My husband (age 55) has had declining cognition for quite awhile. He has been on disability since he was 38. He suffers from high blood pressure, asthma, urological problems, sleeps excessively, depression, and problematic lack of mobility (due to 4 back surgeries and 3 neck surgeries). He also has kyphosis and falls about once a month or more. His primary doctor feels his cognitive problems result from 2 suicide attempts years ago when his brain was deprived of oxygen for a time. Another doctor (a neurologist) says that his problems result from the long-term use of too much medicine. On Sunday, I drove us by the house we lived in until 2006. About an hour after we got home, it was obvious my husband was not in reality. He started crying and talked about wanting to go home, that (our home) was not his home, he didn't recognize anything, and he mentioned several times he wanted to see his mother (who we haven't seen in several years). This continued the rest of the day. He kept calling me by my first name like I wasn't here. This morning he seemed better, so I went to work. While at work, he left me a voicemail on my phone and called the office phone, asking me to come to the "new place" and that someone was coming to take him to the "new place." I can't believe that a medicine that is supposed to slow the decline of cognition and help some with memory and cognition, could cause a reaction like this. I have never seen him like this. Could driving by our old house have triggered all this? I wish we never would have driven by that house. Or could it be a reaction to one of the other meds he takes (he takes a total of 20 different ones).
katnmouse: funny how one medication works well for one person and not for another. I guess that is why medicine is called "a practice".
In Kari Sue's case too many drugs are worse than no drugs at all. AND NEVER drive by the old house, that really sends them over the hedge.
Next day husband looking out of window - asked where we were - I told him at home. He looked around - realized where he was and said
"Where did I go. I don't want to EVER go there again.
Asked his internist - he said if reaction is to drug usually happens within 1 - 2 days of starting drug
Told him it did (it happened next day after starting)and we had been dealing with specialist who had prescribed it for 2 weeks
Husband's chart marked to "allergy to Aricept"
Read their packaging carefully - _"It will take up to 3 months to see difference - at that time either will be no change - or decline will be slowed - or condition will be worse"
After 1 year condition will revert to where patient would have been if never took medicine.
I know some people may be helped by this drug - my husband has PTSD and CHF - not AD.
Sounds like your husband has plenty already - would get 2nd opinion on adding this drug.
For use it was 'hell on earth" for 2 weeks. It is something I would never take myself - would never give him again - and would advise anyone taking to be on lookout for adverse effects - even if Dr. says"it can't cause that reaction"
it can and does.
She is on 4 blood pressure medicines and something to keep from having clots in legs which says "DO NOT take if you, have CHF she has sever chf.
One of the medications for blood pressure says causes fluid and salt retention. She just got out of hospital because she could not breathe due to fluid!
Is your husband on oxygen? It would seem like being able to exercise some would have a big benefit.
You certainly have way more than your share of challenges to deal with. My heart goes out to you.
He has multiple diagnoses of a variety of conditions. His doctor said he is likely too young for alzheimers, but it is definitely some kind of dementia. She mentioned that a definitive diagnosis of some kinds of dementias and alzheimers can't be made until autopsy. She feels that his declining cognition is likely due to long-term effects of his brain being without oxygen a couple times during 2 suicide attempts years ago. Another of his doctors feels his problems result from the long-term use of too much medicine. Added to all this, he has a severe lack of mobility, due to physical deconditioning. He can't exercise because he can't breathe when doing so, and he can't breathe because he can't exercise.
To watch some of the commercials for that drug you would think it was a miracle. For some people it can be very effective. What did the doctor say about how long it should take before you notice anything? How long should you continue using it? Did the doctor caution you to look for any particular side effects? I don't blame doctors for prescribing this drug for people with dementia -- it might help. It does for some people. But I think it should be considered a trial, and not a permanent medication until results are seen.
What is your husband's diagnosis?
Eight years ago I was given about a half a dozen meds, sequentially, to treat anxiety. Turned out I had diabetes, which my doctor failed to recognize in spite of text book symtoms. None of those anti-anxiety pills did a darn thing for my blood sugar levels, and I wound up in ICU. Now, those pills might be effective against anxiety, but I wouldn' know -- I didn't have anxiety! :)
Aricept was developed to treat Alzheimer's disease. For that it is of marginal or questionable effectiveness in most patients. I think those television ads that make it seem like a wonder drug are immoral. I can see why the VA would not want to waste resources on such a small potential benefit.
But it turns out that Aricept and that class of drug is far more effective in treating Lewy Body dementia and Parkinson's with Dementia. The brain pathology in these diseases is quite different than AD. My husband (85, LBD) has been taking Aricept (and now a generic) for 8 years, with very observable and measurale success. Did it cure him? No, of course not. But he can think much more clearly than before he started the drug. His quality of life is significantly improved. That the VA won't supply Aricept for vets with Alzheimer's makes some sense. That they won't supply it to vets with Lewy Body Dementia seems very strange. (I don't think they should supply anti-anxiety meds to control diabetes, either, by the way. :))
I commend you for charting your dad's behavior and monitoring closely the effect of drugs and absence of drugs. Your father is lucky to have you as his advocate. I don't see a mention of your father's diagnosis. In any case, he should take only the drugs that are effective for him, and it sounds like you are doing a good job of monitoring that.
I think that I am doing a good job for my husband, too, and I'm very satisfied with the approach of the specialist he sees at the Mayo Clinic. As it turns out, several drugs, including Aricept, are effective for my husband. But the same principle applies -- if it isn't working, don't keep taking it.
Wouldn't life be easier on caregivers if one size did fit all in treating elders?
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DPRAYS
Absolutely, confer with the physicians. Even if your husband was taking no other mediction, the Aricept might be the incorrect choice of medication for him. If I understand you correctly, you saw a marked difference in his behavior after he began the medication? I, personally, am wary of generic brands due to the fillers, but that's just me. Check back with the docs.