Mums better!!!!

[lil50]

My Mum,92, was diagnosed nearly two years ago and prescribed Donepezil. As her MMSE scores dropped she was also prescribed Memantine.She currently lives alone with four carers visits daily and lots of family input. Last year she was judged to no longer have capacity and at a best interests meeting the decision was made that she should be in permanent care. Mum sometimes thinks that would be a good idea but on the whole thinks it is not for her.
Three months ago her mental health specialist also prescribed Mirtazapine to help with her anxiety. At first her night-time carer was not always able to get her to take this and Mum became quite erratic but since it has been administered at tea-time instead Mum is quite changed. She appears much calmer, she has even heated up prepared meals which has not done for months, living mainly on toast, sandwiches and sweet treats except when family visit.
Sorry, I am slowly getting to the point! Last week, while I was away, my brother took Mum for her latest check up. Her MMSE score that had dropped over time from 20 to 16 to 13 is now back to 20! Her doctor appeared very happy with her. He has doubled the Mirtazapine to 30mg and wants to see her again in four months.
I'm very confused, I realise the test isn't everything and of course I am happy that Mum is calmer but otherwise there seems very little change surely this can't be correct? I will contact Mums doctor to get a copy of these recent test results but does anyone else have any experience like this?

 

[susy]

I have no experience of this but... How fabulous!! I hope it lasts xx

 

[lin1]

This is great news.
I have no medical experience, my thoughts are, the improvement is because Mum is calmer she is better able to think things out, sorry I am not explaining myself very well.

Hope the increased dose works well.

 

[lil50]

I have no experience of this but... How fabulous!! I hope it lasts xx

Thanks for your reply Susy, I knew I would find help here. You have given me a much needed wake-up call - I need to stop dwelling on the whys and just enjoy this time.
Thank you again so much.
Liz

 

[lil50]

This is great news.
I have no medical experience, my thoughts are, the improvement is because Mum is calmer she is better able to think things out, sorry I am not explaining myself very well.

Hope the increased dose works well.

Thanks Lin
I had been thinking much along the same lines. Also Mum seems much less frightened about what is happening to her, in the early days she would almost be physically tearing her hair out she was so distraught, terribly upsetting. I also think in hindsight ( ha! ha! : ) she was grieving for Dad who died shortly after her diagnosis, we should have realised, our only defence is we were all pretty overwhelmed ourselves at the time. Sorry Mum.
Must tell you Lin I just wiped out my entire post trying to correct my spelling, hope I manage to get this one up there.
You've made me feel much more positive today, should get much more done now.
Thank you
Liz

 

[Trace2012]

I'm very happy for you and your mum, i wish this was the same for me, my mam has to take these aswell but he prescribed at night time before bed, but she has gotten worse! Me and my 2 sons have had to leave today as her behaviour is so bad, we live there with her, she has been really nasty and the accusations are really bad. Infact so bad that i broke down yesterday and for the first time, people understandably said it wasnt fair on the boys to witness all this, they are 14 and love her dearly but even them have said they cnt live like this, they obviously dont like me getting it in the neck constantly, i was accused of bein on drugs or smoking something funny this mornin haha mayb if i did i could cope with it all, but I'm not haha, but i wonder if it would b wise to tell her the doctors said to take them at teatime? Im sorry for offloading my problems, im so happy that things are goin good for u xx

 

[lil50]

I'm very happy for you and your mum, i wish this was the same for me, my mam has to take these aswell but he prescribed at night time before bed, but she has gotten worse! Me and my 2 sons have had to leave today as her behaviour is so bad, we live there with her, she has been really nasty and the accusations are really bad. Infact so bad that i broke down yesterday and for the first time, people understandably said it wasnt fair on the boys to witness all this, they are 14 and love her dearly but even them have said they cnt live like this, they obviously dont like me getting it in the neck constantly, i was accused of bein on drugs or smoking something funny this mornin haha mayb if i did i could cope with it all, but I'm not haha, but i wonder if it would b wise to tell her the doctors said to take them at teatime? Im sorry for offloading my problems, im so happy that things are goin good for u xx

Oh Trace I am so sorry
I think Mums problem was she was getting the medication sometimes and not others. Once it was regular all be it at teatime the improvement was immense. In fact I still don't believe it, it seems too good to be true. but everyone is individual and we do not all react the same, it might not be for your Mum.
We too lived with Mum for a time but I knew I was crumbling under the strain and I could not keep it up. Though my children are a lot older than yours I felt I had to consider them and also my husband and to be honest me. I still feel guilty even though for us I know I made the right decision. I know my Mum would want me to be enjoying my life, as she did hers until a few years ago. I promised Dad I would look after her and I will to the best of my ability.
Mum does not want to go into a home. I feel she would get better care but that is how things are at present. I am lucky to have my brother, between us - the carers his family and mine we are managing.
Tracy I am so sorry you are going through this, your experience makes me feel so inadequate and yes selfish. Compared to you and a lot of carers on this site I have had it pretty easy.
It does sound as if you have been given some good advice. You and your boys should not have to be going through this. Can you see any alternative way?
Liz

 

[Trace2012]

Hi lil no i cnt see any other way, she will NOT let anyone help, she is only 64 and it in deli tablet good health, and she knows she has AD but says her brain still works the same and isnt daft, i dont even comment and if i do i say i know ur not daft! Its so hard, this disease has got 3 out of 4 sisters and the last one is terrified! I think my mam got it bein younger as the other 2 are in 70s and 80s! Its the worst thing ive ever gone through, ive never seen a person change so much in such a short time, although she hasnt changed its all me haha i dont use drugs or smoke funny stuff as she says! My neighbour is great, ive had to tell her about mam even though she swore me to secrecy, and she is fine with them but often complains about stuff that hasnt happened im afraid she will go out and confront them, so they totally understand, and also can ring or txt me if anything is up, i just feel so bad and guilty for wanting to get out, all the time im not there i am worried sik but dread goin in! The kids i feel so bad for, this is the last memories of their gran, and im worried they will end up not liking her, but they look so much happier wen were not there... Im at a loss, I'm not sure what to do from here.... Sorry for the essay xx