Help!!!

wolfen
wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
in Head and Neck Cancer #1

I need help. Hubby took Ambien(5 mg) Monday night and has been asleep almost constantly since then. He is in and out of lucidity, no strength in arms or legs, can't hold onto anything and can't stand. I'm putting water and now Glucerna into the tube. Managed to help him urinate a tiny bit in a prone position.

MDA navigator says to call 911 if not better soon. In his lucid moments, he is very resistant to the idea of ambulance and hospital. Son is at school until 7:30 and I don't know what else to do.

Any suggestions?

Luv,

Wolfen

Comments

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #2
    My Opinion?

    Looks like you posted this at 6:01pm. I'm replying at 6:23pm. That's 20+ minutes sooner the ambulance could have been there. There are a couple of effects of Ambian that are good. Sleep being one of them. There are several hundred that are not good....

    I'm no doctor but I'd be at the hospital!

    "T"

     

  • longtermsurvivor
    longtermsurvivor Member Posts: 1,842 Member
    #3
    call 911

    he is not in a position to dictate this to you at the moment.

     

    Pat

  • phrannie51
    phrannie51 Member Posts: 4,716
    #4
    Ambien did the same thing to my mom!!

    Home Health had called my sister and said mom was "unresponsive" and rushed her to the hospital in an ambulance.  All us girls gathered around her positive that she was dying.  The emergency staff wasn't so sure tho, since her vitals seemed to be good.   She stayed comatose for two days....woke up in the nursing home saying "what am I doing here?"  The nurses at the home said this happened a lot when older people take that med.  It turned out that some people are just not destined to take Ambien.

    My mom was on 24/7 oxygen with with COPD, very ill but not a cancer patient.....I'm hoping that this is another Ambien story, as I'm sure you've got him at the hospital by now....and not something cancer caused.  Tucking you into my pocket....and keeping  you there!

    p

  • akbear49
    akbear49 Member Posts: 51
    #5
    right now

    absolutely agree - call 911

     

  • rachel12yrsuv
    rachel12yrsuv Member Posts: 435
    #6
    Wolfen, since I see no
    Wolfen, since I see no response from you since 6:01 I hope you went to hospital. Better to be safe.
    Please update as soon as possible, until then I will pray for hubby that like Phrannie said it just an Ambien thing.


    With you in spirit,

    Rachel
  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    #7
    rachel12yrsuv said:

    Wolfen, since I see no
    Wolfen, since I see no response from you since 6:01 I hope you went to hospital. Better to be safe.
    Please update as soon as possible, until then I will pray for hubby that like Phrannie said it just an Ambien thing.


    With you in spirit,

    Rachel

    911 would be my choice

    I hope you took hubby to the hospital. Better safe than sorry. 

  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    #8
    rachel12yrsuv said:

    Wolfen, since I see no
    Wolfen, since I see no response from you since 6:01 I hope you went to hospital. Better to be safe.
    Please update as soon as possible, until then I will pray for hubby that like Phrannie said it just an Ambien thing.


    With you in spirit,

    Rachel

    911 would be my choice

    I hope you took hubby to the hospital. Better safe than sorry. 

  • NJShore
    NJShore Member Posts: 429 Member
    #9
    Ambien.. and hope you called 911

    Wolfen,

    When my Dad died, my mom was given ambien to sleep. She did well on it until she had her hip replaced. The night we brought her home from the hospital (instead of rehab), she took it and was talking, and sounded lucid, but she wasn't... she didn't remember a thing. So even if you dialed 911 - you can probably tell him tomorrow it was his idea!

    Worried about you two - I'll be watching for your posts.

    Hugs, Kari

  • akbear49
    akbear49 Member Posts: 51
    #10
    NJShore said:

    Ambien.. and hope you called 911

    Wolfen,

    When my Dad died, my mom was given ambien to sleep. She did well on it until she had her hip replaced. The night we brought her home from the hospital (instead of rehab), she took it and was talking, and sounded lucid, but she wasn't... she didn't remember a thing. So even if you dialed 911 - you can probably tell him tomorrow it was his idea!

    Worried about you two - I'll be watching for your posts.

    Hugs, Kari

    Kari

    you sound like my wife - lie and tell him it was his idea - you're OK aren't you - end of discussionTongue Out

  • Tim6003
    Tim6003 Member Posts: 1,514 Member
    #11
    akbear49 said:

    Kari

    you sound like my wife - lie and tell him it was his idea - you're OK aren't you - end of discussionTongue Out

    Well...it's been hours ...let us know...

    I take 10mg of Ambien at night ...only as needed, it helps me sleep through the dry mouth / throat doctor said, and he is right ....I just wake up in the am with my throat really dry / hurting, but I  at least don't wake up 10 times a night :)  I don't get affected by it, but then I don't take it on an empty stomach like it says or take any other meds....and I am 240 lbs....so maybe that's why.

    Would sure like to hear how you guys are ...so let us know...

     

    Tim

  • Billie67
    Billie67 Member Posts: 898
    #12
    Tim6003 said:

    Well...it's been hours ...let us know...

    I take 10mg of Ambien at night ...only as needed, it helps me sleep through the dry mouth / throat doctor said, and he is right ....I just wake up in the am with my throat really dry / hurting, but I  at least don't wake up 10 times a night :)  I don't get affected by it, but then I don't take it on an empty stomach like it says or take any other meds....and I am 240 lbs....so maybe that's why.

    Would sure like to hear how you guys are ...so let us know...

     

    Tim

    Wolfen
    I haven't been on the computer all day and I came on now and saw this message....please tell me that you ended up calling 911?
    I'm hopeful that it's what Phrannie said and your hubby is just one of the people that don't tolerate the drug well and that it's nothing serious. With all that he is going thru tho, it's not worth taking any chances.

    Please update us as soon as you can. Sending prayers...
    Billie
  • wolfen
    wolfen Member Posts: 1,324 Member
    #13
    Billie67 said:

    Wolfen
    I haven't been on the computer all day and I came on now and saw this message....please tell me that you ended up calling 911?
    I'm hopeful that it's what Phrannie said and your hubby is just one of the people that don't tolerate the drug well and that it's nothing serious. With all that he is going thru tho, it's not worth taking any chances.

    Please update us as soon as you can. Sending prayers...
    Billie

    Home From Hospital

    Home for a few hours sleep. Hubby is in ICU. Part of the diagnosis is dehydration, some ascites, possible infection. Labs, CT's, lumbar puncture done. He's getting antibiotics, Neupogena, platelets, and plasma. His platelets have dropped from 125 to 60, and WBC from 1.1 to .4 in two days, most likely chemo caused. Fever is down.

    Thanks for the advice and concern. Will update when I know more.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

  • fishmanpa
    fishmanpa Member Posts: 1,227 Member
    #14
    wolfen said:

    Home From Hospital

    Home for a few hours sleep. Hubby is in ICU. Part of the diagnosis is dehydration, some ascites, possible infection. Labs, CT's, lumbar puncture done. He's getting antibiotics, Neupogena, platelets, and plasma. His platelets have dropped from 125 to 60, and WBC from 1.1 to .4 in two days, most likely chemo caused. Fever is down.

    Thanks for the advice and concern. Will update when I know more.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

    ~whew~

    Glad to hear he's getting the medical attention he needs. That's some pretty scary stuff! Get some rest and thanks for the update. I think I speak for many when we say we were very concerned.

    "T"

  • VivianLee5689
    VivianLee5689 Member Posts: 546
    #15
    fishmanpa said:

    ~whew~

    Glad to hear he's getting the medical attention he needs. That's some pretty scary stuff! Get some rest and thanks for the update. I think I speak for many when we say we were very concerned.

    "T"

    Glad to hear he is in good hands

    I am so glad he is in the hospital.  It sounds like that is exactly where he needs to be. 

  • katenorwood
    katenorwood Member Posts: 1,912
    #16
    Thoughts are with you !

    Wolfen,

    I'm glad to hear he's where they can make him feel a bit better.  It's amazing how quickly things can change from good to bad with chemo tx's.  Not everyone has these issues...but my Mom did.  Very scary !  I'm like your hubby, not wanting an ambulance ever....or even to see another doc unless it's schedualed.  My husband knows that if ever needed just do it.  Yeap I'll raise cain but will eventually realize he had too.  I want you to know I am here for you, and continuing prayers !  Hugs sent !  Katie

  • Ingrid K
    Ingrid K Member Posts: 813
    #17
    wolfen said:

    Home From Hospital

    Home for a few hours sleep. Hubby is in ICU. Part of the diagnosis is dehydration, some ascites, possible infection. Labs, CT's, lumbar puncture done. He's getting antibiotics, Neupogena, platelets, and plasma. His platelets have dropped from 125 to 60, and WBC from 1.1 to .4 in two days, most likely chemo caused. Fever is down.

    Thanks for the advice and concern. Will update when I know more.

    Luv,

    Wolfen

    good to see a post from you

    so glad you posted news.

    You did the right thing by calling 911 and he is in the best possible place now.

    Try and get some rest and remember you have to eat so you can

    Stay Strong !!

    sending prayers for you both.

     

     

  • donfoo
    donfoo Member Posts: 1,773 Member
    #18
    Good care now

    I'm really happy to hear you avoided a potentially really bad outcome and he is in great care now. My hope for you is this is a MAJOR WAKE UP call for him to understand he is chronically ill and all variations in health need to be considered in context to undergoing treatment. Being stubborn, in denial, undestimating symptoms, down playing symtoms give current context, etc. are all really bad things that require some "retraining" or reorientation given the current situation.

    I know it may sound harsh but as soon as he is on the mend you need to use this as a teaching moment and ensure he "gets it" about needing to get a medical opinion on these as soon as possible. This is good for YOU and unfair he is not shouldering more of the responsibility for his own health and well being. If he was unable to advocate for himself fine but if he is just being stubborn or not willing to accept his true medical condition, then you need to dole out a few "assignments" to him so he can be better prepared himself.

    Yes, you are the caregiver and he is the patient. Both need to do their part on these journeys. It just grates me to read too many incidents where the patient fails to hold up their end of the bargain, one that no one asked for or negotiated but nevertheless was seconded to.

    Take care, be strong and continue being a great caretaker. Just remember your journey is a partnership and takes both to do well.

    and apoloiges in advance for being somewhat crusty, it is just I see care givers take on more than I feel is appropriate and needed.

    don

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