mematine

[shirleyR]

My husband was diagnosed with alzheimer's/vascular dementia in March just before the lockdown. We have struggled without any help for three months. He finally received medication three weeks ago and the difference is amazing. I would have thought it would take ages to sink in but from day 2 he has been a different person. So happy singing whistling and in a general good mood almost like a child with a high sugar intake .Is this normal ?

 

[karaokePete]

Hello and welcome to the forum @shirleyR.

Some people don't get any, or much, benefit from Memantine and some can't tolerate it. That said, my wife was like your husband and showed an almost immediate benefit while tolerating the med well.

I wish both of you all the best.

 

[karaokePete]

By the way, I hope you have time to take a good look around the site as it is a goldmine for information. When I first joined I read old threads for information but then found the AS Publications list and the page where a post code search can be done to check for support services in ones own area. If you are interested in these, clicking the following links will take you there

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets-full-list

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/find-support-near-you

You will see that there are Factsheets that will help with things like getting care needs assessments, deciding the level of care required and sorting out useful things like Wills, Power of Attorney etc., if any of that hasn't already been done. There is also a Dementia Guide in the list.

Now that you have found us I hope you will keep posting as the membership has vast collective knowledge and experience.

 

[Starting on a journey]

My mum started memantine last September and it has had a marvellous effect. I had been advised by the memory clinic to start looking at care homes urgently. Here we are nearly ten months later and she’s mostly fine. She gets enjoyment out of life and I can mostly cope. It dosnt work for everyone like this but when it does it is good. I would encourage everyone to try it just in case

 

[shirleyR]

Hello and welcome to the forum @shirleyR.

Some people don't get any, or much, benefit from Memantine and some can't tolerate it. That said, my wife was like your husband and showed an almost immediate benefit while tolerating the med well.

I wish both of you all the best.

thank you for your suppory