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1) There are only 5 drugs developed and approved for treating dementia. None of them are very effective. (Some individuals may benefit, but the overall profile is dismal.)
2) No drug developed so far can alter the course of the disease. They don't "slow down" the progression. If they are effective for an individual that means they relieve some of the symptoms. The disease will still progress.
3) The next round of research is focusing more on learning about the disease, so drug manufacturers have a better target.
Note that there are other drugs, not developed specifically for dementia, that are often used to address symptoms. Those, of course, do not slow the disease either, but if they help manage symptoms they may be very worthwhile.
My husband was very adamant about not prolonging his life. In fact, he had his defibrillator removed. But we tried every drug his neurologist suggested, and continued with the ones that seemed to help. Some were almost miraculous! Our goal was always to make the time he had left as meaningful and comfortable as possible. He lived with Lewy Body Dementia for ten years. I can't imagine how much worse those years would have been without the drugs.
I hope the next generation of drugs will be much, much more effective. But we are stuck in the pioneer phase of research. I say, try what is available and if your loved one is one of lucky ones it works for, continue with it. No results or bad side effects? Discuss with the doctor the safe way to discontinue.
My thoughts about cell towers contributing to Alzheimers are that the more basic research that is done and the closer we get to a full understanding of how the brain works and what goes wrong when it doesn't work the more we'll be able to identify (and hopefully change) any environmental factors that contribute to dementia. We just don't know enough yet.
Support basic research!
Please don't think I'm hard. Both my folks have suffered this disease. Both have taken the meds. These are questions I've asked myself many times. Was it really of value to either Mom or Dad to give them a medicine that only delayed their demise or would it have been better to just have let the disease run it's course rather than dragging out their suffering. I have no answer.
He forgets what happened today. He can't explain his thoughts. But when we are in the car and I am driving, he can tell me exactly when to stop, when to turn, how to back out, etc. His driving skills are there...marymember
I took my mom off those things after advice from a doctor. She was actually better off the meds and saved a ton of money.There are several side effects from those drugs.
See if they help and if not, stop taking them. I am sure your doctor is trying what he seems to have the best success rate with which is not much I am sure.