My wife has been on a memory drug for Alzheimer's for over two years, and I have yet to see an improvement. Has anyone had success with these drugs?

Johnny, first of all there are no meds available at this time to bring about improvement. There are the meds such as your wife is taking that will slow down the progression. We are so happy you joined us here. There are resources to help educate you on Alz, to help you deal with the changes your wife is going thru and to help you with the stress of caregiving.
Please feel free to talk about what is going on with YOU, as the stress of taking care of someone with Alz. is beyond words. This sight is for venting, getting support, without any shame or judgement and that is hard to find. So please feel free to say what is on your mind, ask for help, and make new friends. We are all in this together and you will find many stories you can relate to that help you to not feel so alone.
A lot of post on the "grossed out" thread, read some of the posts, get to know us, check out profiles and make contacts...This is the hardest job you will ever do, and please know you are not alone... hope we hear from you again. Hugs across the miles...

Namendia is a good medication. But alot of this really depends on what type of dementia your wife has. You are really able to figure that out since you two are together, which is just great.

In the US everything seems to be all about Alzheimer's but there are other type of dementia and each type seem to respond to different medications and therapies.
It could be your bride doesn't have Alz.

My mom was on Aricept which made no real change except in her pocketbook. She was having hallucinations (seeing animals) and other visual disturbances (like patterns on the walls and floors) that would occur every once in a while usually months apart. And she has a shuffling walk - she can't pick up her feet when she walks but she can walk and stand and move about. Then she would have a very severe case of paranoia - like calling a nephew to take her to the bank to get all her money out because someone was taking over her identity - but at the same time she knew current events. Turns out she has Lewy Body Dementia so for her the Exelon patch works - she is more lucid and perkier. Now she is not getting better but she is not going backwards as much and when she does have an episode it is much much milder.

One thing that is often done is a combo of Namenda and Aricpet for mid stage Alz. If she does have Alz., she may be at the point that she needs another level of medication. If she isn't being seen by a gerontologist, then perhaps you could find one and have her go for a full evaluation. It will be quite different than what a GP or family doctor would do. But they can really figure out where she is on the cognitive skills line and also when she goes back in another 6 months they can figure out how much loss there is in certain thought processes.

Good luck.

Looloo, I am a big proponent of trying drugs for the various symptoms of dementia. But when there is no evidence they are helping, why keep on them? I'd suggest to the doctor that you want to try discontinuing Aricept.

My husband was diagnosed in 07 with AD and has been on all the drugs, drink and patch. The doctor finally took him off all of it since it was not helping at all. He doesnt take anything now and I can see no difference in him at all. Just a very sad disease. God Bless you.

My mother-in-law's doctor told us that Namenda usually stops working after two years, so we originally thought we'd just take her off of it. However, when talking to the health gal at the asst. living where my m-i-l lives, she said not to. Her reasoning was, if it's helping holding off the progression of the Alz, then it's worth taking it. She said that if we took her off of it and saw a downturn, then there would be no going back to her previous mental state if we put her back on it again. So with that in mind, I told them to tell her doctor that we're going to keep her on Namenda until we see a downturn and then we'll know it's not working anymore.

johnny, it is very important that you have a support system. There will be things that come up that you will have questions about. And most of us on this sight have a lot of experience between us.
I take care of Ruth, 93, who has late stage Alz. She is currently in the NH getting her meds adjusted as she was becoming very violent. Every case is different, that is the crazy making part of Alz. And if I did not have the people on this sight, I would be crazier than I normally am.
You are not the only man on this sight, so please participate and let us help. You have valuable experience also, that may help someone else. As I said it is very important to have support, whether it be online, a local Alz, group, anything that will educate you and support you...hope you get some answers that help you

ladeeda, Thank you for good clear advice,and I know that I will go thru some hell sooner or later hopefully later,again thanks and I will stay on here and read some sound and advice from people like you and others who are in this game call life. johnnycares

You are more than welcome. It would be helpful if you would fill out your profile so we would know if you have family support, any kind of in home help, and what your wife's health and behavior issues are.. we are not being nosy, just the more info we have the more help you will get. Thanks for finding us, we need you too. hugs across the miles

My wife is not to bad so far but i know that I will except some help when ever I need it. Thank all for responding to my call for help.

My mother has been on Namenda 10mg 2xday and Aricept. When Aricept was added to her meds I noticed a leveling off, but no improvement. She has been on them for 2years now. But within the last couple months her symptoms have went into overdrive. These meds really just hold off the ineviable longer. The only con I have is... I noticed that since these meds slow progression it made her more aware that something was going on in her head. She would say that something was making her crazy inside. So, it might have been meds or maybe just the dementia. But I would continue to keep your wife on it.
Johnny, please keep on the doctors don't be afraid to demand help and answers. Ask lots of questions. If you feel your not getting results, take her to another doctor. Does your wife see a geriatric psych? I found that very useful with my mom. The Geriatric psych will help with depression, anxiety, and agitation she might experience. From my experience they understand how it all works more so than a regular dr. Also, a Neurologist will help with proper MRIs and CTS of the brain. I however, not yet found a good one in my area.
Try to play simple games or flash cards to stimulate her mind but stop if she gets upset cause she can't do it. My mom loves to color.
One last note to mention I was told by geriatric psych. that namenda can cause restlessness in some. If your wife is restless at night after taking Namenda try giving it to her at supper or at least 4hrs before bedtime. I noticed that helped a little with my mothers restlessness. So mom takes one in morning and one at supper.
I am sure your like the rest of us caregivers. You want to do everything in your power to make them better. Just hang in there and enjoy your wife, remember every moment that makes you laugh. Laughter is the best medicine for caregivers.