Medicines No Longer Working

Gigi S

Hi all! I haven’t posted in a while.

My mom, now 68, has been in AL since January. Since then, she has been on MANY medications whether sedative, antidepressant, mood stabilizers etc. It’s gotten to the point the doctor at the home has told us she is no longer responsive to treatment. She no longer holds a conversation. All she does is ruminate, will go in the same circular convo. Doesn’t acknowledge questions or commentary. If you say something she will continue onwards in her rumination, which is now also no longer accurate. No longer knows who I am, which has been for a few months now. I’ve been visiting her once a month as she gets so aggressive and violent it is frightening. I am also 3 months pregnant so that also keeps me at less visitation.

I guess my question is, how do you guys manage this with your loved ones?

She hasn’t allowed to be showered or washed in almost a month. The psychiatrist hoped to find a medicine for her to let her relax enough to allow help, but she is too tolerant now of meds. She won’t even let me touch her arm, nor her brothers (understandable). It’s hard.

1359Pond

That sound heartbreaking. Stay strong and know that this is the disease…not your mom.

​fesk

Hi Gigi S. I am so sorry you and your mom are going through this. Is there any way you could get a second opinion for your mother? Take the list of all medications tried, dosages and for how long and see if another specialist can help.

Stan2

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/71085/medicines-no-longer-working

My DW, who is probably not as far along as your Mother, was in a rapid decline several months ago. When her psychiatrist left town we found another, who immediately decreased her antidepressants. The change for the better has been nothing short of amazing. She has gone from being almost unresponsive to active and involved.