General Medicine

» MaryDeNeve - My Sister with MS

I'm just reaching out to anyone who will listen. I have never done this before but I need help in dealing with my sister. Karen was diagnosed in 1985 with secondary progressive MS. For the past 6 years she has needed a live in, she cannot transfer herself. We finally got a hoyer lift to transfer her from bed to wheelchair. She is on so much medication, some for pain, some for depression, some for spasms etc. She is periodically on Prednisone to help with the flare ups.
Karen's live in for the past 6 years parted ways. Our new caretaker is a very strong, vocal person. Karen is also a very strong willed (stubborn) individual. They butt heads constantly and have screaming outbursts.
The past two months have been hell. One day everything is fine, the next day, she's committing suicide. It finally got to the point, that I said I will bring over the $300.00 her so called friend requested to give her the pills to kill herself. Next morning she's telling me don't come over and won't tell me what's going on. Bottom line, that day, my brother and I brought a $2000.00 check over to compensate the caretaker for her troubles and part ways by June 30th.
It is impossible to find a caretaker who accepts what the state pays. It is impossible, I think, for anyone to take care of my sister. She will not go in a nursing home. She will not pay $120.00 a day for a live in. We're running out of inheritance money from our parents.
I don't know what to do. There are no rent subsidies available in DuPage County. Everywhere you turn, you cannot find help.
I don't know how this site works, but any support, information anyone can help me out with, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for listening.

-- posted by MaryDeNeve

» Jennifer Gerics - My Sister with MS

In response to My Sister with MS posted by JenniferGerics:

Hi Mary---

Where do you and your sister live?

» MaryDeNeve - My Sister with MS

In response to My Sister with MS posted by JenniferGerics:

My sister lives in Darien, Il. I live in Carol Stream. Everything is coming to a head tonight. She called emergency and the fire department and police department went to her apartment. When they arrived, her caretaker was not there, but the caretakers nine year old and two year old were at the apartment. Not a good situation.

They called an ambulance and Karen was taken to emergency and finally was admitted to a room. Her bag was filled with blood and crystals.

They started her on antibiotics, the story could go on, but bottom line, I'm going to the hospital tomorrow and bringing a list of medications she's presently taking.

Here's the list of the drugs she's taking. I'm curious what your opinion and experience has been to the type of medication people with MS have taken.

Neurotin, 800 mg, three times a day
Coumadin, not sure dosage, 3 mg at bedtime
Percoset, 2 tablets, 2 times a day (not sure of mg)
Klonopin, 1 tablet four times a day
Effexor, 1 tablet a day
Serequel, 25 mg, once a day (this is newly prescribed, she has not been taking this regularly)
And, Prednisone periodically to help with imflammation.

I think Karen's paranoia is due to all these drugs.

I would really appreciate hearing from you. Take care, Mary

-- posted by MaryDeNeve