My husband had a mild vascular dementia, after going through a 'pump on' open heart surgery. His doctor told him to eat walnuts and avocados. I found some walnut oil that I put on everything, and found some avocado and coconut oil that I cook and fry with. I also noticed with him, he gets violent vocal outbursts after taking Tylenol. So, when he asks for some, I get him to eat something. Sometimes that does the trick, and he forgets about it.
I realize this is an older video, but I have been giving my loved one CBD gummies for sundowning and agitation. The amount is very low...1:1 THC:CBD and the serving size is 1/2 gummie. It is a lifesaver for me. It has been working in our case but I also realize each case is different. He is also taking Namenda and Aricept.
That was a lot of great and useful information! Thank you! My father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia about 3 years ago, and his neurologist prescribed both types of medication covered in this video. After approximately 6 weeks there was no discernable changes that I could readily tell in his behaviors, memory, or cognition. At the same time, he was also being treated by a cardiologist for Bradycardia symptoms (low heart rate). It was noted that while he was taking dementia medication, his blood pressure started to spike very high - once documented up over 200/150. The cardiologist immediately advised we discontinue the use of the dementia meds, and his bp returned to a normal function. Since this time his heart rate has returned to 50 - 60 bpm, and his blood pressure, while typically low, is stable. In another issue, over the past 3 months or so, he has had some very severe insomnia issues. At the worst, he sleeps maybe two to three hours in the early evening, and then remains awake and active through the rest of the night and often the entire next day without napping or appreciable sleep. We've been discussing this with his regular doctor for several weeks now, and during this time he has prescribe several medications that are anti anxiety or antipsychotic - Trazodone, Clonazepam, and finally Quetiapine Fumarate, which I have declined to give him the Quetiapine due to the risk of death specifically in seniors with dementia. I have continued to give him the Clonazepam. The issue the doctor wants to treat seems to be getting to sleep, which isn't the problem. The issue is staying asleep. Dad goes to sleep pretty readily when he's ready, but wakes within a couple to three hours and doesn't go back to sleep. However, in the past few days he is staying in bed longer but I can't really tell whether he's sleeping or not - I assume he is sleeping. Since Lewy Body Dementia seems have periods of less severity than other times, I'm hopeful his insomnia is changing back to a more normal sleep pattern. We are due to visit his neurologist in another week, and follow up with his regular doctor as well. Thanks for being such a great resource!
Hello Gary, I know you wrote the above comment about a year ago but my Mom is going through the same thing as your Dad. My question to you is, what happened when you tried the trazadone? It is getting my Mom to sleep but she is getting very clumsy and has fallen, fall risk anyway. And, was it okay to take this med with dementia meds? Thanks, hope all is well with your Dad.
@@sunmist22 Sorry to hear your mom is going through these things! So, of all the meds he's tried, trazadone is the one he continues to take for sleep. He has no other medical issues that require medication at this point, thankfully. I give him his dose a couple of hours before bedtime, and within that time, he does experience a change in his behavior and is a little groggy. He's also a bit shaky walking without his cane or walker, and he has fallen in the past, so I think the trazadone probably doesn't cause this, but I expect it makes him overall a bit more shaky.
My spouse is on both medications. He has definitely shown improvement. It did take approximately four weeks before his noticeable improvement. God Bless all of you. This is very helpful information.
This was 100% helpful…dementia medications that help, as well as all the do’s and don’ts associated with the process. So thankful for all you do and the valuable help and info you provide.
Please keep track of your generic medications. My husband has been on donepezil for about a year now and I noticed a decline I his me ration that I at first figured was his dementia advancing. When I checked his med bottle I saw that it was a generic from a different company. I immediately switched him back to his previous supplier. He returned to his baseline after about 4 days. Always check with your pharmacist when you are experiencing unexpected changes in behavior... all diseases are drug induced until proven otherwise! Partner up with your pharmacist! I am a retired clinical pharm and over the years I have learned how closely we must watch anyone on chronic medications. Keep a journal, your pharmacist and physician can only help you and your loved one with the maximum amount of information. Be safe ! 💗
My 88 year old mom has dementia. Neurologist we were referred to said there was no medication that would help dementia, only Alzheimer’s. It’s sad to think there is something out there that could help her & she’s not getting it. She is often aware of her memory loss & it upsets her. So sad.
This is great information! I worry that some post’s info may be obsolete? I’m wondering if there is a more up-to-date version - as this post is now three (3) years old:-( I see that most of these are 2-5 years old. Even if (in your “spare” time) you could go through past posts and remove/update or keep and mark “up dated 2022”. Just an idea. Many thanks for all of the time, energy and care you already have put forth for all of us-Careblazers🙏🏻❤️
Hi! Excellent!! My mom dignosed was Senile Demencia-Alzheimer Type. Her anxiety is very high, she has taken about everything, right know her treatment is based in: Memantine, Rivastigmine, Escitalopram, Quetiapine (100mg) & Temazepan:PRN. She has trouble sleeping. She does not takes naps at all. Have not heard mention nothing about Quetiapine (Seroquel) in this patients.
It's hard to put a loved one on a med when I'm told I won't see any improvements or even any difference. How did the studies prove that they help? I would be more interested in a holistic approach. Maybe a holistic guest for a interview? Thanks for your help and interesting videos.
Hello, I know this interview was done 2 years ago however it has been very helpful. My Mom is at around stage 4 and her neurologist has never said what type of dementia she has. She also has seizures! I wish I could have submitted this question to you for the pharmacist. With my Mom being on Depicot, Kepra, and Zoloft, would this be the reason they don’t want to start her on ANY of the medications used for dementia? Every time I ask about it, I simple get a pat answer back, “Well, you know it is going to progress anyway!” And, “If she is not sleeping well at night, this could make it worse.” My thing is, could it help her though, at least maybe slow down the progression some? And or, are they not recommended for dementia patients who have seizures? I hope you can answer. I know it has been a long time since this was posted.
I would be helpful if you interview patients or family members that take cbd oil ( from Hemp plant) to hear their responses on how they feel and are managing this condition of Dementia.
Can you tell me about the drug megestrol ? My mom is 89 and has dementia . She lost her appetite rather quickly and was prescribed this medication. The pharmacist pulled me aside and told me about the many side effects attributed to this medication. I've been watching your channel for awhile and I really value your opinion. Thanks
Just what I've been wanting to know. Thank you very much, so illuminating. Now I understand why " loved ones" ( I like this reference) have these medications and their intended effects.
Thanks for this information, My In-Laws are struggling with my Mother-in-law because she won't take any meds at all. But this helps a lot she has a prescription for the drugs mentioned. I can suggest a different approach that may help. The patch could help to minimize the hallucinations at least. Again thank you for CareBlazers vids and Information...Dune717
my mom is on Memantine , sometimes I think helps, sometime, I'm not that sure, and she just started Donepezil . I pray these will help now that she's taking both at the same time. . She's been on both for a while but.I don't see that either are working
This was really helpful - could you perhaps point me towards anything that you might have done around the use of respiradone in dementia for agitation and aggression. Also would like more info on the SSRI drugs and which are more effective. Thanks you for the great work you do.
My loved one started on Aricept. She was advanced to namzeric ( I think that was it? It was a titrated dose... slowly increased to full dose over about 3-4 weeks?) But after a couple of weeks she started complaining of shortness of breath. Those get she was smothering. It was at the same time we had her admitted to an Alzheimer’s unit. We told staff of her complaints. The doctor took her off of it an put her back on Aricept. He also changed her to Seroquel and Ativan. She actually improved for several months. But the last couple of months she has started telling us she feels like she is having a panic attack. Says, ‘I feel like I can’t breathe.’ She actually had an episode last week and her blood pressure was elevated. Not sure if her meds need to be changed? Or maybe the dementia is effecting the part of the brain that controls breathing? 💔Suggestions? Thank you for the videos!❤️
OMG! Isn't it awful that we have to ask each other what we should do because Doctors don't know. They're just soooo busy that we need to find ways to navigate all this on our own! Or do they just not know? I need to find another Doctor, and it's hard. Maybe I will just keep Googling my health care and not bother the Doctors.
My mother was on the exelon patch. I have taken it off her. After about 10 weeks, she began suffering from tremors. She became very depressed, and agitated, crying for hours daily. Her appetite decreased to almost nothing. She became so weak she couldn't stand anymore. She became nauseous a few times a day. I was hoping that it would work for her, but the side effects were awful. She was far better off before using the patch. I would like to hear from anyone who has had similar experiences. Hopefully it'll help some, but it isn't for my mom.
We tried my wife on the patch but she also got to where she would not eat much at all. I had to put her on ensure to get her nourishment. After a few months we changed her back to donepezil. She did not have any of the other symptoms that your mother has had and that way be because my wife has been on sertraline for depression from the beginning. I hope this helped you. It is always good to hear for someone using the same drug. I wish the very best for your Mom. Good Luck!!
My mother was on the patch and it did not work for her. She got depressed..saying she wish she'd drop dead. She became weak also and would walk so bent over her arms almost touching the floor. Her personality changed from being sweet to being argumentative . She also had tremors . And I hated it when it came to bedtime, she would get pretty nasty and it would take her an hour and a half to get her into bed. Once I took her off it all the bad symptoms went away and I had my sweet Mom back
My husband’ s dementia took a significant and quick change when he had a bladder infection. There were no indications of bladder infection other than him being extra tired and body aches.
Thank you very much for this subject video. My wife (68) is taking both classes of Dementia medication (dozepezil and namenda) subscribed my her Neurologist. However from the age of 20 she has been under the care of several Psychiatrist for manic depression now called bi-polar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia. Her list of medicines is and has been extensive. A chemical cocktail as her psychiatrist describes it. That is tweaked and fluctuates over time. She has had ECT’s both in her early 20’s (1971-72) and again throughout the last half of 1990’s into the early 2000’s stopping only after Latuda was added to her list. There has been a ‘ turf’ War between her current Psychiatrist (who has been treating her continuously since 1993 and her Neurologist (2017). The Mind vs The Brain. They even differ on her diagnosis Neurologist Alzheimer’s/ Psychiatrist Lewy’s Bodies.. I am in a perpetual state of confusion with every symptom she displays ‘is it from her mental illnesses or is it Dementia or is it side effects from one of her medications? The Neurologist wants her off all the Psychiatrist’s medications. The Psychiatrist “that ain’t gonna happen” (paraphrase) This video has helped this uneducated laymen tremendously.
That is a very complicated situation. I'm sorry that you and your wife are in this position. This example shows just how difficult this whole dementia thing can be...even for the professionals.
Hubby has mixed dementia and has been on Exelon (among other things including antipsychotics) for 2 years. He was mild is now moderate but was told if we took him off the alzheimer med he would slip very quickly into next level. It's not cure but initially he did have some spark however now he's quite wooden and unenthusiastic about everything. Did try to wean him off antipsychotic but psychosis was rearing its ugly head very quickly so another drug we can't stop. We just plod along, talking each day as it comes.
My Mom was on Exelon patch also. The patch has to be put on in different areas on the body, like one day on the right side next day on the left sometimes on arms sometimes on the back. But the important thing to remember is to remove old patch every time. To prevent overdose of medication. The nurses sometimes couldn’t find old patch and just go ahead and apply new one. This is dangerous. So I just wanted u to be aware of this. Because it can be deadly.
What should we do about my father who hasn't been diagnosed and Mom isn't allowed any alone time with his doctor and he is super paranoid about being spoken about they have been married 56 years and worked together until retirement only a few years ago my grandmother his mother was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's when only a small amount of information was available! So my question is how can we help him I know medications would be helpful!!?? If we could get him diagnosed! I feel like we are wasting time that he could be having a better quality of life if the subject wasn't so taboo!!??
A sudden change in behavior, as in becoming catatonic, can also occur from exhaustion resulting from poor sleep habits, as out of sync with a normal daily schedule.
My husband does not sleep like a normal 8 hrs ,its broken sleep. He keeps getting up to go to the bathroom, so then he will not go back to bed he might go back in his lounge chair and then fall asleep. And then get up put his shoes on and lie on the couch. The doctor checked for a bladder infection .Which he did not have. He is on the donsipal. And a anti depressant., vitamins, thyroid medication.anti anxiety.And he does get out with his care givers. But I was concerned about his sleeping patterns. Is this normal. ?Even if he is up all day and seems very tired .I put him to bed and he will be up in a hour. He never sleeps more than 4 hrs at a time. I hate to put him on any other medication. He has frontal lobe dementia. Other wise he is in good shape. He was diagnosed 9 years ago.
@@igginsstephan7708 Yes, getting out of sync with the sun can be a problem. Older guys almost always have BPH which manifests itself as a need to urinate, and getting up every few hours during a night is pretty common even without any other issues. One thing that often helps us all sleep better is some physical exercise. I know these thoughts are unrelated to dementia and may not be helpful. I share your apparent concern about interaction of meds and side effects.
Careblazers: dementia care heroes I don’t know what I’d do without your videos. They have helped me so much to navigate through this with my mom. I can do the medical part, but the emotional part is a different story. Again, thank you.
@@R.N.LosAngeles I'm having a very hard time with the emotional behaviors of my Lo and my emotional reactions as well. The medications seem to be all there is so we need them very much.
@@kansas215 Matilda I know the pain. There were times I felt so angry, and guilty for feeling angry because rationally I know she couldn’t help it. I was always telling myself to be patient. Just be more patient. So I would and kept it inside. I had a mental breakdown after mom went to memory care. It just all came out. I couldn’t work for months. I feel blessed I have a very supportive husband. I need to take her to the dentist in a couple weeks and I’m so anxious about it. That probably sounds dumb. I can handle patients just fine. My mom is different. She wasn’t good to me growing up and I to adulthood and I was hoping to have a better relationship with her and I feel that chance is gone now.
My mum has been using it for over 3 months with no problems at all and she takes antidepressants, heart medication as well as her donepezil and meantime. I prefer to use cbd oil to seroquel or quietapine
Which medication for constipation is most suitable ?Memantine 10mg and clonazipam had been taken since over 3years agoTaking.Avolac 20mg is now not effective for him.Please help .Thanks for your precious information.
Would it help someone who has had meningitis and is suffering from long term mental side effects She was originally diagnosed bipolar scitzoeffective disorder But her ears bled out kidney failure school for deaf spinal stenosis 2 locations scoliosis two locations and deposits on her brain Which gives her bipolar like symptoms Complex ptsd due to the spinal meningitis as well ending up in foster homes after their house burnt down and many traumatizing events in childhood The only two meds that helped are having adverse effects since chemo for blood disorder they where olanzipine and lomotrigne
So...if there are these medications which help symptomatically, why won't my Mother's doctor prescribe one or both for her moderate dementia? My father was also diagnosed with Early Alzheimers six months before my mom's diagnosis. His doctors would not give him any medication for symptoms either. The doctors just tell us they don't do much so they dismiss it as not necessary. Kaiser SUCKS.
@@sunmist22 Yes. I can't even get mom and dad's doctors to even approve a B-12 complex. They will only advise straight B-12 which isn't even got all the B vitamins in it! Only 1000 mcg of plain B-12 only, is what they approve...when healthy people who want to prevent Dementia take at least double that or a Complex...at least. My brother who has Power of Atty over my parents is a strict "what FDA and Doctors say is right...kind of guy, so he won't go against her doctors. I even tried to convince my parents' doctors to allow them to receive multivitamins and B-12 Complex into a patch which allows meds to fully absorb thru the bloodstream so they get what they need when they need it. Doctors nixed that too, so my brother won't go there. So frustrating. I find it extraordinary that all the "Vaxx Hesitant" people want FDA approval before taking it, when the FDA is notorious for approving many other drugs that end up killing people or badly hurting them and then yanked off the market. FDA does not mean "no harm." Remember Opioids? Took them forever to do anything about that. Anyone that reads the "fine print" on the inserts of prescription drugs knows how dangerous approved medicines can be. I am not bashing the Covid VAX here, most of my family and myself gladly got it and have no regrets and no Covid...so far. But...I detest a lot of what the FDA stands for and how they operate. I deliberately chose a Primary care doctor for myself who is also a Doctor of Osteopathy...because she is educated about supplements and vitamins and actually knows what they are and recommends them.
Should I take both Donepezil and Memantine in mild alzhaimer or one among both is enough for mild alzhaimer ( forgetfulness, confusion, repeating but can handle all activities and work). If one medicine is enough which is best. plesae suggest me.
Memantine and donepezil combination is used to treat dementia (memory loss and mental changes) associated with moderate or severe Alzheimer's disease. Memantine and donepezil will not cure Alzheimer's disease, however, it may improve thinking ability, behavior, or functional ability.
My sister is moving to Costa Rica to live with me. My concern is that her prescribed medication is not available here. The doctor that I talked to said Costa Rica does not have anti psychotics. Are the drugs you ae discussing here fall into this category? Great video Thank you so much...…….....
Well it depends on who you ask but I say no. You have to understand, alprozalam is an anxiety medication. The CBD oil is for inflammation and does not impact your mood at all! Now if you get the cbd oil with thc, like a one to one oil, it would work.
I think, my mum has mild to moderate dementia, the dr gave her donepezil, but she was extremely dopey and had a general ill feeling with it so came off it....few weeks later, my mum still, in my opinion, has mild to moderate dementia, and is now on memantine, which is for moderate to severe dementia.......she has had the dose increased to 10 mg from last weeks 5 mg, and is, again, extremely dopey, with a general ill feeling......my question is, do you think she has been put on these medications too soon for the stage of her dementia and that’s why the tablets aren’t agreeing with her? Tablets are too strong for the stage she’s at? Or does it not work in that way? Thanks xxx