Donepezil dose question

[Linbrusco]

A Happy New Year to you all. I'm glad to see the back of 2013. Wondering what 2014 will bring

Mum started Donepezil 3 weeks ago 2.5mg at night, and from this Friday is meant to increase to 5mg.
I really can't be sure if its the new meds, or being out of routine due to Christmas, and my son in hospital for knee surgery, but I feel Mum has been a bit more anxious, confused & forgetful.
Our family GP is on holiday for another week, and not entirely sure if I should increase Mums dose, or wait till he gets back to discuss?

Any thoughts?

 

[blueyorkie]

Hello whilst those symptoms are not listed as common side effects of this drug, I believe some people can experience what you describe, of course it may be the change to routine, as we know changes can also cause upset too. It may be worth giving it til Friday to see if she settles, but worth checking with the gp whether to increase to 5mg or whether there is an alternative that might be more tolerable. Has the anxiety etc just started or was it apparent shortly after starting the meds? I hope things settle down.

 

[lulubel]

Hi Linbrusco! You must be reading my mind?!! I was going to post almost the same question tonight myself. My mum had been prescribed Donepizil 5mg which has now been increased to 10mg. As far as I can make out, the side-effects of the meds seem to be exacerbating the symptoms of the dementia (she has Alz and VasD).

I want to do the right thing, but she seems to be more forgetful/confused/agitated. I've been advised by docs to stick with it at the moment, but I'm wondering what the point of the meds is??

I think I'm probably completely missing the point...... (as usual!!)

Lu xx

 

[WirelessPaul]

Sue take 10mg tablets and has always been ok with this dose but it is clear that one drug does not help all people. I do find it odd that when I was in hospital for chemo for cancer my drug intake was monitored rather carefully but I do not feel that Susan gets the same attention for her dementia medication. It is up to the carers to make those sorts of decisions, which is rather odd. As I give Susan the tablets I think I would consider how much of each drug I was giving her if I felt a change was causing problems.

 

[Stupot]

A Happy New Year to you all. I'm glad to see the back of 2013. Wondering what 2014 will bring

Mum started Donepezil 3 weeks ago 2.5mg at night, and from this Friday is meant to increase to 5mg.
I really can't be sure if its the new meds, or being out of routine due to Christmas, and my son in hospital for knee surgery, but I feel Mum has been a bit more anxious, confused & forgetful.
Our family GP is on holiday for another week, and not entirely sure if I should increase Mums dose, or wait till he gets back to discuss?

Any thoughts?

A Happy New Year to you all out there- my wife was prescribed Donepezil two months ago after a brain scan showed that she had moderate Alzeimers - on having the dose increased to 5mg she had very nasty nausea and cramps- the specialist doctor at the Memory Clinic put her on Rivastigmine patches which have caused no side effects at all as the drug is released into the blood stream and not swallowed and passed through the digestive system.
However, I have my doubts as to whether the drug is slowing the progress of Alzeimers - her short term memory is getting worse .
I feel sorry for you out there who don't have access to a Memory Clinic like us in Somerset and can get help and advice from a specialist team of Doctors and Nurses at any time - they are only a phone call away.
You shouldn't have to rely on your GP who probably isn't trained in that field.
I am new to the Forum

 

[Linbrusco]

Stupot, that's what i was more worried about. Tummy upsets and nausea as Mum had surgery this time last year for early stage bowel cancer. She lost a lot of weight , and its taken a long time to normalise things.
Now that Xmas & New Year are over and my son has recovered quite well from his surgery, I suppose it won't hurt to keep Mum at 2.5mg dose for another week until the GP comes back, and I see how she is.

We don't have Memory Clinics here in New Zealand.
Support through Alzheimers Society.
This has been another issue. The Alz activity group shutting down for 3 weeks over Xmas/New Year period.
Mum keeps asking when she goes back. She really enjoys the outings.

I think more respite/day care might be in order this year.

 

[di65]

We don't have Memory Clinics here in New Zealand.

Hi Librusco - I am sure if you ask there must be a Memory Clinic in Auckland. We have a very good one down here in Invercargill which is run by the District Health Board in the local hospital. My husband started on six monthly appointments and has now been given a four month appointment due to his suffering a stroke. They give a very good indication on how the disease is progressing and also advise on medications, help available and many other aspects of this insidious disease.
We have been given emergency contacts for the Alzheimers Society over the Christmas shutdown, but my husband's GP practice is very good and will always fit us in if we need help.

 

[Linbrusco]

Thanks Di. I have never heard of a Memory Clinic, in all my dealings with GP, Geritrician, Needs Assessor, Alzheimer's Society? in the New Year I will certainly be asking about it.