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I hope she takes her medicine. I put it in her pill box. I call her to remind her to take her pills. She yelled and swears at me then calmly says she will. My dad tells her also as they have been married for 49 years. I'm exhausted and feel powerless to help her. She does not think she has a problem. I have no siblings. Does this get better? I'm feeling very discouraged.

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I sooo understand and am really sorry. Me and my dad would just get back from eating with my mom and 10 minutes after dad and I would sit down she would start getting mad saying "I guess you just want me to starve since we aren't going out to eat". We would tell her well, we just got back from eating and that would make her furious because she didn't remember. Or I love the time when my mom and dad went to the dentist and she wanted to go sit in the car after they cleaned her teeth. When we got finished and got in the car she saw the bill and got furious because they cheated her. I said why and she said they hadn't cleaned her teeth and charged her for it. I soon learned to go along on her journey and tell her I would look into it for and get back with her. I took care of my In Laws so my husband pretty much understands and knows how hard this whole thing is. If there is anyone or friends that offer to help, LET THEM. I thought I had to do everything and I sure wish I could go back and take up some of those offers. Anyway, thanks again for the info and try to get some rest. Good Luck and God Bless
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The Philips med machine will hold 28 days, but it's hard to have that many on hand every time. I just go by the smaller supply, if it's two weeks, that's enough to give me a break from worry. I need to check them before filling the machine. Had to stop at 20 days, but she had two days left. It's a Godsend, but quickly not being enough to help me miss more than a couple days going over because of other problems. She has a dog that she won't walk outside, and she has to be groomed, mom constantly begs her to eat treats and thinks when she looks at her she is hungry. Forgets she fed her every 10 min all day. (I'm sick this week and I'm losing my mind trying to deal with her and get rest I need.). Poor hubby is frustrated too.
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That is the coolest thing I've heard about. Didn't know anything like that existed. I WILL look into that for my dad. So far he's done pretty well doing his own meds but I can see where he will need help soon. Thanks for the info.
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I live in a small town. So we hear about the good and not so good NHs. Check around and when u find one make an appt to talk to someone.
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My mom got to where she took the wrong meds every day. No spouse to help.
I rented a med machine from Philips Despenser Service. Cost $99 to set up, then $50 a month. I fill it with her meds in small cups and it despenses it morning and night. She takes it when the machine beeps and say "take your meds now",
She takes them out and the machine says thank you. She promptly forgets she took them. If I don't go over every day or two she will say she hasn't eaten or gotten any meds from her machine. BUT if the meds stay there in the machine slot for 45 minutes, it calls ME! When it's near empty it calls me, if her electric goes off, it calls me, and more. It is all that is keeping her in a retirement home, but it's time for me to find somewhere else for her to live. I've got to find out about Medicaid, soon.
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It may help in early onset patients, but it did not help in our case. Namenda is expensive so we along with Hospice suggestions, stoped the 2 drugs. Good luck. buckle in, take deep breaths, calmness, patience, understanding, LOVE
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Is it best to give Namenda xr in the morning or in the eveng?

What about Aricept..best morning or evening? Should both be given together, or separate? marymember
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Yes, psychiatric imbalances can happen with drugs that try to help Alzheimer's, because all of them do things to neurotransmitters.
Please explore the website listed below.
BUT...trying to tell if those behaviors are related to the drugs, or to the Alzheimer's, is almost impossible; even if drugs are stopped, and the behaviors stop, that could still be progress of the disease, and not the drugs...because both drugs and the disease, monkey with neurotransmitters, and neither levels are static--they keep changing over time.

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are thought to work by slowing the breakdown of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This chemical is involved in learning and memory. These medications include //Aricept®// (donepezil), Razadyne® (galantamine HBr), and Exelon® (rivastigmine)*

NAMENDA XR is a glutamate pathway modifier (memantine hydrochloride) that may help regulate the abnormal activity of glutamate—another chemical in the brain that is important for learning and memory.
What should be discussed with the healthcare provider before taking NAMENDA XR?
//Before// starting NAMENDA XR, talk to the healthcare provider about all of the patient's past and present medical conditions, including:
===Seizure disorders
===Difficulty passing urine
===Liver, kidney, or bladder problems
IF the patient is taking other medications (including those without a prescription), ask the healthcare provider if NAMENDA XR is right for the patient.
CERTAIN medications, changes in diet, or medical conditions //may// affect the amount of NAMENDA XR in the body and possibly increase side effects.
WHAT are the possible side effects of NAMENDA XR?
The most common side effects associated with NAMENDA XR treatment are headache, diarrhea, and dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects.
namendaxr/adding
Try looking in this site, to learn more.
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From what I understand, there is no drug that will cure Alzheimer's or slow the progression. Certain medications, e.g. Aricept and Namenda, are aimed at treating the symptoms. They work in some people, but not in others. I do not know that they actually slow the progression of the disease, but they may make the brain work better for longer in some people. I don't know if my understanding is right, so please feel free to correct it.
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Here is a question for those giving your loved ones Namenda xr and Aricept.

Do you give them both together? Or do you spread the dosages --like one a.m.;
and one p.m.

I realize Aricept needs to be given with food...not sure about Namenda xr...

Could anger and pararoid feelings be a side effect? Or are side effects mostly an upset stomach or headaches...? marymember..
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My mom also did not think anything was wrong. After initial drs. appt. we went down to the car and she threw the Aricept back at me in the back seat. Needless to say she never took it. Sadly like Ferris said, it is a bumpy ride until they get to a certain point as in my mom's case. "They" tell you to join them on their journey and do not try to correct them. I use to try to reason with my mom and it would end terribly. If they say nothing is wrong or they saw a gorilla, go with it. I will tell you after 12 years it has been a very long journey for me and my family. 5 1/2 of those years in a facility. Everyday is different. You will think you have a handle on everything and something else pops up. Keep your sense of humor. You are going to need it. :)) Good Luck and God Bless
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The Phillips Lifeline people have the neatest pill dispenser. If I remember right, it holds 10days worth of pills. Its like a carousel. It locks so the patient can't get to the pills. A voice tells u it's time to take pills. If the patient doesn't hit the button u will get a call telling u the meds have not been taken. I 've seen it work so neat.
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Me again. Also, I took my Dad to a Alzheimer-Neuro specialist for actual diagnosis by testing and for treatment recommendations. Eventually, the first medication that Dad was prescribed seemed to stop working. So, they added a new medication to it and again, we could tell a difference. But getting her to work with you is going to be key.
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Contrary to some comments above, the Namenda was a big help to my Dad. The medications, none of them, will reverse alzheimers. But the earlier they start to take medication the better because it will slow the progression. Your Mom is in denial because she is scared. Maybe a sit down with she and your Dad, having a calm, kind and loving conversation will help. Especially if you tell her that the medicine might help to keep it from getting worse. That's what we told my Dad. And, yes, don't trust her to take the meds. Ask Dad to handle being sure. I know how you are feeling....I, too, am an only child. Good luck!
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Mom put on Namenda and Aricept at early on set years ago......as well s my friends mom -my friend was a RN for 30 + years. Both had bad reactions mad them worse not better..so have dad monitor her intake wait a month or two and see if any improvement...if not talk to her doctor again.
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My mother in law takes Namenda too for dementia and according to the DR it doesn't stop it but can slow the progress down. Unfortunately things aren't going to get better with this they are only going to get worse. If she is not living with you and your dad is the one caring for her make sure you both are on the same page for her care. he can make sure she takes the meds. Both you and your dad also need to take care of yourselves too. Look for some care options that can help you get that much needed time to yourselves. There are lots of organizations and groups in every area that can help provide sitters for your mom and many can be free or at a low cost to you. My mother in law goes 2x a week to a day care program to help keep her in the here and now and to help keep her social skills to be social. It is a little pricey but it might be worth looking into for your mom too - it gets her out of the house where she can socialized with others her age and do lots of activities.
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If it's in the early stages, the Namenda has proven to be useful. I hope it works for her. In the meantime you need to educate yourself on dementia and all that goes with it, including behaviors. Contact the Alzheimer's Association, they will be able to give you information, they are a great resource. You can also contact the local area agency on aging and ask about caregiver services and in home services to help out mom. Look into an adult medical day care, it's a great place (in my experience) to go, socialize, eat a meal etc. Good luck.
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My mom takes Namenda and it does not reverse the dementia but I really believed it has slowed her descent down a lot. We have not noticed any side effects and I keep a close look out for them since she had such a terrible time with Aricept. She has been on Namenda XR for a year.
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No, dementia does not get better with time, only worse, and Namenda is more of a placebo because there is NO drug that will reverse dementia. The side effects are worse than what she is taking it for and it may make things worse. Get yourself ready for a bumpy ride...
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Can you have your dad give to her and stand by to be sure she takes it? I don't think that you can trust her to reliably do it herself. It helped my husband. We use it along with Aricept. Be sure that she has had a complete evaluation by a dementia specialist. Good luck!
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My cousins brother has it and he is 53 yrs old. it is very sad. From what I understand, it is genetic, and his mothers brother (his uncle) had it same age. I am not related my Aunt Betty. Anyway, my cousin told me he is very confused and has a hard time even with hot and cold settings in shower. He broke into his childhood home thinking he still lived there. The namenda will help, my mom takes it but she has lewy body and is 90 years old. All I know is it know it helps her. Keep an eye on her and make sure she takes her meds, she will tell you she takes them but, well, it is a good idea to make certain.
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If she takes the Namenda, it should help a lot. Hoping for you.
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