How can you tell if Alzheimer's meds are helping?

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How can you tell if Alzheimer's meds are helping?

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Before the Seroquel with the Aericept alone just did not work alone. We got into some terrible arguments which are too long to post but he was talking divorce and me setting rules and controlling his meds and it was terrible and I was a wreck looking for a way out. I called his doc and he immediately called in Seroquel 50mg. It was like flipping a light switch.

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continued, almost overnight he became as close to his old self that I had seen in a long time. I really don't know now how long he had had Dementia. Now he doesn't cry when I go to work and he does the dishes, sweeps the floors, tidys up like he used to. He really is a joy to be around right now. I thank God every night that he is like he is now because I know I could wake up and he could revert needing more Seroquel. I am just hoping this lasts. It worked for him and that's all I know. I hope it works the same for you if you decide to put your loved one on it.

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Tarajane,

I can feel your relief and joy. when my mom's switch flipped, I was incredulous with relief. I still am and it is almost a year now.

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So unless up I take him off the meds there is no way of know if they are helping. Isn't that dangerous, I understand if they stop taking meds that they will revert to the level they would have been without them. That would now be their best level and new staring point. Is that right. I jus wonder if some of the weak legs, lack of sleep, lethargy etc., is caused by the meds or the disease.

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Gorlin, if I were you, I would call the doc, tell how lethargic he is and ask about reducing the dosage, especially of Namenda since I think that was increased so drastically over a short period of time. But, all meds should be tapered even when discontinuing usage of them. The doc will be able to let you know what is appropriate. If the doc tells you to just stop giving them? Get a different doctor. Is his doctor a geriatric specialist?

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As it so happened, I had an appointment today with my internist for my annual physical. She is not my mother's doctor, but she is aware of my mother's situation. I took the liberty of asking her opinion about discontinuing Namenda and Aricept. She feels that as long as the person is tolerating the meds and the behavior is acceptable, she would not make any changes. She said that if mom gets to the point where she is non-verbal and doesn't seem aware of her environment and other people, there is nothing left to "preserve" and the meds should be discontinued. She focuses less on "are the meds slowing the decline" and more on "are things acceptable right now". In other words, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It made sense to me so we will carry on for now.

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That was a good answer from your doctor. Thanks for sharing that information!

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The doctor that my wife sees said that none of the drugs extend the time the patient lives but CAN make the progression of the symptoms slow down

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Thanks everyone....I guess I was misinformed. Sometimes looking up something medical online is dangerous. I appreciate to response.

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My mom has been on Aricept and Namenda for nearly seven years. She showed no symptomatic progression during the first two years or so of therapy. Then her symptoms started to worsen.So in her case, the drugs gave her two additional years of quality life that she might not have otherwise had. Bear in mind that these drugs provide symptomatic relief only. They do not affect the underlying disease itself.

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Community is the best information source for caregivers. The entire medicine portfolio requires that caregivers provide a dossier of their experience to the FDA. Not enough feedback so that the FDA can examine effectiveness of their approval for latter stage A D from these reports. I believe the Medicare program should monitor prescriptions based on patients experience and FDA guidance. This should would eliminate waste and contain costs. We must get a handle on doctors providing false hopes with high cost commissionable prescriptions.

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Well said Normandy

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These drugs are the fleecing of desperate people with desperate hopes. I have worked with these patients for years and eventually all of them are prescribed some drug that is supposed to help slow the disease. Namenda is a very popular one, and as far as I have seen you might as well give them a Tic Tac, the effects would be the same... except for the patients that seem more confused or worse in other ways due to the consumption of these drugs. I am surprised to read all of the responses that say this drug helps. Of course all patients respond differently to drugs, but speaking solely from dealing with anywhere from 24 to 12 Alzheimer patients, five days a week for years now... there are no positive effects from this/these drugs. Save your money and accept that quality time with your loved one is disappearing, at a more rapid pace than anyone wants admit. Just love them all you can, while you still can.

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How can you tell if Alzheimer's meds are helping?

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