my mom started Aricept 4 wks ago and has steadily become more beligerent. The neurologist says it can't be the Aricept. Has anyone else experienced this?

My dad did not do well with Aricept, mostly because it caused diarrhea. He has done will with namenda. Ask your doctor about that.

My mother did not do well on the Aricept, because it caused diarrhea for her, so the doctor took her off it & put her on a patch, but it did not work at all. We talked with the doctor about putting her back on Aricept & give her something for the diarrhea & he did that.

I was on Aricept for 4 years til it quit working.Then I went on Razadyne(now generic Galentimine).

When I began Aricept 2 1/2 years ago, it merely increased the diarrhea I was already suffering as a side effect of another medication I was on.
Then I heard a suggestion for other medically caused diarrhea. Stop milk and milk products, except for yogurt. It works. Soy milk works and there are many goat cheeses. Be careful. Yogurt ice cream is not made with yogurt, as my intestines informed me. so I read the label ... milk solids.

All I know is it works for me. Transgressions are immediately noted by my insides.

Why don't some of you try it.

These meds for dementia don't always work well with everyone.If one doesn't work try another......

Hi KKeiner,
No one answered your question, even after 2 tries.

Each case of AD is different and a person's reaction to a medication can differ. Aricept is working for me. I am still further ahead cognitively than I was at my initial neuropsych 2 1/2 years ago.(But I follow a regime!)

It also sounds as though your mom is at a later stage than many of us on the board. Possibly a caregivers forum is a better place to ask.

KKeiner:

My Mom has been on Aricept for about a year now. She has done well with 5 mg once a day - both cognitively and with no stomach problems.

But twice we have we tried to increase the dosage to 10mg, and in both instances I noticed an increase in confusion and (with the doctor's knowledge) moved her back to the 5 mg.

We are beginning Namenda next week to try to further hold off progression, and I am hoping for the best with the new drug.

I have learned many things from this site, but one of the biggest lessons is that each ADLO can react differently to the same med. For some reason, docs don't always buy this??!!

It is a frustrating and nerve-wracking roll of the dice, but SnowyLynne is right, if one treatment doesn't work, or is causing problems, try something else. Just make sure you are working with the doctor and not adding too many things at once.

Mimi S is also right, if you have not already visited the Caregivers Forum – do. You will have a broader group of people to respond to your questions.

And, welcome to the community. You will find people who share your experiences and who can help in so many ways.

All my best to you and your Mom.

Kit