What is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disease, is the most common cause of dementia and characterized clinically by progressive cognitive deterioration together with declin...
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Here is my situation. My Mom who is 76 years old was officially diagnosed a year ago with AD. I would say that she is entering stage 6 now. For the last 15 or so years of her life she has had high cholesterol and been off and on meds for it. Before she was diagnosed with the alzhiemers she saw her regular dr. and was put on blood pressure and cholesteral meds. She is also on the excelon patch which I dont think has done much good. She has declined rapidly over the last year since she has been on it. She is due have her cholesterol checked and to see her regular dr. again. My sister is adamant that someone stay with her the night before to make sure she doesnt eat or drink, make sure she gets to the hosp. early in the morning for her blood test and then wait for her doctor appt. I have been taking care of my Mom every morning this summer and I know she doesnt like to go anywhere in public anymore, and doesnt want to go to the doctor unless absolutely neccessary. She got her note to have a mammogram and she said "I dont have to do this do I?" I told her no, why should she have to? I guess I am feeling like why make her go through these things? I would just like your take on it, because I'm not sure what I should be thinking right now! I am very emotional about what is happening to my Mom and just need some support and advice. Thanks.
Posted on 07/18/09, 04:07 pm |
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I think you're asking the right questions. For me personally, my mom has really deteriorated since my dad passed away a little over 2 years ago. I don't have much faith that the reminyl is doing anything, considering taking her to the MD to try aricept. I do want her to maintain her level of function for as long as possible, so I want her to stay on the blood pressure pills and cholesterol pills, because the last thing she needs is to have a stroke. I get her to the dentist because that will have an impact on her daily quality of life. I get her to the eye doctor, so her glasses prescription is up to date and she can see well enough that she is less likely to trip over something. She has cataracts, but thank goodness the eye doctor doesn't want to do anything. Her knees bother her a bit with arthritis, but no way is she going under the knife for knee replacements. The anaesthetic and the hospitalization could really cause her level of function to drop significantly. I guess I use the cost benefit analysis to make decisions about what to pursue medically. I think the important thing to remember is that you are doing the best you can to make the best choices for her. My mom doesn't get mammograms or pap tests- if they found anything, it's not like we would let them treat it anyways. I would discuss it with her doctor, too. Get his take on what test/procedures etc he thinks are important to maintain her health versus putting her through something unpleasant that you may have no intention of trying to fix, anyways. At least that way, you can make an informed decision. ANd always remember, no matter how things turn out- there is no right and wrong. You do the best you can and try not to scond guess yourself. Hind sight is always 20/20. 
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I kind of feel that way about my husband too, is it something that will make his day to day life better? then I do it, if I was told he had cancer- would I push for treatment- no. Right now he is in Stage 6 and at home so I continue with the blood pressure and cholesterol etc, later down the road I am thinking that we will stop these, when exactly that will be I don't know, I am just trying to prepare myself mentally for the inevitable.
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I agree with the first to replies. If it is something that will help keep her level of enjoyment of daily life up then do it, if not then let it be. We all know there is only one outcome for AD (actualy there is only one outcome for life it'self) so why put them through anything that will cause pain, confusion and may take away from what they can do now.
I do think that taking the meds for blood pressure and cholesterol are important and not just because of the possibility of strokes. Experts I have heard lecture are very sure that high blood pressure and cholesterol play an active roll in some types of dementia, when those two are a long term problem a person has a 60% high chance of developing dementia/AD so treating them may have about as much affect on slowing the advance of the disease as taking things like aricept.
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Thanks SO much for your advice and wonderful support. I talked to my other sister too and we remembered that after she went on the blood pressure and cholesterol meds last year that she wasnt as confused etc. So I feel like at this time its best to leave her on them. I'm not looking forward to making her go to the doctor on Wed. But we will muddle through! I'm sure that I will have alot of emotional days ahead and times when I have more questions. I really appreciate your concern and advice.
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One point you made was to have someone with your mother the night before her lab work so she did not eat anything. Unless she is having a blood sugar test eating before a cholesterol test has very little effect on the lab results. Cholesterol lowers and elevates slowly. I took the approch with my mother to have medical tests that would improve her quality of life or comfort. My main goal with my mother was to keep her life as peaceful as possible, as little stress as possible. Everyones thoughts are different according to their situation. Just do what you think is right. Marcia
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