need to go out of doubts: My husband was diagnosed by moderate alzeimer's decease at the beginnig of this year. He has loss of memory, hallucinations, was speaking with himself and with the television, he started to change and act different in the evenings. And he was not sleeping in the night. And that happen when we were travelling and we was in another city.
Immediately to our return we went to see his Doctor, and he sended whit a neurologist.
He was submitted to Ct scan, X-rays, EEG, MRI, Ultra Sound of the arteries and the diagnosis was: dementia of alzheimer's type.
The medicine that it received was: Aricep 10 mg. Risperdal 0.25 mg and Folbee tap.
Immediately he change, little by little it was changing and stopped walking in the night, only it has light insonmio, does not have any more the hallucinations. The only thing, he continues with the idea of that the mirrors are really glass for which it can see of another side of the house, an I've cover all the mirrors. And his memory is not good, and some times he does not remember the last words of his sentence, Or the dates.
And my doubt is: If it is that really it was diagnosed well, and that probably it is not what the doctor said. Or the fact is that I'am to continue denying this possibility. .......I don't know what to think........Did he has Alzheimer's or the diagnosis was erroneous. Please help me!.....

laluna,

It sounds like the medicine your husband is taking is helping, which indicates the diagnoses of dementia of the alz. type is good. You may try contacting your local Alz. Association. they can give you additional information plus send someone to talk to. They also can tell you of meetings locally for others that are caring for a family member with alz. It often helps to meet and talk with others that are in the same boat as you.

Dear Laluna...
Accepting this disease and the consequences of same are so difficult. As you have already seen, many of us understand your pain and will be here to assist you in your caregiving journey.

From what you have shared with us, it does appear your husband was given thorough testing and a sound diagnosis with an effective treatment plan. Trust it and trust yourself to move forward. Please be encouraged to secure your financial and medical future by meeting with a qualified elder law attorney without delay.

In the meantime, please know you are doing the right things; for example, covering the mirrors to offset your husband's confusion. You will also pickup many useful caregiving techniques after reading "The 36-Hour Day" which is available in Spanish through your local Alzheimer's Association office. Please contact them and ask about bi-lingual support groups as well.

Take care and visit with us often. We are here for you.
Joan Marie

Laluna

The reason your husband was having these problems late in the day are twofold. First, people with AD have damage to the part of the brain that interprests what the eyes see -- sort of like the eye is taking the picture, but the brain develops the film worng. So at the time the person has problems with bathing and dressing they begin to think that people on TV are real and are in the house. They mistake mirror images and pictures for people in the house. Unfortunatly this is a normal part of the disease so we try to reduce exposure to those imageds by turning the tv off, covering mirrors, drawing drapes at sundown, and taking pictures of people down.

The reason the behaviors are worse in the afternoon/evening is that he is fatigued. See if you can get him to snooze in his recliner or easy chair before and after lunch. Also avoid any caffeine.

The Aricept and Ripserdal should help with the illusions but they are only part of a therapuetic plan of care.

Bets wishes

Laluna:

Welcome to the Forum. Snowy Lynne has given you good advice.

Yes I am sorry to say your Husband has Alzheimers, it is something you did not want to hear. My husbasnd Jim has had Alz. disease for 13 yrs. Jim was at home until Dec 29/o3. He is now in a NH and doing very well.

The Meds you were given has helped your Husband. There is a new drug called Memantine [ Namanda in the USA. Speak to your Dr. about this Med. Jim has been taking it since Jan/04 , It is helping, Jim is in the later stages of AD, he still knows me and comunicates somewhat.

As Lynne said get the Book and " Take one day at a time".

Post again let us know how you both are doing.


take care
Eleanor

I don't think you really wany to believe he has Alzheimer's,which is normal.
My hubby didn't want to believe I had Alzheimer's either,but with my help,& going to AD meetings,reading information,he finally accepted it.I was diagnosed 6 yrs.ago,but we knew 2 yrs.prior.
Just let him know you are with him always.It's going to be rough later on,as he gets worse.Just take things one day at a time.Get the book the 36 hour day.
I was a certified nursing assistant for 30 yrs.I guess that's why I accepted it better than my hubby did,I had been around others,caring for them with AD.........