Diagnosis & depression

[Helen-D]

I have added into some existing threads re: the situation my husband and I face, so thanks to all those to have replied to those messages.
I thought I'd start a new thread though about the following specific aspect....
My 72-year old husband has recently been officially diagnosed with Early Stage Alzheimer's and is very depressed about it. He has struggled with a certain level of depression for many years anyway and has been on antidepressants for a long time. Although we knew his memory and concentration were deteriorating, the official diagnosis still came as rather a shock to both of us. His depression has now worsened.
We are seeing the Memory Consultant regularly and he has been using the Rivastigmine patches since the official diagnosis was given.
if anyone has any thoughts on the depression aspect, it would be good to hear from you.
Many thanks

 

[margherita]

Hi @Helen-D ,
I am sorry you have to cope with your husband's Alzheimer's and depression.
I don't have first-hand experience, but I am sure you'll get replies, advice and support here on TP

 

[canary]

Hello @Helen-D

Unfortunately, dementia and depression are common bed-fellows.
Perhaps your GP could review his anti-depressants?

 

[karaokePete]

My wife suffers with bot anxiety and depression, as well as her dementia. Like your husband my wife suffered with these conditions before her dementia diagnosis and she had been receiving treatment for a great many years.

I think a chat with the medics is the best way to go as it has taken a few changes of meds and tweaks to dosage to get my wife into a somewhat better place.

If you haven't seen it already, you may be interested in having a read at the Society Factsheet that covers this issue.Just click the 2nd line of the link if you want to see the document

• Supporting a person with dementia who has depression, anxiety or apathy (444)
  PDF printable version

 

[Lawson58]

You don't say how long your husband has been using the Rivastigimine patches or what strength he is on.

My husband has been on the patches for a long time and they can take a little while to kick in. A few months ago the consultant changed him on to the stronger dosage and it has kept him stable. He has never been a person who understands the meaning of depression so when he had trouble sleeping and a few other issues the consultant added mirtazapine to his nightly routine. And that has helped too.

The thing that I notice most is that his mood is greatly affected by how he is feeling physically . He is 81 years old and has had cardiac problems for many years along with a few other problems. He has days when he says he doesn't feel well but there might not be anything specific.

I think a Good chat with your husband's consultant is a great place to start.

 

[Helen-D]

Hello @Helen-D

Unfortunately, dementia and depression are common bed-fellows.
Perhaps your GP could review his anti-depressants?

Thanks for this. We will actually be reviewing them with the specialist memory consultant on Friday this week, alongside other medications.

 

[Countryboy]

I have added into some existing threads re: the situation my husband and I face, so thanks to all those to have replied to those messages.
I thought I'd start a new thread though about the following specific aspect....
My 72-year old husband has recently been officially diagnosed with Early Stage Alzheimer's and is very depressed about it. He has struggled with a certain level of depression for many years anyway and has been on antidepressants for a long time. Although we knew his memory and concentration were deteriorating, the official diagnosis still came as rather a shock to both of us. His depression has now worsened.
We are seeing the Memory Consultant regularly and he has been using the Rivastigmine patches since the official diagnosis was given.
if anyone has any thoughts on the depression aspect, it would be good to hear from you.
Many thanks

Helen-D I thought I would update you on my replay to your thread on Driving with Dementia when replying to the pervious thread I had No idea your husband was suffering with Depression Obviously had I know that my reply would have been total different or I would have replied at all because people with Depression have some weird thoughts that could put themselves in danger and others

Unfortunately the media only seems to victimize Dementia & Driving

By: Dominik Wilde 20 March 2020 at 08:40

Failing to declare a mental health issue that impacts your driving could cost you £1,000.

It turns out driving with anxiety or depression can land you with a hefty fine, according to Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

"Many drivers with depression or anxiety may not realise that their medical condition could affect their ability to drive safely," said David Johnson, director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. "If you have recently been diagnosed with a mental health condition, it is important that you check with the DVLA to ensure you meet the required standards for driving as failure to do so could have serious consequences."

What's more, drivers using anti-depressants to treat mental illness are at a greater risk of causing road traffic accidents, according to a psychological study.

The study found that drivers who take Benzodiazepines are at risk because the drugs can cause drowsiness, blurred vision and problems with balance and memory.

"It is illegal to drive or attempt to drive if your ability to do so is impaired by drugs, including prescribed medication for a mental health problem," said mental health charity Mind.

In the last decade, the number of antidepressant prescriptions in England has almost doubled. the Just under 71 million antidepressant prescriptions were issued in 2018, compared to just 36 million a decade earlier.

"If you are taking any kind of medication, including antidepressants, it is essential you check the side effects before getting behind the wheel," added Johnson. "Some antidepressants can cause serious health symptoms, particularly when you first start taking them. If in any doubt, check with your pharmacist or GP."

You can let the DVLA know of your condition by completing a short questionnaire and, depending on the answers given, you may then be asked to take a driving test. Following that, if you are considered unfit to drive, you may be asked to voluntarily surrender your licence, especially if you experience significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts.

 

[jennifer1967]

Helen-D I thought I would update you on my replay to your thread on Driving with Dementia when replying to the pervious thread I had No idea your husband was suffering with Depression Obviously had I know that my reply would have been total different or I would have replied at all because people with Depression have some weird thoughts that could put themselves in danger and others

Unfortunately the media only seems to victimize Dementia & Driving

By: Dominik Wilde 20 March 2020 at 08:40

Failing to declare a mental health issue that impacts your driving could cost you £1,000.

It turns out driving with anxiety or depression can land you with a hefty fine, according to Nationwide Vehicle Contracts.

"Many drivers with depression or anxiety may not realise that their medical condition could affect their ability to drive safely," said David Johnson, director of Nationwide Vehicle Contracts. "If you have recently been diagnosed with a mental health condition, it is important that you check with the DVLA to ensure you meet the required standards for driving as failure to do so could have serious consequences."

What's more, drivers using anti-depressants to treat mental illness are at a greater risk of causing road traffic accidents, according to a psychological study.

The study found that drivers who take Benzodiazepines are at risk because the drugs can cause drowsiness, blurred vision and problems with balance and memory.

"It is illegal to drive or attempt to drive if your ability to do so is impaired by drugs, including prescribed medication for a mental health problem," said mental health charity Mind.

In the last decade, the number of antidepressant prescriptions in England has almost doubled. the Just under 71 million antidepressant prescriptions were issued in 2018, compared to just 36 million a decade earlier.

"If you are taking any kind of medication, including antidepressants, it is essential you check the side effects before getting behind the wheel," added Johnson. "Some antidepressants can cause serious health symptoms, particularly when you first start taking them. If in any doubt, check with your pharmacist or GP."

You can let the DVLA know of your condition by completing a short questionnaire and, depending on the answers given, you may then be asked to take a driving test. Following that, if you are considered unfit to drive, you may be asked to voluntarily surrender your licence, especially if you experience significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts.

it does state on the packets not to drive or operate machinery with all sorts of medicines including anti-depressants. pays to read the packet but didnt know you had to inform DVLA

 

[Countryboy]

it does state on the packets not to drive or operate machinery with all sorts of medicines including anti-depressants. pays to read the packet but didnt know you had to inform DVLA

jennifer 1967 I think there are quite a high number of Drivers who have been to GP because they are Depressed but don't inform the DVLA or Car Insurance when actually there are breaking the Law by not notifying dvla and not insured because the haven t notified dvla it’s the same with or Travel Insurance not insured if you don't disclosed the Depression

Severe anxiety or depression

Note: effects of severe illness are of greater importance for their relevance to driving than medication – see Appendix E, for the additional considerations on medication.

	Group 1 car and motorcycle	Group 2 bus and lorry
Significant memory or concentration problems, agitation, behavioural disturbance or suicidal thoughts	✘- Must not drive and must notify DVLA. Licensing will depend on the outcome of medical enquiries, and DVLA will require a period of stability. Particular danger would be posed by those who may attempt suicide at the wheel.	✘- Must not drive and must notify DVLA. Licensing will depend on the outcome of medical enquiries, and DVLA will require a period of stability. Particular danger would be posed by those who may attempt suicide at the wheel. Licensing may be granted after 6 months if: ■ the person has been well and stable and ■ is not taking medication with side effects that would affect alertness or concentration DVLA may need reports from a specialist in psychiatry. Driving is usually permitted after 6 months if the anxiety or depression has been long-standing but symptoms are under control and if maintenance on a dosage of psychotropic medication does not cause impairment.

 

[Helen-D]

An update, which some people may find useful.
We had a good session with the memory consultant recently. As my husband has now been given the official diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer's, he no longer comes under the remit of the Dementia Assessment Service. However, as he is pretty depressed, the consultant has referred him for ongoing support and help by DOPMHS (Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health service). The diferent services are very divided up these days!
We have an initial appointment with the CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) in 2 days' time, to discuss the way forward. I'm impressed with the speed of response from DOPMHS.

 

[jennifer1967]

An update, which some people may find useful.
We had a good session with the memory consultant recently. As my husband has now been given the official diagnosis of early stage Alzheimer's, he no longer comes under the remit of the Dementia Assessment Service. However, as he is pretty depressed, the consultant has referred him for ongoing support and help by DOPMHS (Dementia and Older Persons Mental Health service). The diferent services are very divided up these days!
We have an initial appointment with the CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) in 2 days' time, to discuss the way forward. I'm impressed with the speed of response from DOPMHS.

can you let us know how it goes and what happens if you can. my husband has been referred to older person mental health as well but its taking longer. its the same as your referral

 

[Helen-D]

can you let us know how it goes and what happens if you can. my husband has been referred to older person mental health as well but its taking longer. its the same as your referral

We saw the CPN yesterday afternoon. Very pleasant person and knowledegable about dementia. Although a lot of information would be in my husband's record on the computer system, he took time to understand all the background, current medications and how my husband was feeling. He has reported back to the Consultant Psychiatrist on the DOPMHS team. We have been promised that we should receive notification of an appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist fairly soon. Notification within about a week of when the appointment will be.

I wonder if the time delay for you is because of more pressure on the service where you live? We live in West Sussex. I'm not sure what else I can tell you but we could communicate by private message, if that would be helpful.

 

[jennifer1967]

We saw the CPN yesterday afternoon. Very pleasant person and knowledegable about dementia. Although a lot of information would be in my husband's record on the computer system, he took time to understand all the background, current medications and how my husband was feeling. He has reported back to the Consultant Psychiatrist on the DOPMHS team. We have been promised that we should receive notification of an appointment with the Consultant Psychiatrist fairly soon. Notification within about a week of when the appointment will be.

I wonder if the time delay for you is because of more pressure on the service where you live? We live in West Sussex. I'm not sure what else I can tell you but we could communicate by private message, if that would be helpful.

thank you @Helen-D, we live in southampton. the referral has been made and he had to have a blood test on monday because he had been referred. the doctor has asked that he makes an appt because they have a result of the blood test so i will do that tomorrow and find out whats what. they confused him yesterday but have now found his poa that shows they can talk to me. thank you for your feedback