Today I got a taste of what it is like when a dementia patient handles pain differently than we do. My DH has been having a dental problem and I haven't been able to afford to make him an appointment because medicare or veterans doesn't cover it so...I finally made him an appointment today but it is not until the 26th of August. Well, he has been in a lot of pain all day. He is grouchy and tempermental and just overall a pain in the butt!
He finally went to bed about an hour ago. I hope he stays there until morning. But I kept thinking about what different ones have said about UTI's and how they express themselves when they have one. I didn't understand what they meant, why act out like that just because you are in pain and can't express it the way everyone else does. But now I see what they mean!!!!! Oh broooother!
I also found out that dementia patients have no tolerance for pain. I have been dealing with my husband's ankle/leg pain for 3 weeks now. In the past he would have never complained about any pain, now he moans endlessly in the night. I was washing his face the other day & barely touched him with my fingernail & you would have thought I sliced his face open.
We were just out picking blackberries and dh stopped and came in the house because he had a little thorn-wound in his finger. This would not have phased him before.
oh, absolutely. Mine wakes up with a headache every morning. I think it's real, but lying in bed moaning about it for half an hour after getting a tylenol isn't the solution. He startles like an infant if there's a loud noise, or he's touched unexpectedly, etc.
deb most dentists will have some sort of pay plan for those of us without dental insurances. AND if you can pay cash they usually give you a 10% discount off entire bill. at least ours does. and the pay plans are reasonable- be sure to ask and let him know your DH issues and many will cut you some slack as far as pricing as well. thats still a long way off the 26th if hes in pain. maybe call the office and tell him to work him in soon. just a thought, we know how dreadful tooth pain is. hope it goes well . and it wont make your life any easier having him in pain for 2more weeks!divvi
Thank you for comfirming for me that this is real and it happens to others too. The way I read about it is their brain doesn't process pain the way our does and they don't know how to handle it. Of course I don't know if the same is true of women with dementia because women in general are use to handling pain. My DH doesn't want to go to any other dentist than this one so...I am resisting the urge to say" well then you are just going to have to suffer then "but I have a feeling I am going to be suffering right along with him!
I can tell you that a toothache wracks one's entire body. It's like an earache. I hope you can get him in on an emergency basis. He shouldn't have to wait until the end of August. God forbid he gets a blood infection if it gets too bad. SIL had that happen to her. - because the dentist didn't remove all of the infected root..and she had to be hospitalized.
I'm the wierdo in this bunch.... I love love love having my teeth cleaned. I could let them scratch my teeth and gums for hours..it's like having my back scratched. ahhhhhhhhhhh. I guess I've always had healthy gums and teeth...so I don't have sensitive spots. My DH on the otherhand has more problems than I could say..with deep pockets, periodontial procedures for at least all of the 18 years we've been married. I expect all of his teeth to fall out now since he won't brush right and refuses to let me help him. I take him to the dentist once a month for cleaning and checkups. (We do have dental insurance, thank heavens!)
I don't know if it will work but I will call tomorrow and see if they can get him in sooner. I definatly don't want him to have any other health problems if I can help it.