New delusions

knktaylor

My mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 3 years ago and recently things have progressed rapidly. She now has a delusion that my dad is cheating on her and believes my sister is the woman. She’s been treated for a uti/covid and started seroquel but delusions persist. She sees people that aren’t there too and cries all day. Anyone else experienced this? Does it come and go or is this the new normal!? I can’t sustain this way for long

M1

Welcome to the forum, how unpleasant for all of you. The Seroquel is a reasonable choice, perhaps the dose needs to be increased? There's a wide range, and the dose can be ramped up pretty quickly as long as she's tolerating it without it putting her to sleep. My partner started it for sleep fragmentation with 12.5 mg at bedtime and is now on 50 mg at bedtime-but doses can range as high as 600-800 mg per day (in schizophrenia, for example). I would stay in close touch with the precriber and ramp it up pretty quickly (ie every couple of days). Hope it helps. Unfortunately these delusions of sexual infidelity are pretty common, and it serves no purpose to argue with her.

Anonymousjpl123

Hi KNK I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. That sounds awful. Yes, my mom went through a very quick progression after my dad died. Also, recently, about 2 months ago, she had a UTI and it definitely made everything so much worse. I don't have experience with medications, but I do know that arguing, or trying to persuade her otherwise, will not work. It's taken me several months since my mom became much more disoriented to realize I have to just try to understand what she is feeling, where she is in the moment. So a lot of the times I just try not to respond too strongly.

Example: when she is distraught that he is cheating on your mom with your sister, you can just say "God, that's awful. I'm so sorry. You must feel terrible. But I'm here with you." It seems so crazy and counter-intuitive. I have apologized to my mother so many times for atrocities that have no basis in reality. At first I did it with great trepidation, now it is starting to come more easily.

I hope the medication can help some. Also, if you can, please be sure you, your sister, and your dad have some time alone and with each other without her. It's very easy to get sucked up into this and a 30 minute walk, or 30 minute swim, or 1 hour bath have so often been my saving grace. I hope it gets better soon. It may be the new normal but there are lots of resources, medications, and help.