DH has been taking Aricept since diagnosed early 2007 at age 64. Namenda added a few months ago at my request. He stopped taking the Aricept a couple weeks ago because of severe leg cramps and nightmares. I asked his doctor (a local internist) about putting him on Exelon or the Exelon patch. I was stunned when the dr said that research of last year indicates the Cholinesterase inhibitors do not work at all. He said he was thinking of taking all his patients off them. He said Exelon had horrible gastro side effects. I haven't been able to find any research such as he mentioned.
So now DH is on Namenda only. Today I made an appointment with a dr at a memory clinic an hour from here, but that is 4 weeks from now. I'm concerned that DH may lose ground on the Namenda alone.
We're in a very small town having moved from a metro area where he was diagnosed and prescribed by a neurologist. It is clear to me that he needs another doctor.
My immediate concern is whether to push to find a doctor ASAP to prescribe a replacement for the Aricept or will the 4 week wait have negligible effect so we can afford to be patient and wait until then. Not completely sure what stage he is in, probably stage 4. He's still driving although I fear this may come to an end this year, executive functioning majorly impaired. I posted about drinking being an issue a month or so ago and knock on wood, haven't had any issues with that of late.
Terrible to have to wits for Dr apointments, but 4 weeks isn't bad. I doubt you can do better. My DH was off Aricept for a month trying to get into a test and then was denied because of having Parkenism along with the AD. I couldn't remove the Aricept now without a significant decline, but in the earlier stage it did not seem to bother him. Someone else will be along soon with more help than I can give you. My dh has Parkenism with VD and AD along with severe spinal stenosis. He takes pain pills every day. He is on Aricept, Namenda, Neurotin, Wellburin, xanax. He went through a period of violent leg cramps and violent dreams and I can't remember if they stopped with the Neurotin or when. They gave him Mirapex for leg cramps at one time before the neurotin. Anyway, now he seldom has them. I really don't know why they stopped. Good Luck
Remember the old adage...if you have seen one dementia patient...you've seen one dementia patient. This is a very individualized disease that requires alot of trial and error, imho.
My spouse was started on Exelon, has a history of severe acid reflux, and has had no gastric problems over the ordinary. His cognitive abilities really improved with the Exelon, along with behavior issues.
We did try him for 2 weeks on Aricept and it was 2 weeks of paranoid rages and flying diareha.
My husband did not respond well on the Aricept so the doctor put him on Razadyne. You are doing the right thing by going to another doctor. Keep in mind that medication for a person with AD is somewhat trial and error in finding the ones that work right for that person. Taking him off the Aricept probably wasn't bad. Not putting him on anything else or saying lets see how he does after 2 weeks or 4 weeks to make the next decision was not good. Little tweaks in the medications can make a big difference in the person.
Terry My DW is on the Exelon Patch and Naminda . She has not had any side effects at all . Seens to be doing as well as to be expected . I like you would find another Dr.
I vote with therrja. Why not call the memory center back and see if they'll sneak your husband in earlier, given the circumstances? Begging and pleading, a few tears, can sometimes work wonders. (I have no pride when it comes to getting good care for my husband...) At the least, they may agree to give you a buzz if somebody else cancels.
The current doctor does not seem to know much about AD meds ... which isn't all that unusual, unfortunately. I would be thinking about making a permanent switch to a more knowledgeable doctor.
My DH was put on the Exelon Patch and had no problems with the low dosage one. Then after a month he started the higher dosage patch and really had a lot of problems. He was disorientated and completely out of control after being on the higher dose for 3 days. He ripped the patch off and refused to having another one put on. I had seen no improvement on the lower dosage and the Dr. agreed that he did not need to use the patches. He was never put on Aricept or Naminda. He has been on antidespresents for over 20 years after being diagnosed as A -tipical Bipolar. He only had the lows and not the highs. The Dr. felt like they would not help him. In small towns we do not have the doctors or resources that we sometimes need. He ask if I wanted to go to Birmingham for further tests but I am not able to drive that far in the heavy traffic and I have no family in the vicinity to help me. All my friends are in the same boat with me when it comes to driving. I wouldn't dare try to drive after dark and we have no taxi service We do have a CARTS bus during the day but that is only local service.
He is now probably in stage six but we have had no incontience problems yet. He is kind and not mean. He has forgotten how to do so many things. I have a lot to be thankful for. Even if he drives me crazy from six until bedtime. He has been sleeping about 10 hours at night which was wonderful but now he is getting up and wondering around. You really have to hide the meds and even the tylinol. I only put two in the bottle at bedtime or he would be taking to much. Excuse my spelling today ....my mind works faster than my one finger can type
Claude was on Exelon and Namenda for several years. We did try the Exelon patch, but it wouldn't stay on so we went back to the Exelon pill. He never had any problems with either of them.
Two months ago, he went on Hospice and the Hospice doc took him off both of them. We could really see him start to decline so after a month, requested that he be put back on both of them.
Unfortunately, they aren't working and he is declining very fast. We don't know if he was going into another stage at the time we took him off the meds, or taking him off the meds "cold turkey" so to speak started the decline.