Need guidance/ help

caregiver9

My mom's dementia has gotten worse and she's now constantly hearing voices of someone hurting me or me screaming for help. I had taken her to a neurologist a while ago and at that time she refused to take meds (she wasn't experiencing hallucinations at the time). It was hard to get an appointment with the neurologist again and her primary prescribed rexulti but when I saw the commercial, it's not recommended for lewy body dementia. I don't know what to do and she's someone who's always been sensitive to meds because she will get side effects. Is the neurologist or psychiatrist better at treating this disease? I don't have any geriatric psychiatrist around us. Also, what medication or non pharmaceutical route do people take to help treat the voices?

M1

Rexulti is a lot more expensive than the older atypical antipsychotics and not necessarily more effective. All of them are used off label (because they've never been studied; as generics, it's not worth the cost of studies to the pharmaceutical companies). I would call and ask if the neurologist will prescribe while waiting for an appointment. Playing soft, calm music or a noise machine might help; but medication is likely going to be your best bet. You don't have to tell her what it is for. In fact, if she refuses to take a pill, there are liquid formulations that can be mixed in food or drink. I'm sorry you're dealing with this, but the hallucinations are almost always unpleasant in content and therefore she will be better off with treatment.

caregiver9

Thank you! I've tried distractions but haven't worked.