Re: Digest response - Theresa's Mom and Alzheimers

It is a symptom- and it changes as the brain continues to degenerate and 
neurochemistry changes in kind.

Theresa

Bonnie & Bill Morgan wrote:
>  Bonnie, we also found that an antidepressant really made a major difference
> in attitude!  We thought it was just because she was depressed after losing
> dad, but maybe that too is a symptom.
>
> Blessings,
> [The other] Bonnie (SW OH - zone 5)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gardenchat@hort.net [o*@hort.net] On Behalf
> Of Bonnie Holmes
> Sent: Tuesday, October 03, 2006 5:39 PM
> To: gardenchat@hort.net
> Subject: RE: [CHAT] Digest response - Theresa's Mom and Alzheimers
>
> 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 so angry and withdrawn.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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