Transitioning from aricept to nameda

marypar · 06-05-2006, 01:40 PM

Hi, My mom is still on aricept (since diagnosis in 2004); she seems okay most of the time, but sometimes cannot identify things, i.e., "mom, please get me some paper towels" and she is not sure what that is. How do you know when to switch to nameda? She still does all the housework, cooking and is very mechanically inclined (better than me). Are there any signs to look for that would necessitate the change? thanks, maryann

Beginning · 06-05-2006, 09:55 PM

DH was put on Namenda along with the Reminyl (he switched from Aricept to Reminyl, but they're in the same family) at the beginning of the third year after his diagnosis. At the time, he was testing as late-early-stage. He now tests in the moderate range in yr. 4, and still takes both drugs. The doctors said that the Namenda works differently, so it might benefit him to have both drugs. I asked at his annual checkup when it will be time to stop either of them, and the Alzheimers' Research Center said that they generally recommend continuing as long as there's any possiblity that the patient is getting a benefit.

For awhile, I believe we saw a slight improvement and leveling off with the Namenda. After about 6-8 months, though, DH's condition resumed a slow deterioration, with periodic drop-offs.

hurtingheart · 06-25-2006, 03:13 AM

Hello,
I am new to this board but not new to this topic. My husband, who is 54, was diagnosed with AD three years ago. He began taking Exelon, plus a host of supplements and anti-inflammatories, right away. Namenda was added when it became available, and he began Aricept a few months ago just to see how he would do on it. He takes B complex shots monthly, too.

He made some fairly remarkable improvements on the Aricept, so at his last visit last week, his neuro doubled the Aricept (10mg am and pm), but he has not adjusted well to this higher dose. In fact, he had what I thought was a stroke last Friday morning, but it was determined that it was the new level of medication, plus not eating with his meds, that put him into a tailspin.

Are any of you familiar with the combination of these three drugs? What about taking the 10mg of Aricept twice a day? I plan to follow up with his neurologist regarding this on Monday, but I'm interested to learn from any of your experiences.

Beginning, your situation sounds so much like mine. We have a 16 year old and a 12 year old at home. My husband is also on disability, so his SSI checks definitely help, but I share the burden you feel for being superwoman to your husband, kids, work, etc. I admire your attitude and have drawn strength from scanning back through your posts. I read for hours yesterday when I found this board and immediately connected to your situation. Like you, my husband has no family history. He is a hometown hero, former football star with state records that have never been broken, class president, Mr. Personality, the life of every party, a master joke teller, Sunday School teacher, and successful businessman. Now he is doing well to complete a sentence and is completely dependent upon me for all of his needs.

Beginning · 06-25-2006, 10:15 AM

HurtingHeart - I'm so glad to know that someone has found my postings useful. It helps a little to know that I'm not alone in this situation. Sometimes it seems as if no one understands what it's like to face this disease at a time when you should be enjoying your kids' activities and planning for the future together. The research center that we go to has spoken to us about starting an early onset support group, but they said that they haven't had enough families in this situation.

How long has your husband been ill? We're in the 4th year and "early moderate" stage now, but it seems to be progressing much faster now. I'm weighing whether I need to have someone with him in the Fall when the kids go back to school, or just to check in on him during the day. They get home at 2:30 and I leave for work at 8:00, so he's not alone for very long. I'm struggling to pay off bills that he ran up in the early stages (you wouldn't believe the number! -- for ex., TWO custom mink coats at Christmas that couldn't be returned) and finding money for an aide would be a tremendous hardship for the family...but when it's time, we're just going to have to do it. He doesn't do much when no one is pushing him now (just sits in a chair in front of the tv if the tv is put on, or empties the garbage cans in the house all day). He used to need 5 hrs sleep, and now he dozes off & on all day and then goes to bed at 9:00 if I let him. He is getting frustrated and says that his brain is broken. It's harder and harder for him to communicate anything. He still grabs for the phone when it rings, and then can't write messages. He just hangs up on people if he doesn't understand them. We've started telling more people about this illness -- initially he didn't want anyone to know and we didn't want people to treat the kids differently, but now his behavior is becoming so odd that we need to explain it so that people don't think he's drunk, etc. We're at the point where I have to check his toothbrush to see if he's brushed (at the suggestion of his dentist), and remind him to use the electric razor I bought him. I try to keep his vision and dental appointments current, against the time when he won't be able to tell me when something's wrong.

I hope the kids will be able to remember their "old Dad," the professional, instead of this Dad. I know my 19 and 17 yr olds have good memories, but the 14 yr old will have more memories of this Dad. I don't feel it's enough to just tell them stories and show them pictures, but that's all we have. I feel like a widow...

I looked into daycare, but couldn't find anyplace near us. I'd have to drive nearly an hour to get to a facility, and it's on the other side of the city from my office and our home. When I spoke to them, they also admitted that their facility is meant more for elderly patients.

Day by day....

ToBeFreeToRoam · 06-25-2006, 02:57 PM

Hi Everyone,

Just want to put in a few cents worth on the drug part of the thread. My father who had had alzheimers for about 10 years, but just got diagnosed about 4-5 yrs. ago, takes Aricept for alzheimers and Sinemet for Parkinsons.

In the beginning, he only took 5 mg. aricept and that helped at lot. Then after about 2 yrs., that stopped working and he started to go down hill.

I talked the neuro into upping him to 10 mg. - I really do not think he wanted to do that. That worked for another 2 - 3 yrs. Right now, I do not think that his aricept is working at all. But, the family dr. and I and even my mom, are keeping him on it - just in case!

He is in mid level or lower stage of alzheimers. Has started to see bugs. I am sure that this year will prove a year of many changes for my mom, dad, me, my husband and my sister.

Take care and I personally think that the med. situation, depends on the patient, the cercumstances and the drs.

Love, Wannabe