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My mom, age 73, has later stage Alzheimers. She also has Vascular Dementia. She has recently started to have seizures, each one lasting up to 2 minutes.  My moms neurologist told me that seizures are not typically part of the disease progression, but I have read conflicting things online. Her neurologist is wanting us to see someone who specializes in seizures to possibly start anti-seizure meds. I have heard that these meds cause the patient to become very tired and then they might become a fall risk. I don't know what to do. Ofcourse I want to do everything and anything that will be right for my mom to help her, but also do not want her to be drugged and a possible fall risk. Despite being far along in the disease she is still very mobile and is constantly walking around. I would appreciate any advice if you have had a similar situation. With thanks.

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73 is quite young to have disease this advanced and this complex. I should go along with your neurologist's advice to consult the specialist: it is important to clarify what is going on as far as possible; and if, having discussed the risks and benefits with the specialist, you're still not persuaded that more medications would be the right decision you won't be committed to them.
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My LO who has dementia hasn't suffered any seizures, that I am aware of. I can only imagine how concerning this is though.

Do you know what type of seizures they are? For example, does she stare into space, roll her eyes, become stiff, sleepy, convulse. etc? I have a young niece who has a very severe seizure disorder. Her symptoms are normally clear, but not grand mal, however, she eventually started dropping to the ground or floor with some of them. That can prove risky, especially in a senior, since it could cause fractures. I'd likely discuss it with the neurologist to explore the safest course to prevent her from injuring herself. I hope they can find something to help her.
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Thank you both for your feedback. I will definitely plan to visit with a specialist neurologist. I am grateful too that you asked what kind of seizure my mom had Sunnygirl1. I did not know that there were so many different kinds of seizures and so I have been able to spend some time over the last hour reading about the different kinds. My moms seizures have not been given a name from any of the ER doctors we have seen (each time we have called 911 and taken her straight to the ER). She has now had 3 seizures in the past 5 weeks (that we know of) and her symptoms have all been very similar - loss of muscle control (she has fallen once - the other 2 times I was standing next to her and was able to catch her), staring blankly into space and totally unresponsive. On one occasion she made a grunting sound with her mouth almost like she was scratching the back of her throat. When she comes out of it she is extremely tired and sleeps for several hours.
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Thanks for posting that info. Your description of the seizures sure do sound familiar to the way my nieces are. They have tests to determine just what is happening.  I know that you may want to avoid too much due to your mom's condition.  It's a tough situation. 

I'd make good notes for the doctor. My niece's parents even video her seizures so the Neurologist can see them for himself. 

 Some people respond to medication and others don't respond that well. I hope they find help for her.

If you have any options on Neurologist, I'd consider one from a large teaching hospital. They have so much to offer in the latest technology and treatment options, imo. My niece goes to Duke Med. It's a top brain center.
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