|
| > ...has not been demonstrated to improve outcomes of importance
> to
> patients and caregivers (e.g. institutionalization or disability).
The key words...
There is no 'improved outcome of importance' in this disease. It is a
progressive and eventually terminal condition. Most psychiatrists decry
the medicines as having a very poor cost/benefit ratio and recommend
either stopping them or never starting them. "Let nature take it's
course.", I've been advised more than once.
That said, my wife has been taking Aricept and Memantine for years and
is, although now in the later stages of the disease, still taking them.
I shall continue them. I am sure they are doing little for her now and I
have been told many times that I am only delaying the inevitable. Also
that it is like not pulling a feeding tube in a patient with little or
no brain function. Well, my philosophy is all that life is anyway is
just delaying the inevitable death. As long as she is concious,
comfortable and able to swallow I shall have those medications given
despite the high cost. How much is an existance worth? YMMV but that's
my take on the reports of this nature.
|
|