Re: Digest response - Theresa's Mom and Alzheimers

Yep-  my mom is on Alzheimers meds and an antidepressant also.  The 
antidepressant was absolutely imperitive- she was turning into a 
miserable person without it.  She still complains about taking the meds 
(nurses make really lousy patients), but they definitely have helped.
Theresa

Bonnie Holmes wrote:
> We had to trick my Mom to take her medicine.  When we first approached her,
> she threw the bottle against the wall and emphatically stated that she
> didn't need them.  Her older sister had already been diagnosed so the Dr.
> was willing to talk her into them "for protection".  We also had a hard
> time getting her to take an antidepressant but it was worth it...she had
> gotten so angry and withdrawn.  With the antidepressant, she began to take
> part in all sorts of social activities.
>
>
>   
>> [Original Message]
>> From: Bonnie & Bill Morgan <wmorgan972@ameritech.net>
>> To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
>> Date: 10/3/2006 8:32:11 AM
>> Subject: RE: [CHAT] Digest response - Theresa's Mom and Alzheimers
>>
>> You are having a very difficult time, Jesse and you and your family are in
>> my prayers.
>>
>> As for your mother's situation, She really needs to be diagnosed.  That
>> combative/defensive reaction is part of the symptoms.  I hope your dad can
>> trick her into going to see the doctor.  There are drugs on the market now
>> for Alzheimer's and dementia that will slow the progression for a better
>> quality of life.  Had I known my mother's condition even before dad died,
>>     
> I
>   
>> would have taken her to the doctor myself, against all protests.  (Living
>>     
> a
>   
>> state away with my father-in-law dying of cancer didn't help me keep on
>>     
> top
>   
>> of her needs, sorry to say.  We all thought she was just grieving for dad
>> after he died.)  The point is that the earlier the diagnosis, the more can
>> be done to slow the progression, even if we don't yet have a "cure."  That
>> allows time for planning the way your mother would want it, too...getting
>> affairs in order, deciding on treatment and care down the road and such. 
>>
>> My mother is now on the maximum dose (two medications) and it has given
>>     
> her
>   
>> at least 3 years of a better quality of life.  She has been able to
>>     
> maintain
>   
>> her favorite activity, embroidery, even if it will never be the quality
>>     
> she
>   
>> used to demonstrate.  It gives her great pleasure to be able to "create"
>> something and give it away.   
>>
>> Blessings,
>> Bonnie (SW OH- zone 5)
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-gardenchat@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On
>>     
> Behalf
>   
>> Of Jesse Bell
>> Sent: Monday, October 02, 2006 8:33 PM
>> To: Gardenchat
>> Subject: [CHAT] Digest response - Theresa's Mom and Alzheimers
>>
>> Theresa, I feel for you too (regarding your mother). My dad's mother had
>> Alzheimers and my mother's mother had dementia. Now MY mother is slipping
>> away and won't get checked. She is forgetting how to spell her kids' names
>> and birthdays, and can't remember basic things. My dad knows that she is
>> slipping but if he says anything to her she gets defensive.
>> *sigh* I read everything I can get my hands on to AVOID getting it. I take
>> after my dad's side of the family (very strongly) and if my grandmother
>>     
> had
>   
>> it...I run a chance of getting it too. I am constantly trying to work my
>> brain...reading, cross-word puzzles...and eventually learning a new
>>     
> language
>   
>> (when I get the chance).
>>
>>    
>> (FYI - on a sad note tonight, we lost one of our dogs. Please say a prayer
>> for Wallace and my daughter. She did not know he was under her car and he
>>     
> is
>   
>> so BIG he couldn't crawl out from under it in time. She didn't know he was
>> out of his yard so she didn't think to "count heads".
>> We had to put him down today because the damage was so bad. We are both in
>> tears tonight. Gardenchat is like family to me...so I curled up with my
>> computer tonight - with a box of kleenex)
>>
>>    
>>   Jesse
>>
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