I am so glad to finally find ya'll

Alice57 · 06-18-2007, 03:09 AM

Hi, this past year has been such a blur that I can hardly believe June is almost over. My Mom is 79 and was diagnosed with AD a year ago. But, I know it has been longer because I could see her changing for at least a year before the drs. telling us what she had.She remembers the past more than the present. She lives with my husband, daughter, and I. I am so thankful to have a good husband who takes her to dr. visits, and helps around the house with her. Our worst problem right now is that Mom is now in a wheelchair because of her legs. In just the past six months she has gone down so much. She can no longer bathe herself, I have to cut up her food, put her in the bed, and dress her. She was always a big talker, but now she hardly says anything. I have been reading all your posts, and it has helped me so much. I may asks a hundred questions, but hope you can bear with me. I hate this disease and the way it has taken my Mom away from us. It almost feels as if she has already died.

gdschillins · 06-18-2007, 08:06 AM

Is your mom on aricept? My mom actually was diagnosed with VD and within a month she was doing the same thing your mom is (other than her legs). As soon as the meds took effect she went from being down to now she has a lot of memories of yesterday instead of 30 years ago. They arn't quite right all the time but they are there. I also was able to buy her 3 pair of underware the other day and a bathing suit to swim with us. Of cours the aricpt probly isn't the only thing working she's also on 11 other meds.
God speed.
Christi

Alice57 · 06-30-2007, 03:36 AM

Sorry took so long to reply to your question. Yes, Mom is on Aricept. She also is on Respirdol(sp) for hallucinations. This has been a bad week for her. Her appetite has been bad, and she is having a very hard time getting in the bed. I almost have to pick her up and put her in.

gdschillins · 07-04-2007, 09:42 AM

my mom was on respidal but she kept having bad side effects so they took her off and now they give her seroquel. However; they are about to take her off that and put her onto something else--when I find out I'll let you know. Seroquel is for her hallucinations and it seems to work well, however it also helps to put on weight and that's one of my mom's things--she doesn't want to go above a size 6! The arecpt takes a little while to work to it's full potential. My mom's been on it for 7m onths and she still has her bad days but most of them are good days. She was messing herself and roaming around, talking nonsense and yelling at everyone. Even though the yelling hasn't fully stopped the roaming has *unless she's really tired* and the talking nonsense has really gotten better. I even have a llowed her to have her own underpants. My mom is also taking Melatonin at night to help her sleep. The doctor gave her a sleeping pill but it would make her feel drowsy all day long too. Maybe you can ask her doctor about that see if that would help her too.
Godspeed.
christi

lollylegs · 07-05-2007, 05:38 PM

it is a great place to find for sure! I remember when I first found the forum, I cried all over my keyboard with relief!

the mobility loss is a big problems isn't it.
I have noticed my mum is having more difficulty with walking, she now almost falls over if she tries to turn 'on the spot' and she seems to keep putting her feet a bit wider apart with each step forward. It is really sad to watch. 12 months ago she walked on her own for a least 1 hour every day!

we will need to put a ramp in over the next few months as I think she will not be able to manange stairs for too much longer.

she has improved on the aricept in some ways, she can 'find' her words easier and can remember things that happened in the day better.

does aricept put on weight? mum has gained about 4 kgs. the other thing is her appetite is huge, is that the aricept?

cheers

lolly