can't walk - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

mitsy · 11-05-2007, 12:55 PM

My MIL has fainted a couple of times and her legs at times are so rubbery that she can't even stand. (Of course I felt her family should call 911 even if she doesn't want them to, she says she's embarrassed).

Does ALZ cause the brain to discontinue muscle activity? I know if one case where her daughter's FIL had ministrokes and toward the end, the brain shut his functions.

angel_bear · 11-05-2007, 02:37 PM

It is possible it's a progression of the disease, but my first thoughts are to get her blood pressure checked or get a medication review done immediately.

Goodluck

mitsy · 11-06-2007, 07:16 AM

Thanks for your input

She does have problems with BP. Also, she won't get out and walk each day to keep her muscles from atrophying.

All in all, she just doesn't take her meds correctly. She needs home care (really she needs to be in assisted living as her doctor suggested) and she can't afford either one for a long length of time.

Her ALZ is difficult to figure out what stage she's in. She is forgetful and gets angry and has sundowners and can't remember what you said 2 seconds ago, but she can remember names.

I think she is going to the dr. soon.

sunnydaze1 · 11-06-2007, 08:37 AM

My mom went through bouts of weakness; dizzyness; almost to the point of passing out and after being admitted to the hospital, her blood tests revealed that she had low sodium which can be the cause. She wasn't able to walk far at all without feeling like she was going to pass out.

She wasn't eating right and losing weight. Now she gets Meals-on Wheels and the weakness has subsided.

The dementia is still there and I'm trying to get her into AL, but it's a struggle.

Best of luck to you.

UJG · 11-07-2007, 07:02 AM

I agree with the blood pressure check and med review. My dad just suffered ministroke-like symptoms about a week ago most likely resulting from too high a dosage of risperdal. He couldn't walk or dress himself and became incontinent. I had to call an ambulance and he was checked into a hospital for 5 days. They replaced his risperdal with an anti-depressant and also put him on blood pressure meds.

Jay