My DH is in an Alz ALF due to his aggressive and combative behavior at home. They have been adjusting meds to stabilize his behavior. He had been on aricept, Effexor , seroquel and Ativan. They upped some doses at first. When the behavior was still almost violent they added depakote this week.
Today when I visited he was swaying when walking and would have fell a few times had I not caught him. He almost keeled over ...falling to the side. He also said he was woozy and dizzy. Nurse and caregiver said they will watch. I am afraid he will fall. He was also still agitated.
Anyone with experience with depakote. Please share your experience.
When Seroquel was doing nothing to control DH's agitation (with some combativeness, too) they added Depakote. It did not help until they doubled the dosage, but by that time he was so bad that they had to go to morphine, and he died five days later. Thinking back, one of the problems with Hospice was that they were chronically under-medicating, despite all my input and pleas. I'm guessing it was a money issue on some level, but I will never know. Anyway, I think Depakote works if they give enough of it, and it may need to be combined with something else. Also, be sure that you are observing your DH and giving the staff your input loud and clear. They do not know him as well as you do, and you are really the better judge of how effective the meds are, or how problematic the side effects are.
Lorrie, when DH was in psych hospital and combative and aggressive they put him on Seroquel (225 mgs/day) and Depakote (don't remember the dosage). Depakote is a drug to prevent seizures and is frequently used icw another med such as Seroquel. He did not show signs of dizziness, weakness or falling while on it, but he was not on it very long because it increased his liver enzymes too high.
The combo of Seroquel and Neurontin (another drug used to treat seizures) has worked quite well in managing his aggression for about 3 or more years now.
My DH was on Depakote for years because he was A-Tipical bipolar, meaning he only had depression and not the highs. Ativan caused him to act like Lorrie's husband.
My husband has been on seroquel for about a year and was put on depakote a month ago. It has not helped much with his combativeness, but has caused him to sleep more and be groggy when he's awake. He is having more trouble getting out of a chair and with standing. He wanted me to dance with him during the Lawrence Welk show last night, and I had to help him stay upright. We didn't dance long.
Janet I've noticed my husband is more tired in the late afternoon. Dozing off before his dinner calms him down a little. That's ok.His dizziness is not as bad as it was. However, he has declined in the last two months since he entered alf and started deparkote. He is more confused and his speech continues to deteriorate rapidly.
Hard to know if it's transition to alf and meds or just the continuous free fall of the last six months???
Who can figure out this disease and its destructive path!!
I also have seen a steep decline with my husband since leaving home and now being medicated for aggression. He had a few words, now none, fed himself, now needs help, could sometimes use the toilet, now in pull ups full time and shuffles when walks. It is so hard to take and I often wonder if he was off the drugs would he be back to his old self and if he was home, the aggression may be less. (But I know, I can't anyway), just a fantasy and wonder how much is drug induced and how much is the disease. Really, just reiterating what you said Lorrie.
Seems like we are on the same nightmarish journey with our husbands. It is impossible to figure out or control this disease and its path. ( although I keep trying anyway). My children keep telling me to "stop beating myself up"
Yesterday, I saw my husband and he was walking fine , actually pulling me by the hand and saying " let's go". He spoke more and was very upset about not being with me " all the time". I left more confused and upset.
Will keep him on his meds including depotke unless the doctors advise otherwise.
Lorrie & abauche, this part of the journey is so very difficult (I suppose they all are) because you're going through some many changes at once including watching your husbands change dramatically. All of us here who have been through this stage understand and I want you to know, you're in my thoughts and prayers. Many ((((HUGS))))