The 5 week process of weaning Clare off of both AD meds will be completed this weekend. First I slowly decreased the Namenda, and once she was off that completely I waited 10 days before slowly decreasing the Aricept. To date, there have been no unintended negative consequences. The wonderful news is that all of Clare's nausea/vomiting/gastrointestinal issues disappeared completely just several days after decreasing the Namenda ... and have not returned. So far, there have been no positive changes due to the reduction in Aricept. I was hoping that maybe Clare might experience a little less fatigue, or maybe start to have more of an appetite, but to date that has not happened. Regardless, I'm pleased that Clare is now no longer on these 2 meds. She had been on Aricept for 3+ years and Namenda for 2+ years.
Glad to know the weaning process was uneventful for both of you. I'm sure it's a relief to have the gastrointestinal problems solved. DH's neuro-psych told me at the beginning of this journey that he did not believe in the "AD drugs" so he hasn't been on them since he was released from the psych hospital 4 years ago.
Here's hoping Clare will have less fatigue and an increased appetite.
it happens, we are scared to death of the unknown consequences of removing these meds, but in the end some of us see a better outcome. even after prolonged use. good to hear your clare is a tad better.
I took Lloyd off Aricept in April 2011 after his first seizure. I had tried repeatedly over the last year to take him off Namenda and had only recently succeeded (about 6-8 weeks ago). Now he's gone. I sometimes wondered over the years just what the meds really did for him and if things would have been different without.
acvann..glad taking Clare off these meds has helped her tummy troubles. I took dh of them for the same reason. Namenda seems to have that side effect on many. @ Linda...I didn't see any difference once these 2 meds were removed. Just a better tummy, which I was grateful for.