A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE....

It's a sad admission but I can't remember if this job was from today or yesterday. Everything just becomes a blur after a while, merging into the mulch that is my brain.

A call came through as an "alcoholic feeling unwell", now this has all the hallmarks of a job that is a load of pish and, well, I'll let you decide...

The patient had been known to be an alcoholic for the past 18 years. 7 weeks ago he had what sounded like a severe gastric bleed, although his wife said it was ruptured osophogeal Varese's. These Varese's can burst like a balloon and spurt like a fountain. I've never been to anyone, and that's only 2 people, who has survived this. Usually there is more blood on the walls than in them; although caught in time they can be banded. It may of been osophogeal varisees - I don't know, I'm no doctor.

Following this admission to hospital he stopped drinking and was discharged 3 weeks ago. He was given medication including Diazapam, which is to help manage the withdrawal. The other medication was for his (mild) dementia.

Three days ago he came up to his sons for Christmas. Here his son was concerned that his dad was a bit drowsy and not as coherent as he expected, so he phoned his sister. His sister is a policewoman and as explained by him "she knows all about this sort of stuff". (now i have the greatest respect for the police so don't think that this is a jab at anyone/any organisation). I have no doubt that she has encountered Diazapam in OD's or with our Jakie friends and this exposure enabled her to form the opinion that the Diazapam should be stopped immediately.

Roll on the next day and dad suddenly starts to shake and becomes unsteady on his feet. He manages to soil himself, but this is not an uncommon thing according to his wife. He also kept falling asleep.

We turned up and helped him to the bus and to A&E, where they prescribed ......... Diazapam.

I thought everyone knew not to suddenly stop a prescribed medication. Knowing of a drug in a particular set of circumstances does not lead to a knowledge of it in all. I know very little about some drugs and nothing about most. There are the ones you come across all the time but then why some patients are prescribed a particular eg. antidepressant than another is well beyond my ken.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. The decision to withdraw their fathers medication could of led to seizures/stroke many things. Leave these decisions to those who are supposed to know.