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I have been taking care of my mom with Alzheimer’s since 2007 in her home. In November, she moved in with me, after a 2 month stay at a skilled nursing facility. A couple years ago, my mom would have short periods of time that she would not want to eat, her doctor prescribed Megace. I would give her a tablespoon for about three days and it would start her eating again…. a couple doses every 4 or 5 months. While in the skilled nursing facility, my mom wouldn’t eat at all, so they gave her the Megace for the whole two months she was there. The week I brought her home, I had to have her rushed to the hospital with a diagnosis of DVT and was told that the Megace does cause blood clots and she shouldn’t have it anymore. In January my mom started not eating again and her doctor prescribed an anti-depressant for eating, one of the side effects to this drug was weakness. My mom started eating again but she was too weak to even move from the couch to her bed with her walker, so I had to use the wheelchair. I took her off this med and things went back to normal for about two months with her eating again. I called my mom’s doctor yesterday and told her that she isn’t eating again, and she told me to put her back on the anti-depressant. My mom still drinks fluids fine, she still knows me and my family, she still uses a walker and she is still a very pleasant lady, I just don’t know if her not eating is her way of telling me that her body wants to shut down. My mom is probably stage 9 for mobility and about a stage 6-7 for her mind. Does anyone have any suggestions for me?

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I also have to agree with Rebecca Lynn. My mother had alzheimers and watching her go through the progression of deterioration was extremely distressing. At some point, you have to let go of what you have no control over and just hold her hand and talk to her when you can. The doctor should call Hospice and they can better help you. My mother got to the point where she asked us to just let her go. I was given a wonderful booklet to explain the process which I found very comforting. Sadly, this is something most of us have to go through in life, and it is very emotional. If you make peace with yourself first, it will help get you through it. It sounds like you have been a good son/daughter, but you can only do so much.
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If hospice will take her case, they'll help with the eating and other decisions. People tell me this takes a big load off the shoulders.

Meanwhile, if a drug causes diarrhea, some experimentation with Imodium could result in balancing this out. Not saying it's easy.

Blessings to you, mother and all involved during this difficult time.
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My husband's dad had alzheimer's and he slowly just stopped eating. I don't want to upset you, but I think it's just a part of the progression. His dad was in hospital/hospice at the end and they explained it in more detail. He never appeared to be suffering , if that helps you at all. :)
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This is called "failure to thrive", which is part of the progession. My Mom went through this for several months. We gave her the protein juices, which are far better than Boost or Ensure. The protein helps to keep the skin from breaking down. In my situation, it was explained to me, that if you try to force them to eat, there is a higher chance of choking. All I could think was that would be a horrible way to pass. My Mom kept smiling and drinking her juice and passed while holding her hand. Ask the doctor about failure to thrive. So sorry for this time, but an anti-depressant sometimes causes more medical issures then to let the process continue. Bless you!
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It's a natural part of the process. Adding drugs only adds side effects. If your mom is comfortable and content (at least as much as one can expect to be given the ALZ and compromised mobility) then, as much as possible, let god and/or nature take over.
I'd be inclined to let her lead. Encourage her to eat, give her tempting choices, but then let her eat what she's comfortable eating.
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My mom has dementia and went goes thru periods of not wanting to eat. A couple of years ago she was in the hospital for another reason, and lost a lot of weight, cried when she sat down to eat...it was terrible!! I am so sorry for you as I know how frustrating and upsetting it can be!
My mom's doctor put her on a drug called Mirtazapine and it really helped her appetite and helped with her depression. I have not noticed any other side effects. You might want to ask about this drug, if you want to try something else.
Love to you and your mom!!
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It took awhile for the Mirtazapine to work for my mom's appetite. I was very disillusioned at first because for the first few weeks, it didn't seem to be doing anything. Then it started to work after about three weeks I guess. The problems with these medications are that they help one thing but then have some side effect !!
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I agree with Gigi11. Contacting hospice to see if they will take case is a wonderful option for your Mom. As others have said - not eating is a natural progression of Alz. (If anything about Alz is natural). For yourself - I would suggest finding and joining a support group in your area. Also, find a good counselor you are comfortable with and have some chats with him/her. In this process - you count too and taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your mom. Best wishes and many hugs.
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There is another med - Remeron - that is supposed to boost a person's appetite. I am not sure if it is like Megace but I think not and it is a newer drug. You could check this out. . .
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Mitazapine is immediate onset, so it begins to work after the first pill.
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