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Hi Sue,
The fragile skin is a problem with patches, though if they are put in a different spot each time, irritation was usually controlled with the medications my parents took. I imagine the whole combination of patch materials, adhesive, medication delivered and skin condition of the patient will make each patch/drug/patient case different. But, as I mentioned before, I do think it's all about options. I'm generally happy to see something new come out that may help at least some patients.
I'm glad you're enjoying the posts, Sue.
Carol
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Hi, Carol.
Thanks for your information.
The patch may be fine for those who have caregivers who are administering the meds. It sounds like your father was able to handle a patch even with his thin skin. I wonder about those who have hypersensitive skin? Or what about those persons who do not have a caregiver--remembering to take routine meds is difficult enough without adding something that is changed less frequently?. And how does this new medication work? Is it basicly "Aricept" in a patch?
I personally want to see lots of other people use it first. Once they have had all the reactions, etc., and the kinks have been straightened out, then I will consider using it. Right now, I am starting with Aricept. I hope it works.
LJ
I, too, hope it works!
Each case is so different. I wondered, at times, if the medication in the patch was as evenly distributed as manufacturers claim. Most of us have had timed- released medications, and they are supposed to deliver medication evenly, but everyone has a little different body chemistry, and I'm not convinced timed-released capsules release the medications uniformly for everyone using them.
With the patches that my parents used, I often wondered if the last day was as effective as the first. That said, for them, especially with my dad and his swallowing problems, they were easier than pills.
Your point that my parents had nursing care, at the time, was well taken. I don't think they would have remembered to change the patch themselves. But, as a caregiver, I would find a patch once every few days easier to administer than a pill that has to be given more than once a day.
The key word here is "options." That's what we need. More options. If I were in your situation, I think I'd be doing exactly what you are doing!
Keep up the good work, and don't forget to take care of yourself, too.
Carol
Thank you, Carol. You don't know how much I enjoy this site and the correspondence with caregivers and patients. I truly think that being engaged with you and others will help me stay "of this world" a whole lot longer than if I did not have a site like this to which to come. It allows me to vent, encourage, dialogue, and learn about innovations which may be of some good to those of us suffering from this condition. I do think that I am able to write better the more I write...of course, the Aricept may be helping too.
I look forward to more communications!
LJ
You made my day and it's only 6:30 a.m! It just doesn't get better than knowing you are helping another caregiver,even if it's in a small way. I get many e-mails because of my column and site, and Our Alzheimer's has become such a big part of the mix. I'm truly grateful that all of this has come together so well. I'm open to personal e-mails, if you just want to chat. A number of OA and my column readers do that. You can e-mail through this site or just send to carol@mindingourelders.com. That said, if we are chatting about issues of value to all readers, it's great to post here. Take care,
Carol
P.S. LJ -
If the Aricept is helping, that is a huge plus!
Carol
my mother has been on the patch for one month and for two weeks now she has been vomiting. do you think the patch has anything to do with this I searched the web but cant seem to find anything. if you have any info I would greatly apreciate it. thank you in advance. Berrie
my mother has been on the exelon patch for 6 mo or longer and she has'nt had any side effects i can tell and she is 79 yrs old.
B