Risperdol and Invega 85 year old with Alzheimer

[BBJ]

First of all I appreciate medical advice can't be given but I'm looking for opinions of these drugs.

My FIL was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer (paranoid delusions) just 3 months ago. He's 85 but up until the drugs has always been active, taking daily brisk walks and doing the odd cleaning around the house. But over the last 8 months he started to visualize people outside the house and often packed his bags saying the family needs to leave believing them to be in danger. Personally, I put the sudden change down to the fact only last year he lost a brother and his only son at the age of 59, since then he has gone downhill.

However, since the diagnosis (drugs) I have seen him drop like a stone, and he's still having the delusions, doesn't remember his family (seems to remember me and my daughter oddly enough) but he is a total zombie. Personally, I don't touch drugs and never have with the exception of a headache tablet but when I looked at the list he was put on I was shocked!

Tanzaril

Bestatin 10

Glizide

Glucaphage

Desmopressin

Risperadol

As he seemed much worse since the drugs, I asked my wife to challenge the prescription and he was admitted to hospital for tests and observation who also concluded he shouldn't be on this cocktail.

After a week's observation in hospital - now in his second with only 2 visits from the actual doctor - the doctor injected him with invega. I wasn't aware he had been injected at the time. However, after a couple of visits I noticed he was loosing control of his muscles and could barely get anything to function, his eyelids have dropped along with his mouth and he looks very sad with little or any emotion. He sleeps during the day and is awake all night with barely and cognitive function at all.

I asked the wife if the doctor had given him anything and she replied with invega. Again, I was even more shocked as this drug warns it is not to be given to the elderly with dementia related problems and can cause early death! After researching it online, it seems there is an ongoing battle with J & J and 99% of the reviews I have read are calling it the drug from hell!

Has anyone any experience of this, and more importantly has anyone found anything to help a family member with Alzheimer?

I am a strictly organic person and stay well clear of drugs and only use nutraceuticals. Never been an hospital, injection free etc, so I feel a bit strong about this stuff.

Thanks in advance

[oncearugge]

You, I suggest , need to urgently seek a second opinion about this gentleman's care and need for medication.

Can you say if FL is Thai and which hospital is currently providing his care/treatment?

It would, superficially, and without knowing all the details seem that FL was prescribed Invega inappropriately (if indeed that is what he was given) .

It is almost universally accepted that powerful antipsychotic medication has little or no place in treatment of elderly people suffering any form of dementia induced "Psychosis"

Hopefully someone can offer suggestions related to obtaining that second opinion.

[BBJ]

^He is Thai and presently in the police hospital. It is a little frustrating as I have told my wife to get him off this stuff and speak to the doctor. But annoyingly she along with the family are waiting for the doctor to come rather than get in contact with him or seek advice elsewhere. As I stated, in the 2 weeks he has been there the doctor has seen him twice. I honestly believe he will see his last days there if the wife doesn't get him out!

Edited October 19, 2015 by BBJ

[Sheryl]

Invega is a powerful antipsychotic and not advisable for someone suffering from Alzheimers. Ditto risperadol, though in some cases it is hard to avoid its use if the patient is extremely combative.

I am concerned re the desmopressin as this is usually used to treat diabetes insipus, a fairly uncommon pitutary disorder in which there is abnormal excretion of sodium and water. Low sodium levels can in themselves alter mental status. (He is also being treated for regular diabetes).

It is also sometimes used to control night time bedwetting in which case I suppose it is possible that the hospital is using it to decrease incontinence for the convenience of the staff (not at all a good idea). But need to verify this as the whole picture changes if he has diabetes insipidus.

I can suggest a physician specializing in Alzheimers but at an expensive private hospital so not a viable option if your FIL requires hospitalization.

Best I can suggest is that you yourself get hold of the doctor and question him regarding the diabetes insipidus and overall physical condition. The Alzheimers and confusion alone (if not due to electrolyte disturbance) could be managed as an outpatient with some live in help and should aim for that, but if he has diabetes insipidus may be hard.

IF he does not have DI then getting him off the pyschotropic meds and back home (probably with a nurses aid or live in helper to reduce the burden on the family) and under the care of a doctor specializing in Alzheimers would be best. For which I recommend: https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Ketchai-Suavansri

All of this will of course need to cooperation of the family.

If they are really opposed, he would still be better off in a good nursing home off pyschotropics than in an acute care hospital on them, but cost may become an issue for that. This place is said to be good: http://www.goldenyears.co.th/en/

[BBJ]

^Thanks very much for the reply. Yes, we want him home but the 2 night checkup is now in its second week. I believe he is also diabetic and also had prostate issues which I only found out recently. We are presently speaking to another doctor so we will see what he suggests. Cost isn't an issue but he ended up in hospital at the elders sister's demand who is never around to contribute financially or emotionally. But that is another story!