Connect with others who understand.

  •   Learn from expert-reviewed resources
  •   Real advice from people who’ve been there
  •   People who understand what you’re going through
Sign Up Log In
All Resources Treatments A-Z Personal Assistant Help Center Crisis
Powered By
Real members of myALZteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

My husband has now been diagnosed with 35% EF rate on his heart, beginning to show liver damage and wont quit drinking Ultra beer

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Buckeye, AZ

and how is showing significant memory loss. I'm at a loss on what to do with his memory medication Memantine which is not helping. should he be taken off? what about all his other meds?

August 26
 · 
Be the first to react
A myALZteam Member

Ugh, Jean, it sounds like his dementia has several things working against him! Alcohol use combined with a poorly working heart and liver. If he won't quit drinking the beer, can you stop supplying it? Does he buy it himself? You may need to let all his friends/family know the situation so they don't give in to supplying it either. His health is pretty precarious now, and you may need to take more control over what he has access to.

August 26
myALZteam

This sounds like an incredibly overwhelming situation, and it's clear how much you care about your husband. These are really important questions that deserve careful attention from his medical team.

Regarding Memantine specifically — whether to continue, adjust, or stop it is a decision that must be made by his doctor Show Full Answer

This sounds like an incredibly overwhelming situation, and it's clear how much you care about your husband. These are really important questions that deserve careful attention from his medical team.

Regarding Memantine specifically — whether to continue, adjust, or stop it is a decision that must be made by his doctor. Only they can weigh his full health picture before making any changes. Never stop or adjust any medication without medical guidance first. When it comes to his other medications, there are some important things his doctor should review, particularly around a class of drugs called anticholinergics. These can:

- Worsen memory and confusion
- Increase fall risk
- Cause delirium in people with Alzheimer's

The more anticholinergic medications someone takes, and the longer they take them, the greater the concern for memory-related side effects. A myALZteam member once shared how complex managing multiple health issues alongside Alzheimer's can be, and how important it became to have a coordinated care team reviewing everything together.

The most important step right now is requesting a full medication review with his doctor or a geriatric specialist. Bring a complete list of everything he takes so nothing gets overlooked.

August 26

Related Questions

View All

Do you find alcohol makes Dementia worse?

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Billingham, UK
October 23, 2016

Alcohol and dementia

A myALZteam Member asked a question 💭
Hull, UK
February 26, 2017

Your Loved One Has Just Been Diagnosed With Alzheimer's. Now What?
Can Your Eyes Show Early Signs of Alzheimer’s?
My Perspective: Losing My Marital Relationship to Dementia