DH's doctor has discontinued his Aricept & Namenda and did not replace them with any other similar drug. He said that at an advanced stage, they no longer are effective. That makes sense. Why prolong this late stage of his disease. I've seen absolutely no change in his behavior in the last few days as a result. I have a huge bottle of Aricept if anyone can use them. Also, Zocor and Namenda.
Thank you Nancy for this happening. Pls keep us posted as to how it goes. My Dr mentioned stopping Aricept and I am all for it. My DW is stage 6>>7 but physically she is still OK. May God bless you and you husband. bill
Bill, his doctor said that some patients are less aggressive after they stopped taking Aricept. I asked how that could be so and he replied that he didn't know, - but that it wasn't unusual.
After AD has its grip on our LO's, I' sure there isn't much more we can do.
As I was putting hb's Exelon patch on tonight he asked, "What is this supposed to do"? I replied slow the progression of dementia, but it doesn't seem to be working." He said, "You're right." Yesterday he saw an ad on TV for Exelon and asked if that's what I put on him. "Yup." He's not in the "latest" stage--but if he's still moving down the hill rapidly, is there value in taking Namenda and Exelon?
Yes, cs, I expect you're correct. I can overlook lengthy monologues that don't make sense for the short, understanding and understandable comments/questions. Son-in-law drove hb home from a gathering (45' drive) a couple weeks ago and said it was one long monologue that didn't make sense." Yes? Think it was good that sil understands because hb can "get the picture" sometimes and can make sense w/short sentences. Yup, we'll continue on. Thank you.
All Rx promised - except for Zocor. Have seen no change since he was taken off of drugs. Watching him like a hawk, as some of y'all had mentioned they saw noticible changes in their LO's after Aracept. Collge football day used to be one of the most exciting days of his week. Today..nothing. Big Georgia/Tennessee game is on and he is staring out into space, not even looking at the TV. THAT is a definite sign of decline insofar as HE is concerned. He was a football fanactic. Didn't matter WHO was playing, most of the time. I hate this disease, in case someone didn't know!
Nancy, two years ago we still had Sunday Ticket from DirecTV. That is EVERY game EVERY week all through the season. He had been a fanatic just the year before. That year he didn't watch a single game.
Yes, Starling. I know. I didn't think twice when I order the $140 (?) ESPN Game Plan for college games this year. What a waste of money. I should have known better.
Nance B. if you still have the offer open for the Aricept I would appreciate it for my dh. I will send you an email with my information in it. Thank You and prayers are being delivered on behalf of you and yours.
DH takes Namanda 2X daily and an Exelon patch. A few weeks ago he asked what the patch was for. I told him it was for his memory. No response. He is declining.At first I thought I was just dreaming but a couple of my dear friends have noticed it as well as my brother.
He sits in front of the TV all day long. Doesn't go outside or anything. Falls alseep a lot. If you ask him what he's watching, he really doesn't know. But he seems to like travelogues or films about animals. Can't remember anything he's seen.
Mawzy, hey!! Good to hear from you. I've wondered how you two were doing, and if you are finding some of the visual aids/ideas you were exploring, to be helpful? I'm really glad to see a post from you. (((hugs)))
Nancy B, this is something I have been struggling with. I'm not sure I'm helping DH by giving him the Namenda, I don't notice it doing anything at all. He is a 64 year old man the Alzheimer's, and I'm not sure if loading him up on meds is helpful. In the past year he has gone from taking nothing, to taking 10 different things each day (some twice). He sits in front of the TV all day, sleeps, and complains. Most of the meds he must take for his thoracic aortic aneurysm, but the Namenda is something I think he can do without, also the Calexa. I'm going to talk to his neuro next visit and see if I can stop them. Keep me posted on Foster's status post Alz drugs =)
I just looked up Celexa. It is an anti-depressant. Considering how many of the LOs here have violence issues and depression issues I'd talk to the doctor before stopping that drug. I'd also want to know WHY he was put on it in the first place. If he is still complaining, the drug might be the wrong one, or not enough.
Thank you, Starling. Believe me, I would never stop any medication without talking to his doctor. He was put on the Calexa because his doctor, after speaking with him at length, determined he was suffering from depression. DUH! He went from a vital, active intelligent man to to sitting on the couch all day. He lost his drivers license, and therefore his independence. Who wouldn't be depressed? I get that, but I'm not sure the combination of drugs is good for him. I don't know, I've just been struggling so bad this past month, I'm probably not making any sense.
My husband takes celexa, namenda and aricept and xanax. I have no plans to remove any at this time, but who knows next week. I am going to ask the Dr. next week about increasing the xanax if I plan to leave for a few hours because he gets upset. Also going to ask about Ativan. The visiting Nurse said it is basically the same as Ativan and she doubts if he will prescribe both. I will see.
When he was in Rehab hospital a couple weeks ago. The first day he got up from his wheelchair and ran out the Exit door and 4 aides ran after him to catch him and one of the aides showed my daughter the bruises she got from trying to stop him. Now the daughter is worried about me, so I try to not antignize him. This man literally could not walk, but in desperation regained unbelievable strength. And he remembered it the next day.
What's it been..mmmm, maybe six days since he went off of Namenda and Aricept, cold turkey. NOT ONE bit of difference..in his behavior, sleeping/waking - activities, nothing.
If anything, maybe he's a bit more awake during the night..but I can give him a sleeping pill if that continues. I'm playing it by ear, so far.
Today was a mail holiday..so I'll send the extras out tomorrow or wednesday...when I can leave F. with someone. I'm pleased I won't have to toss em.
I have found some interesting things as I have removed drugs from my husband's drug cocktail. He was on Razadyne, Namenda, Depakote and Ativan. I had noticed he was getting more and more groggy and sleepy so started a campaign on does he need all those drugs, what can he be safely taken off of and my goal is to have him safe but to also have him be as alert as possible. It took several months as he was weaned off the drugs but he did get more lively and alert without the rages so it was time to remove them.
I just did the same thing again with the baclivin (sp?) he was on. I noticed he was getting groggy and unresponsive again so questioned the dose. The doctor reassesed what he was on and lowered the dose. He is more alert.
There really is something to the statement that we know them best. My goal has always been to keep him comfortable and not take one thing he can do for himself away until he can't do it any more or it is no longer safe. This was the deal I made with him early on in the disease.
The problem/question is when is the right time and looking for the signals that tell you. I've learned to use words like he is more groggy and unresponsive, he is not moving as much as he was, he is sleeping more. Unfortunately, these are all also symptoms of the disease so even removing the drugs may not make a difference.