Posted by cait on April 5, 1999, at 20:32:15
In reply to Re: OCD Medications & Brain Injury, posted by Matt on April 1, 1999, at 0:56:54
> Cait
>
> Remeron or Trazodone probably would make him sleep through the night, probably even better than the Ativan. The former might even help for his OCD.
>
> MattI think that it is time for someone (professional) to evaluate my dad. I just worry so much that he is not *enjoying* his life. There were many days throughout the past 12 months that I cried with joy at seeing my dad regain certain physical abilities and also mental abilities. He was so delighted to be back at home, and he seemed filled with joy to be able to go to church and see different family/friends.
Now, he seems to have settled into a pattern that varies little, day-to-day. So much of his day is consumed by the compulsive activities, or I avoid doing certain things with him because I know what will happen--for instance, our walk around the block has become a struggle for me because my dad will stop next door and pull weeds from our neighbor's flower beds. It is sweet that he wants to help her (he is 82 and she is 94) but the weed picking becomes compulsive, and he will not stop unless I PLEAD with him to walk and get exercise. The few times that I have to leave my dad in the care of my mother, she will just let him stay in his bathroom for 4-6 hours or until I get home. She says that she can't get him to leave, even to eat a meal. But I think she finds it easier to just leave him in a room where he is safe, and she can do whatever she wants elsewhere in the house.
I also think that he is regressing in some ways. He has had to wear "attends" due to lack of bladder control, but now he is soiling the diapers. I don't know whether this is a physical or mental thing. My mother continues to scream at him, and she would have one of her typical "fits" if she knew about the bowel movements in the diapers.
How do I find the appropriate person? We are stuck in a little town in Miss. The neurosurgery was performed at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans. That is too far...
I just need somebody to help me help my dad, please.
cait
poster:cait
thread:4191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4422.html