too many sleeping tablets

[angiealf]

My father in-law to be takes 2 sleeping tablets per night and sleeps most of the day as affects of tablets are still in system. My OH wants him to reduce the dose to 1 - but father does NOT listen and keeps on saying he needs them. OH's older brother is on their fathers side as he doesn't understand medical things and beleives his father when he says they are needed. Doctors have said he should only be on 1. PLEEEAAASSSEEE - any one! any ideas on how to get them to see sense and to agree to just 1 tablet. by the way - its the old boys wife's funeral on friday and the three of them are not speaking.

[HowardKennitby]

The only advice I would offer is for you to keep out of this. It is a family matter that does not concern you.

[NOX]

No no suggestions at all Angie I'm afraid- at the end of the day you can only explain things to someone and then it's up to them. I would say though that he might have a reason for wanting to sleep as much as possible- if he finds life very difficult, or is depressed or suicidal- all of those things can lead to someone wanting to zone out for as much of the time as they can- and with scant regard to the consequences.

[angiealf]

He's says he wants to stay around to see his son and me married but at this rate he won't! He's been taking the tablets like this for years so it's not the fact that his wife died recently. It's just the fact that he is addicted to them and doesn't realise.

[angiealf]

Howard - I know it's a family matter but me OH discusses it with me.

[Old_Geezer]

Seems to me that if the GP is prepared to supply them to replace a 2-a-night habit, and the patient wishes to take them, then there is probably little you can do. I'd suggest the family having a word with his GP but last time I suggested that on a thread I was told the GP wouldn't be interested in discussing someone else's medication/treatment. Ultimately your opinion doesn't trump your FIL's.

[EvianBaby]

He'd old enough to make his own mind up about what he should and shouldn't take. The chances are no amount of you trying to convince him otherwise will make him change his mind. Just let him get on with it.

[jno]

are these prescription pills? If so, the GP must know how many he's taking. If they're not, they're unlikely to be dangerously strong.

[China Doll]

He's an adult and it's up to him how many he takes. You and your OH 'advising' him is likely to annoy and make him dig his heels in further. Basically it's none of your business unless he asks for help. Sorry.

[Amber-Sum]

make an appointment or send a letter to the doctor explaining your concerns. Or you could substitute one of the tablets with a vitamin C one, if it works - problem solved (just don't let on).

[ethandron]

...and you all need to bury the hatchet before the funeral on friday and be there to support each other instead of arguing. it's a bit silly to fall out over something like this which, as others have said, is actually none of your or your husbands business and you just have to accept that the old boy is an adult and will do what he wants. just be there for him.

[chrissa1]

If he's taking double the prescribed amount, he will run out of them quicker than he should.
My doctors wouldn't let me have a prescription if I ordered it too quickly. I would be sent a letter asking me to re-submit the request at the correct date.

[Sqad]

One sleeping tablet or two...what is the big deal?

Leave well alone.

[tamborine]

Nice to see you up & about sqad - keep well.

[woofgang]

Could he take them earlier in the day? that way he could still have 2, but they would be out of his system earlier.

[angiealf]

OH has given his brother a print out of something we found on web, it mentions about the dangers of dependence on sleeping tablets and how they stop working after a while meaning more is taken. OH is seeing his father today to have a talk without brother being there. Maybe his father will listen whilst other son not there to butt in.

[rowanwitch]

how old is he.... because if he's pretty elderly why upset him as its probably not going to do him any real harm long term as its likely to be as much a psychological effect now.... they work because he believes they work

The main risk will be if they make him unsteady and increase the risk of falls... you would probably use your energy in 'trip' hazard checks like getting rid of things like loose rugs and trailing wires

[angiealf]

All sorted, We went round to see OH's dad, his brother was there. shouting started but I stepped inbetween them and made them discuss things calmly. Without my intervention things would be worse now. Everything cleared up. The 4 of us ended up in each others arms - tears all round. It made the old boy's day. He's agreed to try out a herbal form of sleeping tablets that are not addictive. At least they'l be together for their mothers funeral to help each other. Thank you all for your coments.