Has anyone had success with an anti-anxiety or sedative type of medication? My mother has gotten to where she worries about things from the moment she wakes up until she goes to sleep, despite our constant reassurances that everything is taken care of. This leads to a neverending stream of questions as she tries to make sense of her world, but she cant do it because of her Alzheimers.

I asked her Alzheimers doctor for an anti-anxiety drug to help relax her and minimize this worrying behavior and he prescribed Seroquel, an anti-psychotic that apparently is often used for Alzheimers patients, according to my internet research. We started the drug a couple of weeks ago and it did seem to have a calming effect, but she then started to develop some bad side effects, like constant tremors in her face and body, loss of strength and incontinence. She unfortunately also developed a chest cold several days ago, so that may have played a part in some of these "side effects." So, it has been hard to tell which is the real culprit, the Seroquel or the chest cold.

We did take her off the Seroquel yesterday after consulting with the doctor and noticed that she seemed stronger and had less tremors, but by last night the worrying behavior was back in full force, so it kind of feels like we are back to Square One. It could just be a dosing issue, but we are thinking that we need a milder, gentler drug.

So, I am wondering if anyone out there has successfully used an anti-anxiety type of medication for their loved one? If so, what was the name of the drug. We'd appreciate any advice you may have. Thanks!!

kywl, I have been away for a long time. Many times I lurk and read, just not posting.

As I read your story, I want you to know that my Mil has almost the same quality of life as your Mom. This story could have easily been written by me.

I send you hugs and strength to get through these times. I hope the Ativan works for her. I will be reading your responses to keep informed on your situation. Thinking of the hard days we all are living in.

thanks kindly...it has certainly been a group effort...i joke that it takes a small army to keep this one old woman comfortable!

quote:

was under Hospice care for just over 3 months, but they released her because she did not fit their "end stage" definition....because she speaks more than a dozen words a day, she does not fit their "end stage" criteria

... that's scary...

I hope the docs can get things moderated so that she can feel more comfortable and be able to better receive the care she is being given.
Many blessings to you for your loving care!

we have maybe made some headway today and will be adding Celexa to the pharmaceutical mix tomorrow while continuing to use xanax, as well. Plan B, should the Celexa not work, is to go to ativan.

we are already aware of the effects of UTI and dehydration, having gone thru that before, and that does not appear to be the culprit this time. she was tested for UTI a few weeks ago and was not infected. she was already exhibiting these behaviors at that time. with our neurologist's referral, she was under Hospice care for just over 3 months, but they released her because she did not fit their "end stage" definition....because she speaks more than a dozen words a day, she does not fit their "end stage" criteria. they were great while they were with us, and they did a series of blood work right before releasing her from their care...I truly believe they did everything they could to keep her in their system but they were constrained by their evaluation system.

so, let's hope Celexa works some magic on her and gives her some relief from the anxiety/anger she has suffered through.

and, yes, we do rely very much on input from our paid caregivers. we do have one who has been with us for 4 years or so and we include her for doctor or nurse visits, we know her insights are invaluable, as is she and the other two caregivers. they are angels in our eyes!

This could be end stage of the disease although I think Id have her tested as Dochka suggested for a UTI.
Hun PCP's are just that PCP's they are "general practitioners" what she needs is a Geriatric doc who specializes in AD and brain destroying diseases.
Its time to find another doctor its the only way around this.
Once a PCP acts this way they are not going to be of help to you, only a hindrance.

It may be the same or it may be different but when my MIL acts out to this extreme 10 times out of 10 there is something else going on with her 2 times it was her bowels another time it was an acute case of Pancreatitis, multiple strokes, UTI, infection on her hip replacement which turned out to be a strain of MRSA, kidney problems, back issues, pain in general, you name it the list goes on.
Can you define her day, what she eats, how much, how often, does her urine have a strong odor, is she drinking plenty of fluids does the input equal the output, when was the last time she had a bowel movement.
Her behaviors, what type is she exhibiting, is it paranoid in nature or just generally angry?
These are all things you are going to have to know to pass on to her doctor so they can get to the bottom of the behaviors.
Most times our LO's cant communicate properly or accurately what they are feeling.
Another thing to try, these caregivers are there any in the mix that seem to be more knowledgeable than the rest?
Sometimes they have so many cases they can pretty much guess what may be the root cause I know much of the time I can tell you either the family relies too heavily on a PCP's word and go with the program (I know thats not your problem your trying to find the answers)or some of the families I have dealt with are in denial.
Sometimes we have a little more insight into this than some give us credit for simply cause there are 3 letters after our name rather than 2.
If there is a CG there that has been with your mom for a period of time that seems to be more insightful shall we say, someone who actually reads the little nuances in a person ask him/her what they think They may not be able to accurately pinpoint what is the matter but sometimes we can give a general path to investigate like meds or other health issues.

Another thing have you read their daily nursing notes?
Now I admit Iv seen some pretty lame nursing notes but some of us actually describe a persons day like it should be done those are the ones you pay attention to they can give a clue as to times these outbursts happen whether its in conjunction with times meds were given indicating a med might have a side effect whether their urine has an odor or not how much fluid the patient is consuming, are they encouraging fluids? If not ask them to.
Another thing we are all trained in getting a person to ambulate and or transfer dont feel any guilt my dear thats our job if you see one that can not do it have them replaced pronto they shouldnt be there if your mom requires assistance with transfers.
There are all kinds of tricks we employ to get the job done.

You may want to ask the doc about an antidepressant. This can relieve anxiety, also.
My mom has been on Celexa for a long time now and it seems to help her.

I have learned through the experiences of my friends here on the forum that sometimes Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) are common in our LOs and can dramatically affect their behaviors. Also, dehydration can cause them to get weird.
In my opinion, I would find another Doctor!
I would not be satisfied with a doc that is not willing to work with me and my mom on medication management!

thanks for the input, bobcat and moms buddy. yes, we do try to use soothing music, sometimes it seems to work, but, over time, she seems to have lost the ability to focus on anything...she can no longer read, watch tv, look at picture books, etc. she talks and asks questions constantly, but it is more gibberish than anything at this point. if you dont respond immediately to her, she gets irate. she often gets fixated on not wanting anyone to get hurt, "dont let anyone kill the dog," etc.

mom still lives in her home (although she doesnt recognize it as her home and one of her daily behaviors is to want to go "home" to her parents' house, both parents are long-deceased). mom is 84 and my sister has been living with her full-time for the last few years. we have paid caregivers helping her from 10am to 10pm every day. her "schedule" varies from day to day depending on when she wakes up and generally consists of getting her out of bed, into the bathroom (she is incontinent during night), cleaned up, then breakfast in the kitchen, then into the living room to her easy chair, same for lunch and dinner then off to bed around 9pm. we are trying to maintain her mobility but that has faded a lot over the last several months. she can barely stand even with a lot of assistance and has trouble moving her legs to walk while someone basically holds her up...she seems to be losing her brain's ability to command her legs to move. this is making it harder and harder on the caregivers to move her around. we use the transport chair more and more. it is very sad to see this once strong and independent woman slowly lose all functionality and become so anxious, frustrated and mean.

quote:

Originally posted by kywldcatga:
The neurologist and primary care physician seem to have turned their backs on her and it feels like the family is left to its own devices, with nowhere to turn. I don't understand why obtaining professional expertise and help is so difficult.

You are butting heads with one of the cruelties of this disease... The drugs being given are not specifically developed to help people with brain damage, so their efficacy is hit and miss. With elders, their bodies process drugs differently than do mid-age adults. It is frustrating beyond comprehension that many times, there simply ISN'T anything that will keep them (and us!) comfortable. Professionals do not live with the disease - they go home at night. Family caregivers live with it 24/7.

Could you provide a little more background about your mom's living situation? Does she live with you? Who is her primary caregiver? Do you employ any caregivers? I am trying to get a "picture" of how her days are structured... Is she on a schedule of awakening, feeding, exercise, sleeping? Is she able to do anything - watch tv, listen to music, read, color, snap beans, etc.? Is she ambulatory?

Got to add, Mom is very hard of hearing, but her "aids" really help. She really can't process the types of music she likes. It is just noise!!!! She still hears the birds sing, makes a big diff.

How is her hearing? Have you tried music, if she has a good hearing range.

It can soothe the heebee jeebees, if they can hear, and you choose the right music.

Back again with essentially the same problem...we've tried Seroquel and Trazodone for my mother's anxiety problems, but they were too strong. Currently, we've been using Xanax but it seems like that has no real calming effect for her at this point. She yells constantly and is unpleasant and uncooperative with family and caregivers. The neurologist and primary care physician seem to have turned their backs on her and it feels like the family is left to its own devices, with nowhere to turn. I don't understand why obtaining professional expertise and help is so difficult. It is horrible to see her suffer so and it has made life very difficult for family and caregivers. Our goal is to minimize her anxiety, yelling and combative behavior while trying to maintain what little mobility she has left. If anyone has any suggestions, I again would be most appreciative!

you would be amazed at the number of doctors who refuse medications for behavior.I tell them , it is not their decision to make, it is mine.I have had nurses tell me they have asked meds for a person and be refused.In the end the afflicted had to be placed because of the doctors refusal.
The doctors at the VA consult with me when ever I feel a change is needed.They have never closed the door on me.They also know their meds when it comes to elders with dementia.
Wonder if a doctor had to spend 24/7 with the afflicted person would they change their attitude.

Catguy, Thanks for your experiences. Any input is very welcome.. So glad to hear of your Mom's continuing response to your and your partner's loving attention. You folks are great. Hope to hear from you soon. Love ya, BC

My mother worried about EVERYTHING when she arrived at our home (in AZ) in April. Everything she had no control of and everything else. We found her counting her money at night more than once. Before moving in we suggested to her Dr.(in NJ) that we thought she should be on antidepressants. He didn't agree. After 1 month on Lexapro, she is like a different person! She doesn't worry or obsess about things she'd worried and obsessed about for years. I do believe her Dr. in NJ was a quack for not even trying it. She has no observable side effects after 4 months on the drug.

MY mother responded to noe of these drugs for 3 long years,The greatest psychiatrist at a behavioral hospital unit, place her on Geodon.The change was so tramatic.If we would have been on this in the beginning things would have been so different.

I'll have to say here that none of the psychotrophic drugs helped my grandmother, fil and mil.

I dont understand why these dr.'s can't just treat the anxiety without these mind altering drugs.

We used Xanax for one, and Ativan for the other, worked like a charm and caused no other side effects!

I hope you find the right med for you loved one!

Thanks to all for your inputs. As I said in my original post, we took my mother off the Seroquel on the 26th and the tremors disappeared and she seemed stronger.

However, and perhaps not related to the Seroquel, she fell yesterday and broke her arm.

These are truly trying times, as I know you all can relate.

Hi K, glad you found my post on axiety, The xanax is still working. She seems much calmer and she is able to get up on walk even after she takes the pill... it only lasts about four hours in the system... though everyone is different. It works in about 20 minutes so they get immediate effect. Don't have to wait for it to build up in the system.
Good luck.