Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

[Guest guest]

Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems but

now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

Thanks,

Tania

(Australia)

(Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

[Guest guest]

Tania,

I never found " more meds " better for Mom.  She just couldn't handle that much

meds.   You will need to decide for yourself even when the MD wants to give

them more.

Hugs

Donna R

Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

 

Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems but

now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

Thanks,

Tania

(Australia)

(Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

[Guest guest]

Thanks Donna. I've read a lot on here about more meds not being good for LBD/PDD

but that even counts for something like Aricept? I talked to Mum about this

evening and we might lower the dosage back down to 5mg, even just to see if it

makes a little (improved) difference.

Hugs back,

Tania....

>

>

>

> Tania,

>

>

>

> I never found " more meds " better for Mom.  She just couldn't handle that much

meds.   You will need to decide for yourself even when the MD wants to give

them more.

>

>

>

> Hugs

>

>

>

> Donna R

>

>

>

> Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

>

>  

>

>

>

>

> Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

>

> Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems

but now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Tania

> (Australia)

>

> (Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Donna. I've read a lot on here about more meds not being good for LBD/PDD

but that even counts for something like Aricept? I talked to Mum about this

evening and we might lower the dosage back down to 5mg, even just to see if it

makes a little (improved) difference.

Hugs back,

Tania....

>

>

>

> Tania,

>

>

>

> I never found " more meds " better for Mom.  She just couldn't handle that much

meds.   You will need to decide for yourself even when the MD wants to give

them more.

>

>

>

> Hugs

>

>

>

> Donna R

>

>

>

> Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

>

>  

>

>

>

>

> Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

>

> Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems

but now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Tania

> (Australia)

>

> (Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Donna. I've read a lot on here about more meds not being good for LBD/PDD

but that even counts for something like Aricept? I talked to Mum about this

evening and we might lower the dosage back down to 5mg, even just to see if it

makes a little (improved) difference.

Hugs back,

Tania....

>

>

>

> Tania,

>

>

>

> I never found " more meds " better for Mom.  She just couldn't handle that much

meds.   You will need to decide for yourself even when the MD wants to give

them more.

>

>

>

> Hugs

>

>

>

> Donna R

>

>

>

> Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

>

>  

>

>

>

>

> Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

>

> Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems

but now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Tania

> (Australia)

>

> (Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

We had an " interesting " experience with both Aricept and Namenda for Dad.

He started on 5mg of Aricept but dizzy and dope - it also didn't agree with

his bowels! The doctor immediately cut him back to half of a 5mg. Things

were better, but still somewhat confused and dopey. We thought this was

just the normal progression of the disease.

He stayed on that Aricept dose for about 6 months with fluctuations in his

cognition and physical condition that seemed to be normal for this disease.

For whatever reason (I think it was because of continued bowel problems),

the neurologist decided to try him on Namenda.

Now here's where it got very interesting! We were told to take him off

Aricept and wait a week before starting the Namenda. Wow! We had a

wonderful week! Dad seemed clearer and more like himself than he'd been in

months! We still chalked it up to a coincidence at that time; now I'm

convinced it was no coincidence and that the Aricept wasn't good for him.

As it turned out, the Namenda was even worse!!!

He took Namenda for 3 weeks where he became progressively worse to the

point that I could hardly transfer him (dead weight) and very zombie like.

After calling the neurologist to report that this just wasn't working, it

was suggested we put him on a drug holiday for 3 weeks to see how he did. I

can't tell you what a difference it made! We made the decision then that it

would be the end of trying medications with Dad. He still has good days and

bad days, and the disease does seem to be progressing, but not nearly as

bad and fast as it seemed to be progressing on the medications that were

meant to slow things down.

Dad's story may be unique, and I think these medications are great for

some, but I thought it worth sharing Dad's story to illustrate the

medication mystery with Lewy. Everyone's different and reacts differently,

but medications should always be suspect in my opinion.

I feel such a connection to many on here who probably ask " who's this

Debbie that pops up now and then! " Someday, I really will get around to

properly introducing myself!

Caring thoughts to all...

Debbie

> **

>

>

>

> Thanks Donna. I've read a lot on here about more meds not being good for

> LBD/PDD but that even counts for something like Aricept? I talked to Mum

> about this evening and we might lower the dosage back down to 5mg, even

> just to see if it makes a little (improved) difference.

>

> Hugs back,

>

> Tania....

>

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > Tania,

> >

> >

> >

> > I never found " more meds " better for Mom. She just couldn't handle

> that much meds.  You will need to decide for yourself even when the MD

> wants to give them more.

> >

> >

> >

> > Hugs

> >

> >

> >

> > Donna R

> >

> >

> >

> > Can increasing Aricept make cognition worse?

> >

> > Â

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated

> but seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems

> since his neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago,

> he's been worse. Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time

> I told him he was asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly

> stressed when Mum isn't around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems

> worse, mentally.

> >

> > Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this

> issue?

> >

> > Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most

> problems but now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our

> neuro as yet.

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Tania

> > (Australia)

> >

> > (Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

> 2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi, Tania. When my mother first started to show signs of a steep decline

(probably aided by her first UTI), her neurologist started her on Aricept.

Within hours, she began to have frightening hallucinations. She saw images that

left her afraid to close her eyes long enough to sleep. The pharmacist

recommended leaving Mom on the Aricept longer...to give it time to fully get

into her system. I couldn't go longer than a few days before asking for it to

be discontinued. Even with the discontinuation, the scary hallucinations

continued, though. The neurologist began Seroquel and immediately, the scary

hallucinations vanished. Mom was left with " good " hallucinations for the

remainder of her six-year journey which ended five months ago. She saw

children, small animals and loved ones who had passed earlier. Later, Namenda

was added to the regimen with good results. Eventually, Seroquel was

discontinued and Razadyne added. We were not sure of the benefits but decided

to keep them going until all meds were discontinued as her last days began. I

believe they helped cognition. Even in her last days, she was able to make

throat sounds in response to a loving word from someone she trusted. Her

Hospice nurse was able to discern the meaning of different sounds.

As for other side effects, I'm not sure. Mom would complain of profound fatigue

(her words) but I believe the meds alone were not responsible for that. I

believe the way LBD affected her was a large part of that. She never took meds

for Parkinsons and, as a result, her muscular contractions became an issue well

before she passed. When I spoke with her neurologist about that, she offered

that adding meds would help with stiffness but that it would, most likely, cause

additional problems with the LBD. I opted not to add more meds.

As more time goes by, I can more clearly look at the decline Mom experienced.

There are still so many unknowns...if we had done this or done that, would it

have made a difference...always questions. I read articles and forums, tried to

understand professional publications as a total layman, consulted with doctors

and nurses and other family members. Based on all of the information gathered,

decisions were made. Now, all I (and others who also walked this journey

alongside their loved one) can do is know that I made the best decision I could

at the time. I was not in control. Mom was not in control. The doctor was not

in control.

Decisions are difficult. My thoughts are with you as you make your decisions,

now and in the future.

Best wishes,

Lynn in Florida

>

> Dad was doing OK on Aricept 5mg. His cognition/memory still fluctuated but

seemed to be quite good. I don't know if it's coincidence but it seems since his

neurologist increased the dose to 10mg daily a few months ago, he's been worse.

Today he asked me three times where my cat was (each time I told him he was

asleep on my bed, which he was), he's increasingly stressed when Mum isn't

around, even for 15 minutes and generally seems worse, mentally.

>

> Has anyone had a similar experience, or have knowledge, regarding this issue?

>

> Up until now it was his Parkinsonian symptoms that caused the most problems

but now it seems his mind is catching up. I haven't questioned our neuro as yet.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Tania

> (Australia)

>

> (Daughter of Barry, 78yo, dx PDD early 2012 and previously LBD and PD in

2010/2011, minor PD tremors since approx 2008/2009)

>