VD and Panic attacks, Fear

Spadone

My mom has VD and I feel like she is entering another stage of disease. Lately she has been having daily panic attacks and is fearful of many things. I called her today and she was breathing heavily because she said she saw a racoon (which I think was a squirrel) and was scared that it was going to come into the house. She often thinks of fearful things and it turns into full panic mode. Has anyone experienced this with their LO and does it subside?

SusanB-dil

Hi Spadone - welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason.

The panic attacks and paranoia may be able to be dialed back with some meds. Is there a neurologist on your team?

However - first things - make sure DPOA and HIPAA access is in place. Very important.

Is she still living alone? You may have to check on a few things… such as bills being paid, other finances safe, and if any food is out-of-date and she is eating ok. Is she driving? That is a huge concern.

MIL has Vasc and Alz, the most common dual. She is on meds that have dialed back the aggression she had without becoming zombied. Do check out the 7 stages. Each PWD is different, but most follow basically the same trajectory: https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/neuroscience-blog/2019/november/stages-of-alzheimers

Sorry you are dealing with 'this'

Spadone

Thank you SusanB. She does not live alone. My sister and brother live with her and give her great care so home stuff all taken care of and hasn’t been driving for many years. We are all concerned with this sudden change and will be meeting with Geriatric doctor soon. Thank you!

SusanB-dil

Ah, that is good. It is still so hard to see our LO with 'this', though. Hope brother and sis take some breaks, too. As mentioned, MIL has partly the vasc. With that, there are plateaus and then what I call steps down. So she will plateau for a while, and then there will be another drop. I feel for all of us, cuz 'this' is just insidious.