I know this isn't exactly the most uplifting topic but here lately I am noticing some slow changes in my mother. She's only 55 but for about the past six months she has called me several times a day and ask me the same things over and over. She's on heart meds too (for A- fib) and they say the high dosage of meds can cause some confusion to an extent but I still worry. Anyone else experience this with their relatives, friends, loved ones, etc? We've always been a close family and it's hard to see your parents get in the shape they get in lots of times. Thanks in advance for any info and advice......
Posted by ISIS (Member # 1780) on :
yes...my mom is like that all the time, and it drives me crazy...because she asks me the same things over and over again....like where are you going? What are you doing? And, I start getting cranky when I have to say things over and over...but I absolutely believe it comes from all the medicine she's taking. She's on about 6-7 different things, and some of them are heart medicines too.
She did ask her doctor about it, and they said absolutely that could be a side effect. She was saying the same thing, and saying that she thought she had the onset of Alzheimer's...which my grandfather had....but she didn't.
My mom is only 60 years old.
I can not for the life of me...understand how people can function at all when they take prescription mediciation...I hate taking medicine. I hate feeling medicated, I think it is a horrible feeling.
I am trying hard to tolerate my mom repeating herself...because I think if it is something you have no control over ,it can be very frustrating.
Posted by Pittsburghgirl (Member # 7514) on :
Motleyrulz, I think youshould take her to a neurologist. They can run tests, plus they know all of the side effects of the drugs that she may be on. I had to take my mother-in-law to one a few years ago, she was okay, they just had to change one of her meds. But now she is starting to lose some of her memory- but she's not too bad for 84 years old. No where near having Alzheimer's or senility. I hope your mother is okay. Hopefully it is just one of her meds interfering with her memory functions.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
Sorry to hear that Motley. I'd think about having a med review....certain meds simply don't jive with certain people. A couple years ago, they put my Uncle on meds that literally almost killed him...symptoms presented as if he had taken a stroke. Someone finally took him off the meds and he recovered 100%. Never hurts to continue to check up on that stuff and ask for second opinions. Doctors are human and sometimes make mistakes. Best wishes.
Posted by Stitch Groover (Member # 2895) on :
Motz, local GPs can do basic memory tests. I had one earlier this year because some medication I have to take has severely affected my memory, and my doctor put me through a 30 question test. It was things like... he'd say 6 colours, then a few minutes later he'd ask me what they were, I had to spell words, and do other things that ironically I can't remember!
Posted by pettyfan (Member # 2260) on :
Motley, awhile back my dad doubled up on his blood pressure meds and it really messed him up for a few days--he was completely talking out of his head. My grandmother has Alzheimer's, and it seems like hers is worsening. She broke her ankle a few weeks ago and the doctors gave her some pain meds, and they have really, really affected her. Hope all goes well with your mom--I know what you mean about being close and then one of them getting sick. It's hard.
Posted by Chris the CandyFanMan (Member # 3197) on :
Currently my grandfather's going through bouts of Alzheimers afflictions; sometimes he's normal, other times he's in an entirely different dimension, not even aware of his location (although humorously, when he was last hosptialized, he tried to make a break for it by sawing through his restraints with a butter knife). Admittedly it is a bit hard on my grandmother--and sometimes the rest of us--but we make do as best we can.
Posted by jdocster (Member # 5752) on :
Motley,
My mother is going through the "moderate" stage of alzheimers right now (she's 75). I'm her caregiver. I spend a LOT of time taking her to doctors appointments (last 2 years) and getting her pills together, cooking dinner etc. There are lots of things that can cause short term memory loss. Medication, stress etc. PLEASE take your mother to see a neurologist now. They have tests that they will perform as well as a case study to determine what the problem is. One thing they look at it an xray of the brain. They do this to look for signs of damage, stroke, scarring, and shrinkage. There are MANY THINGS you can do now to help lengthen both her life and her quality of life, i.e. Aricept (medicine), Namenda (medicine), puzzles, reading, interaction, learning a new language, most important believe it or not is exercise. Exercise release proteins into the brain as well as pumping in oxygen. I have been through many doctors visits, web sites, books, videos, and spoken with a psychologist about this. You really need to understand that time is of the essence. The earlier you catch it the more you can slow it down.
If you would like to discuss this further or if I can help anyone here in any way please PM me.
