This article describes a recent study in which they found that patients receiving both dementia medication and incontinence medication declined in function at a 50% higher rate.
No kidding. It struck home for us as well. Our LO had been on oxybutynin for years when aricept was prescribed. But there was so much going on with her, it's difficult to say which of them might have triggered her rapid decline.
I finally talked the doctor into taking her off the oxybutynin since she was diapered anyway, even though the doctor didn't think this could be a contributing factor to her confusion. She hasn't improved, but has been more stable since then. Then again, that was about the time we put her on lexapro. I know that the lexapro helped, but it could be that taking her off the bladder drug helped as well.
It worries me how many of these fragile elders are being harmed in the attempt to help them.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: T.O.R.P.,
T.O.R.P., that is serious. OMG. Mom's former urologist kept her on some form of bladder control, and also antibiotics for UTIs, her former PCP had her on aricept because Dad complained about her memory. When I got involved I wondered about the possible link between the control drug and the infections. Her new PCP (one I chose)put a stop to the aricept. I put a stop to the urologist. Mom is pretty clear headed now.
Thanks for the article, I am forwarding it to everyone I know caring for an elder.
