Agitation/Shadowing

LJCHR · July 16

My DH is entering stage 6 of Vascular Dementia. He is beginning to get agitated at times and so far I have been able to redirect him. I fear that his agitation will progress. I wanted opinions on medication for agitation. Our PCP said that the meds could progress him faster. I hate to give him anything to escalate this disease.

He is mildly hyper-sexual but very clingy and shadows me everywhere I go. My fear is how much worse this could get.

Any experience with these types of medications will be appreciated.

JudyT · July 16

My DH is exhibiting the same issues. We just spent 2 hours going over the same questions. Every answer I gave in his mind was wrong and he was becoming agitated.

All he thinks about is sex and every conversation leads back to it. It's almost impossible to divert his thinking without him becoming angry and accusing me of all kinds of things. He too follows me everywhere in the house. I feel like I'm being watched constantly.

It can be exhausting. I am anxious to see how others may handle these situations.

LJCHR · July 16

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277476#Comment_277476

Boy, it sounds like our situations are almost identical. I hope this phase runs out soon, but time will tell. I am exhausted from being smothered all day, every day. I know one day I will miss having him but not the constant adorations!!!!

My problem is that he forgets everything, even the intimacy. He says it never happens. He also doesn't believe he has dementia.

I am getting a caregiver for respite care in the next week or two believing that the statistics of 45% of caregivers die before the patient. My stress level is at an all time high every minute of the day not knowing what's next.

Judy T. - my prayers are with you and everyone else having to deal with being a caregiver. We are strong!!

Ed's mom · July 16

You all inspire me every day.

ronda b · July 16

Is he on any medication? If not seraquel helped my Dh alot. He also has VD. He is on 50 mg 2x a day. Also I think there is a medication that will taper down his sexual advances. Get a hold of his Dr. Dh meds were ordered by a neurologist.

dcare45 · July 16

My DW shadowed me relentlessly and was anxious for quite some time. Within 1 foot of me all day. It was draining. Thankfully it has mostly passed. She is now on seraquel and venlafaxin. I don’t know if the medication helped it pass or not but now I can go to the restroom by myself.

H1235 · July 16

Don’t let his doctor, that has no idea what you are dealing with, gilt you into not giving him the medication he needs. My guess is if he was dealing with this day to day he would be more understanding. When he says progress faster I don’t think he is talking about a noticeably faster progression. There are probably many things that might make progression faster, lack of healthy diet, smoking, drinking, lack of exercise…. I would give him the medicine. He will probably feel more comfortable also.

dcare45 · July 16

I leaned away from medication thinking it would zombie Dw out until it dawned on me how horrible it would be to be her in a constant state of anxiety and frustration. She has better days now that we are medicating.

LearningCurve · July 16

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277498#Comment_277498

Wheweee. I totally hear you ladies, gents. I had an appointment last week with my PCP. I see him every 3 months so he is aware of my situation. I blew off a lot of steam during this appointment. My BP was sky high. It has been normal to very good in the past. This time he gave me an Rx to help with things. I have been on it almost week. I am encouraged by the Rx so far. Just wanted to share in case this helps someone. God Bless everyone and may we feel, sense HIS presence.

LJCHR · July 17

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277507#Comment_277507

Thank you so much on your experience of using the meds. I am going to talk to his neurologists at our appointment Monday.

LJCHR · July 17

Boy, your response makes so much sense. Thank you so much for enlightening me to the good the meds will do and not being afraid of the bad they might do. I appreciate the experience shared.

LJCHR · July 17

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/277500#Comment_277500

Thank you for your kind response.

LJCHR · July 17

Thank you for your response. It makes sense. I agree that unless you walk in our shoes you don't really see the whole picture. You have given me the encouragement I needed to talk to his neurologist about a medication. I appreciate your insight.

Agitation/Shadowing

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