Dementia!!

[andrea_h]

Where do I start?....

Over the last few months my Gran (79) has become increasingly confused, eg mixed up names etc. .....Last week doc prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection and said that the confusion may be caused by that eg lack of oxygen, ears blocked up etc. My sister stayed with her that night as she kept having panic attacks as she couldn't breathe properly - during the night she only had about 20-30mins sleep & was increasingly confused. Doc came back the next day and prescribed a sedative (zopiclone) to take every night before bed as lack of sleep was adding to confusion.

We recieved a call from my Grandad the next morning as my Gran was more confused than ever, having hallucinations and was very aggressive and distressd....her gp surgery was closed (training) til Monday & no locum available - NHS Direct advised to go to local A&E dept......Casualty Doc asked loads of questions and she didn't know any of the answers (day, year, prime minister etc) - doc advised to see GP on Monday but suspects Dementia, but kept her on the sedative for now......

Could the sedative have caused the problem or just aggravated an underlying condition?My Dad & Auntie are both in denial over the whole thing and are just blaming the tablets & think she'll be fine when she comes off them whereas my mum, sister and I have pointed out that this has been coming for a while now but no-one wanted to do anything as she was still fairly lucid most of the time....

I believe that it is Dementia and has just been aggravated - how is this treated - if at all and how do you handle the situation, do you go along with the mental 'place' that person is in or do you try to keep them grounded in the present and aware of the current situation?

Sorry that was so long - there's loads of stuff swimming around in my head!!!

[Dollie]

Poor You Andrea - my dad was diagnosed with dementia (Alz.Disease) three years ago. We noticed the same symptoms as suffered by your gran, but not as quickly - seems as though your gran's decline is a bit quicker. The GP will refer her to a consultant - it may be that you have a memory clinic at your hosp, either way she will be referred where the consultant will make a formal diagnosis. When and if that diagnosis comes, it may be that your gran will be put on tablets which will slow the condition down - my dad's on Aricept and it hasn't improved his condition, but he certainly hasn't got any worse. It may be that they decide not to give your gran any medication, in which case she will be regurlarly monitored by the MH nurses, who will come out to see your gran and grandad on a regular basis at home, in addition to annual check ups at hosp. Dementia is a cruel illness, but more cruel for those having to watch it - like your grandad and you. There is a lot of help out there in the community for carers of dementia patients, and you can help your grandad to access these by talking to the Mental Health nurses who your grandad will meet very shortly. I'm so sorry for you - get that diagnosis soon Andrea - good luck.

[campbellking]

Please ensure that they also rule out a urinary tract infection which can also exacerbate problems and lead to further confusion in the elderly. Make sure your grandmother stays hydrated.

[Kay]

Side effects:
Bitter taste. Somnolence, confusion, anterograde amnesia or memory impairment, asthenia, euphoria, depression, bad breath, coated tongue.

These are side effects from Zopiclone/Imovane andrea_h, especially in the elderly. My beloved Dad had Senile Demantia,he was given Largactyl which made his condition worse. Have a talk with the doctor about the medication!

[Eastender]

Hi andrea-h As the previous post have said having a urinary infection can help towards this kind of situation. Sometimes the family can see dementia creeping in but are to scared to admit to it especially when its someone very close. When you have not experienced it before its very scary and heart breaking. As dollie has said the GP will help you all along the way with the appropriate sectors of care. I have been a carer for years and have also had experience of it within my own family. I am sure once your gran receives the proper medication and help from all around her you will find the strengh to help your granparents. x

[mullein3]

Get the doctor to do some blood tests as a lot of old people stop absorbing b12 and that makes them like you describe..in fact a lot of elderly people get it in injection form of their doctors as they stop absorbing it from food..Its a shot in the dark but it could certainly be a lack of b12..