Thursday, October 22, 2009 Rajkumar Gupta asks

Q: My wife is sufering from Alzheimers Disease. She is in last stage. Suffering for almost 5 years. She

My wife is sufering from Alzheimers Disease. She is in last stage. Suffering for almost 5 years. She is abt 55 years old. She keeps SCREAMING ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY FOR LAST FEW MONTHS.

Pl tell me;

1) Whether screaming is because of Alzheimers. Is it common with other patients too??
2) Can I do something about it ??
3) Or, whether she screams because of some other problem?
4) Doctors here in India are unable to help..
5) Her screaming is unbearable... We all feel so bad.. we want to help.. but we dont know ..what to do?/

Pl HELP.

rajkumar gupta

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Answers (2)

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

10/22/09 8:33am

I am so sorry that the doctors haven't been able to help. I've witnessed this and it's dreadful. Some behaviors can be helped with anti-anxiety medications or with some Alzheimer's medications, but at this stage, if the doctors can't think of anything else, I don't know that there is too much that can be done except reassure her as best you can (she is likely frightened of something only she "sees/knows"). If she will let you hold her, please try.

Also, if you try just one more doctor, maybe that person will have an idea. If your wife is in the last stage, this too will pass. She will likely get very quiet, though not everyone is the same. I know that all you want is some peace for her. It's so distressing for the caregiver to feel so helpless.

Please know you aren't alone. Do try even another doctor as new medications and understanding is evolving every day.

Also, for your peace of mind, feel free to come back to this place where other people are experiencing your pain in having a loved one with this disease.

All the best,

Carol

Rajkumar Gupta

10/22/09 9:40am

Thanks a lot for your prompt response and a very mature advice and sympathy.

I will try some other doctor too as advised by you.

Bye the way, I am unable to understand the cause of her continuous screamings. Is it because of A.D. OR she has some other problem? Does this happen to other A.D. patients also? Pl answer, if possiblle.

Thanks a lot once again.

Rajkumar Gupta

Christine Kennard, Health Guide

10/22/09 11:44am

Hello

This situation is very distressing for you all. As a nurse I did care for people with who screamed for very long periods of time. It can occur with a number of different diseases and is often a result of a brain injury.

Brain injury or damage can be caused by many different neurological diseases and conditions ranging from brain infections such as meningitis, traumatic head injury, from dementias such as Alzheimer's, MS, poisons that cause brain damage resulting from toxicity, kidney disease. The list of possible causes is very long.

I agree with Carol that a second opinion from a doctor or a neurologist would be very helpful. You may well find that her diagnosis of Alzheimer's is accurate but may help put your mind at rest.

Is your wife in pain? I did a sharepost on Pain Assessment in late stage Alzheimer's

that may be helpful to you and your family. Medication to control pain is underused in people with Alzheimer's and other dementia so I think it is worth investigating.

Please keep us posted about how you get on

Christine

Q: My wife is sufering from Alzheimers Disease. She is in last stage. Suffering for almost 5 years. She

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