Changes in Medication and confusion

[T1151]

Hi I am a new member .My husband was diagnosed with early onset Alz 1 year ago after 2 years of not really knowing what was going on . Because of the his job and the moderate memory problems he has not worked for 2 years now he gets ESA which is fine

I work full time and then of course come home and continue to work He has never been very helpful around the house but now does nothing at all .He has very little motivation ( I know part of this is the disease )and is putting on weight He already has high blood pressure and had a heart attack 4 years ago . I will have to continue to work as I can not imagine how different life would be in the things we are able to do if I did not .

I deal with all appointments , medication , finances a familiar story to all carers everywhere I know

I have no support as neither of us has close family and am still waiting for him to be assessed and myself .

Currently I am just about hanging in there and work keeps me sane just !

he has just been prescribed3 weeks ago on top of all his other medication including Donezipil an additional blood pressure pill as his is too high still , Amlodopine and since then his confusion and memory seem much worse .

I was just wondering if anyone else had had a similar experience after a medication change ?

 

[Shedrech]

hello T1151
a warm welcome to TP
gosh you dealing with a lot on your own - so I'm glad you found TP; it's a wonderfully supportive community - you can chat about anything here, anytime
you say you are awaiting assessments, I guess those are the assessments of your husband's care needs by the Local Authority Adult Services, and a carer's assessment for yourself - I hope they come about soon, as there may well be support available to you - ask especially about some days at a day care centre for your husband, it's a chance to socialise and get out of the house (so you know he's safe and fed and supervised), and possibly a sitter and some respite, so you have a chance for a break
as for the meds; it's such a personal thing, each person can react differently to certain meds and it can take some tweaking to get them right, along with correct dosages and times to take them - if you have any concerns, always best to go back to the GP and/or consultant and explain your worries, to see if anything can be altered - I know it took some time to get dad's current meds sorted out; even taking one later in the day rather than earlier has made a difference - and when he was at home, I asked his consultant which meds were absolutely vital and which might be missed once say, for those times when dad wasn't being co-operative with taking his tablets, just so I knew I could back off and not get into a battle with him ..
now you've found TP, keep posting
best wishes

 

[T1151]

Thank you

hello T1151
a warm welcome to TP
gosh you dealing with a lot on your own - so I'm glad you found TP; it's a wonderfully supportive community - you can chat about anything here, anytime
you say you are awaiting assessments, I guess those are the assessments of your husband's care needs by the Local Authority Adult Services, and a carer's assessment for yourself - I hope they come about soon, as there may well be support available to you - ask especially about some days at a day care centre for your husband, it's a chance to socialise and get out of the house (so you know he's safe and fed and supervised), and possibly a sitter and some respite, so you have a chance for a break
as for the meds; it's such a personal thing, each person can react differently to certain meds and it can take some tweaking to get them right, along with correct dosages and times to take them - if you have any concerns, always best to go back to the GP and/or consultant and explain your worries, to see if anything can be altered - I know it took some time to get dad's current meds sorted out; even taking one later in the day rather than earlier has made a difference - and when he was at home, I asked his consultant which meds were absolutely vital and which might be missed once say, for those times when dad wasn't being co-operative with taking his tablets, just so I knew I could back off and not get into a battle with him ..
now you've found TP, keep posting
best wishes

Hi

Thank you Yes I know it has just been such a dramatic change in a short space of time seems really coincidental if there is no link .

 

[Dickierichards]

Medication can it cause confusion?

Hi I am new to this place as well. My wife is 56 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. To date she has been on Donepizil but is now also on memantene. In the last two weeks she suddenly doesn't remember that I am her husband. I am the only person who appears to have dropped from her memory but she doesn't want me in the house and especially in the bedroom. I am just asking is this likely to be the next stage in the condition or might the new drug be contributing?

 

[LynneMcV]

Hi I am new to this place as well. My wife is 56 and was diagnosed 3 years ago. To date she has been on Donepizil but is now also on memantene. In the last two weeks she suddenly doesn't remember that I am her husband. I am the only person who appears to have dropped from her memory but she doesn't want me in the house and especially in the bedroom. I am just asking is this likely to be the next stage in the condition or might the new drug be contributing?

Hi and welcome

It's hard to say really as medications can suit one person but not another.

My husband was diagnosed at 58 and was put on both memantine and donepezil right from the start and he hasn't had a problem with them - yet there are others on the forum whose experience has been quite different.

As you know, when a person is put on memantine the dosage is gradually increased and reactions monitored. It is best to raise any concerns about possible side effects of the medication with the GP/consultant. If there is a problem the GP can always decrease the dosage if necessary - or decide if it is unsuitable

The forgetting of a loved one can be quite a shock when it happens. My husband occasionally forgets me but it is not permanent at this point. More often than not it is because he has developed a UTI or some other infection.

If behaviour becomes erratic and confusion increases I always get hubby checked for a UTI in the first instance because 90% of the time this seems to be the cause of these sudden changes in him. Fortunately they are easily dealt with through antibiotics