Dear Lorraine B and Lorraine H,
Hello and Welcome to the AD Message Boards. I'm sorry about what brings you both here but I am glad you've found us.
This is a great place to gather info., vent feelings and get a lot of help from some terrific people.
Since both of you are new, I wanted to let you you about the "Caregivers" site. It's filled with lots of people just like you trying to share info.
If you need any immediate assistance, please call our AD Helpline @ 800-272-3900. There are professionals there 24/7 to assist you.

You may, also, want to contact your local AD Assns for guidance and support.

Again, welcome.

You are NOT alone.

We are here for you.

Please, come as often as you'd like to share experiences and emotions.

Dear Lisa
I'm sorry my name came up like it's too different people. Its, Lorraine B. Halloran - I have to get use to using the site as I'm New to it. I will be on more, with whats going on.
Lorraine

Lorraine, allow me to add my welcome to Lisa's. (She is a sweetheart!)

This forum is about meds (in case you hadn't noticed.) The Caregiver forum Lisa mentions is much more active, because we talk about all sorts of things there. You'll find loads of helpful information, on everything from finding financial support to how to get poop stains out of your rug. Please feel free to start a new thread there, to introduce yourself and ask any questions you may have.

We have quite a few spouse caregivers on this site (myself included). It's good to hear that your husband has gone back to being a lay reader -- it's very important that our loved ones feel that they are making contributions, not just doing "busy work." My husband loves to run errands with me, do simple chores around the house (he cleans the kitty litter, yay!!!), and we go for a walk every day.

Dear Lisa and Jab
Thank you for welcoming me. This is very new to meand I have lots to learn. So any information will be greatly accepted.
Lorraine B. Halloran

Lorraine, a couple of things I've found very helpful (and they're available for free download):

Coach Broyles' Playbook for Alzheimer's Caregivers
http://www.alzheimersplaybook.com/
The link for the free .pdf is in the upper right-hand corner of the page.


"Understanding the Dementia Experience" by Jennifer Ghent-Fuller
http://www.alzheimercambridge....tia%20Experience.pdf

quote:

Originally posted by lexi:
I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I AM DOING THIS RIGHT I HOPE YOU GET THIS RESPONSE I READ IN ONE OF THE ALZ PAPERS THAT A STUDY SHOWED TAKING THE MEDS LATE IN THE DAY THEY DID NOT WORK AS WELL. I TRY AND MAKE SURE MY HUSBAND TAKES HIS PILLS NO LATER THAT ABOUT FIVE.

quote:

Originally posted by Louann:
Dad has been taking aricept and namenda since July 2004. He takes namenda first thing in the am and before bed. We have been giving him the aricept mid afternoon. Recently the Dr said it was better to take the aricept at night. When we tried it it seemed to cause increased confusion. He seemed to know who we were but was convinced he wasnt in his own home and that he wanted us to take him home. He was some what paranoid. Has anyone else had this experience? How do you take the combo of aricept and namenda? Hope someone will reply SBAHGAT@STNY.RR.COM

My Husband Jim is on Mamenda & Aricept for a long time (probaly about 3-4 years) and seems to be doing real well with it.
sometimes he tries to take it on his own and thats bad, so now I make him take therm as we sit down to eat. that way I know he took them.
His Dr. wants him to go into research about Alzheimer. But he refuses to go.our children and Grandchildren all told him he has nothing to lose. he will stay on his Med he takes now plus what they give him. that is for 8 1/2

Hi, Lorraine. The doctor is suggesting that your husband participate in a clinical trial? Which one? There are quite a few new drugs in trials these days.

My husband is in one of the Dimebon trials.

My father started off with both Namenda & Aricept when my sister brought him to live with me due to her not being able to manage him & a job. After a while, I began to research ALL his meds...Many of these meds seem to have NEUROLOGICAL side effects...One of NAMENDA's COMMON side effects is "AGGITATION"

Namenda side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using Namenda and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

cough, chest tightness, fever, trouble breathing;
chest pain, fast heart rate;
confusion, hallucinations;
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
lack of coordination;
fainting or seizure (convulsions);
urinating less than usual or not at all;
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding , unusual weakness; or
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating , chest pain, numbness, seizure).

Less serious side effects may include:
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea , constipation, loss of appetite;
dizziness, tired feeling ;
weight loss;
swelling in your hands or feet ;
fast heart rate ;
easy bruising or bleeding , unusual weakness;
joint pain;
anxiety , aggression ;
skin rash;
redness or swelling of or around your eyes; or
urinating more than usual .

The MAD faces are to show you what my father experienced while on Namenda. He ended up having to take blood pressure meds because of it too. Once I took him off the medication...he got better. And its not a med that can harm him if removed. Then came time to remove blood pressure med, and other meds with bad side effects.. but those were with Doctors watchful eyes...sure enough, he improved and was more social, remembered some christmas songs, became his humerous self, and the depression that one med caused as a side effect, was removed and no depression ever returned except once every so often.

Now I am not by all means telling anyone to start removing meds from their loved ones, but you should look at these things, try alternatives if you notice these things, and dont be afraid to question a doctor, and keep ajournal of things that go on with your loved one every day.

Much love & luck to you all....Im here for ya if you need to talk.

Julie
butterflyznbeez@aol.com

quote:

Originally posted by Louann:
Dad has been taking aricept and namenda since July 2004. He takes namenda first thing in the am and before bed. We have been giving him the aricept mid afternoon. Recently the Dr said it was better to take the aricept at night. When we tried it it seemed to cause increased confusion. He seemed to know who we were but was convinced he wasnt in his own home and that he wanted us to take him home. He was some what paranoid. Has anyone else had this experience? How do you take the combo of aricept and namenda? Hope someone will reply SBAHGAT@STNY.RR.COM

butterflysnbees, my DH is on Aricept and has been since April 2007. His neurologist tried adding Namenda but it caused more confusion. After 8 or 9 months it was tried again but had the same results. I guess people are different and it just wasn't the drug for him. I'm glad it is working in so many people.

DH is currently in a Dimebon trial and will be able to go on the actual Dimebon the last of October.