Jerking/Anxiety

BrownSparrow

Hi, My LO, who either has VD or ALZ (gotten both diagnoses from different doctors), has had jerking for a few years. Doctors could never find a cause. 

I always suspected it was due to stress/anxiety (the LO is a huge worrier) and has gotten worse as the LO's short-term memory has continued to erode, causing more anxiety and stress. For example, we are leaving on a trip soon and my LO keeps forgetting about it (understandably) and is upset they weren't consulted (which of course they were). Anytime the LO is reminded of the trip, the breathing changes and then jerking starts 

Yesterday, the neurologist prescribed hydroxyzine, as needed, for anxiety. It's too early to tell if its helping. 

Has anyone else experienced this with their LO?

Thanks!

M1

BS, I'd think twice about hydroxyzine.  Strong antihistamines can have lots of side effects including worse confusion, urinary retention, dry mouth.  I'd ask for something else and if they can't/won't help you, ask for geri-psych referral.

BrownSparrow

Thank you for the reply. More confusion wouldn't be good. So far it just seems to make them sleep more.

jfkoc

I agree. I would check out the drug online....something like drugs.com where you can also check out drug interactions.

It was a pharmacist that clued me in to checking every drugs side effects and interactions before purchase after the head of neurology made what the pharmacist thought   an odd choice. 

I would stop talking about the trip. Actually I would rethink taking the trip. It may be too much for your husband at this point. 

King Boo

A Geriatric Psychiatrist MD who works with dementia patients is my preferred 'go to' professional for anxiety and behavior issues.  These classes of medications are their 'wheelhouse'.

PCP's, neurologists did not do a good job of helping my LO with medication.  The Geriatric Psychiatrist had him tapered up and set in a month, with immense quality of life improvement.  For him, and his caregivers.

BrownSparrow

Turns out the hydroxine didn't stop the tremors or anxiety so no reasons to keep taking it.

MN Chickadee

If a PWD is flipping out over an optional trip you maybe shouldn't take the trip. 

Do you think they are going to enjoy it given what you know about the lead up to it? I would try focusing on making their life predicable to reduce this anxiety that may be causing the tick or whatever it is. Routine routine routine. PWD thrive on routine. Read up on dementia communication techniques. There are ways to reduce this anxiety that may be causing this, and it likely will be reducing outside influence, commotion, noise, and leaving behind expectations of a "normal" life and instead focusing on calm routine. Reminding a PWD that you told them about something is a nonstarter. They simply can't remember you told them so it usually leads to confrontation over who's reality is correct. It often helps to stop mentioning stuff you can't help (doctor's appointments, an upcoming shower, an electrician coming to fix something) and restructure life as much as possible to keep them comfortable, and use therapeutic fibs as necessary, validation and distraction. "I'm sorry I forgot to tell you we were going to the doctor today. It slipped my mind, it won't happen again. I just want you to be healthy. Hey, how about we get into that new ice cream or check out the bird feeder" kind of stuff. 

If and when we exhaust these measures a geriatric psychiatrist is usually the best professional to deal with extreme behavioral and anxiety issues that can't be managed through lifestyle.