Hi all need to vent
I care for my mum dementia and my husband mental problem he is driving me crazy this week. He acts like a 5 year old and throws temper tantrums if you dont do or say what he wants to here.

He see's a Psychiatrist once every fortnight for the last 4 years and he is not getting any better at all going backwards not forwards. He takes tablets from Psychiatrist and also goes to the GP and gets the same so he can double up on them without either knowing about it. He hides them in the draws and cupboards I cant give them to him as over 12mths ago he accused me of posioning him with his tablets.

I cant speak to the GP or Psychiatrist as under the Privacy Act in Australia he only has to say NO and thats that.

His mood swings have increased his temper increased and he wont do a thing at all he sits on the computer day and night downloading things and then deletes it all day and night. He does'nt sleep at all.

Mum who has dememtria is a breeze compared to him what am I to do.

Hi Bunny_girl
Yep just went to chemist to ask could I get a list of all the tablets I get for him including the over counter items, strong pain killers and I was told under the Privacy Act they can only supply that list to my husband as they are his tablets.
So as you can see I'm up Shits creek without a paddle.

This privacy law stinks I also have the same thing for my mu she has dementria but under the privacy act they can only talk to her but then they use the excuse Oh she has dementria and does'nt know what she is talking about.

As I care for both of them I think I should have some say in things for there benefit in health things.

Oh sweetie I am so sorry. I wish there was something, anything we could do. Unfortunately there isnt much you can do when the laws are betraying the weak and ill.
*shaking head* what a mess....
Boy I was gonna do some more researching into this cause some of those laws were quite interesting but given the bad time you are having and not very much faith in the system Im going to ask Wen...
Do you have an Alzheimer's group in your area? Maybe if you did they might be able to help point you in the right direction when it comes to legal matters.
And with regards to your husband and his doctors you mean to tell me as his wife you have absolutely no authority whatsoever? You couldn't get Guardianship over him? Or at the very least bring the matter of double medicating husband to their attention?
I mean the pharmacy itself is computerized isnt it? How are they not catching the fact that 2 different doctors are writing the same prescription?

Hi Bunnys_girl
Dont beleive everything under any of those laws I'm going through them with my mum as my step sisters took myself and mum to this Guardianship Tribunal and got all my Power of Attorneys Paperwork cancelled using the excuse and I quote "conflict with my step sisters". After all mum and dad had'nt seen them for 15 years me 20 years of course there was darn conflict the bloody idiots.

So I dont trust anyone anymore for anything.
I am just worried my husband is putting himself in a early grave with what he is doing and I can't do anything to stop it.
And with not being able to tell the doctors what he is doing who is to really blame him or them.

sorry just really pis.ed of this week.

Ok Wen I did a little searching around to see what I could find pertaining to laws in your country and came across a site that did a little explaining on the "Guardianship Act of 1987" it is similar to our Durable power of attorney here this is what you need to get so that you can speak freely with his doctors.
http://www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lawlink/corporate/ll_corp.../$file/OPAL_Chp2.pdf
Hope this helps you a little

Up date
The Psychiatrist has just given him a certificate to get his licence renewed.

I have phoned her and told her even though she said she could not speak to me, that I would sue the ass of her if he kills himself or anyone else while driving the car as she is responsible.

The laws about these things is a Ass.

One suggestion to add to BG and T.O.R.P., if you know what pharmacies he uses, you might get a response from them to contact the doctors. Probably the same privacy laws apply, and won't tell you, but they may be able to take action with the docs. The last thing they want is an OD from their shop, but then they want the business too. If either pharmacy is the one where you take care of yours and your Mother's business, that is where I'ld start. Hate sending you on a dead end run though.
Last resort, call the police if he threatens violence around you or your Mom. It would be a horrible experience and even then you may not get positive results, but it may force his two docs to interact. I'm a bit of a jumpy sort around men with temper problems. Please take care of yourself. Bobcat.

I agree with BG. While privacy laws (at least in the states) might permit his doctors from discussing any aspect of his treatment with you, they wouldn't bar you from talking about the issues TO the doctors. What they do with it from there would be on them.

Is there a social services agency you can contact to get advice? If he is a danger to himself, there must be some way for his family to go about intervening.

(((Wen))) so glad to see you back but not under these circumstances..
Let me get this straight you are his wife and you can not approach either doctor and tell them they are double medicating him?
The rules are the same here as far as "Privacy Acts" goes unless you have a "POA & DPOA"
But I have to say even when I did not have these in my possession if the doc or mil was doing something questionable it did not prevent me from speaking up to the Doctor on the matter the only thing I could not get is personal information about mil.
With the help of these 2 doctors your husband maybe poisoning himself but at the very least his behaviors could be a result of double medicating in which case you need to bring this to the attention of both the Psychiatrist AND his PCP.