I was disturbed by the listings in the thread "Cause of Death" Drs. are avoiding the diagnosis of AD or dementia on death certificates.

Statistically in that forum it appears the Drs. that list any other reason...or anything other than the obvious is pretty much playing the smoke and mirrors game and is obviously hiding important information that can be rallied for new research to be done.

SAD thing is...DRUG companies & Medical Industries feed lawyers for protection from malpractice....who fund the politicians...that make these important decisions....such as research. Ever thought about why Viagra was brought to the forefront? It isn't a CURE...it's a MONEY MAKER...repeat business. However, if they can find a "cure" for a flaccid penis...why can't they find a CURE for Cancer or A.D....or any other horrific monster that's killing us and our loved one's?? It's because they have a drug that's NOT a cure...(Viagra, Nimenda, Alzmed, Ariscept) and something they will need REPEATEDLY....generating an incomprehensible fortune for the drug companies!!!

A CURE. Is a one-time-deal. The drug companies do NOT want cures! They want drugs that "TREAT".

If President Reagan had not had ALZ... there probably would be very little research... My father didn't have A.D until he underwent surgery and anesthesia (this happened for thousands of others as well.....I've been BOMBARDED with sad letters - read my other posts)... After his second surgery in a year....he spiralled and went downhill every single week. Now, 2.5 years later, my daddy's gone....he passed in November. I blame the anesthesia...and there isn't a doubt in my mind. I'm driven to bring this to the forefront...in every way that I can. I mean...what if this is what happened to Ronald Reagan? He had the bullet removed after his assassination attempt. WHAT IF??

Research went on to find a treatment for AZ...which NOTHING works in my opinion...and more than likely sped it up in . We were told NOT TO TAKE MY FATHER OFF THE DRUGS BECAUSE HE WOULD REGRESS TO THE POINT PRIOR TO TAKING IT?! "So Research says." Since the drugs probably did exacerbate my dad's downhill run....we couldn't take him off because these expensive little pills (could be sugar pills for all we know) were feeding BIG pharmaceuticals.

Think about it folks. They are making way too much money on keeping us a SICK nation!

Do you hear anything about AD being an epidemic in third world poverty-stricken countries? (thanks Anne for that point!)

You may think I'm nuts with this rambling wild post...but I'm angry. I would still be able to hug my father right now if it weren't for the anesthesia or drug companies. I don't want to force my opinion on anyone, I'm using this forum to voice my anger..and also as therapy.

I may not be able to fight big drug companies...but David did bring down Goliath with a pebble.

It's too late for my beloved father....but it isn't too late for others to fall victim and their loved ones to be riddled with those agonizing years of pain, that we've had, watching their loved one forget us and die.

I don't know how to start, but I want to start a group of people that are mad like me...to help others. write me...scubadiva1@aol.com...if I can use your story, please?

I'm being PROACTIVE. I WANT A VOICE DAMMIT.

Anger is part of the grieving process...so sorry I've bombarded you...my fellow grievers. It's that only recently...I held my dad as I counted his heartbeats diminish...and cursed the F-*&%ers that took him from me and stole the next 20 years with my dad from me. I watched him suffer horrific things n the last 2.5 years. HORRIFIC! This grief and depressions damaged me deeper than anything I've ever experienced.

I know there are compassionate, caring Drs. and researchers out there seeking a true CURE...and God bless each of you...you are earning your wings.

Yes, anger is part of the grieving process and it is ok to be angry. But yes there is reason to be angry whenn the medical community just doesn't seem to care. Since this disease hits primarily the elderly, they have lost their compassion.

I cared for my best friend of 32 years. She passed on September 17th of this year. Her last surgery was in December of 05. Although I didn't notice any cognitive decline after the surgery I have to say that in the 32 years of our friendship she had 13 surgeries. I do blame that for the cause of her AD.

I hope you keep up the fight but I also pray that you find some peace within yourself. I know you are hurting so much right now.

Lori, I hurt for you over your friend. So sorry to hear ..
32 years....and what a friend you are. More like a sister I would say.

Thank you so much for your comments and kind words. I will find peace, but not before I stir the pot some and hopefully save some lives...somehow...someway.

Hug!

It's important for this post stay at the top of the index...though if you are here...it may be too late for your loved one.

Breathed anesthetics MAY cause brain cell damage! Do the research!

Seek information and ask questions. They may need surgery again one day...

We are of the same genetic makeup as our loved ones! If we don't ask questions now....if we don't face horrible truths and stay in the denial that what happened to our LO was a fluke ...this could be our future.

ASK Questions...STAY informed.

I would welcome the opportunity to make better sense of this horrible disease. It took my sweet mother-in-law and my dear father. Surgeries requiring anesthesia were part of both their medical histories just prior to their dramatic decline. For my mother-in-law, it was to repair a fractured hip. For my father, it was to alleviate stenosis of the spine. I'd like the opportunity to pursue this research if it can help others.

Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I've always wondered, and I have so many unanswered questions.

Please keep me posted with suggestions of how I can help.

In my parents memory,
Kathleen

Kathleen, i can't thank you enough for writing! I have several other posts that I've started so I can vent, and now...grieve.

One thing you may help with...and it will help you and your family as well is...to go to the hopital and get just the anesthesia records so you will KNOW what kinds of anesthesias to avoid. We ARE our parents genetically, and what affects them, may certainly affect us.

At some time in our lives surgery may be unavoidable. I know this as well, because I'm afraid!

My mom is going with me so we can get these records. I'm not certain if they only keep them for a time...but this information is PARAMOUNT to our mental health!

Read the other posts...there have been 2 studies on inhaled anesthesias that were PROVEN to cause brain-cell damage! PROVEN.

Kathleen...my heart is with you...and all my love, and I can't thank you enough for writing.

Please let me know if you are able to find anything out.

scubadiva1@aol.com
sherriestjames.com (click on the link about my father, Ray Kitchens) just under the photographs.

Sherrie, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
You are not alone friend..... 6 months ago I asked Moms Dr. to ck for UTI and to run complete panel of blood tests, cause she is so thin now.....no way.....nothing....I was and am still angry.....I just can't believe it, I told her 2 months before the visit I needed ATTENTIVE and WONDERFUL.....maybe she was mad at me....but to take it out on my Mom is little comfort......now we have no Dr. at all.....yes in a way I understand.......I still feel I need a wonderful/attentive Dr.....ho-hum just won't do...... hang in there.....what planet are these folks on anyway?????? Don't they have Mom's ? ? ? I don't get it.......
ZOEY

CHERUBCT@VERIZON.NET

Hi Zoey...

Did the Dr. just not treat your mother with caring and compassion? Did they even do the tests on your mom?

Change DRS! Some have grown cold to what they do, and you don't need these! We need advocates for our LO...not drones that just give out drugs and send you on your way just to get you out of their office.

I have a neurologist here that did that. I would write him and tell him everything before my father's visit, because my mom was in denial and would not be forthcoming. My last cries for help was for him to look beyond his AD diagnosis...because my father did NOT have AD...it was something swift and more devastating... I only told him to research...his reply..."Find another Dr!" The BAST&^%$!D! !! It was too late! It was F0&^$ing too late! He made NO effort to find answers for my dad. None. I let him know that my father was gone...and a correct diagnosis...or even him showing interest...may have saved him. I wanted him to feel my pain of loss...he was just a COLD F(*^&ing FISH!

Sorry about the "expletives" (sp?)...but this is part of my therapy...and part of my mission to prevent others from going through this horrible hurt.

IF YOUR DR. DOES NOT DISPLAY COMPASSION AND CARING FOR YOUR LO...GET REFERENCES AND GO ELSEWHERE... Caring Drs. are out there. I found them at Hospice...which was way too late.

The nurse there listened to me...then observed the rapidness of my dad's condition. Her and the Dr. were both alarmed at his rapid decline. They stayed up late one night researching his condition. My theory (and a Dr. friend of my husband's) was that the anesthesia was causing my dad to have TIAs Multi Infarct Dementia...or mini-strokes. These DO NOT SHOW in ANY tests!!! Detailed MRIs, CAT-scans, Spinal Tap, EEGs...we ran ALL those and they show nothing!

Well the Hospice Dr. and Nurse found Lewy Body Dementia. This is what they think my dad really had! It's a rapid form of dementia more related to Parkinson's...and GUESS WHAT? The drugs used for AD can make this form of dementia WORSE! So the uncaring, quack of a neurologist ...instead of researching and listening to us about his condition...gave my dad drugs that my have exacerbated his condition!!!

FIND ANOTHER DR! Get referrals....

God bless you Zoey for caring for your mom.

HUGS

Scubadiva et al.: I thank you for all you've written. I concur. I just wrote the longest entry here but, since I use a free ISP, at least until the 31st, when I get DSL, it bumped me off with an advertisement for who knows what. My stepdad had triple bypass Aug. '06 and has begun to exhibit cognitive impairment, among other things. His surgeon knew this would happen and said as much before the surgery. [more in a bit]

To continue, over 30 yrs. ago, I heard a group of doctors in a free clinic I used talking about how their training included being told they were gods, superior to their patients. Since then I've kept track of how drs. think and behave. And I hate to say it, but most of them are insensitive and clueless. My mom (AD) and stepdad have a pcp that changes every year because that's the way the program is designed at Montefiore Medical Center's geriatric clinic. I don't know if that is only for people on Medicaid, but I've tried to keep one doctor for them and was told it can't be done.

Dearest Saribet...

SO sorry you lost your long post. I 'm very interested in what it said...so hopefully you will try again? Sometimes I type up long posts here in a text editor first, then copy and paste. I'm keeping all the replies from this post I started as well as the several others I have going.

This is therapy for me.

Thank you for writing. In life-threatening surgeries...like your fathers, we don't have too much of a choice. It's good to know the Dr. was aware...but as I've found out from this forum...there are alternative anesthesias and shortened "down" times. I also discovered that inhaled anesthesias have been found to cause brain-cell damage. My father did have these. It angers me that the medical industry KNOWS these things can happen...yet still use them!

So your mom had (AD) also? You may want to do what I'm going to try to do...get involved with a study on this. The medical field cannot pinpoint why anesthesia does this because we are all so genetically different. HOWEVER, you owe it to yourself and your family to find out what kinds of anesthesias may have been used on your parents...and AVOID these. You ARE your parents! Protect you and your family!

I don't call what my dad had AD anymore...that's just an easily tossed out diagnosis that the Dr. has to do nothing further. My father was brain-damaged by anesthesia. I'm not candy-coating i it. It IS murder. My dad was 66 at the first surgery...he just had his 68th birthday...and now he's gone.

My heart just ached and tears fell when I read your post about your dad. Be cautious with AD drugs! They did NOTHING for my father. NOTHING. They are NOT proven...and it isn't worth it in my book.

If he did have Lewy Body Dementia...more related to Parkinson's... then the AD drugs exacerbated his condition...and expedited his death. These Drs. DO NOT KNOW. They don't know enough. They can't get involved with each patient...and MOST don't want to look beyond the AD diagnosis.

If you proceed to get your father extra care...get references and find a Dr. that will truly care.

I also believed that the anesthesia caused my father to have mini-strokes (Multi-Infarct Dementia). These strokes cause swift deterioration (like my fathers') and are virtually undetectable in ANY tests... EEGs, Spinal Tap, CAT scans and detailed MRIs. NOTHING.

Keep an eye on him. Love him. Cherish him...do everything now!
Go on those trips he always wanted...

A month before I lost my father... I took him fishing. ...the next week...he forgot how to walk.

Time is crucial because we don't know what we have.

God bless and I will be thinking of you.

I deeply feel for your situation. I have also been wanting to talk to someone regarding a situation similar to this. I hope you have time to read my post because I would like your opinion.
My loving Dad passed away in August of this year (2007). Let me just tell you that in the end of March, of the same year, I just moved them to live closer to me (2 hrs from their original home). My Dad may have been forgetting things then, but he had no problem going to the bathroom, could still walk with a cane, still held discussions with us. Loved his grandchildren. Anyway, one day after they moved here my Dad (who also had congestive heart failure) had to go to the hospital for having fluid on his lungs. He got into the car himself. He drank a coffee and eat a donut on the way to the hospital. I wanted to take him to a big, well known hospital, so it was about an hour drive.
My Dad spent 11 days in that hospital, and it wasn't for congestive heart failure. They neglected to give my Dad one of his medicines that he needed for pain in his feet (neuropathy). He repeatedly asked for it. They said they did not know why, but the dr. had not ordered it. They ordered perkesete (sp. ?) for him for the pain instead. (I'll make the story quick). The perkesete made him woozy. When he tried to get out of bed he fell twice from the perkesete. Then they did not let him get out of bed (they put him on bed monitors). This made my Dad aggitated. Then they had to put a nurse in his room to watch him 24/7. By this time everything had made Dad extra confused. All he knew was that he wanted to get out of there. But it only gets worse. He did try to pull out his iv. So then they put mitts on him and put him on haldyl (sp. ?) and cathederized him so that he wouldn't get out of bed. They had to have a hospital psychologist see him before taking him off of the perkesete!!! My Dad looked at me with fear in his eyes and told me that he thought he was going to die in there! The hospital told me that I couldn't just take him out or the insurance would not pay the bill.
After his release 11 days later, Dad only went downhill super fast. Come the beginning of August he could barely speak. He couldn't get out of bed. He had to have a hospital bed and wear depends. He died sooo fast on August 10th. I too had to hold my Dad as he took his last breaths and tell him that he could go now and be with his mother. I am still hurt and angry as we had to spend our first Christmas without him.
I too feel that the drugs he was given in the hospital had an affect on him. I mean, he was 82, but always young for his age. He was still working at age 78!!! He used to haul ten bags of trash out, mop the floors, vacuum the whole church (as he was the sexton). He was still driving a car a little over a year ago!!!! And now he is no longer here!!!! It is overwhelming.
I am writing a complaint to the hospital but I don't know what else to do. They did violate his patient rights.
Let me know what you think.

Lisa....I don't know why I didn't get notified of your e-mail...and this as in December....please, I am so, so sorry! My notifications are on.

It sounds like absolutely unexcusable ABUSE to me! WOW! That makes me ashamed of American "medicine"!!!!! AND MAD! MAD! MAD!!!!!

I can only say what I would do...I would write a FLAMING, HELLFIRE letter naming names and do whatever I could to make sure that that did NOT happen to another loved one. Anything that would reduce the chances. That's abuse. I'm so sorry your poor father went through that. It's hard to know when to say ENOUGH when we put our trust in the DR. to do the right thing. But then they've got you by the purse strings...which to me, that comment is Blackmail! We can't release him or the insurance will not cover his stay! That should be illegal!!! There should be a time when the family should be able to do what they think is BEST for their loved one and SHOULD NOT BE DENIED INSURANCE COVERAGE because they KNOW their loved one!!!!!

HOW F&^%IN' DARE THEY!

Lisa, I can't say I know exactly how you felt, because each relationship is so precious and individual... but I held my father too as he died..these are horrific memories that I can't get out of my head. I placed my fingers on his neck and felt his heartbeats slow.

My father was also fit. He was an athletic 66.

Our message to others is: CALL THE INSURANCE COMPANY and see if they will not cover the bill if your LO is removed. DEMAND from the DR. a release. INFORM the DR. of abuse. AND S seriously...if you feel your loved one is being abused and you can't get them out of the hospital CALL THE POLICE! Isn't this what you would do if someone was abusing your loved one at home? There needs to be laws in place where hospitals can't hold people against their wills just sucking the insurance dry!!!! IT'S A CRIME!

Hi My name is Lyta, I feel the same way as you scubadiva, my father passed on dicember of 2004 I miss him so much I would love for him to be here with me in so many special moments.

Some people does not realize what it feels to lose your everything.

I love you daddy.

Scubadiva
I learned something new today - I have been off line for a year (no computer) but I am back, and am I glad. I am shocked to recall that my dad's death certificate said pneumonia as cause of death. What a crock........
I believe 100% what you've said about the drug companies. I am freakin' out because my mom has the big "A" 4 years now. She is taking aricept and namenda and I have often wondered what would happen if she was taken off. Will be in touch to see how I can help and thereby help myself. 2 parents with Alz - too scarry for words.
Regards to all and

Well...the only surgeries I can remember my mom having was when she had my brother in 1971 and was put to sleep for that and then for my birth in 1976 a C-Section which she was also put under for. Then in the early 80's she had a hysterectomy.
It kills me to think that some of my fears about all of the Alz drugs she was on may have come true! She took Namenda, Aricept, Zyprexa and a few others for misc. things. I especially hated the Zyprexa...it alleviated the hallucinations but had horrible side effects. Anyway, I always wondered if the drugs were actually making her worse and now I am horrified to learn they may actually have been doing just that.
I don't know what to do to help you but please let me know what I can do. If I find out I lost my mother...my best friend for no reason other than to feed the drug companies I swear to God I will loose it

Hi- my mom was diagnose with dementia in 2000. By 2006 I moved her to a senior citizens apt. with her cat (my dad had died in 1999 of cancer) She was getting along pretty good, I thought but now I know she was in danger; couldn't answer the phone, I had to give her meds; didn't have names, couldn't write anymore. I tried her in assisted living by end of 2006. It lasted 2 months; she got sick and couldn't tell anyone; just got ornry. She ended up in the hospital so the assisted living kicked her out. It took her two weeks to get meds straight, but had to go into an alzheimers unit in a nursing home-total nightmare! Over medicated; just horrible! She broke her hip; more hospital, back to nursing home. By summer she gave up; wouldn't walk; wouldn't talk except to cry or be mean to me. She lost weight, they stimulated her appetite with drugs; she gained weight back, but wasn't eating correctly. She got pneumonia and died within 5 days. She died on November 5, 2008. She is at peace now. But I have nightmares about the horrible nursing home she was in. Some day I hope I can get past it.

IMPORTANT-STAY AT TOP OF LIST

I am new and I can feel your pain my husband was diagnosed almost 5 years ago.And he is getting worse day by day I feel so angry at times and lonely but I know there are people out there going threw the same thing.

Diane, have you looked into having Hospice evaluate your husband? They are not just for end of life care...a lot of people don't know that. They are absolute Angels. I just did a big Charity event in my fathers name to raise money for Hospice. Please go to their website, there are SO MANY THINGS... they can even send someone out once a week to help care for him, they have counseling groups and social workers that dropped down from heaven above. One of the most important things that people with LO with Dementia really neglect is caring for themselves! That really is the number one priority! When my father got to where he could no longer walk last year...I thought I would lose my mother as well, the hardship was horrific. Hospice really eased not only the pain, they made my daddy comfortable, and assisted my mom. INCREDIBLE. CALL THEM NOW! http://www.lifepath-hospice.org/

Diane, reach out. You're only alone if you separate yourself and retreat in sorrow. WE are all here. Here is a forum where I've expressed pain and anger for the past 2 years. I lost my daddy a year ago yesterday...but know what? I'm still here! I have important information on what happened to my daddy and as long as I have a breath...I'm going to voice it and hopefully save others the horror that I went through watching my sweet daddy die.

Stay at top! Important!!!

Posted November 26, 2008 05:58 AM Hide Post
I think that at this time of year, I need to let everyone know that reads my posts that this past year, on November 1st...to honor my daddy's memory around the time of his passing, I organized a Pirate Treasure Run to benefit LifePath Hospice. It was a motorcycle/car road rally where they followed a treasure map for coins and tickets to win prizes. We had a silent auction, classic car show, live band, and Arts-n-Treasures show! In my efforts to turn a painful time in my life to something glorious for others...I've grown and learned so much. I know that if you want a light at the end of the tunnel, you have to light it. Do things for others. GLORIOUS THINGS! Since it was our first year, we had a great turnout, but me being the eternal optimist...I won't get to hand Hospice the size check I would like in my daddy's name, HOWEVER, we have already set a date for next year, Nov. 7th! So we are hoping for it to be bigger and better!
My entire point to this post is to share the card with you all, that I chose to send to Hospice with daddy's donation. The day before Thanksgiving...it held a very powerful message for me. I hope someone out there can find peace with this...

The Oak Tree

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the oak tree's leaves away.
Then snapped it's boughs, and pulled it's bark,
until the oak was tired and stark.
But still the oak held it's ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing, Oak?"
The oak tree said, "I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.
But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see,
they are the deepest part of me.
Until today, I wasn't sure
just how much I could endure.
But now I've found, thanks to you,
I'm much stronger than I ever knew.

Much love to you all! LOVE YOU! I Care!
P.S. If you want to see what I did for Daddy, check it out...http://www.sherriestjames.com/RK_HospicePirateRun/


Sherrie in Oldsmar

scuba,

I know the feeling, I have felt myself feeling the same way. It seems that the medical group that I dealt with for my mom, just wanted her to go away quietly and from the onset the doctor acted as if I was imagining things and never really diagnosed her correctly. It is a shame that it takes a celebrity to bring things to the forefront at all when 85% of the people afflicted with diseases are NOT celebrities.

I have chose to channel my anger through my work as a documentary producer and put this to film and hopefully others can have insight to what is being missed for their loved ones. You can add my voice!

GOD BLESS YOU, Georgia. I'm so sorry about your mother. I can't thank you enough for sharing with this forum and adding your much needed voice to this plea for help. I'm also glad that you are also channeling the hurt into something that creates an awareness!
I've been bombarding Oprah, CNN, Dateline and all the big medias about this. I can only encourage that everyone either do the same, or to just funnel the hurt into doing good things for others, or working to try to bring an awareness, and hopefully save other families from this incredible pain of watching a LO slowly forget them, and die.

Important to stay at the top!

SURGERY MAY CAUSE BRAIN-DAMAGE AKA AD! Beware Isoflurane! Read other posts!

scuba and others,

My research tells me that both breathed and intravenous anesthesia can cause brain damage. It is not that the anesthesia causes it, but more that it accelerates existing conditions. My father had a general for prostate surgery in 1996 and deteriorated. We thought is was because of the emotional trauma but the research says otherwise. His passing in 2007 from AD may have been impacted but his anesthesia seemed to push him through the angry phase quicker than many others. He was very annoyed with his deterioration.

I have a history of mild traumatic brain injuries/ concussions. I have had four general anesthesias in the last 20 years for orthopedic surgeries. The last two times, I noticed a distinct difference afterwards. When I read about the research, it all made sense.

Some researchers suggest alternatives to general anesthesia for the elderly and neuro-compromised. Many surgeons do not like to have conscious patients, even though local anesthesia or spinal blocks can work.

This information needs to make it into the main stream.

I doubt that attorneys or law suits will help. They often end in confidentiality agreements.

Hello Mark!

I totally respect your opinion, however, I don't buy the "accelerated underlying conditions" bit. I think it's an all TOO convenient excuse for the medical system to not take responsibility or accelerate studies, plus, it protects them from lawsuits.

Are you a Dr.? I really appreciate your input...you are able to give everyone some thought-provoking alternatives and initiate conversations with your health care professionals prior to surgery.

So sorry to hear of your personal experiences. Do you really think that you had "underlying conditions" that was accelerated by the anesthesia? I seriously doubt it...you're a young man! God Bless you for speaking up, Mark. I DO appreciate that you have shared your story here.

I'm going to repost some information on Isoflurane here... scientifically proven. This poison is used in over 90% of operations. RESEARCH AND INFORM EVERYONE OF THIS!!!!!!! Open a dialogue with your Drs prior to surgeries!

January 16, 2007
Anesthetic Linked to Alzheimer's Risk
(Source: Forbes) - According to Harvard researchers, the commonly used anesthetic isoflurane (an inhaled anesthetic) can lead to the death of brain cells and the production of Alzheimer's-related amyloid-beta plaque. The study raises questions about the safety of isoflurane.
"Many people, especially the elderly, who have anesthesia suffer from postoperative cognitive dysfunction, scrambling and delirium that can last six hours or two weeks or months," said lead researcher Rudolph Tanzi, a professor at the Massachusetts General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease.
Tanzi believes that isoflurane should be avoided, when possible. "We don't have enough data yet to ban isoflurane," he said. "But I'm convinced enough that I won't let my mother have it. I would advise any family or friends to stay away from isoflurane." "There is a lot of speculation here, and a lot of work needs to be done, but at this point I wouldn't take a chance."
March 12, 2007
Inhaled Anesthetics Accelerate Brain Plaques
(Source: University of Pennsylvania) - Researchers at University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine have discovered that common inhaled anesthetics increase the number of amyloid plaques in the brains of animals.

January 15, 2007
Researchers discovered that the commonly used anesthetic isoflurane results in neuronal cell death, and enhancement of A-beta formation. This provides a direct link between the effects of certain anesthetics and changes in the brain related to Alzheimer's disease.

___________________________

Reported February 7, 2007
Anesthesia and Alzheimer's Link
By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A common anesthetic may induce biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Isoflurane (Forane), a general anesthetic inhalant, may cause cell death and generation of an Alzheimer's-associated protein, recent research reveals.

General anesthesia may increase risk for Alzheimer's disease. One biomarker of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of plaques in the brain. Amyloid-beta protein (A-beta) is toxic to brain cells and is a key component in these plaques. Apoptosis, or cell death, is another indicator of cognitive decline. Previous research revealed application of isoflurane to neural cells in a lab led to apoptosis and the generation of A-beta.

"Isoflurane can be one of the most commonly used anesthetics in operation. We use it every day," lead author Zhongcong Xie, M.D., Ph.D., of the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Charlestown, Mass., told Ivanhoe.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston applied isoflurane to cultured neural cells in a series of experiments. They reported activation of caspase, an enzyme that contributes to apoptosis. When researchers applied isoflurane to neural cells that express amyloid precursor protein (APP), which aids the formation of A-beta, isoflurane raised levels of A-beta-releasing enzymes.

Study results indicate isoflurane promotes apoptosis and the production of A-beta through specific molecular pathways. Isoflurane may also initiate a process by which A-beta generation and apoptosis interact and magnify one another.

Researchers only used cultured cells in their study. Dr. Xie said while these kinds of lab studies can give scientists a preliminary understanding of how medications affect disease, it's still too early to know if the same reactions would be seen in humans.

"This is alarming, but it's still premature to come to a conclusion," said Dr. Xie. "We need to work hard to have more data to support our hypothesis that isoflurane is toxic and facilitates dementia, or cognitive dysfunction, in humans."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Zhongcong Xie, M.D., Ph.D.; The Journal of Neuroscience, 2007;27:1247-1254

scubadiva

What part of "accelerated underlying conditions" do you not accept? When cells and tissues are in a weakened condition, it does not take much of an insult, be it physical trauma or chemical trauma, to cause the cells to fail or even die.
The simple truth to this is "multiple impact syndrome " or "second impact syndrome." These are when a subject has had a concussion and then has a second or third concussion. The facts show that the damage caused by the second or third impact is much worse even though the impact force may be less that the previous impact force. Brain tissue is slow to recover from an injury or diseased state. It is far more vulnerable when in this compromised state.

I have a 45 year history of concussions, more than 13 total. I have done extensive research into brain dysfunction. My cognitive and memory decline is far worse than almost anybody would expect from the low impact forces of my last three injuries. Most neurologists refuse to acknowledge that my dementia is from my injuries. A few specialists in MTBI (mild traumatic brain injury) understand and accept the level of decline I have experienced. Even Social Security denies that my dementia is from a brain injury, even though SS has approved me for permanent disability.

After watching my father slowly decline then take a rapid decline after his general anesthesia, I am convinced his condition was accelerated by the anesthesia. I had exactly the same experience. I became very sensitive to noise after a 2 hour surgery in 1987. I never overcame that sensitivity. Studies claim that the after effects can last for up to a year.

Well, I know that if the brain is symptomatic for a year, it is a serious insult and most likely will have residual deficits lasting much longer. There is just a point where the patient gets tired of complaining and drops of the doctor's screen so the doctors think the problem has resolved.

The recent literature strongly cautions against general anesthesia for the elderly. Why the blanket caution? Because the elderly have a naturally age-compromised brain. Recent studies show the brain starts to deteriorate at about age 27. It may be slow, but it is the start. The more deterioration the brain has undergone, the more damaging minor insults like anesthesia can be.

Whether it is a person's experience and observation, or understanding the literature, a healthy and young brain tolerates insults much easier than an aged or otherwise compromised brain.

My father worked very hard to keep his mind strong. He did great until the last 6 months when his body just started failing. I was just at a brain injury support group meeting last night. The Neuro-psych presented a number of studied about the magnitude of deterioration when the brain has insult added to injury or disease.

The "accelerate studies" complaint has nothing to do with denial of care or poor treatment. The studies that are being done are not ruled by risk of law suit or any such other theory. They are done so a drug company can sell a drug. AD care and treatment can be a big money churner. If any group is responsible for the slow research, it is the bureaucratic FDA and NIH (National Institute of Health.) But then, to speed up the research would require more human subject willing to undergo experimental treatments. The in-vitro (test tube or petri dish) tests are slow and difficult to apply to a living brain. The approvals to even try hopeful drugs or procedures take years of research.

Most treatments still only delay the onset of the catastrophic decline. They do not extend life much. There are a number of factors that could have played a part in your father's decline. I know how anguishing it is to watch a father decline into AD or any dementia. My family had expected my father to live into his 90's due to his prior health and the life spans of his father ( got struck by lightning at 89) and uncles. He could pump more iron at the gym at 75 than most 25 year olds could. His blood pressure, cholesterol and other indicators were all extremely good. But, his prostate surgery took years off his life, as if overnight. His behavioral changes were very noticeable after the surgery. He talked about his declining mental state. He was just as aware of his mental decline as I am of mine.

I see people who blame George W Bush for his restrictions on embryonic stem cell research funding. The hurt of watching loved-ones deteriorate and died is unbearable. But it does not change the speed at which research can progress. Embryonic stem cells are proving to be problematic in brain research. One study found that they may tend to form "other than brain tissue cells" when used for brain diseases.

I have been on the receiving end of medical mal-practice two times. I am still living with a bad outcome due to a negligent surgeon. The difficulties suing a surgeon are great. There are many risks assumed when one undergoes surgery.

Some of the research techniques used today were not available only a decade ago. New anesthesia gases are very difficult to develop and get approved. Maybe some day there will be a way of testing a surgery patient to determine their tolerance for the anesthesia gas to be used.

My daughter is a surgical technician. The inherent risks in surgery are great. They do everything they can to reduce these risks but sometimes things happen to the patient that are out of their control. Anesthesia has always been known to be a big part of the risk factor.

As much as you hurt, missing your Daddy, trying to find fault with the surgeon or anesthesiologist only prolongs your pain. Some studies put the risk of complications at the same level as the risk of injury from riding in a car. There is a saying that goes, If the risk of death is only 1 out of 10,000, .01 percent, It is still 100 percent for that one person who dies. The low risk does nothing to heal the hurts of those affected by loss.

I believe my father died from complications caused by central sleep apnea. Everybody else denies that he had sleep apnea, but I watched him stop breathing many times over the prior thirty years. I am very frustrated that nobody every to any actions about his apnea. But I cannot let that extend my grieving. I miss my dad. He was a brilliant mechanical engineer. Not a rocket scientist, but a true to life rocket engineer. Now, I need to remember all of the good things about my dad. He had as many undesirable traits as the average dad, but he was still my dad and I loved him and miss him.

I was repairing an antique car just after his passing. I so wanted to be able to talk to him about my 1926 Checrolet. He had talked about working on the old cars when he was in high school and college. His knowledge would have been invaluable. But all I could do was cherish the memories of the times we had together. The many things he taught me, and the few times that I taught him something. This was usually when he was struggling with a problem and I showed him how to fix the problem. This really annoyed him but yet he was extremely proud of my abilities. Of five brothers, I am the most like my dad.

So, I agree that we need to get the message out about gas anesthesia. Intravenous anesthesia is also a risk. Knowledge is power. It will help us with future situations but sometimes it prevents us from letting go of the past. I am sure I miss my dad as much as you miss yours. It took me more than a year just to stop thinking that "I should ask Dad," when I was stumped by a problem. Now, I just cherish the memories of those times.

I hope you can get to the point of cherishing the memories and let go of the anger against the medical establishment. The neuro-psych at support group last night said it is very important to accept the reality of what has happened and let it go so we can go on. It may take time, but it also requires that we make decisions to change our direction of thought.

Cherish your good memories of your daddy. They will someday overcome the hurt you still feel. I have little bits of mine. I have his watch on my bath counter and his carpenter's square in my shop. They both remind me of specific parts of his life. He always knew what time it was but he was also usually late.

My best to you as you go through this tough time.

I was really interested to read about the AD possibly being related to anesthesia. My dad has AD and has never had any anesthsia. I however have had several minor and major surgies and the first time I had a memory lapse was when I was in my 20's. I could not remember if the green light meant go or to stop. This never happened again until after my gall bladder surgery within the last 10 years. I went thru a 1 year period where I would get amnesia like symptoms. I always thought it was related to the anthesia and I am more convinced.

Sherrie,
I can really relate to your feelings of hurt and anger over the loss of your dad. I lost my father January 23, 2003 after a long battle with this horrid disease which put a huge burden on my mother and the rest of my family. My mom went to the nursing faithfully to visit him, feed him his meals and talk to him for the duration of about 5 yrs. Everyone of my brothers and sisters took turns giving my mom a break from visiting my dad and doing chores around the house and so on. In the end I stayed in his room until the very end when he passed away. I had time with him alone and let him know that he was the greatest dad that I ever had and that I will miss him very much. I felt at peace and relieved that his suffering was over and that I would see him in heaven soon.

Six years and I still miss him a lot.I go to the cemetary from time to time and have a real good talk with my dad and tell him that we are doing well and that we truly miss him. The pain and sadness will never go away but I hang on to the good times that we had as a family and the memories that are still fresh in my mind as they were so many years ago.

So Sherrie I wish you peace, love and happiness in your life. I am supportive in what you are trying to accomplish and will follow your progress every time that I get. This is a fantastic web sight and I just stumbled onto it the other day and can't believe the stories and comments here and all the info that I have been looking for.

Good luck in the future and God bless you and your family.

Mark. Wow. What can I say? I'm speechless. I would love to meet you. You ARE nothing less than amazing.

Pat. Thank you for sharing your story. Awareness is the first thing we can do to get the word out, before others fall prey.

I just wanted to take a moment to mention why I started my posts. My father, perfectly healthy, 65, worked out and walked everyday. After I surgery he couldn't do simple math and lost his job of 45 years as an estimator at a paving company. He was devastated. A pain I can still see in his eyes. He then got lost driving...etc... and the horror went on. My dad had no underlying AD symptoms. My father was brain-damaged from that operation. A year and a half later...he's gone.

I'm still here, for therapy, sure. But I'm also still here to make an attempt to make others aware before they are holding someone taking their last breath.

I can't tell you all how many hundreds of letters I've received in these posts. It's downright terrifying that the system created to save us...may be taking more lives before their time.

I'm angry. Yes, I am. I feel I have something to accomplish here, creating an awareness of a terrible wrong to humanity.

Pat. Thank you for your loving kindness. I can feel it in your letter. GOD BLESS YOUUUUUUUUU! I think when you lose someone...it always feels like yesterday. The hurt doesn't leave. But our fathers would not want us to suffer so. But my dad knows me. I can't let him go. So I've done things to honor his memory and keep him alive. I think if we channel our sorrow and love into doing amazing things for others...our loved ones continue to thrive through us.

Check this out. http://www.sherriestjames.com/RK_HospicePirateRun/whoisRaykitchens.htm

http://www.sherriestjames.com/RK_HospicePirateRun

God Bless you all and thank you for adding to my forum. You are such good medicine! Much love to you and your families.

My MIL, who passed on Feb 21, 2009, was diagnosed in Jan 2004 with Moderate Alzheimer's. Her death certificate reads:

Sepsis
Due to(or as a consequence of)
Aspiration Pneumonia
Due to(or as a consequence of)
Advanced Dementia

I had suggested to my SIL to make sure AD was included as a cause. I don't know if the doctor actually did it on his own, or not.

I lost my husband Paul on March 14, 2009.

I picked up the death certificate(s). It lists causes of death as:

Immediate Cause (Final Disease or condition resulting in death)
a) Alzheimer's Dementia

Sequential conditions leading to cause listed in (a):
(b)Depression

UNDERLYING CAUSE (disease or injury initiating the events resulting in death):
(c) Atrial Fibrillation

I am satisfied to see that the primary disease, AD, was acknowledged.

So sorry to hear of your loss, New Realm and Maebee. I'm familiar with you both from prior posts. My heart aches for you...truly. I've forgotten if your spouses had had surgery like my father?

I'm repeating this (I know you guys know, already)... so this forum stays on task...

My father was brain-damaged by anesthesia during an operation! This post is about the danger of anesthesia...Isoflurane, to be specific. My dad had NO AD SYMPTOMS prior to surgery! In a year and a half he was gone. Since I started these posts over 2 years ago, I've been bombarded with similar, tragic, e-mails...some living only one month after going in for a simple procedure!!!!!! Spread the word folks! The medical industry will not let this get out...lawsuits, besides making billions, hand-over-fist on useless "dementia slowing" drugs. Keeping us a sick nation, creates jobs folks! GET INFORMED! ASK QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES! ISOFLURANE IS PROVEN TO CAUSE BRAIN PLAQUES (let's not candy coat this...brain-damage). Isoflurane is used in 90% of operations! Read the scientific proof in one of the above posts. PRINT IT OUT... TAKE IT WITH YOU if you need surgery. Talk to your Dr.!

Anesthesia brain-damaged my father and was "conveniently" diagnosed as AD.

quote:

Originally posted by scubadiva:
So sorry to hear of your loss, New Realm and Maebee. I'm familiar with you both from prior posts. My heart aches for you...truly. I've forgotten if your spouses had had surgery like my father?

I'm repeating this (I know you guys know, already)... so this forum stays on task...

My father was brain-damaged by anesthesia during an operation! This post is about the danger of anesthesia...Isoflurane, to be specific. My dad had NO AD SYMPTOMS prior to surgery! In a year and a half he was gone. Since I started these posts over 2 years ago, I've been bombarded with similar, tragic, e-mails...some living only one month after going in for a simple procedure!!!!!! Spread the word folks! The medical industry will not let this get out...lawsuits, besides making billions, hand-over-fist on useless "dementia slowing" drugs. Keeping us a sick nation, creates jobs folks! GET INFORMED! ASK QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES! ISOFLURANE IS PROVEN TO CAUSE BRAIN PLAQUES (let's not candy coat this...brain-damage). Isoflurane is used in 90% of operations! Read the scientific proof in one of the above posts. PRINT IT OUT... TAKE IT WITH YOU if you need surgery. Talk to your Dr.!

quote:

Originally posted by bloomingtails:

quote:

Originally posted by scubadiva:
So sorry to hear of your loss, New Realm and Maebee. I'm familiar with you both from prior posts. My heart aches for you...truly. I've forgotten if your spouses had had surgery like my father?

I'm repeating this (I know you guys know, already)... so this forum stays on task...

My father was brain-damaged by anesthesia during an operation! This post is about the danger of anesthesia...Isoflurane, to be specific. My dad had NO AD SYMPTOMS prior to surgery! In a year and a half he was gone. Since I started these posts over 2 years ago, I've been bombarded with similar, tragic, e-mails...some living only one month after going in for a simple procedure!!!!!! Spread the word folks! The medical industry will not let this get out...lawsuits, besides making billions, hand-over-fist on useless "dementia slowing" drugs. Keeping us a sick nation, creates jobs folks! GET INFORMED! ASK QUESTIONS FOR YOUR LOVED ONES! ISOFLURANE IS PROVEN TO CAUSE BRAIN PLAQUES (let's not candy coat this...brain-damage). Isoflurane is used in 90% of operations! Read the scientific proof in one of the above posts. PRINT IT OUT... TAKE IT WITH YOU if you need surgery. Talk to your Dr.!

Sherrie....I can feel the your hurt from losing your dad needlessly. I know how important he was to you since you have spoken to me about him at the Creative Native. I wanted to tell you that I have suspected for a long time that anesthesia was the cause of my and my sons loss of memory and some brain function. I after a simple hand surgery and he after going through a windshield and having two surgeries on his legs and hip. I just don't know what the answer is since we have to have the anesthesia or we wouldn't be able to bear the pain. Are there alternatives? Sandie

Hi!!! Sandie! Thank you for reposting some of my comments and adding your own story! GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

Alternatives that I've gathered reports here from other are to talk to the Dr. and do NOT allow them to use Isoflurane...and inhaled anesthesia. It's been proven to cause brain plaques (damage). Since there are more than likely other inhaled anesthesias used...for sugeries that are required opt for a Spinal Block, with pain meds prior. They say it's painful, but totally worth being totally ALERT and aware instead of in a haze and forgetful after surgery.... or worse...suffering continued memory loss.

I, myself, went through tooth surgery and have suffered great long term and some short term memory loss. Sadly, this was an intraveneous anesthesia, what they call "Twilight Sleep" When I joined this forum, since I've heard of over 12 people on this forum with severe memory losses and ability for simple tasks after undergoing Twilight Sleep. I had this procedure before I knew what happened to my father.

I DO believe that anesthesia affects us all genetically different. Since this happened to my father, and to me on a smaller scale, If I had surgery I would definately opt for the Spinal Block.

There are alternatives, we just need to share the facts we find with our Dr. and MOST importantly the Anesthesiologist.

The truth will come out...hopefully soon.

Thank you Sandie!

IMPORTANT...

scubadiva,

I met a neighbor last Saturday who is a general surgeon. I asked him about inhaled vs injected anesthesia. He told me that if the surgery is abdominal or thoracic, they have to use an inhaled because it is the only way to paralyze the diaphragm.

They need the diaphragm paralyzed so that they can work without the muscles working against them. The neurological risk is known but they do not have an alternative. He said this paralization is important even for simple surgeries like appendectomies and ball bladder removal. The longer the surgery, the greater the risks.

They used this twilight type anestheic when I had hand surgery last week with a hand nerve bloc.....I highly reccomend this.................

Thank you Mark for asking that important question. His answer is a bit discouraging.

I, myself, had tooth surgery and my memory was affected so much, that I believe it had a lot to do with me losing my job of 12 years. I was 42. I have letters from people in their 20s. This isn't just an issue with our elders.

SnowyLynne, PLEASE don't let me scare you, I'm only sharing information...I have had several letters where there have also had issues with Twilight Sleep. I realize this is I.V. and not an inhaled anesthetic. I did a little research on WHAT it is. It is induced Amnesia. I'm VERY GLAD that you've had such positive results, and am sure that you will not have any residual effects. I wish you a speedy recovery!

I have read in these posts that anesthesia can cause or trigger or bring about dementia. What is the safest thing to use for an endoscopy? Right now, the doctor plans to use madazalam and fentanyl.
Are persons with memory problems due to past events or medications particularly vulnerable? Is there any reputable medical/hospital website where we can print this information out to show the doctor/anesthesiologist?
Thanks!

Midazolam and fentanyl are used for conscious sedation. The intravenous anesthesias are not near the risk as the inhaled anesthesia.

Google midazolam and fentanyl and you will find lots of medical articles about them.

They do not sound too bad.

JAM, print and take these articles with you. At least it will explain your concerns and questions. Thanks for your input Mark. I'm not a Dr. just a passer of information.

Also do a search on harmful, negative...diverse effects of those drugs. Make sure they have no negative research.

PRINT & TAKE-Scientific studies:

Reported February 7, 2007
Anesthesia and Alzheimer's Link
By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A common anesthetic may induce biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease. Isoflurane (Forane), a general anesthetic inhalant, may cause cell death and generation of an Alzheimer's-associated protein, recent research reveals.

General anesthesia may increase risk for Alzheimer's disease. One biomarker of Alzheimer's disease is the presence of plaques in the brain. Amyloid-beta protein (A-beta) is toxic to brain cells and is a key component in these plaques. Apoptosis, or cell death, is another indicator of cognitive decline. Previous research revealed application of isoflurane to neural cells in a lab led to apoptosis and the generation of A-beta.

"Isoflurane can be one of the most commonly used anesthetics in operation. We use it every day," lead author Zhongcong Xie, M.D., Ph.D., of the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease in Charlestown, Mass., told Ivanhoe.

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston applied isoflurane to cultured neural cells in a series of experiments. They reported activation of caspase, an enzyme that contributes to apoptosis. When researchers applied isoflurane to neural cells that express amyloid precursor protein (APP), which aids the formation of A-beta, isoflurane raised levels of A-beta-releasing enzymes.

Study results indicate isoflurane promotes apoptosis and the production of A-beta through specific molecular pathways. Isoflurane may also initiate a process by which A-beta generation and apoptosis interact and magnify one another.

Researchers only used cultured cells in their study. Dr. Xie said while these kinds of lab studies can give scientists a preliminary understanding of how medications affect disease, it's still too early to know if the same reactions would be seen in humans.

"This is alarming, but it's still premature to come to a conclusion," said Dr. Xie. "We need to work hard to have more data to support our hypothesis that isoflurane is toxic and facilitates dementia, or cognitive dysfunction, in humans."

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, which offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, click on: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Zhongcong Xie, M.D., Ph.D.; The Journal of Neuroscience, 2007;27:1247-1254

__________________________


Posted August 03, 2009 10:30 PM Hide Post
Reported in Monday, August 3, 2009 Alzheimers Daily News

Hazy Picture Links Anesthesia and Alzheimer's
(Source: Alzheimer Research Forum) - Anesthesia is meant to induce a temporary fog, lifting once the drugs wear off. But for some, the effects linger, with delirium or confusion for days or weeks following surgery.
A number of scientists have begun investigating whether anesthesia can have permanent effects, pushing some people closer to Alzheimer's disease. Although cell culture and animal experiments show common anesthetics can cause amyloid- production and programmed cell death, the possible connection in people is hazier. "We have a smoking gun, but no victim at this point," said Roderic Eckenhoff, an anesthesiologist at the University of Pennsylvania.
Full article:
Inhaling Alzheimer’s? Hazy Picture Links Anesthesia, AD
http://www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=2205

excerpt:
With clinical data scarce, researchers say it is too soon to alter operating room practice. But a few are already modifying their treatment of elderly patients. “I’m telling my own family and friends to avoid isoflurane,” said Rudy Tanzi (renowned alzheimers genetics researcher) of the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, referring to a common inhalation anesthetic. Tanzi’s mother had several surgeries including hip and knee replacements when she was in her early seventies. She always experienced a few days of mild delirium following an operation—until the most recent surgery, when Tanzi asked the anesthesiologist to swap desflurane for isoflurane. Following that procedure, his mother awoke clearheaded, “like nothing happened,” Tanzi recalled. When she heard it was 7:30, she demanded he turn on the TV because the Red Sox were playing and she wanted to see David “Big Papi” Ortiz. “It’s an n of one, but it’s my mother, so it counts for a lot,” Tanzi said.

________________________________________

THERE ARE VICTIMS! WAKE UP!
Surgical procedures need to change NOW! One day they will realize that our own medicine is creating hundreds of thousdands of Dementia patients.

It's a scary thing to think they DO know... and know that it's a lucrative business at the American people's emotional and financial expense!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be thinking about you! MOST Drs. or Anesthesiologists HATE being questioned...but this is YOUR PEROGITIVE, don't back down. Why do you think they call it "PRACTICING medicine"? The medical/drug industry NEVER finish learning...they learn as they go...guess how they learn?

http://www.alzforum.org/new/detail.asp?id=2205

Go here...you can post a comment!!!

Be heard! Tell your fears & stories!

Thank you, Mark in Idaho and scubadiva/Sherrie in Oldsmar! Your responses were helpful. I appreciate your having taken the time to respond to my question. I didn't realize that the medical profession was actually finding a scientific basis for the problems with isoflurane.