Thursday, May 31, 2012

Friday, September 11, 2009 Patti asks

Q: At what point do you stop Alzeimer's med?

The dementia is progressing very fast in my husband.  He is in a wheelchair now, his legs won't support him, he sleeps a lot during the day, sleeping at night most of the time, no bearing on his awake days, sometimes doesn't sleep those nights before.  He is in a nursing home, meds he takes are Excelon pill and Namenda, plus Ativan and Buspar and Lasix for edema in feet and ankles.  Bladder and bowels are totally incontinent now, totally dependent on others to dress him, clean him, he is confused about feeding himself, content for me to feed him.  He doesn't talk, if he tries, the word doesn't make sense.  He actually has no quality of life now.  And hasn't for over a year when he was diagnosed with degenerative dementia.  He takes his meds well now, and not combative as he was.  I feel that is due to the dementia, not the meds.

 

There seems to be no rhyme or reason or logic for anything now. 

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Answers (1)
Christine Kennard, Health Guide
9/11/09 8:15am

Hi Patti

 

I am so sorry to hear about your husband. It must be very hard for you to see him deteriorate and be so changed from the man he was. Alzheimer's is an awful disease.

 

From what you say he sounds settled and generally peaceful. The only way to decide about his medication is to talk it over with his doctor. Taking Namenda and Excelon may now be having little effect and it may be being continued purely because he is so settled on the present combination of drugs (something that has not always be the case in the past). Speak to his care staff and doctor.

 

Are you getting support yourself? Most people with loved ones in nursing homes still find it very difficult to cope. You still have to come to terms with the sadness, stress and the loneliness that you feel.

 

Christine 

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9/11/09 10:21am

Thank you for your response.  I forgot to tell you that my husband is only 68, so at the age of 67, after the first CT scan, I was told the deterioration of his brain was far more advanced than it should be for someone his age.  My husband was not in on that conversation.  He never admitted anything was wrong, and only went to the Dr. for follow up to prove to everyone he was fine.  Which, of course, proved that he wasn't.  From May to July of '08.  July I had to take him to the hospital emergency room, and from that time on, he has not been home, because of his violence and the security envirornment that he needed, first in assisted living and now nursing home.

 

The nursing home is an hour from where I live.  I go every day.  There have been days that I haven't gone, due to weather or on occasion when I didn't feel well, or very few, but a few times that I just couldn't face the day.  His concept of time, however, is such that if I am not there, the next time that I am, he thinks is the day after the last time.

 

I do have support and encouragement from our 3 grown children.  They come when they can, since they live in 3 different states, the closest 4 hours away.  My church family is wonderful.  But, I'm sure that by support, you mean a group for the disease.  I am in contact with people that have gone through similar experience. 

 

The care that my husband receives at the nursing home is just wonderful, that gives me a peace of mind, on the days that I'm not able to see him. 

 

Isn't it strange that all the symptoms are pretty much alike, but no two people are exactly alike in how the disease affects them?

Pati

 

 

 

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Christine Kennard, Health Guide
9/11/09 12:31pm

Hi Patti

 

Only 68, how terrible for you all.

 

Yes it is interesting that people differ in the way they are when they have Alzheimer's. I suppose that is because the destruction of the brain is acting on the persons pre morbid (prior to the disease) personality and its physical make up.

 

I am so pleased that you have got so many people to turn to. It is not easy being the primary caregiver. You go to visit your husband every day? That is amazing. I wonder if it would be good for your health to take the odd day off from the task? As you say he is in a very good nursing home where they look after him very well. You must look to your own needs and health a little more I think. What do you think? 

 

Christine 

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9/11/09 1:20pm

You are so kind.  And sound just like some of my friends.  I have considered it, but what would my day be like if I couldn't just see my husband.  Many days I sit beside his bed while he sleeps and when I can tell that he is sleeping soundly and in all probability will sleep the rest of the day, I do leave earlier than usual.  Making sure that someone knows that I am leaving, not thinking that I am just not in sight.

 

I guess you could say that my "retail therapy" helps take my mind off things while I am looking around, for the moment.  Smile  I have also almost become addicted to audio books and enjoy them very much involved in the stories while in the car. 

 

You know, it is very helpful to me to have you (and others) to talk to this way.  Thank you.  Patti

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By Patti— Last Modified: 10/26/11, First Published: 09/11/09