Guest guest Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Ida, I'm afraid I don't really have much to offer in the way of advice as my father was only recently diagnosed and although he has had episodes of paranoia, particularly towards my mother, I can only assume that the kind of thing you've experienced this weekend is yet to come for us. I just wanted to say I'm thinking of you, as I'm sure we all are in this group. Hugs, Tania. Goulburn, Australia: 77yo father diagnosed with LBD in May 2011, previously diagnosed as only Parkinson's, currently being weaned off Parkinson's meds ________________________________ To: LBDcaregivers Sent: Monday, 27 June 2011 8:34 AM Subject: Rough Sunday  Mom and Dad spent a very difficult night where Dad completely lost touch with reality, argued and fought with Mom swearing to notify " the authorities " and have her removed. Mom finally called me at about 8 am and I spoke to Dad. He said he did not trust this woman and was relieved when I told him I would be there within 30 minutes. He knew who I was, had insisted that Mom call me, and recognized me when I arrived. Our 21 year old daughter came to stay with my mother, helping her to settle, rest, eat something and just unload a bit. I took Dad to the hospital on the prompt advice of his GP to check for any hidden infection such as a UTI or something that may have triggered this episode. (It began the evening before around 6 pm after a trip to the bathroom, Dad returned to the family room hostile, paranoid and verbally abusive (apparently). He didn't really come back to reality until he tried to explain the nights events ( " all of the people and arguing with that woman " when he stopped midstream and realized it had been his wife (of 60 years) all along. Then he felt terrible and wanted to keep calling her to check on her. 4 hours later, tests completed with nothing abnormal presenting itself, I took him home. We will follow up with the GP this week as we wait for our appointment with the neurologist, which is July 18. Maybe the GP can move forward with an Exelon patch? Or is there a safe, mild sedative medication that can calm him at night? There was no doubt, in the hospital, that he has dementia and it was mentioned several times. Though he won't remember, it is a relief to move toward speaking of it out loud to him and at least use the truth when he asks, " what the hell is happening to my mind? " Anyway…any thoughts or advise, friends? -Ida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Ida,  Seroquel, 25mg works wonders for my Dad. Mom gives it to him in the mornings. I pray you will find something that will work for him. ,daughter of Ralph,82 y/o with LBD x2 years that I know about. Subject: Rough Sunday To: LBDcaregivers Date: Sunday, June 26, 2011, 5:34 PM  Mom and Dad spent a very difficult night where Dad completely lost touch with reality, argued and fought with Mom swearing to notify " the authorities " and have her removed. Mom finally called me at about 8 am and I spoke to Dad. He said he did not trust this woman and was relieved when I told him I would be there within 30 minutes. He knew who I was, had insisted that Mom call me, and recognized me when I arrived. Our 21 year old daughter came to stay with my mother, helping her to settle, rest, eat something and just unload a bit. I took Dad to the hospital on the prompt advice of his GP to check for any hidden infection such as a UTI or something that may have triggered this episode. (It began the evening before around 6 pm after a trip to the bathroom, Dad returned to the family room hostile, paranoid and verbally abusive (apparently). He didn't really come back to reality until he tried to explain the nights events ( " all of the people and arguing with that woman " when he stopped midstream and realized it had been his wife (of 60 years) all along. Then he felt terrible and wanted to keep calling her to check on her. 4 hours later, tests completed with nothing abnormal presenting itself, I took him home. We will follow up with the GP this week as we wait for our appointment with the neurologist, which is July 18. Maybe the GP can move forward with an Exelon patch? Or is there a safe, mild sedative medication that can calm him at night? There was no doubt, in the hospital, that he has dementia and it was mentioned several times. Though he won't remember, it is a relief to move toward speaking of it out loud to him and at least use the truth when he asks, " what the hell is happening to my mind? " Anyway…any thoughts or advise, friends? -Ida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Hi Ida, I'm so sorry to hear you all had such a difficult time...that is so very hard. I can relate to some of it completely...and it changed pretty dramatically when Dad was put on the Excelon patch...he also takes an anti-anxiety med (can't think of the name) that has helped tremendously, although the psychiatrist isn't THRILLED he's on the anxiety med because it can contribute to falling/loss of balance. However, for him it is so worth it due to the benefits, and he is a very cautious person anyways. I hope perhaps you can get the physician to prescribe something before rather than having to wait for the neurological appt!! Lori Rough Sunday Mom and Dad spent a very difficult night where Dad completely lost touch with reality, argued and fought with Mom swearing to notify " the authorities " and have her removed. Mom finally called me at about 8 am and I spoke to Dad. He said he did not trust this woman and was relieved when I told him I would be there within 30 minutes. He knew who I was, had insisted that Mom call me, and recognized me when I arrived. Our 21 year old daughter came to stay with my mother, helping her to settle, rest, eat something and just unload a bit. I took Dad to the hospital on the prompt advice of his GP to check for any hidden infection such as a UTI or something that may have triggered this episode. (It began the evening before around 6 pm after a trip to the bathroom, Dad returned to the family room hostile, paranoid and verbally abusive (apparently). He didn't really come back to reality until he tried to explain the nights events ( " all of the people and arguing with that woman " when he stopped midstream and realized it had been his wife (of 60 years) all along. Then he felt terrible and wanted to keep calling her to check on her. 4 hours later, tests completed with nothing abnormal presenting itself, I took him home. We will follow up with the GP this week as we wait for our appointment with the neurologist, which is July 18. Maybe the GP can move forward with an Exelon patch? Or is there a safe, mild sedative medication that can calm him at night? There was no doubt, in the hospital, that he has dementia and it was mentioned several times. Though he won't remember, it is a relief to move toward speaking of it out loud to him and at least use the truth when he asks, " what the hell is happening to my mind? " Anyway.any thoughts or advise, friends? -Ida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 26, 2011 Report Share Posted June 26, 2011 Ida, As hard as it was for me to learn, when Mom was that angry, what she really was was scared. Sometimes when your Dad doesn't recognize your Mom, if she leaves the room and changes her shirt or adds a sweater, it may be enough. She can also let him know she has sent " that woman " home. The secret is to move into their world as they can't move into ours. Hugs, and good luck, Donna R Cared for Mom 3 years in my home and the last year at a nh. She passed away from LBD in 2002. Rough Sunday Mom and Dad spent a very difficult night where Dad completely lost touch with reality, argued and fought with Mom swearing to notify " the authorities " and have her removed. Mom finally called me at about 8 am and I spoke to Dad. He said he did not trust this woman and was relieved when I told him I would be there within 30 minutes. He knew who I was, had insisted that Mom call me, and recognized me when I arrived. Our 21 year old daughter came to stay with my mother, helping her to settle, rest, eat something and just unload a bit. I took Dad to the hospital on the prompt advice of his GP to check for any hidden infection such as a UTI or something that may have triggered this episode. (It began the evening before around 6 pm after a trip to the bathroom, Dad returned to the family room hostile, paranoid and verbally abusive (apparently). He didn't really come back to reality until he tried to explain the nights events ( " all of the people and arguing with that woman " when he stopped midstream and realized it had been his wife (of 60 years) all along. Then he felt terrible and wanted to keep calling her to check on her. 4 hours later, tests completed with nothing abnormal presenting itself, I took him home. We will follow up with the GP this week as we wait for our appointment with the neurologist, which is July 18. Maybe the GP can move forward with an Exelon patch? Or is there a safe, mild sedative medication that can calm him at night? There was no doubt, in the hospital, that he has dementia and it was mentioned several times. Though he won't remember, it is a relief to move toward speaking of it out loud to him and at least use the truth when he asks, " what the hell is happening to my mind? " Anyway�any thoughts or advise, friends? -Ida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Ida, I'm sorry to hear what happened, but glad your Dad realized it later. At times, these episodes can come and go and then pass. At other times, as suggested, Seroquel can help. You can even start with 12 mg. before going to 25 mg. The Exelon patch will help with cognition and may help a little but it does not help with dilusions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 27, 2011 Report Share Posted June 27, 2011 Your father might have Capgras syndrome, which is a problem with some LB patients. My LO had it pretty bad. To the point where if I left the room and came back he wouldn't recognize me. As mentioned before changing your clothes often helps. Being a man, I would also shave and make sure my hair was combed as well. Visual clues seem to be very important. If you can leave the room but remain within ear shot they will come looking for you after a few minutes. I think this helps because they are then looking for somebody they know. Introduce yourself as often as possible and tell him what you plan to do before you do it, making sure you make eye contact at the same time. In a potentially hostile situation remember to diffuse, distract or disengage. Too many people present will definitely frieghten them. Work one on one and remove anything they could use to hurt themselves or others. Distract them by getting them engaged in some other activity or disengage by removing yourself from the situation if possible. More long term is to try and get them to focus on positive images. A lot of 's " imaginary friends " were pretty dark people. I would tell him that people aren't like that. He went from Thinking the person who was fastening his seat belt was trying to pick his pocket to looking forward to seeing " Mathew " , the kind, gray haired gentleman who would help him in and out of the car. > > Mom and Dad spent a very difficult night where Dad completely lost touch with reality, argued and fought with Mom swearing to notify " the authorities " and have her removed. Mom finally called me at about 8 am and I spoke to Dad. He said he did not trust this woman and was relieved when I told him I would be there within 30 minutes. He knew who I was, had insisted that Mom call me, and recognized me when I arrived. > > Our 21 year old daughter came to stay with my mother, helping her to settle, rest, eat something and just unload a bit. I took Dad to the hospital on the prompt advice of his GP to check for any hidden infection such as a UTI or something that may have triggered this episode. (It began the evening before around 6 pm after a trip to the bathroom, Dad returned to the family room hostile, paranoid and verbally abusive (apparently). > > He didn't really come back to reality until he tried to explain the nights events ( " all of the people and arguing with that woman " when he stopped midstream and realized it had been his wife (of 60 years) all along. Then he felt terrible and wanted to keep calling her to check on her. 4 hours later, tests completed with nothing abnormal presenting itself, I took him home. We will follow up with the GP this week as we wait for our appointment with the neurologist, which is July 18. Maybe the GP can move forward with an Exelon patch? Or is there a safe, mild sedative medication that can calm him at night? > > There was no doubt, in the hospital, that he has dementia and it was mentioned several times. Though he won't remember, it is a relief to move toward speaking of it out loud to him and at least use the truth when he asks, " what the hell is happening to my mind? " > > Anyway…any thoughts or advise, friends? -Ida > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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