Is this too good to be true? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

victorino545 · 01-29-2006, 08:31 PM

Husband diagnosed with dementia, vascualr (from strokes) and possibly AD. He started out having some pretty profound symptons. Was in the physc hospital twice trying to figure out what was wrong with him and getting him on right medications. He has now been on medications about 5 months and seems to be doing much better. There was a time when he was pretty much a "zombie" not communicating and starring into space, but now is coming back to "life" persay. He still has problems with focus, concentration, doing certain tasks, motivation and some memory but his overall emotional state seems almost normal. I am trying not to read to much into this as it may not last, but would like to know if anyone else has experienced this kind of improvement. Would this be what they call a plateau?

angel_bear · 01-29-2006, 10:38 PM

HI Victorino

Vascular dementia is one of the nastier ones, as you discovered .. thankfully things seem to have sorted themselves out.

For the moment, enjoy. Each day can bring new symptoms and behaviours, so while the calm is there, make the most of it. But do be prepared for the body to start tolerating the med's and perhaps not work as well. This is just a theory, I'm not a medical professional, but I found with my ex-charge and simple anti-depressants, that they worked 'for a time' but didn't work as well long term, and med's had to be stepped up or totally changed. She started off on a mild-anti depressant, went to a mid stream one and is now on anti-psychotic med's which, according to my source, now has her as a happy calm sedate wonderful little old lady .. just like she used to be (temperament wise).

I wish you luck in your journey with your husband, you will have your ups and downs, but at least you can share it with us.

Cheers
Sally

janeslk · 01-30-2006, 06:25 AM

My FIL has become increasingly anxious on Zoloft and Seroquel and exhibited violent behavior in his lockdown unit. The doctor has added another drug, an anti-seizure one, and decreased the Seroquel, but my FIL now seems to sleep most of the time. He is lethargic and incontinent on this new drug, which he has been on for a little over a week. Should we ask them to ease off on the new drug or is there a period of adjustment needed? I hate to see him so disoriented and almost miss his antsy behavior. Of course, his girlfriend, who has finally being allowed to visit him under restricted conditions, thinks the AD unit nurses just want him drugged up so he won't be a problem. But other residents of the unit do not seem to be so lethargic so I am hoping they will try to calibrate his drugs so he isn't violent, but is awake. The girlfriend is driving me crazy.

Jane

Martha H · 01-30-2006, 07:32 AM

Dear Jane,

Too bad the GF was allowed back - she is again doing what she seems to do best: causing trouble.

Give the drug a chance to kick in, and his body a chance to adjust to it.

I would consider a permanent ban on her visits.

Love,
Martha

barbaric_yawp · 01-30-2006, 10:25 AM

When the sun comes up, it is so much brighter than had you never seen such deep darkness.

Wishing you many more happy moments,

B.Y.