I know that some AD patients do well w/ Namenda, and some don't. I'm especially wondering about the timing of starting Namenda. Is it more detrimental if begun too early?

Please share your experience (or that of your LO), and note:

1. stage of Alz.
2. MMSE score at time started on Namenda
3. other meds taken at same time as Namenda
4. dosage of Namenda
5. changes seen since starting on it, if any; good or bad. This can include MMSE, behavior, personality, appetite, etc.
6. current care environment

Here's my answers, based on what I've seen in my mom:

1. We haven't been told a stage, but based on info from this site, I'd say she was at stage 3 moving into 4 as of last year before going on Namenda.

2. 21

3. Lots (has Type 2 diabetes and other health issues); had been on Razadyne for a year or more.

4. 10 mg, 2x/day

5. She has been forgetful and repetitive for years, and it was gradually getting worse, but there was no real change in her personality before. She had always been an EXTREMELY talkative person! Since going on Namenda nine months ago, she has become very quiet, and has gone downhill to the point where she seems to be in a stupor most of the time. Has lost all interest in things that were important to her, like gardening, and her grandkids. Shuffles a lot; drools; reduced appetite; rapid weight loss.

6. She's still at home, w/ my dad as primary caregiver.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

My husband was diagnosed in 2002. We found a way to buy memantine from Europe; He has taken it ever since, along with exelon .and at another time, Reminyl (a lot of feeling nauseous and generally bad) and now aricept again.

He has declined quite a lot, but my personal opinion is that it would have gone worse faster if it hadn't been available.

Even now, I think his life is worth living..(I've read a few messages where the slowing down of the progression of the disease is questioned.)

He is 75. He has some hallucinations and is a bit paranoid. But, he is still continent and still finds things to laugh at, and plays with the cat. Conversation can get difficult, but that's more my problem than his.

We're hanging in there/

Anyone else...? Experience w/ Namenda in early- to early/mid-stage AD?

Thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by JS in KS:
Anyone else...? Experience w/ Namenda in early- to early/mid-stage AD?

Thanks.

JS, I was diagnosed in 2002 with EO, probably stage 2. Namenda was started in 2004 when approved here in the US and it made a HUGE difference in my functioning. I am now stage 4 and still having pretty good days offset with a bad day here and there.

The Namenda acts as a "booster" and does best used in the earliest stages of the disease.

JS:

My DH's MMSE was 27 Nov. 06. Started Aricept - 4 weeks later Namenda. Do not know what his current MMSE score is. I was told Namenda helps early in the disease even though it's only approved for moderate AD. It has helped DH & we've seen much improvement in my BIL. The only downside is that it can cause syncope which is not life threationing.

Hi JS... I'm also in KS - Derby.

My grandfather was diagnosed with AD this spring. He has also been somewhat forgetful and repetivie for years... I would put him at a mid-Stage 2, however, we haven't been given a true stage number - just "mild to moderate". He was beginning to get paranoid and easily agitated when we first went to the Dr. He started on Aricept in mid-May with great success. He started on Namenda about 27 days ago - he's up to 10 mg. 2x/day.

So far, it seems to be working well. I can't say there's been any significant change in his behavior and/or memory after adding the Namenda. After beginning the Aricept, he seemed much more alert and interested in conversations & activities. He has days like today where he's extremely chatty and telling all sorts of wonderful stories - mostly from "back in the day" and he has days, like Tuesday, when he was fairly quiet and most of what he did speak about was one or two current topics repeated 3 or 4 times. The agitation and paranoia are gone, or have at least not been brought up again. Now that the weather has stopped being either rainy or blistering hot, he has started going for walks in the neighborhood of a morning and is really enjoying that. (I am looking into the Safe Return program this weekend.)

He went to the doctor last Thursday and my grandmother said he definitely didn't do better on the MMSE test than he did in the spring. I believe the test was 18 in the spring, but not sure about last week. I'll find that out tomorrow. He did have the flu (diagnosed by his doctor) about 2 days after he began the Namenda, but other than that, which wasn't related, there have been no noticable side effects with either drug.

He is currently living at home with my Grandmother. He is 84, she is 82. Both are in good health aside from his AD. He was on no other meds for anything at the time of his diagnosis. He has joint issues, but other than that, has been in very good health up to this point. THis is my dad's dad... both my dad and one of my 2 uncles live close, but haven't really stepped up to do some, well most, of the things that need to be done as far as doctors & checking in on a regular basis, etc so that has fallen on me, which I'm more than happy to do. My grandparents have been the most positive and supportive people in my life and I'm just happy to be able to help them out. My kids (12 & 3), husband and I visit at least once a week and I try to go over alone once a week as well. They both enjoy the visits and I'm thrilled my kids get to have this much time to know their greatgrandparents.

I hope that gives you some helpful information.

Shannon