I was just looking at articles on the internet about the combination of Aricept and Namenda. The conclusion was that the combination worked fairly well at slowing the rate of decline in AD patients. However, it also said that there hadn't been any testing of Namenda alone because by the time Namanea had come onto the market, Aricept had already been widely distributed for years. So, how do they know that we need to give both to our loved ones? Have any of you tried Namenda alone?
My DH was on Aricept only for awhile then doc added Namenda. I don't know that the combo is as great as they say, but have kept pushing the pills. I don't know anything about Namenda alone. Surely there is SOMETHING on the net that talks about it.
My DH cannot take the Aricept so when Namenda came along they gave him that to try. Not sure how well it works. At first I thought it was working but now I'm not sure. But how would we know if it really is slowing things down.
grannyD, I have often wondered how we really know the meds are slowing things down. I don't know how long they work and/or what happens when they QUIT working. Nobody seems to be able to give me that info.
DH is taking only Namenda. He started with Aricept but stopped because of side effects. Then he was on the Excelon patch but he stopped that on his own because he said it gave him rashes. He has been on Namenda since 2008, dx early 2007. His decline has been extremely slow but who knows whether that is because of Namenda. His new doctor has ordered a Pet Scan (last one Jan 2007 which didn't indicate anything) to try to determine whether he has FTD as opposed to AD.
Dr. started dh on low dose of Aricept for 3 mos. Seemed to be okay; then strength was increased for another 3 mos. Then Namenda in a low strength was added to the Aricept. Then the strength of Namenda was increased. Pills were quite large and dh had a tough time swallowing them; then hb complained about the side effects such as gastric and bizarre, disturbing dreams. Then dr. put him on the Exelon patch which he tolerated well, discontinued the Aricept and prescribed the Namenda in liquid form. With those changes, my dh put his foot down and said he wasn't taking any more meds as they weren't doing any good. No pleading on my part helped. I have to admit his memory was failing anyway. When dr. asked me if I noted any change when dh stopped the meds, I said no. Dr. said they weren't doing any good then. I think the medical community is just grasping at straws right now. I have had some drs. tell me the meds don't do any good, neither the mind games nor puzzles. There is so much about this AD they just don't know. They don't even agree among themselves. All that makes it rough on all of us.
I have never felt so defeated in all my life. All I can do is make him as happy as I can. I am no saint. There are days I would just as soon put on my hat and coat and walk away but I know he would never do that if I were the one with AD.
My DH was on both Aricept and Excelon but not able to tolerate either due to GI effects. He was finally put on a statin drug which really slowed down the progression of his disease. He was later put on Nemenda which his doctors claimed enhanced the effects of other psych meds (in this case Wellbutrin and Paxil). He is now in a nursing home after 10 years of fighting this disease and still on it. I came across this article the other day which may be of interest and kind of makes you wonder: \http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/04/12/common-drug-ineffective-early-alzheimers-study/