Anyone have any experience w/ memantine?

[GoldenRetrieverGirl]

I have posted on this board a couple of times and you folks have been so helpful.

Here is my question: My MIL was just put on Namenda this week and I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with it? I know of two people that are/were on it. One is no longer on it, as it was not making any difference and the other is still on it, although her caregiver said that it appears that it is not making a difference anymore. They had seen improvement initially, but that lasted a couple of months and now they are back where they were. Also, my MIL has vascular dementia, with maybe Alzheimers as well.

Thanks,
Jennifer

[Bettyhere]

Originally Posted by GoldenRetrieverGirl

I have posted on this board a couple of times and you folks have been so helpful.

Here is my question: My MIL was just put on Namenda this week and I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with it? I know of two people that are/were on it. One is no longer on it, as it was not making any difference and the other is still on it, although her caregiver said that it appears that it is not making a difference anymore. They had seen improvement initially, but that lasted a couple of months and now they are back where they were. Also, my MIL has vascular dementia, with maybe Alzheimers as well.

Thanks,
Jennifer

I have no personal experience w/Namenda, but from other boards it appears as if it's 50/50, which seems to be the experience of the 2 people you know. Either it works and some symptoms are reversed, at least for a few months or so, or else it does nothing or has unpleasant side-effects.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by GoldenRetrieverGirl

I have posted on this board a couple of times and you folks have been so helpful.

Here is my question: My MIL was just put on Namenda this week and I was wondering if any of you had any experiences with it? I know of two people that are/were on it. One is no longer on it, as it was not making any difference and the other is still on it, although her caregiver said that it appears that it is not making a difference anymore. They had seen improvement initially, but that lasted a couple of months and now they are back where they were. Also, my MIL has vascular dementia, with maybe Alzheimers as well.

Thanks,
Jennifer

My aunt has bin on it about a year. I don't know if it is making a differnce but afraid to take her off it, to find out she is deteriorating. You have to have the right expectation with this drug. The claim is 6 month continuing dressing themseves and going to the bathroom with out help. My aunt is 72 diagnoised at 68 off the road at 71 living alone she recieves meals on wheels and has dinner at my mothers house every night. She has lost her sense of taste but continues eating with a good appetite. She is in excellent health, to have a conversation with her is very challenging she is in good spirits all the time. hope this helps

[SnowyLynne63]

I have several friends who loved ones are on Namenda,tho several have been on the Memantine before it became available here in the states.They have had very good results with it.Another friend whose hubby has been on it a week,started becoming violent,never have being before...........It just doepends on the person.......

[GoldenRetrieverGirl]

Thank you all of you for replying. I understand that everyone is different, just trying to get a feel for what others have heard or know. That's one of the strange things about the disease as well, everyone is different...

Take care,
Jennifer