Our loved one with dementia goes off the deep end on some days when we try to answer his questions he accuses us of arguing with him. Currently he is on no medication other than Zoloft and Namenda. He still has enough awareness most days that he seems to understand the disease is taking its toll which we are sure is part of the problem of him being so anxious and contradictory from time to time.
Have wondered about the use of Xanax which is a medication for mild to moderate anxiety. just wondered what experiences and recommendations other might have on medication usage or other ways and handling his ranting and raving at times. Thanks in advance for your responses.
The good news is that drug therapy will probably help. You may have to be patient while the right drug or combination of drugs is discovered.
In addition to a drug, you may learn to recognize triggers and modify your own behavior to minimize your LO's anxiety. For example, if answering certain types of questions seems to set him off, you may get better results by responding, "That is a good question. I've wondered that myself. What do you think?" and perhaps directing the conversation to a different topic.
Living with and/or caring for someone with dementia involves constant on the job training! Be sure you have a suitable doctor on your team, and work with him or her to deal with the symptoms.
Best wishes to you. Come back and tell us what you try and how it works out. We learn from each other.
I believe the drug was first used to settle people down, during a short crisis. I suspect my relatives are both abusing it. I know they can no longer sleep without it.
It is probably more of a sedative for the caretaker, than it is for an elderly patient.
YES PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
Outbursts can run the range including just general frustration of the moment and feeling sorry for their aging, loss of control over their lives, forgetfulness, loss of relationships, lethargy.
If you can engage him in outside activities, other senior companionship, outings, etc that is always preferable. I'm not against drugs by any means as long as they are prescribed correctly and their is ongoing support and follow up by the dr while the patient is adjusting but not just "writing and refilling prescriptions" and saying "see ya next yr".
With my daughter, I knew I wanted this child and I fought to keep her Xanax and all! It is 22 years later and I do still have my Xanax and I use it only when needed, not on a daily basis and honestly it makes me tired so I can lay down and rest and let the problems that plague me drift away for a while.
The hospital used it on my mother for her dementia, but it did not seem to work on her. I would say if you think using it on him when he gets upset would help, then with a doctors help, try it. If it doesn't work you can move on.
caregivers take a beating from all sides. ive spoken to two different va phsycs who seemed completely unaware of the effects dementia care can have on the carer. a gi doc and hepatologist both offered any kind of assistance necessary. makes me think the phsycs are a little " slow " ..
And besides that, good beer, wine, or margaritas taste better, plus they're OTC.
I have to ask if your Mom only takes Celexa and nothing else. Does she ever have a headache from it? What dosage did they put her on and how many times a day does she take it?
Sorry to ask so many questions but I would really rather Mom go back on the Celexa verses him putting her on an anti-psychotic or Depekane sprinkles which will make her sleep most of the time.
I have recently considered asking her doc for either a higher dose or try a different one because she has been a bit crankier in the morning for the last couple months. However we live in the pacific northwest and she is from the south so she hates the weather, we all do. Everyone gets SAD during the winter so it is not a good time to judge how someone's head is doing.
Good luck Holy, you are in a very tough spot and hopefully his doc can help you out.