Dad has become aggressive and refuses to do things. Wants to be in his room and be left alone. Any advice?

When my husband was first diagnosed with dementia and he started seeing a geriatrician, she took him off pretty much all of his pills except the ones specifically prescribed by his neurologist for dementia. That included heart medicines. His symptoms and behaviors made it appear he was in an advanced stage. She wanted to get a baseline on him. It became clear that he wasn't in the final stage and she gradually added the drugs back in. I think removing drugs for a period is fairly common. Often doctors send the patient to a hospital while doing this, but apparently our geriatrician and Daughter's dad's doctor felt this could be done in place.

I don't know specifically what the geriatrician in this case is attempting to accomplish, but before I'd even consider changing doctors I'd have a conversation with this one and see what the purpose is in stopping the other drugs.

Finding out what is causing the coughing and then fixing that would certainly be a comfort measure and would improve Dad's days. I'd ask the geriatrician if there is any other kind of specialist you might consult on this particular issue. I might consider getting a second opinion, but without necessarily dropping this doctor.

Be frank with this doctor. Ask if he thinks it is time for hospice care. Ask him how things would change if that becomes the case.

It is very difficult to acknowledge, so I am glad you recognize that your dad is old and has health problems that have no cures. Comfort is the goal now. Could he be kept more comfortable on hospice?

Please keep us informed of how this progresses. We do care.

Any change in mental status should be discussed with his doctor. Also weakness in difficult walking should be reported. It could the meds or something else, including the progression of the dementia.

Did you ask the doctor about his behavior change and weakness when they did the chest x-ray?

daughter, I would get the doctors to take a look at his lungs and kidneys to make sure both are working correctly. I don't know if it would help prolong his life, but it would make him more comfortable if these things were working correctly. I don't think it is the medication, but I agree with you that something is going on.

4 Sunnygirl1- I've taken him to two doctor appts in the last 30 days and discussed the mental status, weakness in walking, progression of dementia possibilities and if meds could be the problem. He couldn't see anything in the test results to cause this. He said to hold the Claritin, Lasix and Metoprolol for 3 weeks when we have another appt.. Now his ankles are swollen more then before. He still has the same attitude, disinterest in activities, cough and weakness. Chest x-ray was taken and I was told that all looked okay. Lungs looked clear. I feel maybe he needs a different doctor. Perhaps this one feels he's ready to check out. If that's the case, I agree he should not be so miserable.

Is he taking Metoprolol for a-fib or high blood pressure? If the former and the doctor said to hold the meds I'd definitely find a new doctor, a cardiologist, ASAP.

Make sure he elevates his legs above his heart level; it may help moderately with the ankle edema, but I would also contact who ever prescribed the Lasix and ask about restarting it.

Seems like something's changed; the question is what and why.

BTW, what kind of doctor was it who told you to hold the meds for 3 weeks?

If you want him comfortable, accept palliative care. Don't look for problems. Treat the ones that manifest themselves.

I would be very concerned that the cardiologist prescribed Toprol but the geriatrician said to stop it for 3 weeks. Assuming he does have a heart condition, I'd be worried what might happen during that 3 week period when he's off the Toprol.

I'm also surprised the cardiologist's staff doesn't do an EKG. That takes place ever time my father sees his cardio doctor.

4SunnyGirl & others . Thank you so much for responding to my concerns. Yes I read the new Namenda drug literature. I did mention it to the doctor. He wanted to do more tests. Now he's scheduled for a CT scan of his esophagus. Doctor thinking that a problem with GERD may be causing the cough/congestion since it is in his throat area. The Cardio doctor was notified of the Geriatric removing the metoprolol drug. He didn't seem too concerned. My husband was taking Meto and his cardio said it wasn't doing the job anymore for the a-fib so he stopped it since it could cause kidney or/and liver problems. The doc doesn't not feel he would qualify for hospice.

Thanks for the update!

yah...thanks for the update