Schizophrenia ? What a mess :(

[deelam]

I can give you a little advise if your Grandmom will continue to live independantly. Find a meals on wheels program in your area. Most meals on wheels require a Doctor's note. When you take her to the Doctors ask for a note for meals on wheels. Make sure your Grandmom understands that these are good meals that she has to eat. Be stronge and firm with Grandmom. Let her know that you are sending these meals for her. This way she knows they are safe. Having Meals on wheels will take some of the burden off of you. AT least then a balanced meal will be there for her everyday.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

How's your Grandma doing ....hope all is well with everyone.

 

[dustysky]

Yes a little news, I had her seen by a primary care physician Monday. He was SO great; he took the time to talk to me before he saw her as well as after.
While he was asking her about her medical history, etc. I spoke up and mentioned the neighbor “issue” she had NO problem telling him all about how they have her apartment wired to spy on her and she told him in detail what they said to her. It was very sad because I could tell that he was at a loss.
He said he wanted to build her trust up and that he wanted to wait for some records from the local ER the last time I took her there. He sent her for blood work and we went on our way.

That was Monday, today (Thursday) I got a call from her at work saying that the police were on there way because the neighbor was on a “rant” with her gun.

I ended up calling the police (after they left her house) they told me she was not a threat so there for they could not “take her” to the mental hospital. (I do not agree)

I then called the mental hospital for advice, after speaking to them, I decided that tomorrow I would call the primary back and get a prescription for a cat scan (that is what he wanted) instead of waiting for the old records.

FAST WORWARD…….. I started typing the above info one hour ago, as I was typing, my grandmother called me to say that the woman she accuses of threatening her was just taken away in an ambulance. That she had stabbed herself and the police, ambulance etc. had just left. She went on to say that, the girl was in danger of not living from the stab wounds.

I hung up with her, called the police to ask if they had infact been out there for such an event and they said NO.

I asked them to please go out to her house and she aid they could not just show up unless I was there witness her instability.

I am unable to get there (I have no car tonight and she lives 30 minutes away). I called her back and told her I had talked to the police and she said just what I thought she would, “they are lying to me”.

So tomorrow, I will be picking her up and taking her to the mental hospital.

This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life! I know this will change her trust in me, but as I see it right now, I have no other options.

 

[chris1gill]

I'm sorry to hear about your update, but bringing her in is really in her best interest in order to get healthy... good luck today....

 

[Aidensmom]

I am so sorry you have to deal with this situation. How did it go today?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You have to do what you can to try and get to the bottom of the situation before something really bad happens to anyone.

Stay strong!

 

[palmtreegirl]

My family is going through the EXACT same thing with my grandmother, she is now in a mental hospital that treats the elderly.

She spoke of people trying to kill her, suicide, has delusions of people in her room, she'd make up there dramatic stories about her friend being drunk, would constantly lash out at people cursing and screaming(even at her priest) and then she even got in a physical fight with her best friend. Now she hates everyone but me apparently and that's only because I live all the way down here(she's in NJ) and I haven't seen her since July. The things she says about and to my mom are horrible, it's a terrible situation.

She was put in a temporary mental hospital at first but she refuses to take any of the medication she was prescribed by the doctors, so now they've tranferred her to a long term mental hospital for the elderly. They said she'll stay there till she's stable and no longer a threat to herself and others.

I hope things work out better for your grandmother and she's open to treatment so she gets better soon.

 

[lindakmonty]

well, I can tell you my dad has paranoid schizophrenia.... he left when I was 3 and ran all over the country b/c "they" were trying to kill him...he was YOUNG.... like 21 at this time. He was actually not properly diagnosed until I was 16. He would never stick around long enough for anyone to try to help him. it is a daily struggle at times but at least he is ok as long as he gets his meds. I still worry. I don't leave my ds alone w/him b/c you just never know what could happen but my dsister leaves all 3 of her kids w/him all day and he runs them to sports all the time . I'd rather be safe than sorry myself. Good luck and just be there for her. Which you are of coarse. All you can do is try to help and get her on the proper meds. good luck and keep strong

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Hoping for the best for you and your grandma...just be strong and assertive when it comes to getting her the help she needs. Hugs to you
Don't worry what she thinks of you at this time...she clearly isn't rational ...

 

[dmslush]

I'm sorry that you are having to make this hard decision. I'll keep you in my thoughts today!

 

[dustysky]

For reasons that I do not understand my grandmothers Dr. would not issue me a perscription to have a catscan done on Monday so I was not able to get her to the hospital. I was litteraly broken, I felt alone and hurt, and betrayed. I am trying SO hard to get her help and I felt like at every turn I was hit with a brick wall.

Today was my daughters birthday party, when my husband picked up my grandmother to bring her to the party she had a bag with her, it contained all of her pictures (most very old) she said she had to take it with her because the nieghbors are now able to get INTO her apartment via "some" hole and *they* are stealing things from her. She thinks they stoled her cookie jar (of all things).

She complained of stomach pains when he picked her up as well so as soon as the party was over I used that to my advantage and took her to the ER. SHE WAS TICKED!!!!!!!!!!! I told the Dr. about the storys and then SHE told him loud and clear. The Dr. did a cat-scan, blood work, electolight testing, urin tesy, etc. all was fine, no health issues. That leaves demetia or schzophrenia. He did baker act her tonight.

I should feel good, like I won in some crazy way but all I feel is sick, like I just did something so bad that I can not even speak the words out loud.
Please send me all the strength you can spare, I have zero support from my family and I sure do hope this ends good for all of us involved.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm so sorry. It sounds like it is dementia, then. My grandmother lived with my parents for a while after she was diagnosed and then had to be moved to a nursing home. She would leave the house in the middle of the night and my mom couldn't watch her 24/7 like they could in the facility.

God bless you and your grandmother.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

You are going to feel bad...can't fix normal.

My schizophrenic MIL is staying with us right now for the holiday's. It was a VERY long road to get her to the place she is today!!!! It took almost 20yrs....(God bless Zyprexa...and YUK! to the people trying to take it off the shelf. It has been a godsend...for real.)

Mental issues are never "fixed" they are dealt with as best as you can. The dealing part is what is the hardest at first...then you get better at it.
Hang in there!!!!

 

[mytwotinks]

I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It is hard to see people we love upset and it sounds like your grandma is terrified. You are doing a good thing getting her treatment. She may not know it now, but she will when she gets help. Prayers that help comes soon.

 

[Aidensmom]

I am so sorry.

It is hard. My grandmother went from being the person I could always confide in to suddenly being someone who barely recognized me. I will admit, I am glad it is my mother that has to deal with the brunt of it and not me, it is just too hard. Just know what happened really IS what needed to be done.

 

[MEG&MINNIE]

Thinking of you and knowing that you are certainly correct with bringing her to the ER. Is the "Baker Act" the same as being held against your will because you are a danger to yourself or others? The doctors were correct in admitting her. She is out of touch with reality and needs to be monitored. Do talk to the doctor and "social worker" at the hospital and see what her next step is ...maybe she does need a nursing home. Whatever way this turns out ...be strong,I know it's not easy.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

I worked in a geriatric psychiatry unit for two years. People could be admitted voluntarily or involuntarily. The first thing we did when a person was admitted was a full medical workup--blood work, urinalysis,CT scan. Many issues that are considered "metal health" issues are really medical in nature.

Also, oftentimes, a person who has had mental health "issues" for years have an increase in these issues once a little bit of dementia starts to affect them. I am so sorry your GM is having these problems. My father was in a geriatric psych unit for 10 days after becoming physically aggressive at home (he had Alzheimers). The medication they put him on really helped. I feel sure they will be able to help your GM.

 

[minkydog]

OP, I really sympathize with you. We went through a similar experience about 10yrs ago with MIL. She was having alcohol-induced psychosis and could not take care of herself. Of course, she did not see it that way, nor did some other family members(she was sitting on the porch in her undies, for heavens' sake ) DSil came up with some ruse to get her to the ED, where they very quickly determined that she had altered brain function and malnutrition. They Baker-acted her and she was not happy about it! Oh well. Sometimes you have to do unpleasant things to keep a loved one safe. Leaving her to her own devices was dangerous. MIL went from the hospital straight to assisted living where she has been ever since. SHe forgave us, sort of, but it is a forbidden topic.

You know you are doing the right thing, OP. I'm glad you took her to the ED before she could end up getting hurt.

 

[crazyme5kids]

I am so sorry for what you are going through. Please don't let guilt take over, remember that you are trying to do what is best for your grandmother as well as the people around her.

 

[dustysky]

I was hopeing I would wake up and feel better about this but I dont. I have to work all day and I have no idea if the hospital will keep me in the loop or not but I sure do hope so. Thank you for your support, it realy does help.

I will update when I get home from seeing her tonight.