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First off sometimes I feel like I have to deal with the worst of the dementia cases with my mother. I have even had doctors tell me they can not figure out my mothers behavior all the time. She has been kicked out of over 5 SNF and is now in a special ward of the hospital that specializes with dementia, psychosis, and other troubling mind disorders. My mother seems completely psychotic now and never was before this disease she was loving and completely normal. I am starting to feel like my mom is more psychotic then dementia like. She yells at the top of her lungs for minimal of 4 hours straight to which the caregivers give her an ambien to calm her down. She recently started having extreme delusions telling me the nurses are raping her (totally untrue), that the nurses are plotting to kill her, she told me that I need to make sure no one is following me out of the hospital as they are trying to kill me. She begs me to call the police. I tried reasoning with her to no avail so now I pretend to call the cops. What is going on? I am so lost to this behavior sometimes I wonder if it is something else has anyone had this expierence

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Two things: (1) Was she recently put on an acid reflux medication, like Prevacid? Proton pump inhibitors can cause extreme aggression and delusion in the elderly. My mother was on Prevacid for about a month when all of sudden she did a 180 and completely freaked out - screaming for hours. She was very combative and delusional. She has vascular dementia but has never - ever - experienced this type of behavior. I revere engineered in my mind what changed, what happened all of sudden and it was then I remembered I put Mom on Prevacid temporarily as she was in-between doctors and the new doctor couldn't see her for one month. Out of the blue, she began belching so I wanted her to have some relief until the new doctor could see her. I found a clinical study on Google documenting the side effects of proton pump inhibitors in the elderly. I then immediately contacted our pharmacist who looked at his reference books and said this type of irrational behavior can happen in 1-2% of the elderly population - but this isn't listed on the back of the box. (2) If everything checks out medically, then ask if she can have lemon balm tea. I buy the tea off of Amazon. I use the Frontier Co-op brand. In Europe, this herb is used successfully to treat aggression and agitation in the dementia patients. I have Mom on this tea (two to three times a day) and it keeps her completely relaxed. My mother's caregiver says it's magic because she sees the night and day difference. Google "lemon balm and dementia" and "lemon balm and cognitive".
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yea , feeling old . went to push the trike backwards out of the car hole earlier tonight and DID NOT have the strength to do it without a few tries . granted , the front tire could use some air -- but this aint right .
so i was phsycotic , screaming , and delusional .
well , not really , but ill say whatever it takes to defray from the fact that ive hijacked someones thread just for some cheap ( free ) entertainment ..
its free . whats not to love about that ?
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lol,
coincidently , im listening to an alice cooper concert right now , ( raise the dead ) .
i saw the tour in hammond . hes doing a tribute to " my generation " ..
i can almost relate to dyin befor ' i git old ..
guess im saying , getting old aint the desired goal here . living very thoroughly might be more satisfying ..
who the h3ll ever expected to live THIS long ? ( wry smile ) ..
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a couple of nights before the memo came out i was driving an army deuce and a half at dusk thru the town of heidleburg . a civilian clothed GI stepped out in front of my truck and was giving me ground guide hand signals . i was traveling at 55 mph , mind you , and pretty toasted on hash myself . i slowed and steered around the wildest eyed character ive ever seen , even to this day . so i went back to hanau with the great news . " heidleburg has got some bad s*it " .
why not cold war stories ?
its a distraction from incontenent crazy old people stories ..
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Oh Captain, you are so bad!
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Michelle, I'd also try to pull in a pharmacist who specializes in geriatric medications. Most doctors aren't schooled in how meds affect the elderly. They're usually more sensitive and have different reactions than younger patients. Good luck, it sounds like you've got some good avenues to investigate.
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reminds me of my army days . no offense , i know youre heartbroken about your mothers condition . i would be too .
but . army stories must go on .
one time in 1978 the allied command in west germany had to send out a memo ;
" do not take the blue microdot " . " deaths HAVE occured " .
how humiliating for general lezynski . all us soldiers heard was " this s*it is GOOD " .. " whos got it ? " .
sorry . old man reminiscing ..
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Methenamime is the UTI medicine. Exelon patch is to increase the chemical in the brain for nerve communication.
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Also had mom on a probiotic which seemed to help with the diarrhea. Definately have that doc refer you to a urogynecologist or at the very least consult with one.
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Gladimhere thank you for your help I really appreciate it. I find it rather funny that I'm going to take the doctor to school tomorrow.
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Twomore
nitrofurantoin oral and macrobid (very low dose antibiotic for maintenace) are two more I am remembering now.
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Methenamine is one med that helps prevent UTI's. There are several that are prescribed atone. Have the doc consult with a urogynecologist.
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Different drugs will react differently with different people. My mom takes seroquel which works very well for her. She took ativan once, never again, it had completely the opposite effect as is intended. It takes trial and error to find the right meds most times.
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carol511 do you know the name of that medicine I mentioned it to the doctor and he said he needs the name? Thanks so much
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I finally realized that when my Mother went totally off the rails it was because she was hurting somewhere and could not communicate it. Always start with trying to figure out what is hurting. I always clean my mother's bottom front to back with wipes to help prevent infection.
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Also, take your parents to a urologist. They have a drug that helps prevent UTI's. It turns the urine to a vinegar type solution preventing bacteria growth. This helps tremendously. Also, the generics are different size pills. One is gigantic and hard to swollow. Get the other brand.
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My mom was having similiar episodes, actually got a tentative diagnosis of lewy body dementia. After another major "crazy" took her to a different hospital, found out she had UTI with antibiotic resistant bacteria as well as liver disease which also messes with your head. Much improvement with proper meds. This was a month ago, now back in hospital as her heart is failing "sigh".
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My Mother just had her medicine and scheduling changed. She has a "Exelon Patch" which creates more of the chemical in the brain for nerve communication. 2 small doses of Ativan. A non-drowsy daytime anti-depressant. 2 small doses of Seroquel at 4pm and 5 pm. She is a whole new person. Trust me, she is more miserable than you are. Get her evaluated properly and medicated properly. Everyone will be better off. I was told for years she had Lewy Body Dementia and could not have Seroquel. This psychiatrist said she had Vascular Dementia and put her on it. She's happy and up walking around socializing. Good Luck. I know it's miserable Try to take care of yourself.
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MsMadge Thank you for the response. Yes she 100% needs skilled nursing she can't walk, is wheelchair bound with no foot function to even peddle herself about, She is in diapers, and barely eats. She needs 24 hour care. I have a full time job and a 6 year old daughter I am her only realitive in the state. She has vascular dementia. I pray for her everyday.
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Ativan is a anti anxiety medication. It can also be used to control seizures. Ativan is commonly used outside of hospital settings but it is considered a highly addictive medication so most doctors do not like to prescribe it for long-term use. It can also be problematic for use in the elderly as it can increase fall risks.
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My mom acts like a wild beast in a hospital setting - Ativan is used in a hospital but is not really appropriate for long term use outside that setting (as I understand)

What is your goal for her care ? Does she really need skilled nursing ?
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Shoot! I typed a response but it disappeared and I'm too tired to redo the whole thing. The point - my mom was doing close to the same thing, just for shorter period- no stamina. My mom seemed to think that if she got kicked out I would have to let her come live with me. Any chance something like that is happening?
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freqflyer Sorry I meant Ativan she takes so many meds it's all a blurr. Just wish she would find some peace from these thoughts it's like living a nightmare for her and it bothers me to think she is fearful daily.
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Michellesisreed, make sure your Mom is tested for an urinary tract infection... that in itself can cause all types of strange behaviors.

You mentioned the nurses give your Mom ambien? Ambien is used mainly as a sleeping pill for those who has insomnia. Ambien has been know to cause a lot of strange side effects in those who are sensitive to the medicine... makes me wonder if that medicine is causing the psychotic episodes.
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I'm sorry your mom is going through this. It may be quite helpful that she is in a hospital, where they can properly diagnose and treat her. It could be caused by anything, including the dementia. Some people with Alzheimers, Vascular dementia, Lewy Bodies, etc. exhibit behavior like that. She could also have pain that is untreated. Some dementia patients aren't able to report their pain and it can cause them to act out in other ways.

I think a lot of people do deal with this kind of behavior. I would discuss it with her doctors, but most people that I know just try to placate the patient and say whatever will bring them peace and comfort. Trying to convince them that they are wrong is pointless. I'd work on being calm and redirecting when possible. Of course, it sounds like nothing may work as long as she is so anxious. I would think they will work with medications to help ease her mental pain. I'd ask about something more than Ambien. She is seeking a Geriatric psychiatrist, right?
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The hospital is the best place for them to completely diagnose and properly treat/medicate her. It might take a week or two, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Stay away for a while. Just call the nurses to see how it's going each day. Ask if she is ready for visitors and how long you should stay.
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