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Old 08-11-2015, 11:50 AM #1
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Default Dementia vs Alheimers

Hi Peeps,
I need information, experiences and opinions.
One yr ago my husband had back to back surgery. He was forgetful but nothing critical like forgetting to close doors, forgetting keys object type forgetfulness.

Now a year later he does not remember one minute to the next some days are better like now he asked me if I had something for the dishwasher then comes back and say I did ask you if you had something Yada Yada.

I had a geriatric evaluation they said he has Alzheimer's and prescribed Namenda and airacept. I give him only the Namenda 2 times a day.

I gave him the same test at home and he did fine. I think when the day is slow paced he does fine and if too much happening gets confused.

He does seem to ask the same thing over and over and he does not like to be alone. I have to be after or he will sit and sleep and watch tv all day. Today he made the coffee and is vital. That is why I question the Alheimers diagnosis.

He was fine memory good after 1st operation. 2nd operating did a lot of cognitive damage. The second was bypass. Can you share your experiences with Alzheimer's and progression and Namenda and airacept. Thank would appreciate knowledge on this disease.


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Old 08-11-2015, 06:42 PM #2
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Hi uglogirl

I know about AD in two ways.

My mother-in-law had it so my family job was to support her and my wife. In my day job I have published some papers on it, from a basic science rather than clinical perspective.

Differential diagnosis of AD compared to other dementias is not easy though a combination of MRI, CT scans and PET scans can sometimes help - this is something that you could discuss with your husband's care team.

The fluctuations in cognition that you have described are common in AD - they certainly applied to my m-i-l.

The medications (Namenda and Airacept) that you mentioned have different pharmacological bases of action. They can sometimes help but (day job investigation related to my m-i-l) the evidence is not strong. If Namenda helps your husband, that is good.

All the best.
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Old 08-13-2015, 01:42 PM #3
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Default Dementia vs Alheimers

I don't know if Namenda helps. I know he complains of dizziness sometimes.

I was thinking it could be vascular dementia. It was the second surgery he had in a month a three hr bypass operation after first one he was fine, he just had a little forgetfulness.

I don't give him the Airacept because of the dizziness of the Namenda.

There are days when he seems on top of his game then others he is confused. Like yesterday he said he was going to wash the car and he remembered today and followed through.

How long did ur mother-in-law have it. We're there days she seemed fine and was busy living her life.

My husband sometimes sleeps most of the day and watches tv and other days he is busy doing things .


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Last edited by uglogirl; 08-13-2015 at 02:40 PM.
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Old 08-13-2015, 06:39 PM #4
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Uglogirl, my mother-in-law first showed signs of AD in her early 70s - she died in her late 70s. Yes, in the early stages there were days when she was fine and days in which she was not.

Being a carer for somebody with dementia is very hard. Please make sure that you have a good support network - being able to talk with a trusted family member, friend, or (if relevant) member of your church can make a big difference.

I don't know if this applies where you live but you could try to get what is called here Enduring Power of Attorney status for you husband. That means that should he become incapable of making informed choices (medical or other), you will be legally able to act on his behalf.

With care.
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Old 08-13-2015, 11:23 PM #5
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Thank you for the info Marion Kiwi
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Old 11-17-2016, 10:52 PM #6
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How is your husband going. My husband sounds very similar to yours. The geriatrician says Alzheimers and it is definitiely some sort of brain issue. Some days he functions well other days he just doesn't remember a thing. We were told to avoid general anaestetics and to mark his records that way. It seems they make it worse. We did get Enduring Power of Attorney years ago thank goodness.
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