[Mr Rogers]

Just an FYI...my Mom died this week. She was diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, although I believe it requires an autopsy to know for certain.

Anyways, after several years of worsening memory loss and psychotic episodes, we pulled her off her breast cancer medication. At 85, we figured it wouldn’t matter that much if it came back. During the last few months, we saw significant improvement in her memory, reasoning ability and a decrease in freaking out. She seemed a lot happier during the weeks just before her death.

Just something to think about for anyone struggling with a parent & Alzheimers...take a close look at any meds she/he is taking. Talk about each one with a doctor, to include side effects and any negative interactions.

[neverdem]

Just an FYI...my Mom died this week. She was diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, although I believe it requires an autopsy to know for certain.

You have my sincere condolences.

Last that I heard is that a definitive diagnosis is made only with an autopsy, except in rare instances when more bad reasons provide the opportunity for a biopsy while the patient is alive.

[maine-iac7]

I watched a lady who was perfectly sane, bright and witty who, after going into a nursing home following a fall that injured her knee being immediately put on 5 prescription drugs - (she was on NONE and needed none before) = and these drugs had contraindications ...but it increased the medical money for the nursing home by over $500 a month.

She quickly slipped in dementia -

Unfortunately, nothing will be researched or done about this - it has been reported for decades. There's simply too much money being made with prescription drugs.

It is going to be up to us, individually, to do the research on each and every drug prescribed to us or loved ones and decide....I have refused to take several drugs prescribed for me in the past 10 years. 5 of those have now been taken off the market for causing deaths...

I only take one of my heart meds - and supplement that with CO Q10 per research.

We are fortunate today with the research we can do on the Internet (stick with reputable studies) and the many books (best on "The PILL BOOK" - cheapest and published yearly to keep up with new drugs. It gives the side effects...so we can make informed decisions

[Sender]

My condolences go out to you both. My Mom is 83 and has dementia and Alzheimers. She not only lost most of her memory but had quite a few very bad days when she was really psychotic, imagining other families living upstairs, thinking she was in someone else's house and wanting to go home, and outright angry, shrieking, insane outbursts against people including me.

She is doing better now, partly by better controlling her diabetes, and they put her on 2 drugs, trazadone and another antipsychotic. I hate to see her drugged but there have been few insane outbursts since she started them.

I know her time left is limited, and there's not much I can do except try to make her happy and ensure she has lots of human contact to stay stimulated.

Not all the psych drugs are bad. At least with the drugs, I can call Mom and have a civil if rambling conversation with her. Before the drugs, she would just curse and hang up.

[PGalt]

Condolences; condolences; interesting. Thanks for the ping neverdem. Health/life bump.

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

About a month ago, it was decided that we would remove nutritional supplements from my 92 year old mother. There has been a remarkable decline in her memory. Coincidence?

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

I am so sorry about the loss of your mother.