Newly Diagnosed and I have questions

parkersnana · July 9

Hello this is my first time posting and I have questions. Of course I didn't think of these while we were in the doctors office today and won't be back until Oct. Anyways, my mom was just diagnosed with Alzheimer's today and was told to take 2 different medications. They are memantine and donepezil. My first question is has anyone been told to take these pills before and have you noticed any difference in taking them?

My cousin told me that low testosterone may be a factor in the start of the disease. Has anyone heard of this before?

Also has anyone heard that any kind of infections can make the progression of Alzheimer's go faster?

Thank you in advance for not only reading this but for taking the time to answer my questions. Have a good day.

JulietteBee · July 10

I am so sorry to hear of your mom's diagnosis. My mom was diagnosed with Dementia in December. I finally got an MRI authorized to help differentiate what specific type she has.

In December she was prescribed Aricept (Donepezil). It had some listed side effects that she was very concerned about, so she never took it.

Her doctor then put her on Memantine. She took it for about 2 5 weeks and stopped. She blamed her pre-existing dizziness on it. Since then, she is not on any meds as she now claims she is going to go "natural."

I've told her of a few natural items to try. She has not started on them either. I honestly do not believe she plans to address the issue, whether via pharmaceuticals or natural.

I am an RN but have never heard the theory of low testosterone or infections.

Btw, I thought I observed my mom having more lucid days while on the Memantine. She swears she saw no difference.

SDianeL · July 10

Sorry about your Mom’s diagnosis My husband was on Memantine but I saw no difference. Since he had no side effects, I left him on it. It’s very difficult to know if those medications help because of the way the disease progresses. If your Mom is not having side effects it won’t hurt to leave her on them. Never heard anything about testosterone. Infections can mimic or worsen Alzheimer’s. UTI’s are common. Most doctors rule out other things before they give you a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

harshedbuzz · July 10

@parkersnana

I can't speak to those medications personally, as we didn't use either, but it seems to be a mixed bag. The oral medications do not slow the actual disease progression, but some people do seem to function better when they take them. Sometimes a caregiver will assume they're not doing much, stop the meds and have their LO progress in stage overnight. Some folks see not difference at all and a fair percentage cannot tolerate the side effects.

I don't know that infection can cause the rate of the organic process of brain death to increase, but infections can play havoc with a PWD's ability to function. This is often temporary and the PWD will return to their previous baseline after treatment. Hospitalizations and fractures can as well. FWIW, this phenomenon is not limited to those with dementia, healthy elderly can have an abrupt change of mental status from something like a UTI.

There is evidence that low T can be a risk factor for dementia in men— especially those over 80.

HB

H1235 · July 10

Welcome! I know this is off topic, but it’s so important. Have you seen an elder law attorney. Even if there is already a will, she should also consider a living will and a durable power of attorney is really a must.

Newly Diagnosed and I have questions

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