Will It Ever Get Any Better?

[Guest guest]

First of all, thanks to all of you who made such nice comments about

the photos of my family I posted yesterday; I really appreciate it.

I also appreciate all of the wonderful suggestions you gave me about

talking to my FIL's doctor. I do think I'm going to fax him some of

my personal observations prior to the appointment on the 25th.

My FIL is under the impression that this new neurologist will have

a " miracle cure " and it will make him as he was before LBD. I think

I already know the answer, but how much improvement can we truly

expect if we find the right combination of meds? These are some of

the things that are going on with my FIL currently:

1. Can't walk at all without a walker or someone helping him each

and every step of the way.

2. Can't get up from a seated position without someone pulling

him up.

3. Can't sit down without someone guiding him so he won't fall.

4. Memory is failing rapidly.

5. Personal hygiene is declining.

6. Falls frequently, very rigid, frequent freezing episodes.

7. Lost all personality; no longer laughs or smiles.

8. Can't tie his own shoes anymore.

9. Can't unzip his fly; needs help using the toilet; often misses

the " target " .

10. Is incontinent; wears Depends all the time.

11. Extrememly slow in moving and thought-processing.

12. Very demanding and short-tempered.

13. Obsessive and paranoid about things.

14. Possible hallucinations present.

15. Can't bathe, dress, or shave himself.

These are just some of the main things I've observed. Here is also a

list of the meds he's currently taking:

1. Sinemet

2. Sinemet CR

3. Zocor

4. Exelon

5. Zesteretic

6. Advair

7. Combivent

8. Vesicare

9. Oxytrol Patch

10. Nasacort

I am mainly wondering if things will get better before they get

worse? Any insight you can offer me would be most helpful. I have

to be honest in saying that, even though my FIL will turn 69 this

weekend, he is like a 100 year old man on his best day.

Thanks,

April