Med taking is a constant fight.

MarDel0917

Hi y'all it has been a while since I have posted. As I write this post I am in tears. I am 40 yo taking care of my LO who has EOA and is 46 the Dr said he is stage 7b. I am on the struggle bus like no other today. A few weeks ago he had a siezure that I didn't know could happen at this stage for no reason and no history of them. I have never been so scared in my life. He has been fine since then and we have him on siezure meds. However he was struggling before it is more of a fight now to give him his meds. I cannot crush the two bigger meds he takes (Depakote (divalproex) anti-siezure meds)). It is a constant struggle, bribe and fight. I also noticed and I wish I could remember if this was happening before the siezure but he seems to not be using his left hand as much. When he is eating he will place his hand on the plate as to be holding almost as if he is partially paralyzed. I haven't talked to the Dr about liquid form of the anti-siezure meds. My brain just keeps going to the day where he wont be taking his meds. He is gonna be headed to the end of the road. And it sucks but yet I will have piece and relief and sense of freedom. I know so many of you know what I mean by that last part. This is soooo hard and I hate it so much!!!!

We are all in this together 💜

charley0419

I pray everyday she goes before I do as there’s no troops coming to help

Maru

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73132/med-taking-is-a-constant-fight

Have you tried to put the crushed meds in something that your LO will eat…puudding, ice cream, applesauce. That's what we do for toddlers. It just struck me…the similarity of those with advancing dementia and toddlers.

Jazzma

I was told that Seroquel (quetiapine) shouldn't be crushed, but the nursing staff in MC crushed it because it was the only way he would take it. Could that be the same with other meds?

l7pla1w2

I think Seroquel comes in standard and extended release versions (XL or XR). In general, extended release meds shouldn't be crushed, but I think it's okay to crush standard meds. (Medical professionals, please confirm.)

blacksparky

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73132/med-taking-is-a-constant-fight

How long has your LO had EOA. My DW is 55 and was diagnosed two years ago. She is in late stage 5 while some stage 6 creeping in. She has had 3 seizures in the past 6 weeks with no family history of seizures. The last two happened while she was on anti seizure medication. So far she has been taking her medications but not sure if that will change. That’s the problem with this terrible disease, everyone is different. I hate this part of my life and just can’t imagine how she feels. There’s a part of me that just wants to stop all medications and just let nature take its course, but then the guilt sets in and those thoughts go away. I wish I had the answers.

Kat63

Medications are a problem. My DH can’t swallow them anymore. He is under Hospice care and I have asked why they don’t have these medications in gummy form or liquid. They just say good point!!

hiya

hiya

MarDel, I’m so sorry you and your LO on on this awful road. My DH is in stage 6. I’ve read many on here who have hospice in stage 7. I’m wondering if you have tried that route yet? My understanding is they can be extremely supportive and helpful. Prayer for you

tigersmom

@MarDel0917 , my DH, now gone, couldn’t swallow that huge depakote pill, either. Ask his doctor to switch it to the capsule form, which they call “sprinkles.” You can open it up and mix into food, if there is something he likes like pudding or ice cream or applesauce. The capsules are also easier to swallow on their own. Good luck to you.

SDianeL

seizures are common in dementia. So sorry. I know it’s frightening. Ask the pharmacist about crushing the 2 meds. The doctor may have to change the prescription to non extended tablets that can be crushed and he may have to take it more often. I put them in applesauce. My DH was not able to use his hands several weeks before he passed. He had to be fed. So it could be progression not the seizure. There may be no way to know. Hugs. 💜

Goodlife2025

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73132/med-taking-is-a-constant-fight

Hoping you are able to resolve the medication complications quickly. Hang in there you are doing a great job, have gone far beyond what many could have handled at such an early onset and while Luis can't tell you; I am positive he would say he feels loved by you every day.