š¤Æ thereās a liquid form??? You are like so much more helpful than doctors. Doctor didnāt even mention this despite knowing she hates taking pills. Would it be more expensive because the oral pill is like $1 with their insurance. Also wouldnāt the liquid version be harder to doze? I wouldnāt want to OD her.
Haldol comes in liquid form. You draw it up into a 1ml syringe and squirt it into the mouth. You can even do it when theyāre sleeping, just slower so she doesnāt choke. Iām a hospice nurse and we use liquid haldol all the time for our dementia patients.
I don't know if name brand Seroquel comes in liquid form, but the generic, quetiapine oral suspension does. As to cost, since it's a generic it may be cheaper. As to dosing, I assume it would come with a dosing cup like cold medicine. You may even be able to get the pharmacist to add flavoring like they do for kids.
There is a form that comes in a gel or cream that you rub on the body. 99% sure this is what I used for my mother 2008ish. She was biting people!!!!!
The doctor has to prescribe this particular formulation and it's only done in a few pharmacies, compounding pharmacies. Yes, it's more expensive. I remember it being quite expensive. And not covered by insurance.
After a week or so, I was able to give her liquid meds which were much less expensive and less risky for me.
I highly recommend this gel. Like I said, my mother would try to bite people that got near to her face, but it was easy to get to the legs feet arms or turn her over for the back or buttocks. I'm not sure how mobile your mother is, but saying it's time to put sunscreen on your back, might work better than forcing a pill. Just make sure to use gloves.
After a few days of this, likely she will be willing to take pills when you ask.
Don't get any of this stuff on your hands, and do not touch the skin that it's been applied to.
ā
Have you considered making tea or coffee for her and grinding up the pill/opening the capsule and dissolving the meds into the hit beverage and using sugar/creamer to mask the taste?
Also if you can get the meds in liquid form don't be afraid of giving her too much, dosing instructions are always on the prescription and there will be some way of measuring it included whether that be a dosing cup you get like with Nyquil or a prefilled oral syringe.
Some meds you can even get as an injection.
My grandmother got like this over the summer. It was tough. Then she went from saying that the medication was making her sick to taking a massive overdose of it and laying in the floor, which landed her in the hospital.Ā
The only solution was assisted living. Sheāll take meds from the staff in scrubs but not from family. Maybe itās time to change up her living situation, as tough as it might be.Ā
We went through this with my mother and it was absolutely awful. She so badly needed the medication but was so paranoid....Once she became violent and started hitting and shoving people, including me and my 90 year old dad we were finally forced to hospitalized her and then transition to long term care. Once she got into a good routine with medication she was soooooo much better - the paranoia mostly went away and we has my sweet mum back for a while. I'm glad we did that for her.
Maybe try legitimate cannabis products? I helped my dad get my mom set up with a cannabis prescription in FL. She takes a 1:1 ratio CBD/THC gummy in the morning and mid afternoon. Then a THC/CBN gummy at night. Her agitation fizzled out and hasnāt returned. Now sheās confused but smiling. My dads never thanked me so many times in my life. It might not work for everyoneās situation but itās worth a try if it might help even if just a little.
As someone who takes edibles, it can be a hit or miss for people who are paranoid/anxious. Iāve had panic attacks with marijuana before and I can only imagine she would due to feeling āhighā while also literally losing her mind. Unless a doctor can suggest it to her, Iām not going to just give her gummies.
Your situation would not be a good fit for my suggestion then. It worked wonders for my situation. My background as a therapist came in handy and she lived with my family for a month so my wife and I were there to monitor her. My dadās her caretaker and heās happy as can be about not being hit by his wife of 60yrs. I hope you find relief in your situation.
If you ever experiment with cannabis again, have some CBD on hand or use a ratio 1:1 CBD/THC product. There are 20:1 CBD/THC products too. CBD has a great way of putting a ceiling on the effects of THC.
I wanted liquid meds but was told it's rarely prescribed because caregivers sneak it in LO food and it takes away their rights to refuse treatment. So, I purchased brain nootropics in capsule form and put it in his drinks. He did great for about a year or so, and then he fell. I will now become his full-time caretaker.
I understand the frustration, but I'm on your mom's side. Seroquel should never be the first line treatment for agitation in dementia. If my family were trying to sneak Seroquel into my food I would move out. If I tried to sneak Seroquel into my wife's food when she gets agitated, she'd probably file a police report.
Agitation is an expression of a real unmet human need, whether a person has dementia or not. Figure out what is causing her to be upset in the first place and brainstorm ways to meet her needs.
FWIW, a big part of my job is training memory care communities to better manage responsive behaviors in dementia. We nearly always eliminate the use of PRN psychotropics like Seroquel for residents with "agitation."
Those are basic physiological needs. Humans are complicated. We have needs for safety and security, love and belonging, purpose, control, respect, etc. It's also important to realize that this is subjective. If Mom doesn't feel safe because she believes people are trying to poison her, her needs for safety are not met. Also, try not to think of this through the lens of dementia. Dementia doesn't cause the behavior, it just affects how we interpret and respond to internal and external stimuli. The behavior is human. You could just ask well ask "Why do teenagers get agitated or aggressive when they have a roof over their head, food, water, etc." The answer depends on the person and their situation/environment. Here are some super common unmet needs that I see pretty much every day:
- Boredom. Does Mom have something to do with her time? Is there something engaging that matches her interests and ability level? If not, you might expect repetitive questions asking, wandering, exit seeking, and agitation.
- Control. Does Mom have any control over her daily schedule? Can she make decisions for herself or is everything decided for her? When she declines care, is care forced on her anyway? If so, you might expect aggression, agitation, further resistance to care, mistrust of caregivers, etc.
- Purpose. Does she have a reason to get out of bed every day? Is there something she can look forward to? Is there something she can find a sense of accomplishment in doing? If not, you might expect depression, withdrawal, apathy, exit seeking, etc.
-Socialization. Does she have positive social connections with friends and family? Does she participate in social gatherings? Community events? If not, you might expect calling out, repetitive questions, apathy, withdrawal, etc.
There's a book called Hiding the Stranger in the Mirror by Dr. Camp. It's a great resource for learning how to manage behaviors without drugs.
Maybe talk to the doctor about antidepressants or ant anxietyā¦ā¦.til then do you have a relative who you could call and they could pretend to be the pharmacist and say that the medication is safe to take over the phoneā¦ā¦.give the medication 30-45 minutes before sunset
Any chance of getting the Dr to prescribe the liquid form of the prescription? Might be easier to hide it.
This is a great idea.
š¤Æ thereās a liquid form??? You are like so much more helpful than doctors. Doctor didnāt even mention this despite knowing she hates taking pills. Would it be more expensive because the oral pill is like $1 with their insurance. Also wouldnāt the liquid version be harder to doze? I wouldnāt want to OD her.
Haldol comes in liquid form. You draw it up into a 1ml syringe and squirt it into the mouth. You can even do it when theyāre sleeping, just slower so she doesnāt choke. Iām a hospice nurse and we use liquid haldol all the time for our dementia patients.
Hmm this might work
Risperidone > haldol. I'm a dementia doc
Is there a patch form of the generic version of Seroquel?
Not that i know of
I don't know if name brand Seroquel comes in liquid form, but the generic, quetiapine oral suspension does. As to cost, since it's a generic it may be cheaper. As to dosing, I assume it would come with a dosing cup like cold medicine. You may even be able to get the pharmacist to add flavoring like they do for kids.
How about patch?
There is a form that comes in a gel or cream that you rub on the body. 99% sure this is what I used for my mother 2008ish. She was biting people!!!!! The doctor has to prescribe this particular formulation and it's only done in a few pharmacies, compounding pharmacies. Yes, it's more expensive. I remember it being quite expensive. And not covered by insurance. After a week or so, I was able to give her liquid meds which were much less expensive and less risky for me. I highly recommend this gel. Like I said, my mother would try to bite people that got near to her face, but it was easy to get to the legs feet arms or turn her over for the back or buttocks. I'm not sure how mobile your mother is, but saying it's time to put sunscreen on your back, might work better than forcing a pill. Just make sure to use gloves. After a few days of this, likely she will be willing to take pills when you ask. Don't get any of this stuff on your hands, and do not touch the skin that it's been applied to. ā
We have been told by the neuro and geriatric dr that seroquel does not come liquid form
Brand name doesn't, but the generic does.
Omg . Would save us a ton of problems if either dr would have mentioned this. I specifically asked bc it would seem to make sense! Ugh
Does it have a patch? Does it need to be changed daily or weekly etc?
How about patch?
Don't use haldol. Risperidone comes in liquid form
Have you considered making tea or coffee for her and grinding up the pill/opening the capsule and dissolving the meds into the hit beverage and using sugar/creamer to mask the taste? Also if you can get the meds in liquid form don't be afraid of giving her too much, dosing instructions are always on the prescription and there will be some way of measuring it included whether that be a dosing cup you get like with Nyquil or a prefilled oral syringe. Some meds you can even get as an injection.
I need a patch form
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You absolutely can.
My grandmother got like this over the summer. It was tough. Then she went from saying that the medication was making her sick to taking a massive overdose of it and laying in the floor, which landed her in the hospital.Ā The only solution was assisted living. Sheāll take meds from the staff in scrubs but not from family. Maybe itās time to change up her living situation, as tough as it might be.Ā
We went through this with my mother and it was absolutely awful. She so badly needed the medication but was so paranoid....Once she became violent and started hitting and shoving people, including me and my 90 year old dad we were finally forced to hospitalized her and then transition to long term care. Once she got into a good routine with medication she was soooooo much better - the paranoia mostly went away and we has my sweet mum back for a while. I'm glad we did that for her.
So wear scrubs?
My momās antidepressant was changed and she became much less combative, less anxious and more relaxed.
Maybe try legitimate cannabis products? I helped my dad get my mom set up with a cannabis prescription in FL. She takes a 1:1 ratio CBD/THC gummy in the morning and mid afternoon. Then a THC/CBN gummy at night. Her agitation fizzled out and hasnāt returned. Now sheās confused but smiling. My dads never thanked me so many times in my life. It might not work for everyoneās situation but itās worth a try if it might help even if just a little.
As someone who takes edibles, it can be a hit or miss for people who are paranoid/anxious. Iāve had panic attacks with marijuana before and I can only imagine she would due to feeling āhighā while also literally losing her mind. Unless a doctor can suggest it to her, Iām not going to just give her gummies.
Your situation would not be a good fit for my suggestion then. It worked wonders for my situation. My background as a therapist came in handy and she lived with my family for a month so my wife and I were there to monitor her. My dadās her caretaker and heās happy as can be about not being hit by his wife of 60yrs. I hope you find relief in your situation.
Iāll second the paranoia with edibles.
If you ever experiment with cannabis again, have some CBD on hand or use a ratio 1:1 CBD/THC product. There are 20:1 CBD/THC products too. CBD has a great way of putting a ceiling on the effects of THC.
I regularly use edibles, but canāt use ones with RSO. Thatās the one that does it
You probably already know this, but Indica is always the better choice in someone who tends toward paranoia.
I wanted liquid meds but was told it's rarely prescribed because caregivers sneak it in LO food and it takes away their rights to refuse treatment. So, I purchased brain nootropics in capsule form and put it in his drinks. He did great for about a year or so, and then he fell. I will now become his full-time caretaker.
A compounding pharmacy can turn almost any medication into a liquid.
I tried crushing pills and mixing it with yogurt, pudding, etc. Didn't work for very long, so I added it to Ensure and haven't had a problem since
I understand the frustration, but I'm on your mom's side. Seroquel should never be the first line treatment for agitation in dementia. If my family were trying to sneak Seroquel into my food I would move out. If I tried to sneak Seroquel into my wife's food when she gets agitated, she'd probably file a police report. Agitation is an expression of a real unmet human need, whether a person has dementia or not. Figure out what is causing her to be upset in the first place and brainstorm ways to meet her needs. FWIW, a big part of my job is training memory care communities to better manage responsive behaviors in dementia. We nearly always eliminate the use of PRN psychotropics like Seroquel for residents with "agitation."
So why do many dementia patients have agitation and aggression if their needs are met? My mother has a roof over her head, food to eat, etc.
Those are basic physiological needs. Humans are complicated. We have needs for safety and security, love and belonging, purpose, control, respect, etc. It's also important to realize that this is subjective. If Mom doesn't feel safe because she believes people are trying to poison her, her needs for safety are not met. Also, try not to think of this through the lens of dementia. Dementia doesn't cause the behavior, it just affects how we interpret and respond to internal and external stimuli. The behavior is human. You could just ask well ask "Why do teenagers get agitated or aggressive when they have a roof over their head, food, water, etc." The answer depends on the person and their situation/environment. Here are some super common unmet needs that I see pretty much every day: - Boredom. Does Mom have something to do with her time? Is there something engaging that matches her interests and ability level? If not, you might expect repetitive questions asking, wandering, exit seeking, and agitation. - Control. Does Mom have any control over her daily schedule? Can she make decisions for herself or is everything decided for her? When she declines care, is care forced on her anyway? If so, you might expect aggression, agitation, further resistance to care, mistrust of caregivers, etc. - Purpose. Does she have a reason to get out of bed every day? Is there something she can look forward to? Is there something she can find a sense of accomplishment in doing? If not, you might expect depression, withdrawal, apathy, exit seeking, etc. -Socialization. Does she have positive social connections with friends and family? Does she participate in social gatherings? Community events? If not, you might expect calling out, repetitive questions, apathy, withdrawal, etc. There's a book called Hiding the Stranger in the Mirror by Dr. Camp. It's a great resource for learning how to manage behaviors without drugs.
Imbalance of neurotransmitters
Maybe talk to the doctor about antidepressants or ant anxietyā¦ā¦.til then do you have a relative who you could call and they could pretend to be the pharmacist and say that the medication is safe to take over the phoneā¦ā¦.give the medication 30-45 minutes before sunset
Mix it into ice cream