My husband has been on Aricept 5 mg. since June 18. I asked the doctor if he could stay on this dose as he seemed to be ok and he said increase at your discretion, if he seems worse, up it to 10 mg. the last few days my husband's actions have changed. Our son and family were over Sunday and my husband was for the most part very quiet and didn't join in. I felt sad and guilty for not paying him more attention but welcoming the joy of the grandchildren being there. Yesterday I don't think he said a complete sentence until well after lunch and seemed better by evening. My husband just came from the bedroom very confused, he thought we were being beaten up by the Japanese and went back to bed. I spent time out in the yard working and crying at the princess I felt. At other times I can cope with things but the alternate with sadness, crying and wondering how much he is suffering, or is it just me, and what to do about it. Sorry for the rambling, just had to put my feelings in writing. Does anyone out there have these same feelings and how do you handle it? Thanks listening. Should I increase aricept to 10 mg at this time. (I feel the doctors answer was, in effect, it probably isn't that crucial what dose, so go with the flow, no disrespect as I do like this doctor)
He guesses what I'm thinking but doesn't ask. He makes decisions based on those guesses and assumptions. But he doesn't ask. And he's often wrong because he assumes the worst of me. We can't seem to have any important conversation, certainly none of personal depth because he isn't capable. Logic escapes him, though he thinks he's highly sensible. He's become an emotionally ruled person.
I lived through 6 years of hell with his Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde transitions taking just seconds. Emotional and verbal abuse endured because he had dementia and was not well. Now he's changed again and is much calmer and significantly less abusive. He's more normal and capable...so what gives? What's going on? And who am I married to?
Sometimes he's actually nice to me. And that makes me wary. I occasionally get PTSD symptoms when he comes up behind me and surprises me by suddenly speaking. What road am I traveling? I thank God I'm not traveling alone! I can trust God a lot more than my husband. And that's just plain sad.
I've rambled too long but Alz/dem. is evil. It takes away the person you love and it takes away your life also. So many of us are going through this. You MUST keep your sense of humor. It's hard at first but at some point you will be able to laugh at some of things he's done or will do, not to mean but because we love them and want to remember something good. As I said before, stay on this site, write to us and you will have our support and all the information that we have learned. You might want to join a support group or look into a daycare center for him. Stay with him the first few times so he will get use to it or bring someone in to stay so you can get out and not just to get groceries. We support you and have your back. Good Luck and God Bless
Oh, one more thing......on another page we have been talking about coconut oil and the benefits for alz. You might try it to see if there is any change in your husband. Start small so there is no upset stomach. No taste and melts fast or there are pills.
Salisbury: I am the one not hearing very well. Found an ad for a "personal amplifying device" for about $20 and decided to try it. Hangs over the ear with a bud that directs sound into the ear. It has an on-off switch and a volume control. With the cost of hearing aids in the thousands I thought it was worth the try. Big help - best with the volume control at or near lowest level. High volumes can distract and even hurt. Combined with short clearly spoken sentences spoken in a normal voice or at a pitch a little lower than normal the device could leave your husband only having to deal with the slower processing.
I also need to remember to "keep it simple." When it is simple and we communicate, I can see that he is really happy. When it gets too complicated, he is depressed, I am frustrated ,and we both feel bad.
I am so sorry! So young! So sad for both of you.
I was just going to take the opportunity to complain that everything with my husband takes so long. A half hour to go into the grocery store and buy butter.
But you have stopped me cold. My husband is 82 and can buy butter in the grocery store. I am grateful and sending you, all of you, a hug.
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