Our regular physc is sending hubby to a geriatric physc to see if he can do anymore for him. He is 56 with vascular dementia and possible AD. He is not doing real well and I am hoping that this doctor will take some time and give us some answers to his condition. One of the main concerns is he sleeps about 20 hours a day and I am concerned about that. Doctors say all I can do is encourage him to do things but that is it. Supposedly he has mild dementia and I think it is more than mild. Would like to know if you have had experience with Geriatric Physc and how it was?
Thanks
Diane
I have no experience with a geriatric physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist (not sure what your abbreviation meant!), but wanted to say that excessive sleeping can be a sign of depression and it's certainly reasonable that this diagnosis would be very depressing. My little mother perked up, stopped sleeping during the day, and quit crying when put on a low dose antidepressant (low dose because she was a petite woman and weghed about 100 lbs). Be sure to get word to the new doctor about your concerns, the excessive sleeping, and do ask about the potential benefit of an antidepressant. In our arena, anything that helps is fair game!!
Wishing you well and sending (((((((hugs))))))) Barbara
What antidepressant was your mom put on? I've heard that SSRI's are contraindicated for dementia, but I'd be concerned about some of the others since they often have more side effects.
He is seeing a regular psychiatrist now Barbara and he is sending him to geriatric because he has more experience in dementia. We will address the depression issue. The weird thing is if you plan something for him, he goes along with it. I have asked him if he is depressed and watched to see if he seems sad, so far he says he is not. He says he likes to sleep because it is peaceful, no noise, no thinking, etc. He has a hard time following conversations and will only particiapte for a very short time. He will get up and go to his bedroom. His verbal skills are poor, usually answers in 3 or 4 words. It is like pulling teeth to get him in a conversation. He will help my son do things in the yard if he stays right there with him, directing what he should do, but you can only plan so much. He does not read, watcht TV, do puzzles, computer, etc. anymore. I am hoping that the new psyc will be able to shed some light on what is really going on and a plan to help us in getting him motivated. I too would like to know what medication your mom is taking.
Diane V.
When my mom was with me, she would go to bed at 8pm and sleep till noon sometimes. The only thing I could figure for all the sleeping was that she was awake a lot during the night.
If you walked by her room in the wee hours of the morning, she'd be sitting on the side of the bed, deep in conversation with ? someone.
Of course, you would know if dh was awake in the middle of the night.
My mom takes Zoloft for her anxiety. It began at 50mg but has been upped to 100mg as her agitation and anxiety is so bad. Even with that, though, she is not always calm. Now that she is in a group home, she often calls me in a total frenzy about something; her bank statements, her wardrobe, anything. My mom has a lot of paranoia, she imagines all kinds of things and once she has a story in her head.....she just can't let go.
My dad is also taking Zoloft. He still sleeps a lot but seems a little more like his old self and not the agitated angry old man AD made him. He's much more calm now. At least that's what my sister tells me.
On a side note, often people who are depressed will not admit it. My dad said he wasn't. Either he was and wouldn't admit it or he no longer understood what depression was. I don't know. All I know is that Zoloft really helped him.
Love, Barb
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Last edited by LuvMyLilDoggie; 04-30-2006 at 02:50 PM.
Sorry, Sue, I don't know what antidepressant Mom was on as I didn't have access to her records and the pharmacy receipts are packed away in some box because of our eternal remodel. The nurse giving her meds told me the dose was low because she was so small.
Hi everyone,
I have dementia and the drs have me on lexapro for depression,wellbutrin for fatique and lethargy, nexium for insomnia, ambian for AD. Don't forget that older people need vitamins,I use 1Aday they seem to put a little pep in my step. i am 52 so this goes to show you age doesn't matter. The wellbutrin for fatique and lethargy got me off the couch and I do quite a bit now. lily
Very interesting Lilly, is Wellbrutin a anti-depressant? We are going to doctor tomorrow so I will mention this. He does take multi and B-complex vitiaimns. Thanks for sharing.
The nurse giving her meds told me the dose was low because she was so small.
