My mom, who has dementia, who has good moments, but a lot of bad moments. She takes a depression pill every morning, but at least 5 times a day, goes insane yelling, throwing things, knocking down chairs, accuses her grandson of stealing, who only comes over to bring groceries, curses like I’ve never heard before, until she can’t scream anymore and looses her breath, so that we think she’s having a stroke. (she did once) This could happen any time from early morning till after she’s in bed at night. We showed the doctor videos of these episodes. We started her on a new pill, and she got worse. Help!
The video is BRILLIANT, and if the doctor didn’t take it seriously, CHART how often the behaviors in the video occur, what time of day, whether she’s just awakened from sleep, before or after eating, right after medication or just before she’s scheduled to take her meds, and so on. If you aren’t satisfied with the doctor’s reaction, ask him if you should have her seen by a geriatric psychiatric specialist.
Are you thinking that there will be a good reason to moving to Florida for either you or your sister or your mom? You and your mom’s other family members are important too. You all deserve the best situation you can find for your momAND for yourselves.
Definitely contact the doctor ASAP.
Perhaps a anti-anxiety med is in order. Sometimes you have to try more than one med to find one that works. This kind of behavior is really intolerable. I don't know how you can deal with it!
Stay safe. If it gets worse, I'd call 911. Under medical supervision, they will find the meds that work to keep her happier and calmer.
How long do these episodes last??
Some medications take several weeks to "kick in". She may eed something that is going to calm her short term.
Doibg this sort of medication management in folks with deme tia is more art than science and can take a whike to figure out. Please call her doctor and let her/him know.