Mom has had Dementia for about 7 years but recently her symptoms became worse. She had anger issues and OCD and it was just becoming too much to handle alone. During hospitalization they tried meds on her but she was hallucinating, climbing out of bed, chewing off her restraints, etc.
We got her an appt with a Gerontology Case Manager and he gave her two medications, which have helped greatly and we can now actually get sleep at night, which is a blessing.
The problem is that in the past two weeks of taking it, she believes we have two dogs and asks if they both have been fed. We only have one dog. She asked my daughter tonight is she had seen Grace and Mom, were they outside or where were they. Grace died 9 years ago and her mother in 1963. Last night she asked me where Raven sat at the dinner table and I said," Me Mom? I'm Raven." She said No I wasn't.
This type of confusion never occurred prior to her taking this medication. It doesn't happen continuously but it happens almost once a day. I know that medication that is meant to help one thing may cause something else to happen, but do you think these symptoms or signs should be acceptable or should I be calling the doctor telling him to change it?
Let me just say that prior to the medication I was ready to put her in a nursing home because I couldn't take the behavior and yelling and abusive language and not sleeping at night. The medication has made her behavior manageable but do I want it to cause something else?
I tend to agree with him, nothing is probably ever going to be the perfect fit and encompass everything that needs to be taken care of without there being a possible side affect. All I can say it this is an absolute blessing from where we were two weeks ago!
I hadn't really thought of this before. Just wanted to share ...
I think I would call and get the results of the UTI test, just to be certain nothing has fallen through the cracks. Had the behaviors started before she had that test? Could she have gotten a UTI since the test?
I understand fully what you mean about being grateful for the improvement but worried about the side effects. And sometimes that is the situation we have to face -- the choice of the lesser of the evils. I would discuss this with her doctor, though. Possibly waiting a bit longer is called for. Maybe a dose adjustment would help. Perhaps there is another drug to try. You may have to settle for good results but some side effects. But I'd try other alternatives first.
Your sister took a drug prescribed for someone else, for symptoms your sister doesn't have, and she did not like it??!! OMG. I sure hope you are your mom's medical proxy!
I should correct this, for some reason my sister was given Remeron in the past and she said she did not like the way it made her feel, so she stopped it. Now this medication has been prescribed to my mother for her dementia and anger issues, OCD etc. My sister takes a lot of medications and has for as long as I can remember but she will take one or two then stop or read the med sheets of all possible side effects and never take them at all. Doctors get frustrated and some have asked her not to return, because they cannot help her if she does not follow their instructions.
I do have POA for Finances and Healthcare....