Rapid Decline - Not a UTI

Denise1847

Has anyone seen a rapid decline of their spouse? My DH is having hallucinations, wakes up at night and gets fully dressed, has fallen once, communication is challenging, voice is weak, intermittently doesn't shower, wears the same clothes and is generally confused. He was checked for a UTI and it was negative. I know this is a part of the disease, but it seems like he has gone downhill in the last 2 months. This morning, when I came back from walking the dog, I found him in the bedroom with his socks, some clothing folded and shaving kit on the bed as if he was going on a trip. When I asked him what was going on, he told me that he thought I had left him and he was going to have to go somewhere. He said he was scared.

sandwichone123

Poor guy—that would be scary! I bet he was glad to see you! I haven't personally, but on this board over the last couple of years I have seen several times that someone declined quite rapidly. Sometimes they did return to their previous baseline before gradually declining, but sometimes the situation after the decline becomes the new normal.

M1

So sorry Denise. Sounds like the time has come that you can no longer leave him alone, even for a minute. That’s always a hard threshold to cross.

Kat63

My husband started these same behaviors appropriately a year and half ago, and I felt it was the beginning of stage 6. The waking up in the middle of the night and getting dressed is really tough, as we as caregivers need our rest. He did seem to start these behaviors of fragmented sleeping and challenging communication all at once but he had been hallucinating for quite some time. Medications from your PCP can help with sleeping, although it has been a process to find the right combination and strength that really helped. I agree that it sounds like he should no longer be left alone. Just this week my DH was approved for hospice.

Denise1847

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/216585#Comment_216585

Thank you Kat. I am sorry about your DH going into hospice. I honestly wish this was just over for my DH for his sake.

Lkrielow99

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/69965/rapid-decline-not-a-uti

Sounds like my DH. We went to a wedding out of town. I went the day before for him to settle in, but it didn't happen. We went to bed at 9 pm, and I was awakened at 3 am by security guards who found him on the 4th floor; we were staying on the 9th floor. I never heard him leave the room. Scared me to death, we were in New Orleans French Quarter. He could have slipped away and never been found as he had no ID and was in his underwear: rapid decline, so no more. I will have to block all the doors at home. I will need an ID bracelet. He is now obsessed, agitated, and pacing the floor. He has not said anything intelligible in the last week or two. He was diagnosed in July 2023. No UTI, just so sad. And I'm very frustrated with his constant interruptions. I wish you the best on this horrible journey.

Denise1847

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/216668#Comment_216668

Some days, I just don't know how I can make it another day. Just so tired of all of it. I wish you peace and the strength to get through this.