A few weeks ago, I wrote about Mirapex, the “golden” treatment for Parkinson’s disease, and the negative effects it can have. Another example of a treatment that people with Parkinson’s need to be aware of is Haldol (haloperidol), an antipsychotic commonly used in hospital settings to treat confusion.
A while ago, I received a note from a gentleman who had just lost his father-in-law to negligence within the medical community. “Negligence” is my opinion, but with the information I was given, I believe that’s what it comes down to.
Before a person goes in for any type of surgery, it has been my experience that the medical staff involved has a decent understanding of the patient’s medical history, including possible treatment allergies. Yet, not all medical personnel are up to date on how a certain therapy will affect someone with a certain disease. And medical staff can’t know every treatment’s interactions or negative effects associated with a certain disease.
Several months ago, I wrote a blog post about Haldol and how anyone with Parkinson’s disease should steer clear of it, as it can be life-threatening to a Parkinson’s patient. I’d like to share one man’s story with you (with his permission) that he communicated to me.
“My father in law lived by himself and was doing fine, alone with PD. He passed away 5/10/10 after entering the hospital 4/28/10, after he tripped going out to his car, to make the 2 hour drive to come and see me, his son in law and his daughter (my wife) and our children.
“A simple 45 minute hip surgery had taken place 4/29/10. They kept covering him with blankets and he always complained he was hot from the shaking, so he would take the blankets off, so they started giving him HALDOL. Why, I don’t know. A day later he was in ICU for 4 days on complete life support. He somehow managed to snap back from ICU and make it back to a regular room, after we found out what Haldol was and told them to stop giving it to him. Even their pharmacist at that point said ‘Yeah, don’t give him Haldol.’ He still had to be on a respirator. I guess the Haldol in pill form was aspirating him also.
“A few days later he died. They said the cause of death was advanced PD. How does someone with advanced PD live on their own, sharp as a tack (this man launched rockets for Nasa and designed aircraft for Boeing, could drive a car fine, talked fine on the phone), but after the Haldol, he became a vegetable and mumbled and didn’t know who anyone was? At least I was there when he died. I am sure glad my wife did not have to see her father dead as she was there with him through the whole thing but had went home for a few hours to rest. His name was John and he is probably the finest, most caring, loving man I will ever have the pleasure of knowing. He was involved in the MJF foundation, as well donating money to help others like him with PD.
Thanks for letting me share his story…
“It was your post here that alerted me when my wife phoned from the hospital and asked me to find out what Haldol was. She could not understand the state John was in from a simple 45 minute surgery so she inquired as to what they were giving him.
“I have now been doing my homework. This is what we experienced with John and it amazed me how he could one day be perfectly fine (minus some shaking that his meds controlled fairly well) one day to be basically out of his mind the next day.
“I searched ‘Can PD kill you’ and found this: ‘Just as there is dementia in Alzheimer’s, so there can be in Parkinson’s. This is not a pretty dementia, it is frightening to comprehend. Another problem is that in PD it is coupled with a myriad of other neuromotor problems including possible loss of intellectual capabilities. While this is not death it can be a form of living death for the patient and for the family.’”
If you’re having a procedure done — any procedure — take someone with you. Someone who can speak for you if you’re not able to. Make sure the medical personnel know your allergies, and any other vital information like, “I have Parkinson’s disease and cannot take Haldol!” Get a medical ID bracelet with your medical information on it and/or carry a PD card. As best you can, be proactive in your care. Your life may literally depend on it.
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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2018/01/17/parkinsons-disease-what-every-patient-needs-know-about-haldol-haloperidol/
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