I'm caring for my 78 yr old mother. She has parkinsons/dementia/probable alzheimers.She has lived with me and my husband for several years but diagnosed with dementia almost a year ago. She is on mirapex and her hallucinations are worse than ever.She hallucinated before mirapex and this med hasn't really done much for her. My question is...how do i deal with these hallucinations? They used to be imaginary children (not much harm in that)but now they are much more psychotic natured. She's terrified to watch tv because they talk to her and threaten her. I switched her to radio. She hears conversations that never happen and comes at me hard. She is terrified of my son who hasnt done absolutely anything at all to cause her to fear him. He doesnt know, it would hurt him terribly.She fears he will kill everyone in the house.
She gets very angry when i tell her its probably med make her think these things.She wants me to agree on everything she sees and hears.if its children or somethings harmless I will but not on things that hurt people.
This is bending my mind as well as hers I'm sure. I do not know how to deal with this at all. Am I doing wrong? She told me today she thinks I can't love the person she has become. This shot me like a dagger. I love her so very very much and always will. I just dont know what to do. All my family works so i dont have any help. My husband has very bad heart and cant do a whole lot himself. Is there anyone else out there dealing with a similar issue. I sure could use some good advice or at least just hear someone else dealing with same problem. I feel like I am about to lose it here. Just don't know what to do anymore.

LadyTee, just remember:
When you're looking for that other set of Footprints and the sand is all messed up, it might be because They took a break and were dancing.

quote:

Originally posted by MERRWID:
Lady Tee, welcome!
Mae's right - don't take it to heart when mean hateful things are said. That isn't 'your mother' saying those things, anyway.
Perhaps you could go into her bedroom in the evening with a can of air freshener that has the label doctored up, spray a little in each corner and tell her that "the evil people" don't like this smell, and it will keep them out of the room and keep her safe.

I know i am way too sensitive. I know it really isn't her saying those things. I will continue to think of ways to deal with some of the things she says and does. Sorry, the other day was a particularly bad one and i was kinda (nah..really beside myself). Today is a new day and a little better. Thanx, Tee

quote:

Originally posted by Moms_Buddy:

quote:

My question is...how do i deal with these hallucinations?

First, please talk with her physician! Has she been evaluated by a geriatric neurologist? If not, ask for a referral. This really IS a specialized field and the treatments & meds are changing quicker than computer software! If she has Lewy Body disease (characterized by both parkinsonian AND Alzheimer's type symptoms), some meds can cause bad side effects. Some medications are not effective for some conditions and some people - just gotta keep trying until you find something that gives her (and you!) some relief!!

quote:

She told me today she thinks I can't love the person she has become.

That would have shot an arrow through anyone's heart, dear! Assure her that you KNOW this isn't HER - it's the disease!! {{{HUGS}}}

Glad you found your way here, dear, and I look forward to getting to know you and yours!

Many blessings to you for all that you do in the service of your mom.

She has only been seeing her primary care Dr. He only said she had dementia and parkinsons. Does sound like the Lewy Body Disease. I will check into that neurologist. The med she is on can cause hallucinations (especially in older people) but her hallucination problem was long before this med. It is getting worse now though, much worse. Thanx. Appreciate it. Tee

quote:

Originally posted by mae:
lADY TREE, MY HUSBAND SUFFERED WITH PARKINSONS WITH lEWEY BODY DEMENTIA.mANY TIMES HE WAS SUFFERING WITH PARANOID PSYCHOSIS.tOO MANY TIMES THE DEMENTIA IS ASSUMED TO be AD.He too had hallucinations and fear that someone was out to harm him in some way.Also soon suffered from deep depression.He took seroquel which helped him so much .If he became too bad he was given a small dose of Ativan but not on a regular basis.I was fortunate that he had a good neurologist and excellent team of doctors from the VA.nOT EASY MY FRIEND.MANY TIMES YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK AND NOT SEE THEM AS A RELATIVE AND NOT TAKE WAS THEY SAY TO HEART.Many times you have to play act and tell them what ever they believe happened will never happen again.You have to try to find away to make them feel safe.Talk to him about the hallucinations and try to find away to change the subject.Good luck.IT IS NOT EASY BUT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ABILITY TO GET THROUGH IT

Thanx so much Mae. Was just a really bad day when I posted. The better days are getting less and less. She fears me and my husband are trying to kill her also so kinda hard to convince her different. But i always try to convey my sincere love for her anyway. Most of the time hard to change the subject as she is very determined to get the answer she wants to hear. She has upcoming Dr. appt. Think I will maybe ask for change of med or something. She is pretty much bed bound with very severe osteo-arthritis down her spine especially. Only gets up to potty or go to Dr. She has nothing to do with her time. Tv is out of the question, reading out can't see well. No interest in crafting or puzzle. Just does nothing but lay there and think the worst.
I know I am way too sensitive when it comes to this thing. I do try not to be but i guess God is still working on me and not done yet. I have such a long way to go. My heart just breaks for her because she thinks she is losing her mind and i guess in a sense she really is. I try to blame it on the med but i know in my heart its not the med at all. I dont think she's buying that either.
I think my sister thinking about taking her for a couple of weeks to relive me. Has been 4 month since i have been able to get out of the house and do anything other than Dr. visit and grocery shop once a month. I do lot of crafting to pass my time. But even that gets to you after awhile. 4 walls driving me crazy. Havn't been able to do anything with husband. We used to go eat or go fishing.I feel he may feel trapped and he would die before he ever said anything or complain. He's a very good man. 1 in a million.
I will continue to try new ways to get around some of these situations with her. Thanx again. Appreciated your response. God Bless. Tee

quote:

My question is...how do i deal with these hallucinations?

First, please talk with her physician! Has she been evaluated by a geriatric neurologist? If not, ask for a referral. This really IS a specialized field and the treatments & meds are changing quicker than computer software! If she has Lewy Body disease (characterized by both parkinsonian AND Alzheimer's type symptoms), some meds can cause bad side effects. Some medications are not effective for some conditions and some people - just gotta keep trying until you find something that gives her (and you!) some relief!!

quote:

She told me today she thinks I can't love the person she has become.

That would have shot an arrow through anyone's heart, dear! Assure her that you KNOW this isn't HER - it's the disease!! {{{HUGS}}}

Glad you found your way here, dear, and I look forward to getting to know you and yours!

Many blessings to you for all that you do in the service of your mom.

quote:

Originally posted by Angelina:
Hi Lady Tee, I am fairly new here too, Welcome. I wish I could give you some good advice on this, but I can't. This is however a great place to ask your questions, and someone will put you in the right direction, God Bless

Thanx Angelina. Appreciate it anyway.I feel better anyway just knowing I am now surrounded by people who are connected with these problems. Sometimes we feel like we are alone even though we know there are others out there going thru same thing. It's a horrible thing. I would never have imagined. It hurts so bad to see her this way. she was always so kind and loving, everybody's favorite aunt and grandmother. She still is, just not quite the same.
She told me last night to just throw her in the dirt, thats what me and my husband were planning to do since she's almost there anyway. We just cant figure out how we're going to do it to kill her. She fears taking her meds from my hand for poisoning. I know this isnt her but hurts so very bad still. I pray for God's grace everyday to get me through this. I know he is carrying us but i still keep looking for that other set of footprints anyway. Just the human part of me I guess. Thanx again and God Bless also.

Hi Lady Tee, I am fairly new here too, Welcome. I wish I could give you some good advice on this, but I can't. This is however a great place to ask your questions, and someone will put you in the right direction, God Bless

Lady Tee, welcome!
Mae's right - don't take it to heart when mean hateful things are said. That isn't 'your mother' saying those things, anyway.
Perhaps you could go into her bedroom in the evening with a can of air freshener that has the label doctored up, spray a little in each corner and tell her that "the evil people" don't like this smell, and it will keep them out of the room and keep her safe.

lADY TREE, MY HUSBAND SUFFERED WITH PARKINSONS WITH lEWEY BODY DEMENTIA.mANY TIMES HE WAS SUFFERING WITH PARANOID PSYCHOSIS.tOO MANY TIMES THE DEMENTIA IS ASSUMED TO be AD.He too had hallucinations and fear that someone was out to harm him in some way.Also soon suffered from deep depression.He took seroquel which helped him so much .If he became too bad he was given a small dose of Ativan but not on a regular basis.I was fortunate that he had a good neurologist and excellent team of doctors from the VA.nOT EASY MY FRIEND.MANY TIMES YOU HAVE TO STEP BACK AND NOT SEE THEM AS A RELATIVE AND NOT TAKE WAS THEY SAY TO HEART.Many times you have to play act and tell them what ever they believe happened will never happen again.You have to try to find away to make them feel safe.Talk to him about the hallucinations and try to find away to change the subject.Good luck.IT IS NOT EASY BUT HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ABILITY TO GET THROUGH IT