Danger or not

[Hedghog]

Today a good friend (6yrs )also my landlady has been diagnosed with schizophrenia or something like.

Medication includesArtane,Propranol,Diazapan,Risperidone.

I as a friend agreed to help control and administer said substances.

Is it legal for me to do so.

Is the person safe to be around.

Helpful replies would be great.

I know some smart remarks will be forthcoming.

That's life.

Thank you.

[mrtoad]

Most Shcizophrenics are not dangerous despite the crsp you read in tabloid press. Taking medications and having regular med reviews will certainly help tge person. Often non compliance with medication is the reason they become unwell. Nothing wierd about tge combination although Diazepam should be a short course. The Risperidol is the main med for this as it is an anti psychotic.

[Hedghog]

Mr toad.

Thanks for such an encouraging reply.

I have never dealt with such a request.

Hopefully all will be well.

I suppose my mind is blurred by movies and such.

[mrtoad]

There is a good leaflet provided by MIND on their website and also The Royal Society of Psychistrists has a good one for friends and family. There is so much misunderstanding avout mental illness. Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions.

[David48]

Most Shcizophrenics are not dangerous despite the crsp you read in tabloid press. Taking medications and having regular med reviews will certainly help tge person. Often non compliance with medication is the reason they become unwell. Nothing wierd about tge combination although Diazepam should be a short course. The Risperidol is the main med for this as it is an anti psychotic.

Dr Toad ... I never knew.

International Man of Mystery ...

ps ... no use asking me ... I have frig all experience in that area. Fish Farming ... now that would be different.

.

[VillageIdiot]

It would be better - and safer for you in the long run - if a relative stepped in to help.

[RolandRat]

I would suggest going to the health forum and speak with Sheryl ! A mine of information & advice you can rely on.

Mr Toad also a reliable source

Edited October 30, 2014 by RolandRat

[Hedghog]

Mr toad.

I will contact you.

Wait for the dust to settle.

Its a bit of a shock,to see a perfectly healthy person go (mad) technically speaking.

Unsure of my next move.

Presumably just carry on.

Am I OK to administer the medication,or is that a grey area in Thailand?

[mrtoad]

No i would assume they are all tablet form. Its good to help a friend get used to taking their meds correctlyband at the right time

[Hedghog]

It would be better - and safer for you in the long run - if a relative stepped in to help.

A great idea.

But the nearest relatives are 30 kms away,some of the meds are twice daily.

Thanks for the input.

[Hedghog]

No i would assume they are all tablet form. Its good to help a friend get used to taking their meds correctlyband at the right time

Its a good friend.

I am happy to help.

Just a few questions.

I will do some research on Google is your friend.

But so far,posters have eased my mind.

Thank you.

[mrtoad]

Hedghog dosage boxes might be a good option

[Hedghog]

Hedghog dosage boxes might be a good option

Good idea.

But they still need supervision,to ensure the dose is taken.

I don't have a problem administering the meds,I live next door.

[sdanielmcev]

You might want to check on her personal/financial status with a relative before the situation gets worse. I lived with a paranoid schizophrenic. As long as the treatments continue, she should be alright.

[Rooo]

Moving to health forum.

[Hedghog]

You might want to check on her personal/financial status with a relative before the situation gets worse. I lived with a paranoid schizophrenic. As long as the treatments continue, she should be alright.

Excuse me.

But what has the financial status of said person got to do with anything.

Just to ease your mind the finances are very good.

Loan free assets,plus liquid.

No it isn't a scam.

[Sheryl]

Mrtoad's advice is sound.

As long as these medications have been prescribed to her by a doctor and are oral, not injectable, all you are doing is helping her remember to take them as prescribed and no harm in that. You did not yourself "prescribe" them and you are not performing injections or anything of that sort. So I do not see a problem as long as you stick to what was prescribed.

While you are at it, try to help her remember to keep her follow up appointments.

[Hedghog]

Thanks Sheryl.

All the meds were prescribed by a hospital doctor.

Follow up appointment is in three weeks.

One more question.

Is it safe for her to ride a motorcycle?

She seems capable enough.

[sdanielmcev]

You might want to check on her personal/financial status with a relative before the situation gets worse. I lived with a paranoid schizophrenic. As long as the treatments continue, she should be alright.

Excuse me.

But what has the financial status of said person got to do with anything.

Just to ease your mind the finances are very good.

Loan free assets,plus liquid.

No it isn't a scam.

I meant as a friend. Didn't even think of scam. Taking any long term medication can be a financial drain.

Hope she stays good.

[WhamBam]

No i would assume they are all tablet form. Its good to help a friend get used to taking their meds correctlyband at the right time

And one of those medication boxes that hold the pills for every day of the week might help as an aid to show if the meds have been taken for that day. Sometimes easy to forget if you have taken them or not.

[Hedghog]

Showing improvement already.

After a good night sleep,aided by a dose of diazepam.

Plus two doses of meds.

It appears after some reading,she will be on meds permanantly,but they may be reduced as time goes by.

[mrtoad]

Hedgehog, what's the current dose of Reisperidol?

Yes, you are right that they will look to find a dose for maintenance. I am guessing that because she is taking Artane that the dose is fairly high.

For people that struggle with actually taking thier meds, there are depot form such as Risperidol Consta which gets given as an IM injection and is a slow release, it's then administered weekly, fortnightly or however the Psychiatrist decides on frequency. I used to depot clinics some years back.

[Hedghog]

Mr Toad.

Riperidone 1 mg,twice daily,Artane 2 mg twice daily,Propranolol 10 mg morning.

Diazapan before bed.

[Aussieroaming]

This thread is weird...

So far I have Mr Hedghog, Mr Toad, Sheryl the cat and Roo( kangaroo). It's like a Thailand Beatrice Potter.

[NancyL]

Hedghog, you're to be commended for what you're doing. You're a true friend. Often people with schizophrenia will stop taking their meds once they start to feel better. They think they don't need them any more. As has been mentioned compliance with the medication regime is a major problem in treatment of this disease. Having a buddy like you is a common treatment strategy.

It would be a good idea, however, if she could taper off the diazapan once she gets into a regular daily routine. That one can be habit forming and really nasty to kick. She should talk with her doctor about it during her next follow-up appointment.

Edited November 1, 2014 by NancyL

[Hedghog]

Thank you NancyL.

Unfortunately my friend,after a promising start,is refusing the meds point blank.

Thus reverting back to type.

I have contacted the family,they are in the process of arranging a transfer to some specialist unit in Chang Mai.

I will remain in Phitasanulok and continue support on her return.

[Hedghog]

This thread is weird...

So far I have Mr Hedghog, Mr Toad, Sheryl the cat and Roo( kangaroo). It's like a Thailand Beatrice Potter.

Its not as weird as the situation I have found myself in.

I have had some good advice from posters so far.

Unfortunately yours was positively asinine.

[Hedghog]

Update.

Having been admitted to a psychiatric unit in hospital.

My friend is expected to be released from hospital on Sunday.

Any advice.

Before she was admitted she had made her way to Nakhon Saw an,dressed only in her nightgown.

It was a kind hearted restaurant owner (street stall) informed the authorities and she was taken into custody (protective)

Whence her relatives were informed.

The information was taken from her mobile,which fortunately she took with her.

I think she had a very lucky escape.

[Sheryl]

The only thing you can do is try to ensure she takes her medication regularly and keep her relatives informed of the situation.

It would be best if she had someone staying with her but that is for her family to arrange. Perhaps you could hint as much. Even if they could hire a reliable person to come in for a few hours a day 9inlcusive of giving her her meds) it would be a help but ideally she should not be living alone.

[Hedghog]

Thanks Sheryl.

I live next door so no problem with the meds.

Unfortunately prior to her absconding she flat out refused her medication.

Nothing I could do about that.

By the time the family reacted,she was gone.

Hopefully this time the professionals have got her stable.

There is talk about some sort of social worker being involved,I think because the person in question has to young boys,

10 and 12 years old.that are presently in a temple school for orphans.