Hi,
Part 1: I posted a while ago about whether it was appropriate for someone with fairly advanced AD, and in a care home, to be still taking medication for it - in my Dad's case galantamine. Given that we are always told how expensive these drugs are, I couldn't understand why he was being given something that at best would only prolong the inevitable. I understand that such drugs as these try to replace a chemical that is absent from the brain, to lessen the AD symptoms.
Someone suggested I contact his GP - which I did, also expressing my worries about his general state of health. I have today received a lovely letter back - agreeing with me on the points I made, and that it is time to consider whether he should still take galantamine - as he seems to be entering the advanced stage (it was awful reading that). The GP has also picked up that his blood pressure is low, therefore should not be taking the medication he has taken for years to reduce it.
Part 2: My Mum had her assessment today - and at last is going to be prescribed "something" for her AD - probably galantamine. It appears that she also has the progressive disphasia that has been described in another post.
Although I have "known" for ages that she has AD, now that it is official I feel (I hope) that I will be less irritated with her. Also I know there is absolutely no point mentioning my Dad to her because she is not able to comprehend his situation and I can draw a line under the fact that they have been married for 55 years because they don't really think of each other any more.
Another double whammy day really. I'm OK at the moment - I think it will hit me in a while though.
Thanks everyone for listening.
Part 1: I posted a while ago about whether it was appropriate for someone with fairly advanced AD, and in a care home, to be still taking medication for it - in my Dad's case galantamine. Given that we are always told how expensive these drugs are, I couldn't understand why he was being given something that at best would only prolong the inevitable. I understand that such drugs as these try to replace a chemical that is absent from the brain, to lessen the AD symptoms.
Someone suggested I contact his GP - which I did, also expressing my worries about his general state of health. I have today received a lovely letter back - agreeing with me on the points I made, and that it is time to consider whether he should still take galantamine - as he seems to be entering the advanced stage (it was awful reading that). The GP has also picked up that his blood pressure is low, therefore should not be taking the medication he has taken for years to reduce it.
Part 2: My Mum had her assessment today - and at last is going to be prescribed "something" for her AD - probably galantamine. It appears that she also has the progressive disphasia that has been described in another post.
Although I have "known" for ages that she has AD, now that it is official I feel (I hope) that I will be less irritated with her. Also I know there is absolutely no point mentioning my Dad to her because she is not able to comprehend his situation and I can draw a line under the fact that they have been married for 55 years because they don't really think of each other any more.
Another double whammy day really. I'm OK at the moment - I think it will hit me in a while though.
Thanks everyone for listening.