Weaning Grandma off Risperdal...looking for a solution to aggression & insomnia.

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for your responses. I asked the Nurse Practitioner (the

nursing home has her handle everything before the actual doctor, who I

can never seem to talk to) to have the risperdal removed and they said

that they would need to increase her depakote to a therapeutic level

(currently she's on the lowest dose), if we are to take my Grandma off

Risperdal. Is this normal? They would like to wait two weeks to stop

the risperdal (even though she's on the lowest does of this now and has

been for months), so the Depakote levels can get high enough in her

body. I want her off the Risperal now, because she's deteriorated so

much. I can't imagine waiting another two weeks! They fear her

agitation will come back too severely if we don't wait until her body

adjusts to the higher depakote levels. Lastly, does anyone know how

higher levels of Depakote are tolerated with LBD persons? She's also on

Remeron.

My goal is to get my Grandma in a place where she's not too aggressive

and agitated, yet is able to sleep at night without using anti-

psychotics. I hope by removing the Risperdal (which has completely

crippled her), Depakote and Remeron will then do the trick.

You thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

Vik

PS How do I reply to a previous post? When I hit reply I get a box full

of text. Does the reply go above or below this text? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Vik - here's some info re: Depakote:

Here's what had to say about Depakote

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LBDcaregivers/message/61401

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LBDcaregivers/message/65655

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/LBDcaregivers/message/65593

(when you click the link and read the message, be sure to scroll down

and read all the responses - more useful info)

I will say that Depakote is not on Dr. Boeve's document - but keep in

mind that his document was from 2004. But b/c it's not there there's

no titrating schedule listed...

There are a couple of studies for Depakote & Dementia (general term)

http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT00197834

http://clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/clinical-trials/show/NCT00315900

Could those members whose LOs are on Depakote and find it beneficial

(or not) reply to this post and I'll save it for future reference?

and at what dosage is your LO on?

That would bother me too - their wanting to increase Depakote before

removing Risperidone... only b/c of the unknown re: Depakote that I

have... I hate to bother (caregiver who understands meds better

than your average lay-person, who was quite active here - but can't

lately due to 2 caregiving roles he's in - but will pose the question

to him)

And re: your PS - reply above the post - the info below (what you're

answering) helps us stay track

; loving daughter of Maureen of Boston, MA; dx'd with LBD in

2/2006 (confirmed via brain biopsy;) fell victim to rapid decline

from Risperidone; Mom fell into the 50% category of those who could

not handle antipsychotics; Was successful on Celexa, Exelon, ALA &

B1; Mom became my Guardian Angel on Sept. 30th, 2006.

>

> Thank you all for your responses. I asked the Nurse Practitioner

(the

> nursing home has her handle everything before the actual doctor,

who I

> can never seem to talk to) to have the risperdal removed and they

said

> that they would need to increase her depakote to a therapeutic

level

> (currently she's on the lowest dose), if we are to take my Grandma

off

> Risperdal. Is this normal? They would like to wait two weeks to

stop

> the risperdal (even though she's on the lowest does of this now and

has

> been for months), so the Depakote levels can get high enough in her

> body. I want her off the Risperal now, because she's deteriorated

so

> much. I can't imagine waiting another two weeks! They fear her

> agitation will come back too severely if we don't wait until her

body

> adjusts to the higher depakote levels. Lastly, does anyone know how

> higher levels of Depakote are tolerated with LBD persons? She's

also on

> Remeron.

>

> My goal is to get my Grandma in a place where she's not too

aggressive

> and agitated, yet is able to sleep at night without using anti-

> psychotics. I hope by removing the Risperdal (which has completely

> crippled her), Depakote and Remeron will then do the trick.

>

> You thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks everyone!

>

> Vik

>

> PS How do I reply to a previous post? When I hit reply I get a box

full

> of text. Does the reply go above or below this text? Thanks.

>