My father is severely depressed and on 7 different medications.... Reglan- 4x a day at 10mg each,Ativan 2 1/2 mg, Protonix-40mg,once a day,Lithium-300mg, 2 ea, Adderal- 20mg, 3x a day, Zyprexa- 1/2 tab of 5mg every other day, and Cyprexa- 40 mg, 3x a day What the heck!!!?? I am so frustrated and he wants to end his life every day. I have never known anyone in my life who has hit rock bottom sooooo hard, and is still living.... Please respond anyone please....

I am sorry for you and your father. It is hard being on the side of caretaker.
Is he seeing anyone for counseling?
That is a lot of medication to be on.
Has he had a physical to make sure that his condition isn't physical in nature?
I wish I could say something to help.
I will be praying for you.
Blessings,
Kathy

I do not know who can help....but I appreciate prayers and any hope. I feel trapped and so angry. Anyhow thanks for responding! Cassie

If he is a threat to himself he needs to be on suicide watch in a facility. I think you need to discuss with other family members and his doctor who perscribed all this uppers and downers to him he is feeling the repercussions of total depletion of dopamine and serratonin from all these uppers and downers- they become immune/resistant to them and have to increase the dosages but there is grave danger in that as well. I am sorry for what you and your father have gone through- just remember always let him know you love him and you still need him.

He really needs to be on suicide watch by proffesionals if he is doing something to try to harm himself. If he commits himself he can get out easier rather than him actually attempting suicide then being forced to be commited by the state he could be their indefinetly. Check with the state laws though every state is different. I just thought you would like to know that.

That does seem like too many medications. HeyThere has a valid point about the uppers/downers. I know of one woman who's depression ended up much worse after 10 years worth of medication. Do you think maybe his original depression was not as bad as now or could have had a better solution than pills? Did he ever go through therapy to find the reason for depression, or have complete evalution of his health or diet? Did he ever drink, smoke or take drugs? Did he go through divorce, abuse, grief, etc.? The reason I ask is because sometimes meds are given without full search for original causes of depression. Then, sometimes the meds themselves will cause chemical imbalances in the brain and nervous system.

This is only something to consider since the situation has gotten so bad. If he wanted to get off meds, it would have to be an extremely slow tapering around a year. Cold turkey on any of these meds is dangerous. I am not an expert on the tapering subject, but have heard many people successfully tapering off meds and actually feeling better in the long run. Anyway, if he's suicidal, they must do something different than what they are doing for him now...it obviously isn't working. I hope you find some answers.

This is only a suggestion; ultimately, your father and his doctor must decide what the best course of action is at this point.

[This message has been edited by Jennita (edited 04-30-2003).]