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Delusion medication

BPS
BPS Member Posts: 153
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in Caring For a Spouse or Partner

My wife has had delusions for over a year, but I have been able to deal with them, but now she is in Memory care. I see her every day. Her delusions were getting worse and she thought one of the other residents was trying to kill her. She was scared so we started her on some medication and now she is noticeably weaker and less alert. Is that normal when starting a new medication and may she regain some of her strength after adjusting to the medication or is that just a tradeoff for lessening the anxiety from the delusions? She is taking Hydroxyzine.

Thank you

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  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,144
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    I would talk to the doctor about her weakness. Perhaps they can try a lower dose or another drug. I’m not familiar with the one you listed.

  • housefinch
    housefinch Member Posts: 445
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    Hydroxyzine is an antihistamine and I think it’s not recommended for use in elderly/dementia but I would double check that. There’s something called the Beer’s List of medicines not recommended for elderly patients. You can google it and see if it’s on there. It’s similar to diphenhydramine (Benadryl). I hope this helps.

  • BPS
    BPS Member Posts: 153
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    Thank you for your input. I had not herd of the beers list before, but I checked and you are right, it is on the list so I will be talking to her doctor.

  • trottingalong
    trottingalong Member Posts: 493
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232030#Comment_232030

    it will definitely make a person drowsy.

  • BPS
    BPS Member Posts: 153
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    Do all the medications for delusions cause drowsiness? My wife uses a walker and is unstable without medication. Are my choices to let her be afraid because she thinks someone at the MC is trying to kill her or have her drowsy and fall more often? She has only been on this medication a couple of weeks so any input would be appreciated. I have left a message for her doctor that comes to the MC, but I am not sure that they doing a good job.

  • SDianeL
    SDianeL Member Posts: 1,144
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    https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/232064#Comment_232064

    a Geriatric Psychiatrist is the best doctor to manage their meds. They may not have one on staff. It is a balance they need to find. Keep asking them questions and requesting they keep trying. They may not know how it’s affecting her.

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
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