The care home called today and said that my dad started acting really agressive on Friday. He had been packing up his room the whole day and then began pounding on his door for apparent. The aide asked him to stop and he did.

Saturday my husband picked him up and took him for a haircut and out to lunch and only said that he seemed more confused that day.

Today he tried to his Greg, who is one of the aides. I told her I would call the doctor and see what to do. I know that is part of the Alzheimer's, but what I don't know does this start this sudden and should I see about getting him on some other medication for this behavior. If so, what do you suggest. We tried Trazadone before to help him sleep and he was way to drugged to function the rest of the day.

Help, I anxiously await replies.

Jane

AHH. I should have proof read. It should be for no apparent reason, and he tried to hit greg.

I know it's said all the time, but have they checked for a UTI?

Mom didn't do well with Trazadone, does much better with Ativan. Good luck.

Had him checked last month for UTI. Do I really have to have that checked each and every time he begins a new behavior? It took 45 mintues to get the last urine sample, and I would like to avoid that at all costs.

She also said he didn't sleep last night at all. But the doctor didn't want to put him on sleep aid if he wasn't bothering anyone. Said to just let him watch TV which they have done.

Well, Jane,
It is one thing to rule out. If it IS a UTI, left untreated, it could travel up to the kidneys. Can the care home obtain the sample for you?

I do not know if medication to ease agitation would mask UTI symptoms or not, or if they would still break through.

Jane,

Some folks are highly sensitive to UTI's and can in fact be reacting to bacteria even when the numbers are in the normal range. I agree with Maebee, you need to rule it out any time there is a sudden change in behavior. Agitation and not sleeping are two symptoms, at least from my experience with my mom. The agression could be a symptom or could be caused by something else or just the disease.

Hope you find out what is causing it.

my mom was having delusions and hallucinations along with agitation and sleeplessness. it took awhile to find her proper dose, but seraquel did a great job for all four issues. hope you have the same good fortune.

Get your Dad tested for a UTI ,,,ASAP. It takes 48 hours to culture it to see what exact antibiotic is best suited for the particular bacteria that caused the infections,,however,,they can start him on an antibiotic ,,,,now.

He hasn't started any new medications recently has he?? Or has any of his meds that he's been on,,been increased or decreased?

I wish you the best,,hopefully something can be done to help alleviate Dad's anxiousness. Keep us posted. Peace

As stated checking for a UTI or pneumonai, even a dental problem is necessary. Ativan is what my mom uses for a short term med when she is out aggitated and uncontrollable. It will zonk her, but sometimes you need it. Long term she was on respiradol for over a year.

Thank you all for your responses. The only thing that has changed is his blood pressure medication. The Metoprolol (I order through mail) has been on backorder forever, and the local pharmacy was also out. His doctor prescribed something very similar except it is 100 mg twice a day instead of 200 mg once a day. I will ask the doctor if that could be it.

Thank you for suggesting the care home obtain the sample. I couldn't exactly go in the restroom with my dad and guide his wanker into a little cup. Not too sure he would be open to his youngest daughter seeing that much of him.

Thanks again though. You guys are the best!

How are things, Jane?

Doc prescribed zyprexa. Didn't like what I read about it, so will ask the pharmacist more about it tomorrow. Said something about can be fatal if given to dementia patients and another warning about if they are also on Lfuoxetine (prozac) which he is.

Hope to find out more tomorrow. He hasn't had another outburst since Monday morning, so that's good.

Thanks for asking!

Jane,
How are things going? Did you Dad have a UTI? if not, what's going on? Did you say zyprexa??

You probably won't like what you read about seroquel either. You need to read up on both meds and speak with your Dad's doctor about the risks. Sometimes, the benefits outweigh the risks!

Good Luck and keep us posted!

No UTI, thank goodness. Doc says just another unfortunate symptom of ALZ.

I read up on the seroquel too. Yikes, the stuff they tell you is enough to make you crazy making the right decision. I do believe though that the risks outway the outcome. Will let you know that the pharmacist tell me.

Ms. Jane,

Glad to hear it was not UTI, but so sorry to hear they said.... just another unfortunate symptom.

I was a distant caregiver for my brother - when and if - he let me into his life. Mental Illness - Long Story....

After he passed away two years ago, I found that he had started proceedings in the class action lawsuits against Seroquel and Zyprexa.

Autopsy found, even though he had a history of drug abuse, he died from a heart attack and only drugs found in his body.... Seroquel and Zyprexa.

Drugs?? Can't live with them, can't live without them.... Research to the best of your ability and weight the benefits vs. the risks.

You are doing a great job!

Serendipity

My Mom all of a sudden became very agitated and hard to handle. It just came out of the blue but my helpers didn't want to be here anymore. My cousin, whose Mom also has Alzheimers told me to try Depakote. It is something they use for bi-polar to control seizures. At first my Mom's doc said he never heard of it but thought what do we have to loose. Plus you just sprinkle it on the food which was great because my Mom has swallowing problems. We tried it and it worked great. She became sweet and easy to handle again. After one month of being on this, I have now stopped it. Hope this helps. By the way,m I took one of these pills by accident one night. I called the pharmacist who told me I would be fine, just drowsy. It was the best night sleep I had in years.