I would like to hear from other caregivers who experience a "battle" each time you give medicine. My mother complains like crazy. I hear, "I'm tired of taking these pills". "These pills aren't helping me". "All of these pills are still inside of me......I can't poop and all these pills are stuck inside of me". I hear this day in and day out.....the curse continues.
What about Metamucil wafers for fiber? My husband didn't want them because he was dieting - before dementia - and they have calories. They taste sweet, though, so picky eaters can enjoy them.
Does she get enough liquids during the day?
Roscoe, I wish you could find a little serenity about the situation you are stuck in. Were you ever religious? I find that song "Jesus Loves Me" very calming. It's for children, so it's not heavy on theology. Or the Serenity Prayer. Or 5 minutes outdoors to appreciate nature - the cool breeze or the sun or rain, or a flower or leaf - just for a break from your curse.
You may want to get a pill crusher and crush all her meds. Run prunes through a blender and put the blended prunes in a pitcher. Pour a portion of the blended prunes in a glass and add the meds and a little sugar with water to thin out the mix to a juice-like consistency. This way you avoid the hassle of taking the pills and she will get the prunes in a juice form. The sugar will mask the taste of the meds and sweeten the juice a little to make it easier to drink.
Adding extra fiber like oatmeal, raisin bran, fresh or dried fruits (apricots are great) and steamed vegetables all help to regulate and soften BM's.
Another suggestion for the bowel difficulties is to add a magnesum oxide tablet to the daily meds. My Mom's drugs were very constipating, and the magnesium is a natural muscle relaxer. 250 mg/day was my Mothers least effective dose - normal BM's without causing diarreah. Of course, to be on the safe side, I would consult with the Pharmacist and the doctor before doing this.
Have you tried the online drug interaction checker? It also allows you to put some common supplements on the list. Just a thought.
I was getting ticked and then I just decided to change my attitude and I began saying. "I know Mom, it is horrible having to take so many pills, I feel for you and wish they were not necessary but they are." Then I pour out the fistful of pills I have to take and sit down next to her and say, "Well I guess I better get started taking my pills too!" Then we sit side by side and chug them all down.
The sympathy part has really worked and I am glad I began using it. It keeps me from getting upset hearing the same old thing every time I turn around.
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