I really appreciate the input from all of you. Especially the way you put it Phranque..... As always, it makes me laugh. I am really leaning toward taking him off of this med. He is declining so fast already why would I want to prolong this? Yes it is a chore trying to figure out what is best for both the patient and the caregiver. There is always someone trying to make you feel guilty. I am beginning to think that is the normal thing to do every day. If I forget to feel guilt over something I have done "wrong" there is always someone to remind me. Even after having a total meltdown yesterday and speaking with one of my dh's brother, he did not even offer to come get his brother for a little while. I understand he would not keep him for the 5 to 6 years I originally asked him to do, but not even for an hour or so. But the advice about the things I should do never end. Sorry I went on but even tho today is a better day, it always helps to vent here. Thanks for that. Ilove all of you so much for the peace of mind that I get from all of you. I hope all of you have a great New Year....
Even though none of us would probably be on this site except for the situation we find ourselves in, I hope that 2011 will bring us if not happiness, a certain peace and a way to cope. My DH was on Namenda for five years, when his GP said he didn't think it was doing any good for him after that length of time. In spite of the fact that he has gone down these last two months,I don't think that the Namenda would have helped, as it has been two years since he stopped taking it. He has been put on Xanax 500 mcg to help me get him to sleep at night, has anyone had experience with that medication for sleep. He asks for his "tablet" every night, and I'm a bit concerned he will become adicted to it, but I guess it doesn't matter if he does, does anyone have an opinion on that ?
My DH has been on Aricept since he was dx'd in September 2007 and on Namenda a few months later. Sometimes I wonder if I/we did the right thing in using these meds to slow the disease of if I/we should have let nature take it's course! DH is now 82 and other than a low dose of BP med he doesn't have any other physical problems. He is also on Sertraline and Seroquel which has helped with hallucinations and paranoia.
Sylvia, my opinion regarding "addiction" is that for our spouses (spice) addiction is the least of our worries. If a medication will make her/him more comfortable or easier to handle, then go for it. They haven't much time left, so lets make it as pleasant for both of us as we can.
Jean, I read some place, maybe here, that Namenda just keeps the person at the stage they are for a longer period of time. However, when they quit taking Namenda they soon are at the level they would have been if they had never taken the drug. My husband has been on the drug since 2007 and I don't think it is doing anything now....early on I think it helped for a couple of years
I have very mixed feelings about taking my husband off Namenda and Exelon. He is very lucid a lot of the time. i see the other side a lot also. I just dont think I could withhold meds if I thought it could help at all.
judith - you are correct. These drugs do not slow the disease down. It helps their cognition (if it works) while the disease continues to progress. When taken off the drugs, if the drug what I like to call 'hides their symptoms", they will quickly progress to where they would have been if not on the drug. I wish the drugs did slow it down - that would be great in the early stages.
I am probably being dense but if the Namenda keeps a person in a particular stage isn't that slowing it? We go to see the neuro on the 26th so I will see what he has to say. I am not sure I want to take DH off it if it means he will be worse. He still is continent and can shower, shave, toilet and dress himself without help from me and make his bed or a sandwich and a cup of coffe or hot chocolate. Sometimes his choice of colours and clothes are not what I would choose but I let it go.