My wife went from walking, to shuffling, to needing a walker, in about 9 months. The neurologist prescribed Namenda, and about a month later, we started coconut oil. Two months later,she is back to walking without help, although still needs a handrail for steps.
My personal view is the coconut oil was a major factor in the improvement.
I am not sure that it is a technically defined result of Alzheimer's Disease, but I can tell you that losing the ability to walk and losing practically all his motor skills is what happened to my father during the progression of this disease.
We kept Dad at home as long as possible. My mother, my husband, and I shared caregiving responsibilities. After about three years, his walking started to decline. He shuffled. He stumbled. Even with his walker, he fell. Eventually, he could no longer walk. The three of us got to where we couldn't lift him anymore. We couldn't get him out of his chair and onto the toilet or turned over in bed to clean him. He became immobile and incontinent. Many other symptoms of the disease manifested, and we had to place him in a care facility. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do! He died of Alzheimer's Disease after one year in the care facility. I truly hate this disease (as I do all diseases).
I will be thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
Some days the progression seems to be very severe, but then other days, she will appear better, but I know it's only temporary. I know how people say their loved one lived with dementia for many years, but I don't think that is likely for some of the people I have seen. From what I have read, the decline from diagnosis to death with Vascular dementia is quicker than with AD. If it's mixed, I'm not sure what that would mean.
I don't ever think it's my fault or anything I have done though. I'm not a guilt ridden person. I think that is a blessing as I read that guilt causes many people on this site to feel terrible. Thank goodness, I don't have that.
I do wonder about how I was initially so pleased that I have showed up on my cousin's door step and insisted she come to the door. I could have just left, but I stayed for over an hour to get her to the door. If I had not stayed, I don't think she would have made it through the night. I got her medical attention, food, fluids, cool air, and into a facility. I wonder if my rescue was that wise. I saved her, but to a life that she never envisioned. She has few memories, can't walk, is double incontinent, and will never get any better. I don't feel guilty, because I did what I thought was right at the time.
My boss' wife had Alzheimer's for 15 years and was always able to walk about, even going up and down stairs.... he use to bring her to the office once in awhile up until a couple months of her passing.... thus, that tells me every case could be different.
My mom had Lewy body dementia and Parkinsons. her motor skills declined rapidly. She did get physical therapy in the home in an effort to keep her legs and arms as strong as possible. Once she was no longer able to stand, care taking became a two person job. There are exercises a physical therapist can show you to do each day to help. Good luck.
Sunnygirl....You are right. I think the time has come for a wheelchair. He cannot hold up his weight. He sleeps all the time. He seems to be going downhill SO FAST. Does anyone feel like it is your fault that they seem to be going down so fast? I believe I am doing everything I can do. He has short (and I mean short) term MEMORY LOSS. But his long ago memories are solid. His speaking has gone downhill in two days. His appetite is almost nil. But, because he is so forgetful, he will eat even tho he may not be hungry. BUT then suddenly, he will wake up and stay awake for a couple of hours. His lips are moving but I hear no sound. He talks to the wall. He is not the man he was even a week ago. I hope he goes and does not stay like this for years.
Hello Oregongirl, My own Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's two years ago, and I noticed that the Geriatrition would not answer My query's in the presence of My Mum, so I made an appointment to see Him on My own. Alas the Doctor gave Me plenty time, and He answered all My questions thoroughly. He was really very helpful to Me, and even posted Me a book on the disease. My advise make an appointment to see the Doctor on Your own, then You will get all the Info You kneed.
Sendme2help We both take 2 tbs of virgin coconut oil at breakfast and supper. I use it cooking instead of butter or cooking oil. My wife usually sops up her oil with toast/bread, but we also use it on hot and cold cereal and as a salad dressing (with vinegar). I use it my coffee. Fruit smoothies work good. The oil is essentially tasteless and turns liquid at 76 degrees. I often take it straight from a spoon, but my wife doesn't like the oily feeling. An internet search for coconut oil recipes will turn up many. Dr Fife at coconut research center.org has good general info on the health benefits of the oil.
I credit it with significant improvement for my wife's dementia, not only balance, but also awareness and speech.
My FIL (age 88) had mild dementia then went down hill rapidly - within 6 months, he could barely walk, complaining that his feet were sticking to the floor. It looked just like that too. Confusion, imbalance, falls, worse memory, urinary urgency. After several fumbled doctors visits we found out it was "normal pressure HYDROCEPHALUS". The fluid on his brain was not able to drain naturally and so his brain was under pressure. Everything was getting much worse quickly. He is 3 weeks post-op from getting a shunt put in his brain to drain the fluid continuously. The difference is night and day! He is walking confidently upright instead of needing a transport chair and also has much less urination urgency (it typically makes you incontinent). He is thinking clearer and involved in conversation again. Oh yes, they found a bladder infection while in the hospital so treated that too. Read about the symptoms online, it's pretty clear.
He's coming home from rehab tomorrow where he had 5-6 days of physical therapy where they evaluated what we could expect from him once he got home. We are looking forward to see how he does in this new state of mind and body!
US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health Drugs Aging. 1999 Jul;15(1):15-28.
Drug-induced cognitive impairment in the elderly.
Moore AR1, O'Keeffe ST. Abstract
Elderly people are more likely than younger patients to develop cognitive impairment as a result of taking medications. This reflects age- and disease-associated changes in brain neurochemistry and drug handling. Delirium (acute confusional state) is the cognitive disturbance most clearly associated with drug toxicity, but dementia has also been reported. The aetiology of cognitive impairment is commonly multifactorial, and it may be difficult to firmly establish a causal role for an individual medication. In studies of elderly hospital patients, drugs have been reported as the cause of delirium in 11 to 30% of cases. Medication toxicity occurs in 2 to 12% of patients presenting with suspected dementia. In some cases CNS toxicity occurs in a dose-dependent manner, often as a result of interference with neurotransmitter function. Drug-induced delirium can also occur as an idiosyncratic complication. Finally, delirium may occur secondary to iatrogenic complications of drug use. Almost any drug can cause delirium, especially in a vulnerable patient. Impaired cholinergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathogenesis of delirium and of Alzheimer's disease. Anticholinergic medications are important causes of acute and chronic confusional states. Nevertheless, polypharmacy with anticholinergic compounds is common, especially in nursing home residents. Recent studies have suggested that the total burden of anticholinergic drugs may determine development of delirium rather than any single agent. Also, anticholinergic effects have been identified in many drugs other than those classically thought of as having major anticholinergic effects. Psychoactive drugs are important causes of delirium. Narcotic agents are among the most important causes of delirium in postoperative patients. Long-acting benzodiazepines are the commonest drugs to cause or exacerbate dementia. Delirium was a major complication of treatment with tricyclic antidepressants but seems less common with newer agents. Anticonvulsants can cause delirium and dementia. Drug-induced confusion with nonpsychoactive drugs is often idiosyncratic in nature, and the diagnosis is easily missed unless clinicians maintain a high index of suspicion. Histamine H2 receptor antagonists, cardiac medications such as digoxin and beta-blockers, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics can all cause acute, and, less commonly, chronic confusion. Drug-induced confusion can be prevented by avoiding polypharmacy and adhering to the saying 'start low and go slow'. Special care is needed when prescribing for people with cognitive impairment. Early diagnosis of drug-induced confusion, and withdrawal of the offending agent or agents is essential. PMID: 10459729 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Over-the counter hayfever tables, sleeping pills or asthma drugs significantly raise the risk of developing dementia, a study has shown. Taking a daily dose of pills like Benadryl, Piriton and Nytol, for at least three years, can increase the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease by more than 60 per cent. Researchers at the University of Washington said pensioners taking over-the-counter drugs should tell their doctors and stop taking medication immediately if it is not needed. The drugs are known as ‘anticholinergics’ which work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical involved in the transmission of electrical impulses between nerve cells. People with Alzheimer's disease are known to lack acetylcholine and it is feared the pills may exacerbate or trigger the condition.
My personal view is the coconut oil was a major factor in the improvement.
We kept Dad at home as long as possible. My mother, my husband, and I shared caregiving responsibilities. After about three years, his walking started to decline. He shuffled. He stumbled. Even with his walker, he fell. Eventually, he could no longer walk. The three of us got to where we couldn't lift him anymore. We couldn't get him out of his chair and onto the toilet or turned over in bed to clean him. He became immobile and incontinent. Many other symptoms of the disease manifested, and we had to place him in a care facility. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do! He died of Alzheimer's Disease after one year in the care facility. I truly hate this disease (as I do all diseases).
I will be thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
I don't ever think it's my fault or anything I have done though. I'm not a guilt ridden person. I think that is a blessing as I read that guilt causes many people on this site to feel terrible. Thank goodness, I don't have that.
I do wonder about how I was initially so pleased that I have showed up on my cousin's door step and insisted she come to the door. I could have just left, but I stayed for over an hour to get her to the door. If I had not stayed, I don't think she would have made it through the night. I got her medical attention, food, fluids, cool air, and into a facility. I wonder if my rescue was that wise. I saved her, but to a life that she never envisioned. She has few memories, can't walk, is double incontinent, and will never get any better. I don't feel guilty, because I did what I thought was right at the time.
We both take 2 tbs of virgin coconut oil at breakfast and supper. I use it cooking instead of butter or cooking oil. My wife usually sops up her oil with toast/bread, but we also use it on hot and cold cereal and as a salad dressing (with vinegar). I use it my coffee. Fruit smoothies work good. The oil is essentially tasteless and turns liquid at 76 degrees. I often take it straight from a spoon, but my wife doesn't like the oily feeling. An internet search for coconut oil recipes will turn up many. Dr Fife at coconut research center.org has good general info on the health benefits of the oil.
I credit it with significant improvement for my wife's dementia, not only balance, but also awareness and speech.
He's coming home from rehab tomorrow where he had 5-6 days of physical therapy where they evaluated what we could expect from him once he got home. We are looking forward to see how he does in this new state of mind and body!
Drug-induced cognitive impairment in the elderly.
Moore AR1, O'Keeffe ST.
Abstract
Elderly people are more likely than younger patients to develop cognitive impairment as a result of taking medications. This reflects age- and disease-associated changes in brain neurochemistry and drug handling. Delirium (acute confusional state) is the cognitive disturbance most clearly associated with drug toxicity, but dementia has also been reported. The aetiology of cognitive impairment is commonly multifactorial, and it may be difficult to firmly establish a causal role for an individual medication. In studies of elderly hospital patients, drugs have been reported as the cause of delirium in 11 to 30% of cases. Medication toxicity occurs in 2 to 12% of patients presenting with suspected dementia. In some cases CNS toxicity occurs in a dose-dependent manner, often as a result of interference with neurotransmitter function. Drug-induced delirium can also occur as an idiosyncratic complication. Finally, delirium may occur secondary to iatrogenic complications of drug use. Almost any drug can cause delirium, especially in a vulnerable patient. Impaired cholinergic neurotransmission has been implicated in the pathogenesis of delirium and of Alzheimer's disease. Anticholinergic medications are important causes of acute and chronic confusional states. Nevertheless, polypharmacy with anticholinergic compounds is common, especially in nursing home residents. Recent studies have suggested that the total burden of anticholinergic drugs may determine development of delirium rather than any single agent. Also, anticholinergic effects have been identified in many drugs other than those classically thought of as having major anticholinergic effects. Psychoactive drugs are important causes of delirium. Narcotic agents are among the most important causes of delirium in postoperative patients. Long-acting benzodiazepines are the commonest drugs to cause or exacerbate dementia. Delirium was a major complication of treatment with tricyclic antidepressants but seems less common with newer agents. Anticonvulsants can cause delirium and dementia. Drug-induced confusion with nonpsychoactive drugs is often idiosyncratic in nature, and the diagnosis is easily missed unless clinicians maintain a high index of suspicion. Histamine H2 receptor antagonists, cardiac medications such as digoxin and beta-blockers, corticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents and antibiotics can all cause acute, and, less commonly, chronic confusion. Drug-induced confusion can be prevented by avoiding polypharmacy and adhering to the saying 'start low and go slow'. Special care is needed when prescribing for people with cognitive impairment. Early diagnosis of drug-induced confusion, and withdrawal of the offending agent or agents is essential.
PMID: 10459729 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
By Sarah Knapton, Science Editor
© Copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited 2015
4:22PM GMT 26 Jan 2015
Over-the counter hayfever tables, sleeping pills or asthma drugs significantly raise the risk of developing dementia, a study has shown.
Taking a daily dose of pills like Benadryl, Piriton and Nytol, for at least three years, can increase the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease by more than 60 per cent.
Researchers at the University of Washington said pensioners taking over-the-counter drugs should tell their doctors and stop taking medication immediately if it is not needed.
The drugs are known as ‘anticholinergics’ which work by blocking acetylcholine, a chemical involved in the transmission of electrical impulses between nerve cells. People with Alzheimer's disease are known to lack acetylcholine and it is feared the pills may exacerbate or trigger the condition.
See All Answers