Meds on top of Meds

Gigi S · December 2023

Lately it feels like the stage that my mom is at is only met with more medications. Currently she is on Gabapentin 300mg, Lorazepam, Sertraline, Quetiapine, Rivastigmine patch, and so on. Is this the norm? She has many psychiatric symptoms, has been officially diagnosed with early onset alz since 2019.

Her symptoms are usually with aggression, paranoia (visual hallucinations and auditory), manic highs and lows, and of course those with her memory loss. It just seems that we’re stuck in this cycle since having her go into memory care is not possible. She did not save her money or anything beforehand as she never expected alzheimers to occur in our family or any debilitating disease. She’s currently 67 and I fear for the longevity of this terrible disorder and what it’ll do to her quality of living as I can’t provide her those resources (CT’s DSS had been no help, have applied for medicaid for assisted living finance help for 2 years no and keep getting pushed aside).

At 24 I would not have expected to have so much weight on my shoulders.

Any tips, recommendations, are appreciated!

Ive gone to Certified elder lawyers but theyve all said im doing all i can, and that there is no other route as she never saved enough money (only has her monthly disabled SS payments).

easy23 · December 2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/67366/meds-on-top-of-meds

It sounds like my husband. He has extreme anxiety along with dementia and is on memantine, xanax, remeron, and risperidone. I was wondering if he might need gabapentin too because his anxiety is not under control. It does seem like a lot to manage symptoms.

Iris L. · December 2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/191028#Comment_191028

Xanax can make older adults agitated.

Iris L. · December 2023

Gigi, lorazepam may make older adults agitated. Are you working with a geriatric psychiatrist? They are the specialists for agitation and hallucinations in PWDs.

Since your mom is low income, I don't understand why she does not qualify for Medicaid.

You can call the Helpline and ask to speak to a Care Consultant (1-800-272-3900) who can give you personalized advice. There is no charge for this service and one is available 24 hours a day.

Iris

jfkoc · December 2023

That is a lot of drugs. I suggest going to a site like drugs.com to understand each drug and interactions.

Is a specialist prescribing?

Marp · December 2023

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/191041#Comment_191041

I don't understand why your mom doesn't qualify for anything through the Medicaid program either since she only has her social security.

Gigi S · January 2

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/191048#Comment_191048

Upon receiving her results of having alz, she withdrew her 401K and savings in major bursts, unknown to anyone. So the state assumes that money is still out there, but we have no trace of it :/

It’s been a messy situation but she just got approved after 2 years of applying and reapplying. It’s set to begin at the end of this month!

jfkoc · January 3

That is a lot of drugs to take .

I suggest you go to a site like drugs.com and check each and then check for drug interactions. Also have a visit with your pharmacist. Ours actually picked up on what could have easily been a problem.

-Judith

Mimi50 · January 6

The Medicaid should have already been approved. She doesn’t have anything other than SS. My son Joshua is 26 years. I take care of his dad with dementia. You are still young adult. A very wonderful young adult. I sure hope her Medicaid gets approved. Once it does then you can look for MC places. That accept Medicaid she can get the care she really needs.

Meds on top of Meds

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