Update on dad - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

LuvMyLilDoggie · 02-11-2006, 05:18 PM

He started his B12 shots last Monday. He has to have one a week for four weeks and then one a month for the time being.

I talked to him a little while ago. He didn't even mention the shot. My sister told me anout it. She said she could tell it was very painful for him.

Oh and he's starting to throw his pills out again instead of taking them. And then he says he took them. R says he's getting harder to handle. He's getting more agitated and she is too. I know the doctor there took him off many of the meds he was on. I wonder (but forgot to ask) if he's still on the Zoloft or not.

R wanted the responsibility (and dad's money). She got it. It's her problem now. I don't mean to sound cruel and uncaring. But she thought she'd do much better than I did with dad. I guess she's leaning the hard way that no matter how well you care for him, the outcome will still be essentially the same.

As for me, I went to see another doctor today. My brochitis has been upgraded from acute to chronic. Great. No chance of never having it again.

I called my doctor (or should I say now former) last night to get a change in anti-b's. He said I should go to the ER because he can't prescribe meds over the phone. BALONEY!!!! I told him I couldn't afford to go to the ER because I have no insurance. He basically said "Oh well. There's nothing I can do." BTW, I saw him 9 days ago for this.

So today I went to my old doctor's office because they have a Quick Care Dept where you can be seen without an appt. It only costed me $109 rather than the $800+ they charge for the ER. The doctor I saw was GREAT! He rx'd Tequin (anti-b which he gave me free samples), Tessalon Perles (for daytime cough) and Histinex HC cough syrup with codeine for night time coughing. The other doctor never even rx'd anything for me for this ungodly coughing/hacking/barking I have. BTW, you all understand me better than anyone else right now because I cannot speak. A month of this horrible coughing has left me without a voice.

I hope this second round of anti-b's does the trick. I'd hate to think I'd never have my wonderful shower singing voice again....

My hubby thinks it's an improvement.....

But it IS much quieter here.......

........except for the coughing. UGGGHHHH!!!

Love, Barb

BarbaraH · 02-11-2006, 05:41 PM

So glad you saw a different doctor who was kind enough to give samples. We've had the Perles for cough and they work wonders. Glad you have some. Hope they work as well for you.

Interesting that your sister is learning all that is involved with your father's care and that after a while, no matter what you do, the downhill slide continues. I have to say, no duh! Did I hear an AMEN???! Like she

had some magic that you didn't, Barb. It still amazes me that some folks that they can do better in the face of AD. Bless their hearts and your experienced heart, too. Time will teach your sister as it taught all of us. Sigh!

I'm so glad that you don't have your father to deal with since you've been so sick. Bless your heart and the rest of you, too. BE WELL!!! Stay cozy while it's cold, have some chicken soup, and take your medicines while you enjoy the peace.

Blessings, Barbara

Martha H · 02-11-2006, 05:47 PM

Dear Barb,

thanks for the news about your dad. I was wondering how you are doing.

Chronic doesn't mean it will never go away. It will. It only means you get it repeatedly and even THAT is not written in stone. Do what you can to build up your natural immunity. Fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, Thinking positive thoughts. Drinking a lot of water. Hot tea with honey is good too. Get plenty of sleep. You will beat off this bronchitis!

I am glad your sister has kept your dad this long and not sent hm back to you when she realized how hard he is. My sis never kept Mom there for more than a 2 or 3 week visit, which is why she never admitted "there was anything wrong with her." Even then she had her husband taking Mom for long walks so she could have some undisturbed time alone, and later had Mom's earphones on so she would stop talking .

Is there any way you can get into a health insurance program? How is it in IL, isn't there some kind of cheap health insurance for people on low salaries? There is in NY. The ER is the most expensive way to get medical care - better stick to your new (old) doctor from now on. When I was not insured (before I thankfully got old enough for Medicare) my doctor would routinely give me samples because she knew the position I was in. That helped a lot. Since you are too young for Medicare, you could possibly look up insurance on the Internet to see what it costs. Consider the one ER visit compared to a monthly payment .. it may insure you for a year. Is there any chance you could become a full time employee at one job instead of two PT jobs so you can get benefits? I worry about you! As a fellow (ex) caregiver, I know what it can do to our health ...

Take care of yourself!

love,

Martha

LuvMyLilDoggie · 02-11-2006, 07:10 PM

Did I forget to mention I quit my old job? That would have been too much for me to handle.

Our place is thinking of offering health insurance. It's going to the union soon. But I'm afraid the cost is going to be insanely high even if it's approved. It could be as high as $900/mo for family and $450/mo individual. That's what we've been told.

With my ongoing health issues and my husband's, no insurance company wants to touch us. Hubby has two prothetic hips, sleep apnea and arthritis almost all over his body. I have my thyroid problems, arthritis, cubital tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea and now chronic bronchitis which the doctor said cannot be cured. All they can do is treat the symptoms when they flare up. This is too depressing to go on about and I'm really tired. Not much sleep last night. Hopefully, the codeine will send me into dreamland tonight.

Love, Barb

Martha H · 02-11-2006, 07:34 PM

Drink a lot of water while you're one it .. it causes gosh awful constipation ...

Get well soon ...

I believe you can, and will!

Love,

Martha