DEAR ABBY: To "Concerned Daughter," whose elderly mother is taking medication she got from several doctors and trading pills with friends, I say: Go to Mom's house, collect her pill bottles, write down the names and phone numbers and contents of each. Make a list of medications Mom swaps with her pals. Call all the doctors and tell them exactly what Mom is taking and who is prescribing what. Ask specific questions and ask each if he (or she) is aware that Mom is seeing Doctors So-and-So. Then mail each doctor a note giving the names of all her physicians and the names and dosages of all her medications.
I am a health-care provider who almost lost one of my patients to this same type of drug addiction. Once I recognized there was a problem and spoke with the doctors, they began to consult with one another. The patient had to be hospitalized and evaluated, and go through a drug rehabilitation program.
Abby, in my opinion, it's an honor to become my parents' protector. They protected me when I was young, and now it's my turn to protect them.
"Concerned Daughter," please take my advice immediately -- you could be saving your mother's life. -- SPOKE UP IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SPOKE UP: I'm printing your letter for all of the "Concerned Daughters" out there. Your patients are fortunate to have such a caring and proactive health-care provider.