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).
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!
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.
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.