Moms 83 and dementia has been slowly progressing. Her attitude toward people is noticeable but t she has severe bouts where she starts hallucinating but when we tak her to the Dr she says everything is fine. I can see her depression and confusion. First it was wires coming out of her cellphone no one else could see and now ,a year later I recently put in a hospital bed and the bed has wires coming out of it so after sleeping in it for 2 weeks the wires are coming out of it. Do any medications help that won't turn her into a vegetable.
Moms neurologist told me if Moms hallucinations did not upset her, don't worry. If they did, medication would be needed. Anxiety is not good for them either. So meds are needed. Better that they are out of it on meds than having horrible hallucinations and anxiety.
If your/her doctor is ignoring the fact that you are reporting that mom is having hallucination you need to change doctors!!!
Medication that can help with agitation, hallucinations, anxiety MAY cause her to be more "mellow" but they in no way should cause her to become a "vegetable". It may take a bit to find the correct medication and the correct dose so PLEASE be patient.
And it is VERY IMPORTANT that mom has the correct diagnosis as to the type of dementia she has. that are some medications that should NOT be given to people with Lewy Body Dementia. (hallucinations are most common with LBD (Lewy Body Dementia))
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First of all, you already know you have a problem that has no answer without beginning to think about medications.
Let me tell you there are more psychotropics in this world than chickens have eggs. And they ALL have mixed effect and side effects that are dependent on a myriad of facts including age, correct diagnosis, dosages, and etc. Add to this the fact that our individual reaction to medications is as individual as our own fingerprint, and you have a serious problem. I will give you this for instance:
I am 81. Have some musculoskeletal pain due to "old RN's back", old whiplash, etc. Some nerve pain involved. And do not/cannot tolerate any pain medications including ibuprofen due to history of diverticulitis. So my MD decides last visit my BP is a bit more elevated in daily measurements and the nerve pain more troublesome so lets try a minimal dose lisinopri for the BP and Cymbalta which should help nerve pain and a boon to any anxiety etc.
I reacted to both. Got this RAISE in BP thing where my diastolic shot up through the roof. Went from 130s/80s to 180/113. And the cymbalta? Explosive diarrhea (apparently not uncommon) with first pill. Never took another. It took 3 days to get the Lisinopril out of my system (a long half life for that med) and I was scared to death we just stroked me out with trying new meds.
Medications of ANY kind EVER are always a mixed bag needing careful evaluation. And when you have someone like you have with your Mom? Well, I think I need say no more.
As to the general new medications for dementia, they don't really know and studies will take years. Some SEEM to help with early diagnosis, but can have unfortunate side effects ( brain bleed). I think those aren't the meds you are asking about it your mom's case.
When the doc decides that the current living situation requires something be tried, then try it. Keep careful diary as you can, because these medications, when they don't work, can be really tough. Part of the problem with psychotropics is the doc who gives it never observes his patient on it.
I wish you luck.
There's no easy answer here, and I think from your note to us you suspected that would be the case.
I hope you'll update us.
Good luck.
Has the type of dementia been diagnosed?
The reason I ask is that hallucinations are common with some types of dementia but not with others.
Some of the medications used for some dementias can not be used with other types..
Discuss with her doctor the types of hallucinations and the other symptoms she has. Is there anger, hostility, violence, or is she frightened, anxious? These might all be treated differently.
As far as "turning her into a vegetable" ALL medications are a balancing act and it may take a bit of time to get the dose and medication fine tuned. Keep a note of all the things you notice and let the doctor know.
Also note that many meds may result in her being more of a fall risk.
If she does fall do NOT try to get her up off the floor call 911 or the non emergency number and ask for a "LIFT ASSIST" most of the time, if there is no transport to the hospital, there is no charge. The paramedics are trained to get someone up without hurting themselves or the person they are getting up. The good thing is they now know there is a person at the residence that may need more help later.
I remembered when my Dad was seeing ants on the walls and in his food. I had him tested for a UTI, sure enough, he had one. Antibiotics helped. No more seeing ants.
old questions/posts should be closed to responses.