[darkeyes]

Lars, do you know if Aricept (for Alzhiemers/dementia) really help?
Mom's dosage was increased from 5mgs(which didn't seem effective) to 10mg's. I have read so many positive things, that the med helps slow down the progress of this horrible disease. Then another doc at the re-hab center told me it isn't effective for those having vascular dementia, which past MRI's revealed about my mom.
Her being diabetic and having too high or low readings on her glucose monitor) can lead to her acting a little "off" too. She has so many illness, COPD,Peripheal Vascular disease,CHF,Diabetes,Hypertension (meds have it controlled),Neuropathy,Slight Emphysema, and the list goes on. I never know if it is all really the dementia or combo of all, but just was wondering if Aricept really can help or just a farse. I'm just so overwhelmed and drained, asking many questions, even started up going to caregiver support meetings and Alzheimer support groups, it helps.
Thanks ahead of time, and thanks for listening to my whining.
Sincerely,
Rosanne

[Larry_Hoover]

What whining? I don't hear any whining. I'm happy to discuss anything you want to discuss.

I really do think Aricept is one of the most hopeful treatments that has yet come along, to delay or even temporarily reverse the onset of Alzheimer's dementia.

Please note how I set those last two words together. Alzheimer's is a very specific type of dementia. The drug is tailor-made for Alzheimer's.

What complicates our understanding of the efficacy of this new drug is that an individual can have more than one kind of dementia simultaneously. Perhaps, the person who *only* has Alzheimer's dementia is the rarity. Somebody might test positive for Alzheimer's in the behavioural/cognitive tests we've learned to do (the only definitive test for Alzheimer's is post mortem, at autopsy), but that doesn't mean they have pure Alzheimer's. They might be a 50/50 blend. Or 50/25/25, with other kinds of dementia. Any combination imaginable, ya know?

This drug will only help with the Alzheimer's symptoms.

I fear your hope has led to expectations that we (humanity) cannot fulfil.

I'm sorry.

Lar

[darkeyes]

Thanks, so much. When I had first read about this med, I suggested a yr or 2 ago if her doc can try it on her, well this time, the docs at convalescent home (re-hab for pacemaker)noticed she can use 10mg instead of the 5mg,and said her dementia seems to be worsening, but not severe.
So she lives in an apartment with her cat. I visit there every other day, so she isn't left alone, as far as meds,fill syringes,buy food,do paperwork,take garbage out, cause those are some of the many things I do.
We tried having her live her,lasted a year, we couldn't take the gross habits,not washing herself,staying in the same PJ's all day, etc. she needed to be alone where she could do what she wants and be dirty if she wants,etc. I'm venting again.
I'm glad she does go to Seniours twice a week, she almost wanted to stop and just lie in bed (she always does)and not go, I told her she is going, it had been 2 weeks and it was time to start, she went
Oh well, I think nothing is going to stop the progression of all her diseases, and as long as she doesn't co-operate with the docs,etc. she is going to worsen as far as her leg issues, we all know the longer we sit idol, our body weakens, she's set herself in a viscious cycle. I also think the way the GP's treat her depression, may not be with the right meds for her,so she will be seeing a counselar,she's some kind of pdoc nurse/practitioner thing? Still feel a real pdoc should see mom and let him or her decide the right AD for her.
OOps!!! Sorry everyone, I really should of brought the non drug question stuff to "Caregiver's" forum. I got carried away, rambling about the non med stuff.
Thanks for listening

[gardenergirl]

Darkeyes,
I'm so sorry you're dealing with a parent with dementia. It's heartbreaking. It's good, though, that the doc has identifed it as vascular, because that helps guide treatment and management intervetions. Vascular dementia often progresses in a step-wise manner, with declines followed by plateaus and then decline again and so on. Whereas Alzheimers is a more gradual and continuous progression. With vascular, I believe the most effective approaches for slowing the decline are health-related. Anything that can be done to manage her blood pressure, diabetes, etc. will decrease the likelihood of additional bleeds leading to damage leading to another decline. And with each new decline, working to compensate and adapt to the current status is key. Difficult, but key.

There's still so much we don't know about dementias. And the pain and stress is there, at least in the background, pretty much all the time.

I hope you're able to find time for your own self-care. That's another key.

My heart goes out to you and your family.

gg

[darkeyes]

GG, thank you so much for your reply. I do notice mom has days she's right there, then it seems she goes into a funk,etc. At support meetings and when I see my pdoc, they claim that's how it goes, and eventually will worsen. Sure the knowledge can help prepare someone but it doesn't make it less painful, but at least things become easier to understand how much is mom,the mom I've known for 49yrs., and how much is the diseases. I also realize there are so many going through the same or similar thing, I just sometimes just feel so alone with this.
Thanks again,
Roe