Our Mom is 106 (will turn 107 in Nov.) She is cared for in her home by three paid caregivers along with my sister and myself. She is healthy but has short-term memory loss and is too weak to stand or walk. She requires full-assist transfers. She has severe arthritis pain in her back, thus we give her hydrocodone morning and night. We recently asked Dr. if we could try a less strong pain med. He prescribed Tramadol. After 2 weeks on it, she developed a tremor in her right hand (her left is disabled by a long-ago stroke) She also seemed to have loss of vision. Dr. advised us to stop the drug and to give her tylenol/advil instead. First day off of tramadol, she began to have severe anxiety symptoms and seemed to be hallucinating about various things. She is normally pretty quiet, but she began a litany of loud questions and comments. She wanted us to look for her car, to take her home, etc. Previously, we had been giving her a light dose of ativan once a day because she was having mild anxiety but only in the afternoons. Dr. said we can increase that dosage. So sad to see her so agitated and confused at this late date. Any suggestions to help calm her further (natural things) would be appreciated.
Astonishing age and how wonderful she's at home - all good advice on checking for a UTI
Never heard of tart cherry juice helping to calm anxiety but it helps arthritis by reducing inflammation.
I understand. She is fortunate to have such a loving family.
My husband (84) is in the late stage of Alzheimer's with a constant need to flee (get to a gig) and hallucinations. I burn lavender oil everyday and did not realize it was calming him down until I noticed he would sit still after lighting the burner. And because he was a jazz musician for 65 years, I make sure there is music playing (which is good therapy anytime for anyone). It's worth a try and natural. Hopefully the meds have not affected your mom's sense of smell or hearing like they did with her vision.
Can you get a second opinion from a geriatric neurologist on the meds?
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8/23/2016 6:27 p.m. PDT Tuesday
Amazing that she is 106. She must of been doing something right. Let us all know her secrets. Good Luck to you.
Now for your Mom's health, the first thing that comes to mind is a possible urinary tract infection.... such an infection can mimic severe dementia. Have her see her primary doctor to run a test. Or if taking her to the doctor isn't easily done, ask the druggist for a home urinary tract infection test kit.