Please Help

Ellie72

I am at a total loss as to how to help my mother. We just left the neurologist office and I don't feel like she received the help that she needs. Before she was put on Aricept she had anxiety, outbursts, paranoia etc. I truly believe that she needs an antipsychotic. Aricept did make things so much worse. She is no longer taking the Aricept and she has been prescribed the other medication. She was actually suicidal last night. I told the doctor about it. He said that suicidal thoughts are not a side affect of Aricept. I tried to discuss something to help with the psychosis. She said excuse me, I'm not crazy and I don't want the medication. The doctor said okay and got up to leave the room. I mounted please to him and he looked away. I started crying and he says see you next time, my nurse will be in shortly. What can I do? I feel so helpless. It hurts to see her like this.

Lynn24

My mother was diagnosed over two years ago, and she eventually would not take any medication. We have to either crush it and put it in apple juice that she loves, or in applesauce of which is suggestions given by her RN case manager and PCP. We were told that objection to take medication in this mental state is very common behavior.

FYI: Your mother’s PCP can prescribe the same meds as the neurologist can. Hope this helps.

Ellie72

That does help. I was at an absolute loss as how to proceed.

Lynn24

Yes, unfortunately nowadays, many physicians are lacking in humanity!

H1235

A doctor visit can be so difficult. If you speak up with concerns or worse yet to correct something your pwd says that is not true, then the pwd gets angry. I have found the doctor just does what mom wants. Mom recently complained to the doctor about something I have never heard her even mention before. Even just before the appointment I asked how she was doing and she said great. I even told the doctor I’ve never heard this complaint. The doctor prescribed pain medication! It is so frustrating. Who is the doctor anyway! Sorry I know that was not helpful, but you are not alone. I have sent notes to the doctor before an appointment (through a healthcare portal). Sometimes that works. Good luck.

M1

I find most neurologists useless, frankly. Talk to the PCP or ask for a geriatric psychiatrist. Likely to be much more help. Seroquel and Risperdal are pretty easy to prescribe, a lot of PCP's are comfortable using them (I certainly was and our own PCP was). Push comes to shove there's always the ER (though i don't recommend unless you think she needs hospitalization because you just can't manage at home).

Ellie72

Chai

Ellie72

She was also referred to the neurologist because of neuropathy issues, has had type 2 diabetes for 35-40 years. She has a condition called neuropathic itch. This doctor is supposedly a specialist with neuropathy. He has asked me numerous times if I have taken her to a dermatologist about her "rash". It is not a rash. We have seen 4 dermatologist about it. Her endocrinologist also agrees that it is neuropathic itch. When she has anxiety she harms herself more because of it.

harshedbuzz

@Ellie72

It sounds like one of two things is happening.

The first could be that the neurologist is not a dementia specialist. Many neurologists specialize in a specific area of neurology— dementia, seizure disorders, neuropathies, etc. Dad's neurologist only saw PWD with a specialization in Alzheimer's where mom's specializes in spinal issues. Sometimes, especially in a smaller community, you may find someone who is more of a generalist.

The second could be that the neurologist isn't comfortable prescribing that class of medication. Perhaps they don't think your LO needs it because they're not showing those behaviors during the visit or maybe this is just how they practice. My experience with neurology for dad was that once he had a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, they had little to offer.

For the behaviors you describe, we found a geripsych helpful. These docs are the experts in psychoactive meds in the elderly and PWD. If your mom is suicidal, it would be appropriate for her to be transported to an ER for admission to a geri psych unit for evaluation and medication management.

HB