Posted by Lucy's Little Sister on July 15, 2007, at 9:30:42
We are going through an awful experience with NMS. My sister was "off"->5/15 psychiatrist said to hospitalize->local hospital recently closed Mental Health unit->local hospital had me transport to Brown County Mental Health (BCMH)because Manitowoc County has contract with them and other hospitals are very selective (have come to read "selective" to mean it depends what insurance you have)->2wks & 2days at BCMH saw her spiral down to not even being able to walk, stand or get up (5/14 she was driving, going to work, communicating--fully self-sufficient!)->transferred to St.Vincent ER->Spinal Tap ruled out meningitis->Diagnosed NMS->19 days in ICU->on ventilator/breathing tube, tube-feeding, PIC line thru neck to heart for meds & taking blood, catheter->catatonic->ceased Seroquel and Abilify->gave Dantrolene & Bromocriptine (not sure of spelling)->moved to Intermediate ICU for one day then regular room on medical floor for two weeks->Weaned off Dantrolene & Bromocriptine->Only med Activan(sp?)->7/4 removed trache tube->7/5 removed feeding tube->7/6 discharged to Manitowoc County Health Care Center (MCHCC)nursing home for short-term rehab as they are only place in county that provides "specialized care" & "active-treatment" as required by state PASARR test review because they have psychiatric care->Psychiatrist doing care at MCHCC who is local (Holy Family) Hospital doctor and happens to be my sister's psychiatrist, is leaving 7/25 and told my sister she will no longer be his patient & she can never be on any anti-psychotic meds again->He hasn't called me as requested->MCHCC doesn't know who will be providing psych care->To my knowledge no bi-polar meds have been started but I was told by St.Vincent doctor that Lithium is an option->She was on that for almost 20 years but didn't like side affects/tremors->General Practioner at one point several years ago put her on water pills which conflicted with Lithium too->2003 or so Psych had changed her from Lithium to Seroquel as they said Lithium was too dangerous but the Seroquel almost killed her->WHAT ARE HER OPTIONS FOR MEDS?->HOW CAN I GET HER THE CARE SHE NEEDS SO SHE CAN HAVE A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE? (I am her Power of Attorney which has been activated)->Please provide any information that may help. Thank you.
poster:Lucy's Little Sister
thread:769657
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070710/msgs/769657.html