My younger sister is 44 and takes various doctor-prescribed painkillers at doctor-prescribed doses. Presently, she's taking six different medications from painkillers to hypertension medications. The opioid, Avinza 60 mg, she has been taking daily for over 20 years. The hydrocodone 500 mg, she has been taking 3 times a day for over 2 years. I have no idea how long she has been using the Zanaflex, which I understand to be a muscle relaxer. She was also taking an anti-depressant with a painkiller, but I don't know if she still takes it.

Since I live out of state, I don't see her daily and at first noticed subtle changes. She became unreliable when she used to be one of the most dependable people I know. She can't hold a job or get along with anyone. She's outrageously outspoken. She'll see some little hand-done object, then stay up all night every night, compulsively working on reproducing one of said objects for every single person she knows. Now, she seems to be having trouble with memories that are real versus fantastical memories I know are absolutely not real. She's becoming increasingly more angry with our mother concerning childhood events that never happened and blaming her for things that have nothing to do with our mother. At first, only the distant memories were involved, but lately she's been having difficulty with present memories as well.

I'm sure that if she continues her present lifestyle, she's going to be completely lost where no one can bring her back. I don't know what to do to help, but I would sure appreciate advice on where to begin.

The first thing that came to my mind when I read your post was, would it be possible for you to contact her PCP and tell them what you have observed? If there is no one who coordinates her prescriptions, could you perhaps let her pharmacist know (if she has one that she gets all of her meds from)?

Her behavior changes might well have something to do with her meds interacting with each other, or other side effects. Therefore, it might be a good idea to get her health care provider(s) involved, so that they can help sort out her meds to prevent the situation from getting worse.

Good luck! :)

Hi....

The combination of meds that you've listed, could definitely produce some bizarre behaviour.

I hope that hydrocodone is mixed with another ingredient, (acetaminophen or aspirin?), because that dosage is way too high.

There could be many things happening here. Your sister needs to see a Doctor, soon.

She's obviously having personality changes, that should be investigated.

Lil

Hi Crowgirl,

And thanks for the reply. Because sometimes when I speak to her she's lucid and other times, she's crazy-talking, I'd say that the problem is that she is either sometimes taking too much or sometimes taking too many--as in too many different medications.

Right now, she has a bone surgery on the horizon, so convincing her she's taking too much when the doctor is saying "here you go!" is going to be a problem. I've spoken to her husband, who I feel should take account (and I mean that literally) of what she's taking and how often.

Pri Lily,

Unfortunately, it is the seeing of the doctors that has landed her here in the first place. She's already seeing a pain management doctor at a pain management clinic, originally for the purpose of getting off medication. However, years later that's who keeps prescribing the medication. I believe that the only way she's coming off medications is if, in a moment of clarity or during a frightening emergency scenario , she sees fit to remove herself from the medications and asks for professional help. No doctor is going to be The One to stop the scripts, and even if one did, she'd just look until she found another. Until that time, all her family can do is try to prevent an accidental overdose or be ready to pick up the pieces when we fail.

Hi....

I don't really think that she should come off of those types of medications cold turkey.

She would need to go to detox.

If she's having surgery, she should get them straightened out, or her hospital stay could be a nightmare. There's nothing worse than having other people dispensing your meds! Especially if you're abusing them.

If she was smart, she'd start cutting back now....or her pain coverage won't be near adequate when she is in the hospital.

Good Luck.....

Lil