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Thanks again Carol for bringing up an awareness of this topic.
My dad was always looking for that "miracle cure" for his ailments by trying "this new herbal remedy" or "that new herbal remedy". When he passed away, due to a massive stroke, I will always wonder after cleaning out his cabinet of "wonder cures" if one these items didn't bring on such a trauma.
I always cautioned him whenever he would tell me of his new discovery, to research on the internet to see if there were any warnings or side effects of these over the counter or mail order concontions. Some even would say, do not take with such and such or if you are taking a certain medication to consult with your doctor. I know that my father was sick of being so sick and hurting from his pain, but I will always wonder.
Now that I am a caregiver of my mother who is living with Alzheimer's Disease, I take everything from baby asprin to dietary suppliments with her for her monthly doctor appointments and they notate them in her chart and then if she happens to come up with a sinus congestion or sniffles of allergies, I can openly and honestly discuss with her doctor what medications will be best for her and not have to recall what she's taking at that time.
Thanks again Carol for this important awareness topic.
Blessings to you in your new year,
Rainbow Painter
One thing doctors don't know much about (in general, of course - some do) is that there are many food based vitamin supplements full of good stuff that can improve health. They aren't trained in this, so they tend to brush it off. That's one reason I like trusted sites where I do my own research, and the idea of having a pharmacist run a computer check. You don't want to miss something that could really help, just because a doctor hasn't yet had time or interest in reading up on antioxidants or other things. The studies change so fast, and they can't keep up with it all.
Blessings to you, too, in this New Year. I pray for improvements for us all.
Carol
My dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 4 years ago. He started taking Aricept when he was diagnosed. He was prescribed Namenda 3 months ago. His Aricept was changed to generic (Donepezil Hcl Tabs) a month ago. About that time he became agitated, beligerent, and began asking about his truck every 5 minutes saying he had to have it to go home (He was home). He started leaving the house at night. He drove his golf cart down a major highway to the store to get a snack. He was no longer humble, passive, or content. He has been taking meds for hypertension, cholestrol and thyroid for years. Could this be a drug interaction with generic Aricept?
If this happened right after the change, I'd ask the doctor to check into it. Some people are very sensitive and the delivery systems of drugs can vary, even if the main ingredient is the same. Therefore, a generic doesn't work for everyone.
Also, he's on a lot of medications, so it may be a good idea to have a pharmacist run this combination through their software and see if these side effects could be caused by interactions. For the most part, the doctor may have to go with trial and error.
Of course, it may be that the disease is getting worse, but the timing is suspect. I'd look into it and ask to try some experiments with name brand drugs and perhaps different combinations.
Good luck
Carol
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As usual Carol right on target. We just switched from Home health care to Home Hospice. Ray is having organ failure. The intake nurse and doctor found out some of the combinations they have had Ray on are wrong ones or he's has been on them so long they are no longer working. It has been an upsetting week for us both. Different people in and out equipment being moved in and out. The best thing that happened was going through the medicine they found he was not on a sleeping pill and he was not on a dieuretic which he has needed badly and he was not on the right sedative. They have calmed down what I call the angry stranger some. I think the dose will have to be slowly adjusted but I have great hopes he will finally have the correct pain control, and some peace and happiness in what ever form that takes. They can't say how long but they have told me the Congestive heart failure is going to take him before the alzheimers. I don't know how to feel about this. Part of me is happy he won't suffer years. The selfsih part dosen't want to let go but I know I must. My young granddaughter is helping me with all this. She has told me soon as this is settled down we have to make end of life decisions and preparations. Such a loving and wise youg woman I would be lost without her. Connie
Thank God for your granddaughter. Yes, you need to get the decisions down in writing in a legal form, but you are on the right track with hospice. This medications adjustment is wonderful. It's amazing how many people are on medications that are no longer working, but still giving them side effects that are undesirable.
Blessings,
Carol