HI- I am new to this and recently I have been hearing my mother has dementia- HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN SHE COULD FUNCTION BEFORE HER FALL - ALMOST ENTIRELY BY -HERSELF.HOW DOES ONE TELL REALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND ALL THE MEDS SHE IS ON ?

quote:

Originally posted by californiadreaming:
HI- I am new to this and recently I have been hearing my mother has dementia- HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN SHE COULD FUNCTION BEFORE HER FALL - ALMOST ENTIRELY BY -HERSELF.HOW DOES ONE TELL REALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING AND ALL THE MEDS SHE IS ON ?

Welcome, CD!
Without a LOT more details about your mom, etc., it would be impossible to venture any reasonable opinion other than something general like "meds can affect elderly people in unexpected ways."

I notice you posted under "less common dementias" - what is the suspected source of your mom's dementia symptoms? I am not sure from your post if she has been diagnosed and you think it might be the meds or what...

Dochka, so true, we have to be real pushy to the point where we are considered a pain in the arsh.That would never stop me.Tough totty on those who hate to be bothered.If they would give us full information we would not have to inform our selves.Maybe if enough medical professionals know that people are informed they will take a different attitude.

You can research meds on the internet very easily these days. www.webmd.com is my favorite plain talk site that also has tons of info on various illnesses as well.

Before you panic about the scary "dementia" word, talk to her doctor and get the facts. Don't be afraid to ask questions even if you think they may be "stupid" questions, don't think you are being a pest. In todays world of medicine we can't just sit back we need to be a bit pushy to be sure we totally understand what's going on.

P.S. Panic happens when we don't know what's going on and our imagination suspects the worse!
Get the facts and TRUST me you will feel better!

When I had my times with low blood presure and how it affected me, it gave me the chance to understand , just a little what my husband was dealing with but in a large scale.
I learned to find a positive in the negative.
Also experienced the changes that can happen when a meds were prescribed and they fail to do what they were intended.I was given meds for depression.For 5 days they worked miracles.On day six I became this monster.Got so mad at the poor cats for doing the same things they did every day.I felt such rage but was able to redirect it when I became aware.Stopped the meds and it changed by the next day.So that gave me the insight to what happens when the wrong meds is prescribed.What works for one does not work for all.

quote:

Originally posted by mae:
Depression is a hard thing to deal with.
I say this because I have been experienceing such since my husband passed.

Mae: I can't begin to understand.... Words can't express it..... I have never known the grief you bare now but it terrifies me. I hope only that I have your courage.

My hubby was devastated when he could no longer work.Even with his parkinsons and no dementia he tried little jobs.It was sad to watch.He would try so hard but in this world they want 100% but he was unable to give such.My aunt was lost when she had to retire.She worked the same job for 54 years as did my mother.They became thier job.It gave them purpose and the rewards were their pay checks.My huband went to the senior center, etc but he missed the challenge of a job as did the others.
Depression is a hard thing to deal with.
I say this because I have been experienceing such since my husband passed.
I take meds but it does not fully help.
Once you loose a job or a loved one you have this void in your life that is not eay to fill.
You do not ant to eat.You wish you could become interested in something, but what.To get through these feelings you take the easy way out and want to sleep.
It takes a real jolt to get you pass the emotions.
As Bobcat stated, a UTI can cause behavior changes, also congestion as it cuts of oxygen to the brain and change of meds or meds not working.The doctor from the VA told me, when there is a sudden change in behavior, these are the things they check .I had low blood pressure and I became so confused.Could not absorb or retain information.It is the most horrifying experience.My problem was I used no salt.So the doctor told me to eat a few chips or xchicken noodle soup.She told me it get digested, goes to the gut, her words, and is dispersed where needed.That was right for me.
Being dehydrated can cause a change .Making sure the b12 is as should be.
So many things may contribute to sudden change.Many times the body stress from surgery will cause behavior change.Many times this is temporary
Anesthesia can cause a change in behavior.

californiadreaming, a lot is at play here. You don't really fill us in much. After her fall, was she taken to the ER, did she break anything, have surgery, go into rehab?

Any change in meds can have effects that must be watched and documented. Write it all down, everything. Any change in environment (even when absolutely unavoidable) can have long lasting consequences, especially confusion..

Also, was there anything involved with the fall other than a mis-step? Did they check her out for a TIA? a UTI? all of this is important info.


AnnaS. Hang in there. Their world gets so small so fast. Some times it is really unnerving to see my Mom watch every move I make like it is life or death ( all I am doing is restocking depends or gathering the garbage.) She is supposed to be eating her meal, but she watches me.

It is OK. What else is happening in her world? Yesterday, I did a "spin" in front of her. She laughed and asked if I had lost my mind.

Your Mom's depression is HUGE. It may take you and daycare and care workers to turn this around, plus real medical advice. Have you asked her PCP about this? Sorry if you have already said so, I was gone for 24 hours and am behind in reading.

I don't want to hijack calDReams thread. I'll find you somewhere else.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Bobcat,

quote:

Originally posted by mae:
He would cry , he thought I was going to leave him. this is above the dementia.He would cry in his sleep.Once he was put on meds this behavior stopped.

Mae:

Strangly, my mom can't cry!!! Her depression is manifested in lack of wanting to do anything. You know those commercials they have for the medications, that's her in a nut shell. Just a big fat NOTHING. She was OK when she worked. Her job, which she LOVED more than anything kept her going. We took that away from her and now it is so hard to fill that void. I try with Day Care & Care Workers (anything or anybody but me).....

My hubby , who had PD also had depression.Some of the things he thought were caused by depression.He would cry , he thought I was going to leave him. this is above the dementia.He would cry in his sleep.Once he was put on meds this behavior stopped.Thank god the doctor from the VA was here and witnessed the behavior.I knew what it ws but wanted his input/
The meds stopped the symptoms

I have to agree with Mae, medication can have a catastrophic effect on a person’s cognitive abilities. If you have not done so, research all of your mom’s meds and as Mae suggested, post here so those with some pervious experience can give you some advise.

I have come to learn that a serious depression can also cause dementia type symptoms or make mild dementia worse. My mom did not break her hip, but after a series of non-injury falls she was diagnosed with Dementia. This was in addition to her PD. Mind you it was after her PD diagnosis that she seemed to become more impaired. Which leads me to believe that part of my mother’s trouble is depression, which she has always had. Early one and because I told the DR that she was high functioning, they ruled out all the other culprits with blood tests, spinal tap ( OUCH), MRI, CAT & PET scans. I just wouldn’t accept that it is dementia.

From my experience with my aunt I can attest that meds can make a change in mental stste.Too many times they are given higher doses then necessary.I doctor who knows their meds and what may happen should be aware of this.My aunt had an exceptional doctor so knew right away.
My aunt would hallucinate when the doctor had no choice but to incerease her dosage, even if it was for a short time and circumstances required.When I will tell her the symptoms , she knew the cause and would stop the increase.Witin 24 hours the symptoms were gone.
You have to make a list of her meds and research or ask people on the forum their experiences with such meds.Doctors prescribe but are seldom informed.They think one shoe fits all.I use to observe my husband when given a new meds.He was not aware of the changes until it became a problem.I could tell before such happened.