| Adelle 2005-12-19, 5:59 pm |
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"Florence A" <smada@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:23702-43A723A2-629@storefull-3315.bay.webtv.net...
> Adelle. I don't quite understand all of what you said. I thought that
> since this all started about 1993 the progression would just continue &
> these outbursts would be,or could be controlled by a change in meds.
My FIL's were controlled by meds, but only when they were adminisrtered on a
very carefully kept schedule. He had no outbreaks in the second facility or
in the psych ward when he was rejected by the first facility. But he had
outbursts (physically violent) at that first facility. We assume from those
facts that the first facility was not giving him his meds on an even and
constant schedule.
> (which has been done continually) reduction on the Paxil---add.
> Rispadal then add Depakote adjusting as needed...
I think those are the meds my FIL was on, too. But rather than reduced, he
needed to maintain a constant level, just like someone with bi-polar needs a
constant blood level. Finding the right levels (dosages) was done as an
inpatient in a psych facility. You should talk to Don's doctor about maybe
the dosages needing to be adjusted again (or be all the time instead of as
needed).
Wasn't a pretty time as psych wards do not deal with dementia well. They are
geared towards people who can still make choices. Not recommended unless
there is no alternative.
>
> I know different parts of the brain are continually being affected. He
> is still on
> Aricept & Namenda So much of Don is just no longer there.
>
> Would the frontal lobe be the worse part.
Dunno if it's worse. If this has been going on for twelve years, this could
just be AD finally moving forward from the rear of the brain to the front.
If that is so, it means what AD has always meant - that sadly Don continues
to lose parts of what make him Don and while we can slow it and ameliorate
some of the effects, modern medicine can't make the progression stop
altogether. He's entering another phase of this terrible disease.
When it's frontal lobe dementia, these things happen early in the disease
process. It's a much faster decline to muteness and inability to connect
with another person. But often these patients live a long time in their mute
isolated state. It's really sad.
What was most difficult for my FIL was the loss of oral motor skills. He was
immediately and significantly affected by anesthesia for a broken hip and
lost the ability speak beyond moaning sounds and could not swallow well. He
aspirated something and within days had pneumonia. That set off a chain of
other health crises that ended in his death. But that was him. No two people
are affected the exact same way on the same progression.
> At this point would ths matter much...I fear the day of the request to
> leave the facility. Your E mail took a bit of this
> pain away.. He was happy & singing 2 months ago...But now I am
> wondering , what's next.?
It could just be that an adjustment in meds is in order. Or it could be
progression, which happens in fits and starts very unevenly.
Sorry, my crystal ball is in the shop. Never told anything useful anyway.
Adelle
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