Alzheimer's

[luvwinnie]

During a routine exam my MIL's physician gave her a short memory test...(we don't have all the details, I'm trying to get DH to get more info)...and then gave her a script for ARICEPT!!!! That is a med. for ALZHEIMER'S! How do you just give a script like that with NO OTHER TESTS? My understanding is that the dr. would test for other causes (ministrokes for example)...not just assume the patient has Alzheimer's.

Also, I think family members should be consulted. DH hasn't noticed anything that would make him think Alzheimer's...yes, she has repeated stories and things like that (I do it too!) but nothing extreme. She's 71 and lives in a senior citizen building. Her mom DID have Alzheimer's so it IS a possibility, but I think more needs to be done before coming to this conclusion. Anyone have experience with having ALz. diagnosed in a loved one?

 

[chris1gill]

Unless she's having very clear symptoms, I would think you'd want to consult with a neurologist that deals with alzheimer patients? Why worry her & make her buy an expensive drug if it's not going to do anything for her??

 

[luvwinnie]

Exactly! I also told DH she needs to see a neuro if there is a problem.

 

[TLHB70]

DH's grandmother has it. She was diagnosed with it after tests. I can tell you that she started out with just repeating things. It has progressed very quickly though!!!!!! It has only been 2 years, and already she has forgotten who we, family members, are. It is so sad!!!!! I can say that the doctor has told my MIL that he does not recommend the medicine. I know that there are many meds and I cannot remember the names of them. Grandmother is not on any of them. Doctor told MIL that most of them have adverse side affects and he recommends only taking them when Grandmother is much worse than this. I have wondered if doctor knows what he is talking about. MIL has such a hard time caring for Grandmother. I wonder if the medicine will help.

 

[luvwinnie]

DH's grandmother has it. She was diagnosed with it after tests. I can tell you that she started out with just repeating things. It has progressed very quickly though!!!!!! It has only been 2 years, and already she has forgotten who we, family members, are. It is so sad!!!!! I can say that the doctor has told my MIL that he does not recommend the medicine. I know that there are many meds and I cannot remember the names of them. Grandmother is not on any of them. Doctor told MIL that most of them have adverse side affects and he recommends only taking them when Grandmother is much worse than this. I have wondered if doctor knows what he is talking about. MIL has such a hard time caring for Grandmother. I wonder if the medicine will help.

I am pretty sure the theory of most doctors is the earlier you treat, the better. I'm surprised her dr. hasn't put her on any of the meds. I'm so sorry for what they are going through.

Add to this the fact that my dad has to see a urologist for possible prostate cancer and my SIL waiting for biopsy results...I just want to hide.

 

[TLHB70]

I am pretty sure the theory of most doctors is the earlier you treat, the better. I'm surprised her dr. hasn't put her on any of the meds. I'm so sorry for what they are going through.

Add to this the fact that my dad has to see a urologist for possible prostate cancer and my SIL waiting for biopsy results...I just want to hide.

I am so sorry that you are going through all of this!
I will pray for you and your family.

MIL is at her wits end. Just yesterday she was in tears on the phone with me. It is so hard to see Grandmother like this!!!!!

 

[luvwinnie]

Thank you!
My heart goes out to your MIL.

 

[Disney Doll]

I was jsut at a meeting about this very thing yesterday at work.

The thing about Aricept is that it should be given early in the process of dementia, not when the person is barely functional. It will slow down the losing process, but it will not improve upon what has been lost.

If your MIL is a little repetitive and forgetful, now is the time to start it...not when she forgets where she lives and who her children are.

 

[luvwinnie]

I was jsut at a meeting about this very thing yesterday at work.

The thing about Aricept is that it should be given early in the process of dementia, not when the person is barely functional. It will slow down the losing process, but it will not improve upon what has been lost.

If your MIL is a little repetitive and forgetful, now is the time to start it...not when she forgets where she lives and who her children are.

I agree IF she has Alzheimer's...but I think other tests need to be run to rule out other causes.