How Do You Determine What Phase Of Alzheimer Your Loved One Is In?

Do You Ever Doubt Your Loved Ones Diagnosis?

When my husband is out of sorts, I think okay, this really is happening. But sometimes (a lot here lately), I wonder could this all be a mistake? Could something else have been going on 6months ago and now it’s over? My husband has been on Aricept for about 5 or 6 months and since July 2nd on the highest dosage. Does he really need it anymore? I am so confused and I don’t want him labeled with something he doesn’t have! Has anyone else ever went through this doubt or know of a misdiagnosis being… read more

Different Sorts Of Dementia

I have been involved in the workup of my Fathers condition from the start, and being a medical professional myself, have understood all the diagnostics and differentials that needed to be considered to get a handle on why he was experiencing the symptoms he was at the time. In fact, i was more concerned about it all than his doctor, who was trying to blow it off as "normal aging". All the workup led to was a neurologist confirming that there was diffuse cerebral atrophy. Named it "Dementia-… read more

Seroquel For Dementia

Hi everyone:

My mother (89, with moderate dementia) was not doing well on Xanax for sundowning and related anxiety, The doctor thought it might be contributing to some of her symptoms. He prescribed 12.5 mg of Seroquel (Quetiapine Fumarate) to be taken once in the evening and stopping the Xanax. Looking at the Medication Insert, I see that a serious side effect is "the risk of death in the elderly with dementia" and "risk of suicidal thoughts," and "not indicated for elderly patients with… read more

Has Anyone Gotten A Pet After Your Loved Ones Diagnosis For The Purpose Of Providing Comfort And Activity?

We have always had a dog (my husband loves dogs) but our last one died several months after my husbands diagnosis and I just didn’t think I could handle something else to take care of. But now we have a home with a fenced in back yard and I’m wondering if a dog would provide comfort and activity for him. He is middle stages and I would be the one caring for the dog. One of my concerns would be if after we got the pet if I found I couldn’t handle it and had to rehome, how it would affect him
If… read more

My Husband Cant Perform But He Thinks He Can And Then Gets Mad At Me If I Say No. Any Suggestions

I love my husband very much. But since the ALZ kicked in he thinks about sex all the time and that part of our life is gone and he wants to try and gets upset with me cause i wont give in butt there is no sence in it cause aint nothing gonna happen anyway so i get accused of having an affair. I just tell him i love him and i just want to cuddle. or sleep. I dont want to hurt his feelings or make him think he aint attractive to me. Do you know what i mean. I am just beside myself will ALL of… read more

Aricept Cause Upset Stomach?

Moms been complaining of upset stomach for about a week now. Shes been on aricept for a little over a month. Just last week her dose went up to 10mg. I'm wondering if this could be the cause. I haven't had a chance to read the side affects. She hasn't eaten a whole lot besides soup. Was gonna give a call to the doc, but thought I'd ask of anyone else had experienced this.

Does Anyone Know The Reason For A Neuropsychologist?

She's had her Neurologist visit last week.. He prescribed donepezil and didn't give a firm diagnosis, except age related changes/memory/ amnesia. 🙄

She had a follow up with her PC yesterday. Both she and the neurologist want her to see a psychiatrist for the depression, behavior issues and insomnia. I've scheduled that appointment.

PC is also wanting her to see a neuropsychologist. Why? I am just so overwhelmed 😞

Pets

How does everyone handle the case of an Alzheimer's patient with pets
Specifically, my husband has two dogs - big ones - that he adores. I know that having pets are good for an Alzheimer's patient, and caring for them gives the patient something to focus on, but he is overfeeding them (treats every 20 minutes or so) and has forgotten them outside. When he puts them outside in cold weather (it's -28 Celsius here today) I have to watch and get them in as soon as I can. I'm already tired from… read more

Please Share With Me The Time Frame You Have Personally Experienced With Alzheimer’s

I am fully aware that each patient is unique with this disease. I still would appreciate hearing your own experiences. From the time that symptoms were first observed how and when was the diagnosis made? Then after that how many years did it take for the disease to progress to its more advanced or final stage?
Thank you.