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sbirrow
sbirrow Member Posts: 3
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edited October 2023 in I Am a Caregiver (General Topics)

Hello

my daughter helped me sign in to Alzconnected. So this is all a bit new to me.

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia three years ago and possibly had some of the symptoms a couple of years prior. Aricept did not work for him. He is presently on Mematine twice a day for a good year. Now I’m thinking the side effects are creating some problems …..very very sleepy ., sometimes a little off balance, constipation.

Has anyone had any experience with this….. I would like to find out if it’s the medication or maybe his declining condition.

I’d appreciate your input! Thank you

Comments

  • mawvkysc
    mawvkysc Member Posts: 5
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    Hi mom. Glad you joined the community.

  • SusanB-dil
    SusanB-dil Member Posts: 1,207
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    Hi sbirrow - Welcome to 'here', but sorry for the reason. mawvkysc, you as well...

    Might want to mention it to his doctor. What you described can certainly be side effects. MIL has been on Memantine for a while without those side effects. It could be side effect, decline, or even something else going on. So maybe his doc would have a suggestion, maybe check it out with doc, but do mention it.

  • Emily 123
    Emily 123 Member Posts: 836
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    Hi sbirrow,

    You can also use the magnifying glass on the upper right of the page to search for 'Memantine' and see what threads pop up--I know there have been a few about it.

  • sbirrow
    sbirrow Member Posts: 3
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/66789/new-to-the-group
    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/186007#Comment_186007


  • sbirrow
    sbirrow Member Posts: 3
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    Thank you all for your kind advice.

    I did “talk” to the doctor through the office and got the go ahead to stop the Mematine. So far so good….only a day out…..seems a little less tired , a bit more alert. We’ll see what each day brings.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,040
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    Welcome to the place for info & support. My DH, 78 was diagnosed 2 years ago. He is on Memantine but only at night at bedtime because his Neurologist said it would make him sleepy or dizzy. It's supposed to make them more alert but I really haven't noticed much difference. Sleep & constipation are common in PWD. I try to keep my DH on a set schedule but he does nap in his chair a lot. As long as he sleeps all night I don't bother him. If my DH doesn't have a bowel movement each day, I give him a laxative. Ask the doctor what kind. They make soft chews and ones that can be mixed with juice if taking pills is a problem. PS: if you haven't already done so, get the book "The 36 Hour Day" which helped me a lot. A nurse recommended it.

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

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