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Can Dementia come and go?

Asked by compqman  |  Jan 28, 2010

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I help take care of my mom who has Dementia. The signs have been there for a few years now, but things got really bad about a month ago with my mom seeing and hearing a lot of things that were not there pretty much everyday. This lasted several weeks and then almost all of it stopped for over two weeks. I'm not totally sure they stopped, but she seemed to be the mom I have always known for the most part. Then about a week ago it started again. She started seeing things, hearing things just as before. Is this common in people with Dementia? I cannot think of any changes in her lifestyle or health or the meds she has taken for years that would cause any changes. My question is "can people with Dementia seem to be stable or almost normal and then slip back into a state where everything seems unreal?"
Any thoughts? thank you

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AlzCaregiver

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Jan 28, 2010

Mom has her ups and downs, and made a major improvement after we stopped Ditropan after a week, only to plummet a few weeks later as result of switching to Zocor.

Been using small dose of Ativan for anxiety, and she read a children's book out loud better than I've heard her read in months. This after only a day on it. UTI or infection (like major cat scratch) have also caused plummets, only to improve when ABX used for a few days. Brain chemistry, so many variables.

 
 

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SecretSister

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Jan 28, 2010

Medications and side effects can sometimes factor in, as well as some dementias, or even dehydration and infections. Has she had a thorough medical and neurological evaluation? My dad and FIL see and hear things that just aren't there. Sometimes it can be very frightening or distressing to them. I have seen it come and go, intermittantly.

 
 

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Cat

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Jan 28, 2010

Yes, people with dementia often can seem lucid and carry on conversations and act normally. There is no playbook for what is and isn't normal in dementia. If she hallucinates or seems otherwise distracted - or rambling check for UTI's, nutritional deficiencies, dehydration, possible medication side effects and even a dental problem. Smaller health problems can have a bigger effect on cognition. Likewise disturbed sleep, or other changes to routine.

The person with dementia is handicapped with an impairment but still deserving of every opportunity to be treated and spoken to as you normally would, with recent discoveries, what science now documents about about brain plasticity it is worth keeping them in the loop as possible. Takes work but is worth it.

 
 

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virginiap

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Jan 28, 2010

my husband has been short on b12.. I am giving him b12 AND HE SEEMS TO BE IMPROVING..pplease tell me how nutritional definencies causes this type of problem.. My husband has had two brain exrays and it shows his brain is normal..could the lack of b12 cause his demetia?? please let me know..

 
 

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compqman

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Jan 29, 2010

I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's help! 4 ever grateful!

 
 

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charliezane12

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Mar 25, 2010

Defenitely check for a UTI - it can cause major behavior changes. I care for my mom too - she has dementia and is 88. UTI's affect her very much, you can get a home test at Walgreens. They are very helpful! Best wishes.

 
 

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