He is in college 6 hrs away from home and has had 2 seizures in the last week because he forgets and or refuses to take his antiseizure Rx on schedule. He is in the er right now. His new dorm roommate callled the paramedics. For the last 4 yrs he has been very irresponsible about taking his Rx. He has had several er visits after having seizures resulting in splitting his forehead requiring 5 stitches and dislocating his shoulder several times. He is under the care of a neurologist and psychotherapist. HOW DO I GET THIS KID TO TAKE HIS RX ON TIME? I am at wit's end.
2007-06-10 16:48:22 · 15 answers · asked by Penny76 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
What kind of system does he have to remind him to take his medicines? Does he have a pill container so his pills are laid out for him a week in advance? That's helpful as it gets so routine for anyone who gets used to taking meds everyday, it's easy to forget whether one took one's meds or not at any one particular time. Anyone needs a system to look back and see, yes there they are, or it can be tempting to assume he or she took them. Then he needs to know from his neurologist what to do if he misses a dose. Many anticonvulsants have such a long half-life that he should make up any doses he misses, up to some limit his neurologist determines. Otherwise the effect of that missed dose will keep his blood levels low for days.
How about electronic devices that beep at him when it's time for a dose? A timer on a watch would work or something else more programmed.
Has the neurologist done everything to simplify his meds? Does the neurologist think that missed doses are the problem? Sometimes people assume that poor control is missed doses when it's something else. I had patients when I was still practicing neurology who had low Dilantin levels in the ER after a seizure time and time again, and each time someone assumed the patient was noncompliant, but in fact the patient had a metabolism that required an unusually high dose to maintain a good level.
If your son resists taking medicine that's very different. He and his therapist need to get at the cause of that, whether he's apathetic or what.
2007-06-10 17:10:53 · answer #1 · answered by David D 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have worked with people with epilepsy for over 10 years and this is always the hardest issue (besides driving) that teenage and young adult men face.
If you have an Epilepsy Foundation for your area, contact them for some ideas. www.efa.org
The other thing is that he should be seeing an epileptologist. AN epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in epilepsy. There are great places all around the country and great doctors working with people with epilepsy. A doc who specializes in epilepsy usually has the knack for getting young men to listen.
Lastly, please tell him that if he is skipping his meds because he wants to drink or party or even stay awake, he needs to do his research. He is playing with fire.
Lastly, (I thought of something else) under no circumstances should anyone but his neurologist change his meds. Sometimes, emergency room docs will do this, but it is not a good idea.
This is a hard situation, but know that there are alot of parents in the same boat. Go to the Epilepsy Foundation of America website for more help and information.
Best of luck and feel free to email me if I can help with questions. If I don't know something, I can tell you where to find the answer usually.
2007-06-10 16:59:05 · answer #2 · answered by yarn whore 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a place in New Kent VA known as cumberland hospital for children and adolescents. You should visit there website. www.cumberlandhospital.com, they specialize in adolescents with chronic illnesses, neurobehaviors, brain injury medical issues and address the noncompliance issues. This is truly a "last resort" hospital and only takes patients up to 22y/o . Must be D/C by there 23rd B-day. They address the underlying psycho dynamics as well. If you are interested after reviewing there website I can give you more info.
Hope that helps.
2007-06-10 17:00:11 · answer #3 · answered by jjfiz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only think that a mother can do is talk to him, beg him, not in an annoying way, tell him that he makes u worried, that she wants to be sure about his health and that he has to be responsible as she was with him all these years. Furthermore, u should use logic and convince him that there is no reason not to take the Rx. What will definitely work though is making him feel guilts for making u worried and sad.
2007-06-10 16:58:32 · answer #4 · answered by Ria 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I find that setting two alarm clocks for my daughter (small ones that fit in a pencil case) works well. As you are 6 hours away could it be possible that you entrust a third party that your boy nominates or you both agree too such as a Case Manager or Community Mental health nurse (via the nearest hospital) or school teacher, school nurse?
Independence means a lot to our 21 year olds.Can our young ones maintain their schooling and independence locally at least where we know they are safe? I am considering it!
All the best.......... Alison
2007-06-10 17:06:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe he can be the one to pay for paramedics and ER all himself.
It may feel harsh, but it is one way of connecting with reality, feeling the consequences of irresponsiblity.
I agree with you, you'd think he'd be fed-up with the siezures. But appearantly he has yet to make the connection between medications and siezures. Sorry for all that puts you through, as a parent learning to let-go is one of the hardest things to do, when you have a child with a disability letting them live on their own, living with the consequences of their behavior, can be just as tough for a parent as that first day of Kindergarten. It really pulls at your heart and makes you feel both guilty and helpless all at the same time.
Do have a regular time you call him each week, to keep-up on the news. But, this is the time for him to try to fly on his own -- maybe the only way he'll grow-up is to let him do just that, fly all on his own, which may include some crash-and-burn instances before he begins to learn to soar.
How do I get this kid to take his Rx on time? YOU don't. He has to learn to do that himself.
2007-06-10 17:23:00 · answer #6 · answered by Hope 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He may be in denial of the condition. Don't you know that all 21yo boys are 7 feet tall and bullet-proof? Try to be supportive and encourage him to see the benefits of a strict medication timetable. He's legally an adult [at 21] but does he need closer care than he's receiving at college? My heart goes to you. Take care.
2007-06-10 17:16:56 · answer #7 · answered by Neil S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-17 08:31:00 · answer #8 · answered by Gail 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How Is He paying for His College? With these sort Of Problems It seems That it would be difficult to hold down a job, Maybe it would be in his best intrest to show a little tough love, It's hard to say, When it's our Kids We would do just about anything to protect them. Even if it's from themself...
2007-06-10 17:01:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
He's 21, so there is not much else you can do. He is suffering the consequences of NOT taking them, and that is most likely the best lesson.
2007-06-14 07:29:23 · answer #10 · answered by Juliart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋