Christine, Great information in this post! Your posts always seem to have great content! It's very fortunate that these drugs are available to dementia patients. Without these drugs, the quality of life for some would be horrible. I'm sure glad that my mom is being helped by them! Best Wishes, -- Joe --
Very interesting subject...Mom was recently at the ER from her nursing home due to frequent jerking movements. We know its in response to one of her many meds, several mentioned in your article. Any known for this kind of response?
vgw
Hi vgw,
Seizure or jerking movement is part of end stage of dementia or Alzheimer's.
Maybe it was due to her illness, not the medications. The side effects should be like heart problem and lack of appetite, confusion & etc. Check with the doctor to see if the movement is caused by the medications. You seem to be sure it is caused by the medication. Check it out. Maybe it is part of dementia.
Regards,
Nina
Everyone reacts differently, and with many drugs involved, this could be a result - or it could be the disease. Only the doctors can figure this out, and often they have trouble teasing apart the different reactions. It's always hard to decide if a medication and the side effects that go with all meds, are worth it. For most, they are. For some, they aren't.
I'm sorry you and she are going through this.
Carol
Seroquel was atrocious for mom regarding muscle stiffening. She finally got stiff as a board one night and slid off the chair like a 2x4. So stiff I could slip pillows under her as she descended. Facial contortion, choking, tongue sticking out, and "Seroquel anger" and snappiness. All the CRAZY looking. So what is the instinct? To slip her more anti psychotic drug, of course. Good thing the commercials were on TV for the drug, with "not for elderly dementia patients" emphasized. I did research and we stopped drug immediately.
Ativan seemed better, but it was a fluke of info from my RN niece that made me realize that mom's debilitating bladder distention and urine retention (watch for unexplained sweating) were a little known side effect of Ativan and similar. If we had not caught this and stopped Ativan, Mom would have been placed in a nursing home, totally catheterized and under constant sedation. Peeing was so agonizing to watch and not be able to help. That was VERY close call, indeed. Even on Ativan, Mom exhibits nihilistic behavior, both asking for help and then batting it away. It is exhausting, like a black hole of caregiving.
Hi
Yes some of the meds, especially ones used for treating psychosis (e.g. haldol), can have really nasty side effects that are called extrapryramidal side effects. For more information follow the link in the sharepost or this one Guide to Antipsychotic medication for more information.
Drugs can be great and have very good theraputic effects, but in some cases the side effects are very severe and they may have to be discontinued. This is where caregivers have a pivotal role in urgently reporting any side effects to their relative's doctor
Christine
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Thanks, Christine, for this helpful guide. It's a handy help for many who wonder, "how long?"
Carol