Dementia - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

jsvn · 03-02-2005, 04:44 PM

My husband has dementia. Still don't know if there is a difference between alzheimers and dementia. He's had a couple of strokes. Don't even know when they happened. He's only 68. Anyways, the doctor said he would probably not be able to control his urine. He takes medicine three times a day for urinary incontinence. It seemed to help, but the last two nights he wet the bed. Thank goodness I had some protectors! He takes Oxybutinin. Has anybody experienced loss of urine problems with alz? I was thinking of taking him to the doctor to see if there is anything else or another medicine for this. What do you think? Also, at night, not every night, he jerks a lot. His arms jump, his legs, his body. Is something going on in his brain? And, I noticed that he seems to snore loud now. He used to snore before but not that much and not that loud. I stay awake a lot just to keep an ear/eye out for him. Has anyone ever noticed this in your husband/mother, etc.? If I take him to the doctor I will mention this. It makes me nervous at night. Anyways, any thoughts from anybody appreciated. Thanks!

Pat_S · 03-02-2005, 08:13 PM

I hesitate to respond, because I don't know enough to give much advice, but neurological conditions definitely can cause urinary incontinence. If he was doing better with medication, and then it got worse, I'd look at the simple explanations first. Maybe too much liquid before bed (but you've probably already thought of that)? When my dad's symptoms have gotten worse, it was because of a urinary tract infection, although he felt no pain or discomfort.

I assume they diagnosed his strokes through MRI or CT scans???

Pat

jsvn · 03-02-2005, 08:33 PM

Yes he's had mri and scan. Now that you mentioned it, I thought I read somewhere that alz patients get uti's. I guess I should take him to the doctor to have him checked, just in case? You're right, when he takes his pills at night I give him very little water. Thought it might help, but he still had an accident. I think I will call tomorrowr to at least get him checked. Thanks!

BJM04 · 03-02-2005, 09:57 PM

My FAther In law has either Demnetia or Alzhiemers..he refuses to go to the docor but has all the symptoms...he has ot wear depneds now cux he has diarreha alot and donest really know when he's going..he does know when he has to urianted however..so were dealing with a simlair problem..

Martha H · 03-03-2005, 02:20 AM

Dear jsvn,

So sorry to hear about your husband and his problems, and yours. Incontinence is so hard. My ex husband went through it for 3 months after a prostate operation. He then went to a rehabilitation center for special training, where other muscles were trained to take over the functions of holding urine back. He also had some kind of electrical device.

It worked.

But for those 3 mnths he had to wear adult diapers, which was both embarassing and a source of rage and anger. He was never able to accept it, it drove him mad. At the same time he was also impotent, and that caused him even more rage and anger. I stuck to him throughout all that, believeing I was in it 'for better or for worse' but he rejected my help. My presence in his life reminded him of the time he was so weak and helpless. Eventually the marriage broke up.

Of course he did not have dementia. Yours is a different case. All I can do is sympathize with your plight, and say the adult diapers did work very well, the bed was never wet.

It was something we could have lived with physically; the psychological component was harder.

Love and prayers,
Martha