My mom has late stage alzheimers. Her doctor took her off namenda and aricept. in June, 2011. We were giving her Ativan as needed. Prior to that she had been taking ativan as needed. Usually later in the evening and bedtime, but not everyday. At first we saw some improvement in her behavior, but it did not last long. Then came Haldol. It knocked her out in the beginning, and she had terrible hallucinations. So the Dr. increased the dosage. She became uncontrollable,hallucinated all the time, was zombie like whenever she was awake. She could no longer walk, talk or swallow, was in a wheelchair most of the time. I stopped giving her ativan and haldol.Within a few days we ended up in the hospital for a UTI. During the five days in the hospital she still couldnt walk, talk, or swallow, but she was sweet and happy and was taking only blood pressure meds, and thyroid meds. When we went home I put her in her own room. (she had been sleeping with her husband of 38yrs.) We never had the TV on when she was in the room.For about a week she still couldnt walk, talk, or eat, but was always in a good mood. Then one night, after being in bed for about 30min. She said she needed to Pee and got up with little assistance and walked to the bathroom, Peed and washed her hands and walked right back to bed. The next morning she asked for biscuits and gravy. It has been over a year since she even knew she was eating breakfast. That same day, she said she wanted to go out for lunch. We were all so shocked that overnight she was now better than she was a year ago. So we went out, she walked with her walker, and ate her food and drank all by herself. She has been improving daily. She asks for certain foods, can carry on a conversation(somewhat). She can remember a name for a few minutes, Knows me everyday. She still gets scared and nervous, but is not combative like she had been. Today my dad was playing his keyboard and she started to get up. I asked her what she was doing, and she asked me to dance with her. So I did. She commented that her feet were not moving a lot but it sure felt good to dance. When my husband walked in she called him by name and asked him to dance with her. After they danced we helped her sit in her chair. She sat a while then started to get up to fix supper (been almost 2yrs since she has done that. I took her to the kitchen (walking with walker). She sat down at the table, commented on the food that it sure was good and ate very well. She was still in an excellent mood when we left, thanked us for coming and asked when I would be back. In the past week and a half she has been better than she has for at least the past two years. Has anyone heard of this happening? Myself and The caregivers that I have helping me care for my parents are shocked by her daily improvements.
and see what happens. No sundowners symptoms, no sweats, leg cramps and he is much happier now. He is staying up till 10:00 p.m. I can not believe the difference!
While he is not drastic like georgi's mom or yours, he seems much better to us. He is still trapped in stage 7 but he appears more with it. He is on an antidepressant and mood stabilizer but we won't stop those because he is easily agitated and tortured without them. We know we have limited time and the dr says enjoy it while it lasts because as with everything else with this horrible disease....we just don't know what tomorrow brings. He seems to have fewer outbursts but the one down side is that even though he cannot walk or stand unassisted, he seems to forget that and he frequently attempts to do that. He did make it out of his room and to the hallway one time but fell. He doesn't usually get to full standing before going down and if he does he only takes a step or two. Thankfully he has not hurt himself but we can't leave him out of our sight for a second. Tonight I went to the bathroom when I thought he was sleeping and returned to him on the floor next to his bed. He was just mad and then smiled when I suggested we go have ice cream.
While he is not drastic like georgi's mom or yours, he seems much better to us. He is still trapped in stage 7 but he appears more with it. He is on an antidepressant and mood stabilizer but we won't stop those because he is easily agitated and tortured without them. We know we have limited time and the dr says enjoy it while it lasts because as with everything else with this horrible disease....we just don't know what tomorrow brings. He seems to have fewer outbursts but the one down side is that even though he cannot walk or stand unassisted, he seems to forget that and he frequently attempts to do that. He did make it out of his room and to the hallway one time but fell. He doesn't usually get to full standing before going down and if he does he only takes a step or two. Thankfully he has not hurt himself but we can't leave him out of our sight for a second. Tonight I went to the bathroom when I thought he was sleeping and returned to him on the floor next to his bed. He was just mad and then smiled when I suggested we go have ice cream.
Drugs can be such a blessing, and such a curse! It absolutely infuriates me to hear of patients being given meds in spite of clearly listed allergies to the drug. When it is known that certain drugs have a reputation for highly variable results from person to person, then very careful and very slow titration is necessary. It becomes a well-monitored trial. Why on earth would anyone not believe the results of that trial, and repeat it inspite of previous failures?
Some drugs are worth trying, even though there can be known adverse reactions. But for heaven's sake, if those adverse reaction occur, STOP using the drug! And list it as an allergy. And don't try it again. Grrrrrr.
And yes, there probably is a medical reason -- she is off drugs that were causing bad reactions.
My husband's geriatrician says she can think of very few of situations where haldol is justified.
For better or worse, drugs are very powerful. My motto is better living through chemisry. My husband takes mor than 20 pills a day. They are VERY carefully monitored by his geriatrician and the nuerologist who treats his dementia. Each one contributes to his overall well being. I am grateful for them. But seeing how powerfully they help him, I imagine they could have powerfully negative effects for someone they are not suitable for. Drugs are like the little girl with the curl. When they are good they are very very good, and when they are bad they are horrid.
There is a place for medication, certainly, and we are grateful for when it's there and can help, but what happened to your mother is not uncommon. However, I can't imagine why the doctor increased the dosage of a drug that was creating such horrible side effects.
Please consider a geriatrician if one if available in your area. These doctors specialize in taking care of elders, and they are far more likely to carefully track medications.
Congratulations on your mother's improvement. It must make your heart sing!
Take care,
Carol