Frightened for over medicated friend

[graygr]

I am very concerned about my friend. She is on so many meds that she is a zombie most of the day. It takes her forever to do normal day to day stuff. Write a check, eat. Etc. She sleeps all morning due to all the meds she’s on.. then can’t sleep at night . Tells her doc she’s not sleeping then he just ups her meds.

This is what she is on.
Morning: 3 mg xanax, 40mg ritilin, 450mg welbutrin, and 50mg toprol
Lunch 20 mg of ritilin
Bedtime: 120mg of cymbalta, 100mg of chloropromazine, .50mg of triazolam
(There are many drug interactions on these too)
Recently within the last 2 months she breaks out in a sweat, is clammy and her skin is so cold. Her heart rate also increases. Neither her regular doctor or her psychiatrist seem to be worried about this. But Knowing her as well as I do she is no longer the person I knew a few years ago. Okay she’s not suicidal anymore.. but heck she can’t even function enough to do that. Is there any advice you may have on how I can talk to her doctor about this. He really seems to just push a pill and send her home. I am so frightened for her.

[kaileyb]

i am not a doctor... but i have been around drugs and seen people on them enough to think that ritallin and xanax would not be a good combo. maybe the ritallin in the morning/afternoon and then xanax at night when the ritalin is wearing off? i have unfortunately taken xanax before, but i do know that it will knock u out, so taking them during the day would definitely make u sleep all day. seriously, tell her to take them at night, and not during the day. that should help to switch her sleeping habits around. doctors often are quick to diagnose and do not always care or listen so sometimes u just gotta look things up for yourself.

[graygr]

I did contact a psychiatrist at the Pain Disorder Institute. He told me that he really hoped that the med list i gave him was a hoax. I wish it was. He told me also that there was no psychiatric condition that would require drugs on this level. Although that is one medical opinion I now have reason to talk to my friend and let her know what I have found. I will be speaking to her today about this. I hope she will not be offended and will get another docs opinion.

Gina

[kaileyb]

u should ALWAYS get a second opinion on things of that importance... someone i know was told they had cancer, then they went to another doctor and found out he didn't... crazy stuff can happen.

[graygr]

I called my friend today and told her my findings and the observations that i have seen in her and she was floored. Just happened that she had an appointment with her Psychologist today. When i explained everything to her she was livid and agreed to help us find another psychiatrist to go to. I've never been more relieved.

Gina

[kaileyb]

well i'm happy for yall, i hope things go well!