I agree with Matt383 answer. We all know Alzheimer's cannot be cured; that drugs administered are given with the hope of slowing the process down. Depending on the doctor, some more aggressive than others, will prescribe medications to see if there are any noticeable results with their Alzheimer's patients. Saying that, at the last check-up with my husband's PCP, and after 9 years of being on Aricept and other meds, the doctor looked at me and said, "the pharmaceutical companies are getting wealthier by the minute with these drugs. In all my years as a doctor, I have not seen one ounce of good taking these medications for Alzheimer's have done for my patients. Therefore, to save you money, I recommend your husband no longer take any of these drugs. See if you notice any difference..." So, following the doctor's advice, I did just that. Took him off meds and watched him closely. Nothing changed mentally. If anything, once he was off the meds, his walking and stability improved. I've talked to many caregivers who have cared, or are still caring for a loved one. Those who have lost a spouse after years of devoted care and thousands of dollars poorer mentioned that giving hope is nice---sometimes that is all we have, but drugs did not help their loved ones. It was like dangling a wishbone in front of them every day hoping with all hope that would be the day improvement would begin. It never did. I honestly do not believe there is a right or wrong answer to your question. Perhaps your mother's doctor is reaching out hoping a prescribed drug will help your mom. I have replaced Aricept and Namenda with grace, understanding and love. I look into desperate, pleading eyes every day and gently hold a hand, go for short walks, look at flowers, birds and an occasional airplane overhead. I seldom understand what my husband mumbles, but I always respond. I tell him how nice he looks, he's walking better today, did he brush his teeth and comb his hair? The response is always the same..."why yes, I did." I smile because I know it makes him feel better to respond positively, but also know without my help, he cannot do those simple tasks. And then while watching him nap, I look at him and I start to cry. A confused, empty world filled with love...a world that only a caregiver truly understands. Please keep in touch and let the viewers of this wonderful website know if any meds help your mom. I will be praying for her.
I wouldn't worry. Those drugs only help about 10% of the people that take them. 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.
Sometimes I think the drug chosen has the most benefit to most, or is based on the kickback from the pharmaceutical company. No drug will help stop dementia, and giving them opens the patient to some side effects which are mostly unpleasant.
My question is this: We know that none of the medications currently available will cure Alzheimer's Disease. We know that the current meds available reportedly only "slow the progression of the disease". We know that this is a terminal illness and that our loved one will die of this disease. Why do we want to slow the progression of this terminal disease? Why do we want to give these meds that only "slow the progression" of this horrible disease? 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.
This spring I attended a full-day conference for family and professional caregivers of persons with dementia, called Meeting of the Minds. Speakers were typically researchers or clinicians well regarded in their fields. Some of the things I heard (from more than one speaker):
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.
Nojoy I love your answer. It is so true...Why do we want to slow the Progression... I am sure they would want IT OVER WITH. Its those left behind that want these drugs. Dragging out a disease that is so awful. My partner has Parkinson and obviously something more severe as he is terminal at this moment and it is hard to believe how fast this progressed. Today, the nurse turned up his oxygen. I said oh Good...But as soon as I said it, I realized that I was again prolonging his suffering. He is on Hospice and they are very good about making sure the patient is comfortable. But, the reason we choose Hospice is to avoid the tubes and interventions that the hospitals use and are probably not really sure it will work or not. And for who are they prolonging the life? The older I get the more I realize that our modern society is so strung out on provisions to prolong a persons life when they are suffering. Obviously, we want to die in GOD'S TIMING. But, these drugs only put off what will happen eventually when it comes to Alzheimers, and Parkinson there is NO CURE. Someday they will find out why it happens. And, everyone will say WOW But in the meantime do these drugs really work? And if they do how much of a percentage are they working and how much more life will we get out of using the drugs? Will I be in a Memory Care unit if so, why did you give me these drugs. Why did you not just let me go. As for the pain,,,,YES, use drugs and freely to avoid any pain they are suffering. I am all for that. Pray about your decision and then talk to your doctor and get the questions answered,,,,It is a HORRIBLE DISEASE.
My husband takes both. I just don't know if they do or don't help. Maybe taking them in the evening is best rather than earlier. I would like an opinion. 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 don't guess I ever thought of the meds (Exelon patch and Namenda XR) extending Mom's life.....and suffering.....but I've seen the frustration on her face and the panic in her eyes when she is trying to express herself and the right words will just not come. I'm just hoping the meds make her life more liveable while she is here on this earth.
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.
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.
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!
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
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