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I've read of the possible benefits of ALA (Alpha Lipoic acid) and Acetyl -L-Carnitine supplements taken together. In one case favorable results were evident within two weeks. People are so different that it's most unlikely that one approach will work for all, but anything that may help and not be detrimental may be worth trying.

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When I was taking care of my mom, she realized that she was losing her memory, was tired and fatigued all the time, and her back hurt all the time from osteoporsis fractures, and her face hurt all the time from trigeminal neuralgia. She tried a lot of different vitamins and supplements, as the prescriptions meds were not totally taking away her pain and fatigue and the neuralgia was getting worse. Wasted a lot of money on vitamins and supplements that did not work. Sometimes if she saw something on TV or in a magazine or newspaper she would fall for it. After wasting a lot of money, I told mom no more ordering these things until I check them out on the internet and make sure they are not a scam, turns out a lot of them were scams. Now I am struggling to pay back all of these things she charged on the charge cards, as she is in the nursing home now. Best advice I can give you is check it out with a doctor before ordering vitamins and supplements, and make sure they are not scams by looking on the internet.
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Both my dad, aunt, and uncle, all siblings were put on the exelon patch a few months ago. They are all in the same nursing home and under the care of the same doctor. I can see quite a change in my aunt, but no big changes in my dad or uncle. It's good to reevalute meds, and also find out how long it takes to see improvement. I believe with exelon, you have to build up to a therapeutic dosage before evaluating if it is working or not.
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Two weeks ago my wife started taking 50 mg of Sertraline HCL once per day after dinner. It has helped reduce her anxiety and frustration -- so far without problem side effects.
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Responding to: Have you questioned a neurologist or a physician about this?

I questioned a neurologist about supplements but professionals only seem to know about drugs that reduce the problems associated with the symptoms of dementia. The difficulty with supplements is that there is little financial incentive to scientifically evaluate people's experimental findings. The Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) I mentioned is simply an antioxidant that has been helpful for some people with Type 2 diabetes because it reduces insulin resistance. Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) is also an antioxidant and is claimed to help the mind focus. Why the combination of ALA and ALCAR was helpful for at least two people with dementia is a matter of conjecture. The same can be said for coconut oil which is claimed to feed the brain with ketones. I've only heard of that helping one person, but there is a prescription product that includes a substantial amount of cocnut oil -- sorry I don't remember the name. Sniffing insulin to get insulin into the brain via the olfactory pathway is mentioned in "The Alzheimer's Project" book. This has a better chance of scientific evaluation because it could lead to greater use of insulin -- a big financial incentive. If I had dementia I would do some of this supplement testing, but for now I just do the reading.
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My father (81 years old was put in a locked Alzheimer unit 2 weeks ago) He was on Aracept for 2 years. After a year and half he started to go down hill quickly. Excelon was started 2 months ago with mild results (if any). Was put in a home 2 weeks ago in the middle stages. Because of his strength and mobility they put him in a locked unit. He was put on Risperidone which has helped his cognition although currently the dose is too high. He is very tired all the time it seems. The dose has been reduced but the higher dose is not out of his system yet (it's only been a couple of days). It will be interesting to see the level of cognition when the lower dose begins to work and he is not so sleepy. The Doctor in the care facility is monitoring him closely. I will update this when we start to see results from the lower dose. Needless to say this worked for 1 Alzheimer patient. They are all different individuals.
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One I would try is Vitamin D3 and Curcumin together. I would also try Quercetin and Ginko Biloba along withe the D and Curcumin. Vinpocetin has been used in Germay for stroke victims.

A form of vitamin D3 together with curcumin, a chemical found in the spice turmeric, may stimulate the body's immune system to clear amyloid beta from the brain. Amyloid beta are waxy deposits that result from the degeneration of tissue and form plaques that are a distinguishing characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Scientists from UCLA and UC Riverside and the Human BioMolecular Research Institute took blood samples from nine Alzheimer's patients, and also from a patient with mild cognitive impairment and three healthy subjects. They isolated the monocyte cells, which change into macrophages that neutralize waste products in the brain and body, including amyloid beta. The researchers took the monocyte cells and incubated them with amyloid beta, vitamin D3, and either natural or synthetic curcumin.
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Good nutrition is important as well as supplements - watch the vitamin K levels if they are on coag therapy (coumadin). You might also watch the time of day that they take supplements - biorythms and natural sunlight help alot. Let them sleep until they want to wake up & consider only TV shows that engage - rather than the passive types of entertainment. Also exercise, like Sit n Be Fit or modified TaiChi work. Anything that involves and engages - just like us
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Dirk:

"Believe nothing,
no matter where you read it
or who has said it,
not even if I have said it,
unless it agrees with
your own reason and
your own common sense." -- Buddha


Before implementing anything, make sure you're able to live with the decisions made. Enjoy the rest of the Holidays.

-- ED
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To lhardebeck, Have you check with the different drug programs to see if there is help with the cost of Namenda for your father. Some of these programs are not based on income. On of the them called RX Outreach. You can get some meds on their list for as little as $20 for a 30 day supply or $45-$60 fpr a 180 day supply. Also if you will check with the manufacturer of Namenda on their website, they sometimes have programs to help pay for their drugs. Hope this helps.
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My mom has been on Aricept and Namenda for quite some time. She shows no negative side effects and I truly believe it has slowed the progression of her Alzheimer's.
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