topic Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss in Community Chat

Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 01:55:16 GMT

As the only caregiver for my mother with Alzheimer's, this h3llish disease is such a scary thing. I am worn down.

Currently, Alzheimer's drugs only SLOW the progression of the disease in a percentage of patients. Really??

I have given this much thought. Because Alzheimer's is such a horrible disease and is increasing in the population, we need a laser focus on PREVENTION. Cynically, I do not think this will happen. It's all about the money and there is no money in prevention. There is money in drugs and memory care facilities.

This conclusion depresses me, but I do believe it is the reality.

Thoughts? I need hope.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

Preds — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:02:30 GMT

I can only pray for you, because you are going to need it. If you can find a support group or family that can help, please do. DH went through this with his mother and the doctors were no help, the family ignored it and spent all their time fighting each other about their thoughts. It's a horrible thing to witness and to deal with when it changes the people you love.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

Cecily Gerard — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:05:37 GMT

Oh I agree with you Alzheimer's and memory care is big business right now.

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Teacups — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:11:24 GMT

Prayers for you. I took care of my parents but they did not have this. It is very tough.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:26:01 GMT

Thank you, Predsfan, Cecily and Westie!

I greatly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. She has lived here with us three years. It is becoming unbearable. I do need a support group.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

Jussa — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:41:01 GMT

Hi Sassenach,

My DH has dementia and I was his caregiver for the past year until I was unable to do it any longer. You may know there are many causes of dementia (impaired thinking and memory) of which Alzheimer's is the most common cause. As far as my knowledge goes about Alzheimer's, you are correct that there are only drugs that may slow the progression of the disease.

It is a heart wrenching disease and utterly exhausting to be a caregiver to someone with dementia both physically and emotionally. It is h3llish as you said and it will drain your soul. My best advice to you is to get as much support as you can in terms of help at home, hiring home aides, caregiver support groups, and most importantly, taking care of yourself and making time for yourself so that you don't get sick.

I am sending my prayers.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 02:45:26 GMT

Thanks, Jussa. I am so sorry about your DH. I completely empathize as I know exactly what you are experiencing. I am nearly at my breaking point. I need to seek some support. I am an "only child", so it is all on me. Three plus years of her living with us plus several years dealing with it long distance equals a long time.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

BellaPaprika — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:07:19 GMT

"Alzheimers" and/or "dementia" have become blanket diagnoses for many different types of brain disease in the elderly. As you probably know, the diagnosis cannot be confirmed except by autopsy. So there is true Alzheimers which has a strong genetic component, there is what we used to call "degenerative brain disease" which may have environmental components, behavioral and dietary components and there are those who are afflicted with small strokes and other circulatory problems that are connected with hypertension and cardiovascular issues.

Asking how to prevent Alzheimers or dementia today is like asking how to prevent cancer. It is not just one disease.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

57babe — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:42:12 GMT

I agree that right now there is no cure for Alzheimer's and/or other types of dementia so the best thing to do is to strive to prevent cognitive decline every way we can.

I listened to a on-line video where a geriatrician said that (he believed) that one drug -- namely diphenhydramine -- is responsible for more dementia cases in America than any other cause (or drug) that he knows about.

Diphenhydramine blocks acetylcholine -- a neurotransmitter in the brain.

There are at least 24 different OTC medications with diphenhydramine as it's active ingredient and another 25 or so OTC combination medications that contain diphenhydramine. Several of these products are marketed for use in children.

I personally know many people who take OTC drugs like Benedryl, Tylenol PM or Unisom every single night to help them to go to sleep. None of them were aware that taking these drugs every night puts them at a much higher risk for cognitive decline and/or dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

I know of parents who give their KIDS drugs containing diphenhydramine to help their kids go to sleep at night or to rid them of a stuffy nose.

Because these drugs are sold over-the-counter people think that they're safe. They might be OK for occasional use but they aren't safe to take everyday.

There is also a list of prescription drugs that are known to cause early cognitive decline and dementia.

I've read that the stats used to determine how many cases of dementia will happen in the future is taken directly from the stats of prescription drug sales known to cause dementia. I don't know if that's true or not, but there sure are a lot of "Memory Care" lock-up Alzheimer's facilities going up all over the country to house America's boom of future Alzheimer's patients.

We need to educate ourselves, our parents, our kids and grandkids about drug induced dementia because this is one of the causes of Alzheimer's that can be prevented.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

AnikaBrodie — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:42:51 GMT

Sassenach, My prayers are with you. I have an older sister and a sister-in-law who have been diagnosed with dementia. So far, both are doing well on the medications their doctors have them on. But who knows what their futures hold for the long term.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

gazelle77 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 03:49:59 GMT

Poor American diets lead to inflammation in the body...leading to many diseases ...including Alzheimer's disease. Unless America stops eating junk, Alzheimer's is going to continue to spiral out of control. Of course some people have a genetic component which makes it even more important to watch your diet and lifestyle .

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

57babe — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 04:09:59 GMT

I had intended to tell you in my first post that I understand what you're going through and my heart goes out to you.

I agree that there is no money in prevention.

I hope you can get some help or some respite for yourself. Very sorry you are having to deal with this. It is terrible.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

ilovedaisies — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 04:17:06 GMT

I cared for my mom but thank God, she didn't have Alzheimer's. My mother-in-law did. It's a heartbreaking disease. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

Lotus — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 05:39:09 GMT

Hi Sassenach.....I empathize with you. I wish I had an answer.

I have noticed some changes in my mom over the past year, and more so since this past September.

She seems to become very confused with her finances and decisions about her home, and has been asking for my help more frequently. She KNOWS she is going thru this which makes it that much sadder for me to witness.

She's in pretty good shape with other aspects in her life, but her confusion and her feeling "overwhelmed" about certain things has me very concerned. She still has a quick wit and a good sense of humor.

My sister is coming up from VA this week and we have an appointment with a Neurologist on Wednesday. My mom doesn't know it yet and I hope she agrees to go. She can be very strong willed about things like this.

I hope things don't get too bad for you......please know that I care. :-)

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:04:57 GMT

Blue Collar Babe - you are right that AD can't be diagnosed except through autopsy. One doc calls it AD, another Parkinson's Dementia with Alzheimer's. It's all awful.

I don't think my mom's is genetic - I sure hope not, for me and my children's sake. I believe hers is related to circulatory issues and Rx drugs- for decades. JMHO.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:08:08 GMT

57 babe -

I believe that my mother's AD is due to the massive amounts of Rx drugs she has taken for years as well as circulatory/vascular issues - probable mini-strokes. Her doc thinks so, too. Thank you for your kind words and prayers. It is a rough road.

I regret any Benadryl I ever gave my kids! And, there was a period of time I took it for sleep every night. UGHH!!

And, yes, there is no money in prevention.

Thank you for your kind words.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:10:30 GMT

gazelle - you are right about the American diet. In my mother's case, she has rarely eaten well. Not for financial reasons. She LOVES sugar and would often skip the meal and go for the dessert. She has always been a sugar addict.

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sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:11:13 GMT

ilovedaisies - I am sorry about your family. Thank you for your kind words.

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sassenach1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 06:18:29 GMT

Lotus - (((hugs))) to you. It is good that you are taking your mom to a neurologist. Financial issues were one of the first things that stood out for my mother. I hope that the neurologist will be able to provide assistance to you and your mom.

I encourage you to have your mother get her financial and legal affairs in order. Power of Attorney - make sure it is both for financial and health care. It must be very specific - even defining such things as "pensions, social security," etc. Wills, Healthcare Advance Directives, etc. Have several notarized copies available for each document. Scan one into your computer so that you can provide it quickly when needed.

I hope that your mom will be fine and that you do not have to go down this endless, dark road.

Re: Alzheimer's - Let's Discuss

10grands — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 09:03:54 GMT

My sister-in-law has Alzheimers, her husband finally had to place her in a nursing home. Does your Mother recognize you? It will probably reach the point where she does not know you or anyone else in her life. It is very frightening for them, when they do not recognize you they are fearful that someone is in their home and will hurt them. I urge you to put away any knives or weapons. That probably seems extreme, but believe me it is not. Her Mother also had Alzheimers, but it was before we realized what Alzheimers was. She ran away several times and also tried to attack her husband. I do not know if all patients are like this, but it happened in both members of my Husband's family. Many things they say leads to Alzheimers, poor diet, no excercise, keeping active, etc. In my Sister in laws case, she always ate very healthy foods, took long walks all the time, had many friends, knit beautiful afghans. One thing she likes is holding a doll or something very soft such as a lightweight small blanket. It is a terrible disease and so hard for not only the person but the caretaker and everyone in their family.

Please arrange for some help so you can have some time away from your home - even to just go shopping for a few hours.