Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
I wonder how many other people reading this who have Alzheimers or any other type of dementia will say (I can relate to this) as I think its a problem that many of us can have at some point within the illness which unfortunately for me its NOW
Some people might say its Taboo and, (I would rather not talk about it) yet its a problem of the harsh reality that some of us are constantly faced with, being the frequency and urgency of needing to visit the toilet, that can drive our spouse almost to their wits end so for those of you who do not have our illness then let this act as awareness for you
This is told on actuality of my own situation and not hypothesis
One of my constant frustrating problems is that when Im sitting typing I only seem to have typed a few lines when I need to rush to the loo for a wee, although I do try to restrain myself its now become impossible and on more than one occasion Ive actually had an accident before reaching the bathroom which obviously can be extremely embarrassing but its not just when Im at the computer as it happens at any time during the course of the day no matter what Im doing and more often than not at the most inconvenient times, sometimes Ive no sooner been to the toilet then within 2-3 minutes I need to go again! OK, this is not such a big problem when you indoors and the bathroom is close at hand, but, when my dear wife and I are going out shopping it becomes a whole new ball game of (hunt the Public Convenience)
Normally prior to leaving home my dear wife will always remind me to go to the loo but it seems that we have no sooner arrived at the shops or supermarket and Im telling her (I need the loo) so we have to stop whatever we are doing for my relief not to mention my dear wifes peace of mind in case of any mishaps! I know this must sound rather strange or amusing but try and put yourself in my position and remember the old saying (When youve got to go youve got to go) and in my case that often means Right NOW then no sooner have I been and Im saying I want a drink, so it becomes a never ending circle.
I know I also have the problem of type 2 sugar diabetes, which could be adding to the problem yet my diabetes is under control with my blood sugar on par as I do maintain a strict diet but the problem still remains and we are getting to the point that when out shopping I might need to use Adult pads as a safety measure.
The problem doesnt just stop there as my night times can be even more problematic as once Im asleep then Im oblivious as to when I need to go to the bathroom, and not always do I wake up until its far to late due to incontinence, which then results in my dear wife having to change all the bed sheets in the middle of the night, yet she has never once complained so we have long since placed a rubber sheet beneath the bed sheet to prevent any seeping to the mattress, my dear wife has now also taken the precaution of keeping a good old fashioned chamber pot at my side of the bed which has served its purpose when in dire emergency, both day and night!
But one of the things she has noticed of a night time with my problem of incontinence is that its far worse when I have bad dreams and especially nightmares
Barry...
http://www.simplesite.com/BarrysAlzheimers
Some people might say its Taboo and, (I would rather not talk about it) yet its a problem of the harsh reality that some of us are constantly faced with, being the frequency and urgency of needing to visit the toilet, that can drive our spouse almost to their wits end so for those of you who do not have our illness then let this act as awareness for you
This is told on actuality of my own situation and not hypothesis
One of my constant frustrating problems is that when Im sitting typing I only seem to have typed a few lines when I need to rush to the loo for a wee, although I do try to restrain myself its now become impossible and on more than one occasion Ive actually had an accident before reaching the bathroom which obviously can be extremely embarrassing but its not just when Im at the computer as it happens at any time during the course of the day no matter what Im doing and more often than not at the most inconvenient times, sometimes Ive no sooner been to the toilet then within 2-3 minutes I need to go again! OK, this is not such a big problem when you indoors and the bathroom is close at hand, but, when my dear wife and I are going out shopping it becomes a whole new ball game of (hunt the Public Convenience)
Normally prior to leaving home my dear wife will always remind me to go to the loo but it seems that we have no sooner arrived at the shops or supermarket and Im telling her (I need the loo) so we have to stop whatever we are doing for my relief not to mention my dear wifes peace of mind in case of any mishaps! I know this must sound rather strange or amusing but try and put yourself in my position and remember the old saying (When youve got to go youve got to go) and in my case that often means Right NOW then no sooner have I been and Im saying I want a drink, so it becomes a never ending circle.
I know I also have the problem of type 2 sugar diabetes, which could be adding to the problem yet my diabetes is under control with my blood sugar on par as I do maintain a strict diet but the problem still remains and we are getting to the point that when out shopping I might need to use Adult pads as a safety measure.
The problem doesnt just stop there as my night times can be even more problematic as once Im asleep then Im oblivious as to when I need to go to the bathroom, and not always do I wake up until its far to late due to incontinence, which then results in my dear wife having to change all the bed sheets in the middle of the night, yet she has never once complained so we have long since placed a rubber sheet beneath the bed sheet to prevent any seeping to the mattress, my dear wife has now also taken the precaution of keeping a good old fashioned chamber pot at my side of the bed which has served its purpose when in dire emergency, both day and night!
But one of the things she has noticed of a night time with my problem of incontinence is that its far worse when I have bad dreams and especially nightmares
Barry...
http://www.simplesite.com/BarrysAlzheimers
deleted_user
Thank you Barry, for mentioning this. My mom has this problem. She sometimes goes every 1 or so especially after she drinks. I try to have her drinking water or any drinks early in the morning and we are close to the toilet in the next room . The rest of the day I try not to give her things to make her go. IF you take vitamin especially antioxidant, its best to take them in the morning because they make you go more often, also fruit makes you go a lo.t Certain fruits are worse than other. I try to give her the things that make her go only in the morning. I also have her dinner no later than 4 after I just give her things like crackers etc. Try this and see if it works for you.
deleted_user
Actually you are fortunate that the signal is still there (during the day). At night it might just be easier for both of you if you wore depends (just for convenience). As far as frequency a urologist might recommend the RX "Enablex" which might help you. many people have this issue that don't have Dementia, actually becoming quite common. Just look at the isles in the grocery and drug stores lined with Adult pads. You certainly can't help this but a RX might give releif for a while. I say Enablex rather than Vesicare as Vesicare interferes with CHOLINE while you need. Good luck dear friend, but don't feel bad if there is a good side to this be glad your brain is still sending the signal that prompts the urge to go. As they say be glad for small favors:) Hugs Sherri
Join the Conversation