > > Subject: Ativan

> > > >

> > > > What side effects have ya'll experienced with Ativan and LBD?

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Judy - My hope is that the doctor (or someone else) was able to figure out what

made your Mom agitated. Sometimes it can be something so small. Other times it

can be significant but we have to figure out what it is and pay close attention

to any non-verbal cues. At times, a small adjustment to something can make a

difference. I hope that was the case. You mentioned going to NY to see a

doctor. I would highly recommend Dr. Jim Galvin. If you need his information,

please let me know.