Hallucinations and vivd dreams, part of illness or drug side effects?

[Lindy-Lou]

My mother has been having hallucinations (auditory mainly) and vivid dreams for some time now (she has alzheimer's). Being on galantamine it has been suggested that exelon patches might be better for her.

Does anyone have any similar experiences with either?
As a family we have to decide, along with the GP and memory nurse, and are even wondering whether to take her off the galantamine altogether for a while to see how she is without.

So I am thinking ....... are the hallucinations part and parcel of Alzheimer's or maybe partly a side effect of what she's taking?

Thanks for listening.
any thoughts appreciated.

Linda

 

[donnamh1987]

My mother has been having hallucinations (auditory mainly) and vivid dreams for some time now (she has alzheimer's). Being on galantamine it has been suggested that exelon patches might be better for her.

Does anyone have any similar experiences with either?
As a family we have to decide, along with the GP and memory nurse, and are even wondering whether to take her off the galantamine altogether for a while to see how she is without.

So I am thinking ....... are the hallucinations part and parcel of Alzheimer's or maybe partly a side effect of what she's taking?

Thanks for listening.
any thoughts appreciated.

Linda

Personally I'd be doing a msu and getting bloods done to rule out possible Infections- I'd then ask about starting on memantine instead of that other -
Have circumstances changed?

 

[grobertson62]

My dad had vascular dementia and hallucinations became a big part of our lives as dad went rabbit shooting .went to france for a bath in a mcdonalds van.. Oh so many more. The dog that wasnt there used to get the blame for all sorts. So to us it was just accepted..he never had any drugs for it
I would suggest a chat with the gp
Gill

 

[tiggs72]

I'm new to all this but found out from my teenager that my dad had been having nighttime hallucinations both auditory and visual for almost 6 mths prior to his diagnosis but sworn her to secrecy so as not to worry me! He still has them and more frequently now and is not yet on any medication for his altzeimers - I'm waiting to speak to the consultant - think he is limited as to what will work as he is at the late moderate stage. Would be interested to know what you find out - from all my reading hallucinations can definitely occur in the more moderate stages.

Hope you get the answers you need x

 

[Lindy-Lou]

hallucinations and vivid dreams, part of illness or drug side effects?

Yes thanks for that
She has recently had uti and of course the usual problem of getting her to drink enough fluids. Fortunately I do live with her so am able to catch any changes earlier.
What was the test you suggested msu?
Memantine..... I haven't heard of that one, i will look into it.

linda

 

[donnamh1987]

Having worked in the care sectors with specialist training in dementia / Alzheimer's care I would suggest getting done what I said and suggesting new medication - hallucinations can be a nasty side effect from some medicines but are generally caused by infections - I've not come across anyone who's had hallucinations without it being accompanied by something going on I side the body (infection) wise.

Seeing loved ones and thinking your someone you're not or seeing their friends does happen but each case is unique and you need to rule out any other causes if the hallucinations before messing with medications -

But all the clients I've seen to have responded well to the memantine drug

 

[donnamh1987]

Mid stream urine - but if the urinary tract infection has been detected that's great! Good start !! Memantine is a new drug that helps to slow the progression of dementia / Alzheimer's I've noticed it works in about 70% of the people I work with but some show no change there has to be constant stimuli for them to do and see to constantly catch the brain and help remember at the right times , I'm not a Gp but try to understand as much as possible lol ask your Gp about it recommended !

 

[Lindy-Lou]

I'm new to all this but found out from my teenager that my dad had been having nighttime hallucinations both auditory and visual for almost 6 mths prior to his diagnosis but sworn her to secrecy so as not to worry me! He still has them and more frequently now and is not yet on any medication for his altzeimers - I'm waiting to speak to the consultant - think he is limited as to what will work as he is at the late moderate stage. Would be interested to know what you find out - from all my reading hallucinations can definitely occur in the more moderate stages.

Hope you get the answers you need x

Thanks tiggs72 for sharing your experience about your dad. So presumably a person can get by without the drugs if the hallucinations aren't causing too much distress, it does seem as though they are quickly forgotten. But how does one know what stage of the illness i cant find any clear boundaries I am guessing mum must be about mid stage? who knows.
i obviously have a lot to learn.
linda

 

[Lindy-Lou]

Mid stream urine - but if the urinary tract infection has been detected that's great! Good start !! Memantine is a new drug that helps to slow the progression of dementia / Alzheimer's I've noticed it works in about 70% of the people I work with but some show no change there has to be constant stimuli for them to do and see to constantly catch the brain and help remember at the right times , I'm not a Gp but try to understand as much as possible lol ask your Gp about it recommended !

Will do.
and thanks again donnamh1987
linda

 

[tiggs72]

Thanks tiggs72 for sharing your experience about your dad. So presumably a person can get by without the drugs if the hallucinations aren't causing too much distress, it does seem as though they are quickly forgotten. But how does one know what stage of the illness i cant find any clear boundaries I am guessing mum must be about mid stage? who knows.
i obviously have a lot to learn.
linda

I'm assuming so - it's hard to tell, he's a very private man so would never have told me himself, and now he's at the stage where a conversation is difficult because of his word finding issues. I'm seeing the memory team next week so will update if I get some more answers . TBH this is the one thing that really distresses me thinking he may be scared at night . I just live in hope it doesn't happen too frequently x

 

[Lindy-Lou]

I'm assuming so - it's hard to tell, he's a very private man so would never have told me himself, and now he's at the stage where a conversation is difficult because of his word finding issues. I'm seeing the memory team next week so will update if I get some more answers . TBH this is the one thing that really distresses me thinking he may be scared at night . I just live in hope it doesn't happen too frequently x

Hi tiggs72
i know how you feel, its almost like having a little one again but the person can't always make themselves understood. i too worry about my mum feeling scared.

I hope the memory team will be helpful to you.
linda

 

[tiggs72]

Thanks tiggs72 for sharing your experience about your dad. So presumably a person can get by without the drugs if the hallucinations aren't causing too much distress, it does seem as though they are quickly forgotten. But how does one know what stage of the illness i cant find any clear boundaries I am guessing mum must be about mid stage? who knows.
i obviously have a lot to learn.
linda

Hiya

In terms of what stage I had kind of figured it out from reading and research - at the diagnosis all I was told was he had AD. From my reading I determined it to be moderate - however after a fall and a visit to his Drs yesterday I was informed he had significant dementia at moderate to sever plus I learnt he has VD as well! I have to admitt this all came as a real shock yesterday especially as he has declined so rapidly that he may not recognise me at Xmas!!

I would really push for a diagnosis from the memory team - you have to keep nagging them but I truely believe once you know the worst you know what you need to do and how to deal with it. So whilst yesterday was a shock for me I slept better lady night than I have in months because I can now really plan properly rather floundering around second guessing!

Good luck on your journey - would love to know how you get on xx