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VD and Panic attacks, Fear

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?

Comments

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,182
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    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 You may have to check on a few things… such as bills being paid, other finances safe, and if any food is out-of-date and she is eating ok.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
    Spadone Member Posts: 2
    First Comment
    Member

    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
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,182
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    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.

Commonly Used Abbreviations


DH = Dear Husband
DW= Dear Wife, Darling Wife
LO = Loved One
ES = Early Stage
EO = Early Onset
FTD = Frontotemporal Dementia
VD = Vascular Dementia
MC = Memory Care
AL = Assisted Living
POA = Power of Attorney
Read more