Re: Progression of LBD? Sundowners? Or Seroquel?

[Guest guest]

Dear Gladys,

How long have you seen this change in your mom? How

much Seroquel is she on and when is it given? Seroquel

has made quality of life possible for my mom, and I am

glad she is on it. Of course, any med in the wrong

amount - and mixed with certain other meds - can be

harmful. And while Seroquel is one of the atypical

antipsychotics considered helpful in LBD, there are

some folks who can't handle it.

The best way to determine what's going on with your

mom is to: have her primary care doc to do a complete

physical, including comprehensive blood work; rule out

any new physical problems; have the doc who deals with

her psych meds do a consult; and insist on a meds eval

by a pharmacologist.

This may be a rapid progression of the disease . . . a

new physical problem . . . or a mix of meds that your

mom just can't handle anymore (even if she did

before).

Your mom is taking a lot of very strong meds. I'm not

a doc or nurse, and speak only from experience with my

mom, other elders at the senior care center where I

work, and consults with the PharmD and great docs

here.

I cannot say what she should be on, but do be aware

these are all heavy-duty drugs - and there are some

potential contraindications and side effects to be

aware of. Just a few examples: premarin is often

contraindicated for those with thyroid problems and

taking anti-depressants. It can cause, among many

other side effects, significant confusion and speech

problems. Parcopa can be helpful with gait and tremor

in LBDers who have PD or PD-like symptoms: it can also

cause depression, anxiety, confusion. Vytorin can

cause muscle weakness and tiredness. Synthroid may be

contraindicated for those taking hormones, including

estrogen (premarin). It can cause, among other side

effects, tremors, leg cramps and weakness.

This is just the short list. Not all meds cause all

these problems in all people. But our LOs are, as we

know, " exquisitely sensitive " to meds, and what may be

mild side effects in healthy people hit them hard.

Could I respectfully suggest you call on the docs and

hold them to treating your mom appropriately, taking

into account her LBD and the relative need for all the

current meds.

Please keep us posted, Gladys. Your mom - and you -

are in my prayers.

Lin

--- Gladys Stefany wrote:

> Mom has started walking with both legs half bent

> like she's preparing to sit

> She also wobbles like a drunk. Her conversations

> increasingly make less

> and less sense almost like she's stoned. The only

> thing we've done

> differently is to add Seroquel about a month ago.

>

> How on Earth do I tell if this is a side effect of

> the medication or if her

> disease is progressing rapidly?

>

> Anxious,

>

>

>   

> Gladys Stefany

> Milford, Pike County, PA

> Very Proud Daughter of Grace, age 76 - appears to be

> in between stages 3 and

> 4

> Diagnosed with " probable " Diffuse Lewy Body Disease

> Current Meds: Exelon Patch, Namenda, Nexium,

> Parcopa, Premarin, Synthroid,

> Vytorin, Seroquel, and Zoloft

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- Dear Gladys,

Im so sorry to hear this.Mom has had the bent knees and the off and

on speach problem for a long time.She cannot walk or get up without

assistance.Shes on seroquel too but I really dont know if its

related or just this disease.I do know that some los tend to fade

slowly but moms changes have always came almost overnight when they

happen.I hope the best for your dear mom and that your able to get

better answers.Heartfelt best to you Gladys Ron

In LBDcaregivers , " Gladys Stefany "

wrote:

>

> Mom has started walking with both legs half bent like she's

preparing to sit

> She also wobbles like a drunk. Her conversations increasingly

make less

> and less sense almost like she's stoned. The only thing we've done

> differently is to add Seroquel about a month ago.

>

> How on Earth do I tell if this is a side effect of the medication

or if her

> disease is progressing rapidly?

>

> Anxious,

>

>

>   

> Gladys Stefany

> Milford, Pike County, PA

> Very Proud Daughter of Grace, age 76 - appears to be in between

stages 3 and

> 4

> Diagnosed with " probable " Diffuse Lewy Body Disease

> Current Meds: Exelon Patch, Namenda, Nexium, Parcopa, Premarin,

Synthroid,

> Vytorin, Seroquel, and Zoloft

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

--- Lin , we are all so lucky to have you here.My best to you, Ron

In LBDcaregivers , l pratt wrote:

>

> Dear Gladys,

> How long have you seen this change in your mom? How

> much Seroquel is she on and when is it given? Seroquel

> has made quality of life possible for my mom, and I am

> glad she is on it. Of course, any med in the wrong

> amount - and mixed with certain other meds - can be

> harmful. And while Seroquel is one of the atypical

> antipsychotics considered helpful in LBD, there are

> some folks who can't handle it.

>

> The best way to determine what's going on with your

> mom is to: have her primary care doc to do a complete

> physical, including comprehensive blood work; rule out

> any new physical problems; have the doc who deals with

> her psych meds do a consult; and insist on a meds eval

> by a pharmacologist.

>

> This may be a rapid progression of the disease . . . a

> new physical problem . . . or a mix of meds that your

> mom just can't handle anymore (even if she did

> before).

>

> Your mom is taking a lot of very strong meds. I'm not

> a doc or nurse, and speak only from experience with my

> mom, other elders at the senior care center where I

> work, and consults with the PharmD and great docs

> here.

> I cannot say what she should be on, but do be aware

> these are all heavy-duty drugs - and there are some

> potential contraindications and side effects to be

> aware of. Just a few examples: premarin is often

> contraindicated for those with thyroid problems and

> taking anti-depressants. It can cause, among many

> other side effects, significant confusion and speech

> problems. Parcopa can be helpful with gait and tremor

> in LBDers who have PD or PD-like symptoms: it can also

> cause depression, anxiety, confusion. Vytorin can

> cause muscle weakness and tiredness. Synthroid may be

> contraindicated for those taking hormones, including

> estrogen (premarin). It can cause, among other side

> effects, tremors, leg cramps and weakness.

>

> This is just the short list. Not all meds cause all

> these problems in all people. But our LOs are, as we

> know, " exquisitely sensitive " to meds, and what may be

> mild side effects in healthy people hit them hard.

>

> Could I respectfully suggest you call on the docs and

> hold them to treating your mom appropriately, taking

> into account her LBD and the relative need for all the

> current meds.

>

> Please keep us posted, Gladys. Your mom - and you -

> are in my prayers.

>

> Lin

>

>

>

> --- Gladys Stefany wrote:

>

> > Mom has started walking with both legs half bent

> > like she's preparing to sit

> > She also wobbles like a drunk. Her conversations

> > increasingly make less

> > and less sense almost like she's stoned. The only

> > thing we've done

> > differently is to add Seroquel about a month ago.

> >

> > How on Earth do I tell if this is a side effect of

> > the medication or if her

> > disease is progressing rapidly?

> >

> > Anxious,

> >

> >

> >   

> > Gladys Stefany

> > Milford, Pike County, PA

> > Very Proud Daughter of Grace, age 76 - appears to be

> > in between stages 3 and

> > 4

> > Diagnosed with " probable " Diffuse Lewy Body Disease

> > Current Meds: Exelon Patch, Namenda, Nexium,

> > Parcopa, Premarin, Synthroid,

> > Vytorin, Seroquel, and Zoloft

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

> > ------------------------------------

> >

> > Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

> >

> >