Would you keep your loved one on Aricept or Namenda etc if they were in the advanced stages of AD? Why or Why not? Does any one have personal experience with this sort ofsituation?
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Q: Should AD meeds be continued in advanced stages?
Answers (7)
4/ 1/09 7:40am
This is highly individual, and a doctor can experiment. If they aren't doing any good, then they should be removed. But likely, that can only be decided by trial and error. Talk with your doctor and see what is advised.
Others may respond to you who have done this, and that's good. Still, each person is different, and this is highly medical. If you aren't happy with the advice, you could get a second opinion.
Take care,
Carol
4/ 1/09 11:16am
I answered once but it was gone! Anyway, my FIL also has AD in stage 6. It is like mid mid-AD stage. He can still walk and talk. In 2007 he started the drugs Namenda and exelon and his perception improved. He wanted them as a pharmacologist. In 2008, his memory got worse as he forgot his career and medicines. He forgot all the drugs' names and the reasons he took them. In Spet, 2008, the drugs were stopped because he was too confused. Later on he got heart failure and is taking 7 medication for his heart. So the doctor does not give him any more AD drugs.
These drugs are strong and have serious side effects. They only delay the symptoms for 6 months to 3 years and don't delay AD itself. I imagine if they work, the doctor will keep giving them, otherwise, there is no need to take them because the drugs may not work out anymore. The end stage is a long way to come and I guess by then, the drugs are not very useful.
It all depends on the person's circumstance.
Regards,
Nina
4/ 9/09 9:12am
During the month of March, I withdrew Aricept and Prozac (slowly) from my Mom's meds. My Mom is about a stage 4 to 5. I informed her dr beforehand. The good news is that my Mom's nightmares have stopped!. her memory issues are the same, but her mood is brighter. She is interested in more conversation. I cannot be sure if this is the prozac or aricept, but we feel it was a good thing to do. My Mom was on prozac for 4 years and aricept for 2. Overall, she is better-for now.
4/ 9/09 3:55pm
When my husband was first on Aricept and Namenda he seemed to tolerate them well and we had such good prescription drug insurance that it was inexpensive. After about 2 years he developed diarrhea that was a problem for about 6 months. At that time I was advised to stop the Aricept. That cleared up the diarrhea problem, making my life much better, but my daughter and I noticed a faster decline in cognitive abilities. Soon he no longer took meds unless I crushed them and hid them in yogurt. By the time I could no longer care for him at home it seemed useless to continue the Namenda; we thought he had declined past the stage where we could hope it was delaying the decline.
4/10/09 2:21pm
My husband was on all of them for a number of years. Aricept made him agressive and his mood improved when he stopped taking it. Together, with our Dr. we have decided to no longer give him these medications. Our feeling is that they do stop working after a while and they all have side effects. He has had AD for 8 years now, can still be at home alone for long periods (which is good, as I have to work), still takes an anti-depressant, but that does not seem to do much for him anymore. It is such a sad disease but we are coping and living in the moment as much as possible.
happy easter everyone,
Clara
4/11/09 6:51pm
My mother was taking Aricept, but it's side effects of loss of appetite and sleepiness made it a bad idea. She could not afford to lose weight, and getting her out of bed was next to impossible.
4/11/09 7:47pm
It would be totally up to the doctor treating him.
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By Emiy— Last Modified: 12/26/10, First Published: 04/01/09
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