|
| > These problems are so difficult to analyze.
>
> Did the drug do any good? Is it still doing any good?
> Is it worth the cost?
>
> How are we to know?
> Anyway, that's my 2 cents.
Understood. I abbreviated the medical history and meant my post to be a
contravening reply to the generally pessimistic reports issued from
reviews of Alzheimer's drugs for the consideration of the readers of the
newsgroups to which the 'letter' was sent.
In my wife's case, Aricept was discontinued, replaced then re-started
for the obvious reason of behavioral and cognitive changes. It was
discontinued by a psychiatrist to the tune of - don't load her up with
medicines that ultimately prove useless. Net result, she then required
antipsychotic and behavorial meds to keep her calm. So much for
therapeutic overload. I read of Memantine, requested opinion and Rx from
the internist. He thought it might be worth while but couldn't perscribe
it because it wasn't approved at that time in the US despite a decade of
use in Germany. I ordered it from England until it was approved by the
FDA and we were able to discontinue all other meds except the Aricept.
She's been treated for Alzheimer's for about ten years now and has
required placement in an Alzheimer's unit for five of those. Do the meds
still help? Honestly, I don't know if and/or to what extent. I am
inclined to doubt if as much as before, certainly, but I am reluctant to
loose the last therapy of known benefit. I know someday she shall cease
to eat/swallow and then I will face the eventuality of 'letting her go'.
'Til then I'll continue to fight like hell and seek/hope for that
'miracle drug' to make itself known.
Sorry to be so verbose but I'm generally withdrawn and probably won't
elaboraste again. Thanks for everyone's patience, understanding and
advice/thoughts. Y'all have a good 'un now, y'heah? ;-)
|
|