Alzheimer's quick progression after an illness?

Flowers456 · October 21

My LO has been experiencing a Colitis flare-up and is really having a hard time. He was seen by a doctor, and we have a follow-up appointment scheduled. But it seems like his Alzheimer's has progressed a lot within just a week. I did see a video that mentions that people may "take a step" down after experiencing an infection, but things may go back up a little when they are healed—although not to the level where they were before. Anyone experience this situation? Is this common?

jgreen · October 21

Hi, Flowers.

Thank you for your post. Made me remember back to earlier this year when my DH had to be hospitalized. At the time I was under the impression he was in early stage disease (as diagnosed by his PCP). Did not realize that many are ‘diagnosed’ in middle or stage 5. DH had the flu and having terrific respiratory difficulty. Doctor ordered steroids - something brand new to him, and he ‘went off the deep end’! Was a wild man, especially at night, for first 3 nights there. It wasn’t until the 3rd night when I fell fast asleep from exhaustion and he snuck out of the hospital room! Nursing staff found him 3 units away, looking for the Waffle House! (Steroids also make one extremely hungry). The staff had to witness for themselves how wild he was before they called his doc for something to combat the agitation! Took many weeks for him to come back to ‘normal’ but he was definitely at a more progressed stage.

So you may check to see if any new meds added to his current regimen. That might be an explanation.

I hope your LO gets back to ‘normal’ for both your sakes.

Take care.