Morning all,
I just got back from the neurologists office and after much discussion regarding my hubands "pacing" and anxiety, he has added Seroquel to go along with his other meds, ie. Namenda, Aricept, Trazadone. Does anyone have any experience with this drug? Also, do I need to get guardianship to deal with his decisions if we already have living will, durable POA, will?

Thanks,
Janie

lynnepstein,

What's been your experience with this med? Are you in the medical field? I haven't started him on it yet and now I'm a bit apprehensive...
Janie

My Mom was on Seroquel and it really requires a balancing act. If your hubby is in a controlled area where someone will have their eyes on him 24/7, they can watch him to make sure that he will be balanced right. But it is strong and it takes time to get the right amount in you and keep you on a controlled level. I don't think that I would have tried it on my own as bad as my mom was, and with the other drugs that she was on at the time.

He is at home with a caregiver during the day and me at night. So would you say it helped your Mom or not? I'm really struggling with this because I don't want to over medicate him, but at the same time he is SO anxious he's miserable. I talked to my sister, who is a Social worker in Chicago, and she's seen good results with it but also said to have blood work done to make sure all of that is in good shape.
Janie

Ok...I've had enough. I just called the hospital in our area that works with geriatric dementia patients (usually 60 and over) and my husband is going to be admitted tomorrow for a medication/behavior evaluation. I can't in good faith put him on yet another drug and "hope" for the best. They said they would keep him possibly 5 days to evaluate him, observe his symptoms and make any adjustments he may need. I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and something positive will come out of this. Thanks for all the input and support...I'll keep you updated....
Janie

This sounds like a very good move. He will be evaluated and tested, while you get a few days respite to regain your sanity!

Then, a transition - if needed - to assisted living or some other type of facility is easier from a hospital than from home. Often it is the smoothest type of transition. It helps the patient to feel, 'the HOSPITAL is sending me to this new place', rather than 'my family is sending me away.'

Good luck!

Love,

Martha

Janie~My Mom took Seroquel, she had really good results with it. It took her about 6 weeks to work, it does have to build into their system. My Mom's problem was that she saw people who weren't there, and they agitated her.
She walked the floor all night, called the police when it was not necessary, all this led to her having to have 24 hour care at home. We had really good results with it, hope this helps. DeeDee

Thanks so much DeeDee...it's nice to know it's a good med and I should know more after my husbands evaluation by the end of the week. I'll keep you all in the loop. Wish us luck!
Love Janie

Janie,

That is such a good move! NOw your hubby will be checked out and get the right amount of meds for his needs. You did the right thing. These drugs are difficult to balance in normal people, but in dementia folks it is even harder. This will be now under the care of medical professionals and someone will be watching him 24/7 who is medically trained to spot any unusual behavior.

Good choice! And you get a break to get some rest....

My Dad's Doctor told me there was a limit to what they could do with Seroquel and other meds on the higher end of the anti psyc. spectrum while he was at home. It was easier to get the dose right in a NH - where the stress level on the patient was pretty constant. At home it was harder to adjust it to make them managable but not doped up and snoozing all the time, as the stress level is variable.

My Dad actually did better once he was in the NH - at home he was surrounded by everything that reminded him of what he couldn't do. He was very frustrated. Once all that was gone he calmed down. Over 6 months or so there they were able to back him off all of the drugs but an anti - depressent.

Im not for sure if this will help you or not..
My nana is given melatonin " over the counter "along with a .5 xanax during her more stressful nights and when she is really having a bad night and I mean severe she is given Risterol "sp?"

So these are something you might would like to look into.. Take Care