Hello - I have recently read that Amitryptiline is in a group of drugs that increase your risk of dementia [if I read the medical paper correctly by 23%]. I take this drug for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome and may well be on it for years to come [been on it for 2 years now]. Without it I have far too many trips to hospital and the CVS plays havoc with me and my family trying to have a normal life so this drug has been a 'miracle' for me.
Having now read of the increased risk due to this drug, and the fact that I have an aunt with dementia [the only family member I'm aware of who has had dementia], I am now wondering how concerned I should be for my own health.
I am 57, work full time, am the nearest relative/carer for my mother whose physical health is deteriorating in her mid-80s and organise the care and help needed at home for my maternal aunt [in her late 70s] with dementia.
I am finding in the past couple of months that I am forgetting names of objects and people and also what I was about to say to someone - scenario of must tell hubby this then when I see him 20 minutes later I've remembered I was going to tell him something but can't remember what.
Am happy to be told I'm paranoid but how can I tell the difference between me probably being rather stressed these days with too much to do so my memory is giving up OR me being on this drug and family member with dementia putting me at risk of this being early signs that I'm developing dementia.
Keep telling myself not to be so paranoid but I can't help wondering and need somebody to give me advice. My GP just said that if I'm worried wean myself off the tablets and see what happens...........did that and ended up in hospital with a CVS attack so have gone back on the tablets to regain a more normal life. His answer to that was that I obviously respond well to the medication so stay on it and try weaning off again in another 2 years. No reassurance on the dementia concern front, got the feeling he thought I was just being a hypochondriac.
Anyone got any thoughts/ideas/comments/suggestions???
Having now read of the increased risk due to this drug, and the fact that I have an aunt with dementia [the only family member I'm aware of who has had dementia], I am now wondering how concerned I should be for my own health.
I am 57, work full time, am the nearest relative/carer for my mother whose physical health is deteriorating in her mid-80s and organise the care and help needed at home for my maternal aunt [in her late 70s] with dementia.
I am finding in the past couple of months that I am forgetting names of objects and people and also what I was about to say to someone - scenario of must tell hubby this then when I see him 20 minutes later I've remembered I was going to tell him something but can't remember what.
Am happy to be told I'm paranoid but how can I tell the difference between me probably being rather stressed these days with too much to do so my memory is giving up OR me being on this drug and family member with dementia putting me at risk of this being early signs that I'm developing dementia.
Keep telling myself not to be so paranoid but I can't help wondering and need somebody to give me advice. My GP just said that if I'm worried wean myself off the tablets and see what happens...........did that and ended up in hospital with a CVS attack so have gone back on the tablets to regain a more normal life. His answer to that was that I obviously respond well to the medication so stay on it and try weaning off again in another 2 years. No reassurance on the dementia concern front, got the feeling he thought I was just being a hypochondriac.
Anyone got any thoughts/ideas/comments/suggestions???
, so I take half the dose at night so that I can function and make up the difference with painkillers....( thus I damage a different part of the body instead).
