Re: Mom's been initially diagnosed

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

I hope you did manage to get a good nights sleep.

Since your mother went to the hospital, I hope they checked her for

a urinary tract infection...you may want to ask them. That can

cause an increase in confusion.

I forget if your mother just moved into assisted living or has been

there for a while. My father never adjusted to AL...moved him there

too late. He had been thru too many changes and just couldn't adapt

and didn't know what to do.

Before all of this " took over " , he always had a couple of days a

month where he was more confused than the other times. It just came

progressively that he had more issues.

I wish you strength in dealing with all of the decisions you will be

making and hope that things will settle down for both of you

shortly. If you can afford to hire an aide to spend time in the

worst part of the day, it might be helpful.

Take care,

Daughter of Bill, 91

>

> Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

on a

> chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

she

> was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

her

> there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

numerous

> tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

her

> doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

Right

> now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

a

> feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> joking around.

>

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

If I'm wrong -- everybody speak up... Sue - you mentioned she's on

Sinemet. Which is for Parkinsons symptoms. It's been said that that

med. can bring on more hallucinations and confusion. We chose not to

give my mom a med. that would help with Parkinsonism for that reason.

My mother is highly sensitive to meds so she doesn't need help in

that dept. (hallucinations) Sinemet may also be affecting her

aggitation if she's highly sensitive. Your post triggered memories --

what you're currently dealing with is what I dealth w/ when my mom

was in ALF. She's now in a NH after falling victim to rapid decline

to the meds. Also with the death of your father -- that dramatic

event could be contributing to her aggitation, etc.

PS -- my mom's story is in the Files section if you're interested in

reading...

; loving daughter of Maureen of Boston, MA; finally diagnosed

with LBD on 2/06 after also being diagnosed with everything from AD

to Vascular Dementia caused by mini strokes to Binswengers...; was

victim to rapid decline from Risperidone (or combination of

Risperidone with other drugs OR possibly received another " bad drug "

when she was observed/tested in a hospital in 10/05); in a NH since

11/05. Update: on antidepressant Celexa, 20mg (still teary, but not

as weepy); as of 4/21 on Exelon (a/o 6/28 began following the

suggested dosage for LBD); as of 7/1 went on ALA (200 mg) and B1.

Visit the LBDCaregivers board on the web:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LBDcaregivers/

(See files, suggested links, databases, photos of members, and search

previous posts)

>

> Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to get

> into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

on a

> chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

she

> was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

> living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

her

> there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

numerous

> tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

her

> doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

Right

> now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

a

> feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

> joking around.

>

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

Did they check for a Urinary Infection?? that can accelerate

problems big time.. Also, what meds is she on??

>

> Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

on a

> chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

she

> was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

her

> there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

numerous

> tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

her

> doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

Right

> now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

a

> feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> joking around.

>

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

> get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

> on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

> she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

> assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

> her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

> her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

> a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

> and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

Yes, a wise aide told me that if someone with dementia seemed much more confused

that

usual, that they either had a urinry infection or were badly constipated. At

least you can

rule out the latter!!

[Guest guest]

I sure am sorry about the down hill spiral for your Mom, Sue. I can imagine

how hard it has been.

This fast down hill spiral is why we all tell new comers to get their legal

papers in order right away. Next week may be too late.

Again, I sure am sorry.

Imogene

Caregiver for my True Texas Gentleman husband of 35 years. He has LBD with

Parkinsonism.

In a message dated 9/8/2006 3:46:58 AM Central Daylight Time,

smschoeller@... writes:

Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to get

into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat on a

chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and she

was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met her

there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran numerous

tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call her

doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her. Right

now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have a

feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

joking around.

Sue

[Guest guest]

I think you hit the nail on the head . Even though my Dad

was just diagnosed that is one of the first things the doctor told

us. Treating LBD has to be done with caution when it comes to the

physical aspects because the drugs they would normally use such as

those for Parkinsons makes the hallucinations and dementia worse.

She is starting him on a memory med (which I just forgot the name

of...kind of ironic)and nothing for the physical symptoms yet.

LAJ

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she

sat

> on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

> she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

> her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call

> her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have

> a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sue-

I am so sorry that both you and your Mom had such a bad day. I know you said

they ran a battery of tests on your Mom, but may I suggest you double check that

her

Urinanaylsis was negative. The elderly often act out as your Mom is doing when

they have a UTI (urinary tract infection). It never hurts to double check.

Wishing you and your Mom a better day.

Gerry

Wilmington, De.

Daughter & caregiver for Dick Deverell, who died 9/11/06 after a more than 4 yr.

battle with LBD.

Mom's been initially diagnosed

Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to get

into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat on a

chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and she

was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met her

there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran numerous

tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call her

doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her. Right

now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have a

feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

joking around.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Sue, has your mom been tested for a UTI or has she been given any new meds

without

your awareness?

, Oakville Ont.

Mother, age 92, died Aug. 12/06 after 13 year decline from PDD

>

> Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to get

> into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat on a

> chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and she

> was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

> living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met her

> there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran numerous

> tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call her

> doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her. Right

> now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have a

> feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

> joking around.

>

> Sue

>

[Guest guest]

Sue, I missed that your mother may be on Sinemet due to the fact that I now have

to scan

so many messages quickly rather than be as involved as I would like. At any

rate, I did

wonder about that while typing my last message, and if that is the case, know

that I am

certain it was Sinemet CR that took my Mom from walking with her walker, talking

with us,

coping with " assisted living " one day to collapsing, never to walk again,

trouble talking,

hallucinating, needing full care, trouble swallowing. Weaning her from the

Sinemet helped

for a while, as did other med changes. It seemed that the Sinemet helped the

" Parkinsons "

for many years then turned on her once the dementia reached a certain level.

I hope that's not where you are with your mother, but if so, wean her!

, Oakville Ont.

Mother, age 92, died Aug. 12/06 after 13 year decline from PDD

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

> on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

> she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

> her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

> her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

> a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Mom previously had a UTI which was successfully treated with an

antibiotic, but recent tests showed no new one. No new meds as I see

all her assisted living med sheets. Thanks though.

Sue

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you . Mom and dad moved into AL in April of this year and

they both were very grateful they did (their initial decision too!).

The hospital checked for another UTI and it was negative. They even

checked her thyroid and all was normal.

Thanks for your suggestion of hiring an aide for the worst part of

the day......we haven't determined just what that time is yet:) The

aides there are all wonderful and keep closer tabs on her now.

Hospice (also wonderful) is going to get involved next week. I'm

also gathering as much info. on LBD that I can to present to her

doctor at her next neurology visit 9/20/06.

Sue

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

> get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat

> on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

> she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

> assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

> her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call

> her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have

> a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

> and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

[Guest guest]

, yes, mom is on Sinemet twice/day. I'll definitely bring this

to her doctor's attention on the 20th! THANK YOU! Also, I'm so

sorry to hear that your mother made such a rapid decline because of

this:( I noticed that she passed on my only son's 18th birthday.

I'll say a special prayer to her each year:)

Hugs!

Sue

> > >

> > > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> > > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she

sat

> > on a

> > > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her

and

> > she

> > > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in

her

> > > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> > > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I

met

> > her

> > > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> > numerous

> > > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call

> > her

> > > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> > Right

> > > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have

> > a

> > > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> > > joking around.

> > >

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

'Joen': LOL Thank you for your witty comment about the

constipation. I needed a smile!

> > >

> > > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

> > get

> > > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she

sat

> > on a

> > > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her

and

> > she

> > > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in

her

> > > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

> > assisted

> > > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I

met

> > her

> > > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> > numerous

> > > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call

> > her

> > > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> > Right

> > > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have

> > a

> > > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

> > and

> > > joking around.

> > >

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

> Yes, a wise aide told me that if someone with dementia seemed much

more confused that

> usual, that they either had a urinry infection or were badly

constipated. At least you can

> rule out the latter!!

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Imogene. She's been better since so thankfully it isn't a

permanent condition (yet) Legal papers are already done and the

POA for health care is being activated for me as I type! Oh, I

put our family pic in the photo section also under 'Krause'. I'm the

goofy looking one! lol

Warm Hugs!

Sue

>

>

> I sure am sorry about the down hill spiral for your Mom, Sue. I

can imagine

> how hard it has been.

>

> This fast down hill spiral is why we all tell new comers to get

their legal

> papers in order right away. Next week may be too late.

>

> Again, I sure am sorry.

>

>

> Imogene

> Caregiver for my True Texas Gentleman husband of 35 years. He has

LBD with

> Parkinsonism.

>

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 9/8/2006 3:46:58 AM Central Daylight Time,

> smschoeller@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she sat on

a

> chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

she

> was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the assisted

> living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

her

> there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

numerous

> tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she be

> placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to call

her

> doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

Right

> now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I have

a

> feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy and

> joking around.

>

> Sue

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue, I paused right then and looked to see who our Sue was. Well, my dear

you are darling. I love your big beautiful smile. I am so glad to get to see

who we are conversing with. Thanks for letting use know about your photo.

Precious, Young'un you are. (grin)

Imogene

In a message dated 9/9/2006 1:48:33 PM Central Daylight Time,

smschoeller@... writes:

Thanks Imogene. She's been better since so thankfully it isn't a

permanent condition (yet) Legal papers are already done and the

POA for health care is being activated for me as I type! Oh, I

put our family pic in the photo section also under 'Krause'. I'm the

goofy looking one! lol

Warm Hugs!

Sue

[Guest guest]

Dear Friends, I'm pretty new here and just learning so much. My mom has LBD and

PD (or whatever variation the latest MD says - no one knows which came first or

is predominant). Also depression and psychiatric illness. She weas stable on

meds - low-dosage Sinmet, Seroqeul, Reminyl (now called razadyne) and Lexapro.

Sh also has ortthostatic BP. I've been following discussions here and elsewhere

about pro/con Sinemet for PD symptoms. It helped mom stay somewhat mobile and

able to feed herself for 3 years. The current dosage not helping now. Being able

to move is so important to her, abut I am learning how dangerous it can be, too.

So, my question is: what are you and loved ones doing to help with movement if

not using one of the PD meds? (Sinemet is about all we can use as other PD meds

led to a psychotic breakdown 3-1/2 years ago). Thank you for any ideas,

recommendations, thoughts.

Peace.

Lin

jonaslaj wrote:

I think you hit the nail on the head . Even though my Dad

was just diagnosed that is one of the first things the doctor told

us. Treating LBD has to be done with caution when it comes to the

physical aspects because the drugs they would normally use such as

those for Parkinsons makes the hallucinations and dementia worse.

She is starting him on a memory med (which I just forgot the name

of...kind of ironic)and nothing for the physical symptoms yet.

LAJ

> >

> > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m. saying that mom was

> > wandering the halls without any clothes on, confused, trying to

get

> > into another resident's room to go to the bathroom. Then she

sat

> on a

> > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went to see her and

> she

> > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping peacefully in her

> > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the director at the

assisted

> > living facility saying that they wanted to transport her to the

> > hospital as she was combative, agitated and unresponsive. I met

> her

> > there and she didn't respond to me at all at first. They ran

> numerous

> > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor suggested that she

be

> > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'. I'm going to

call

> her

> > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be best for her.

> Right

> > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good night's sleep. I

have

> a

> > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how fast she

> > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to physical therapy

and

> > joking around.

> >

> > Sue

> >

>

Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

[Guest guest]

Lin asked: " So, my question is: what are you and loved ones doing to

help with movement if not using one of the PD meds? "

In my mother's case, she fell victim to rapid decline (due to

Risperidone) and went from shuffling with a cane and into a

wheelchair w/in 3 weeks. So I can't compare our situations similarly,

since we didn't have the choice about seeing the usefulness of

Sinemet or other PD meds. I wondered if using one of those meds would

have made my mom walk self-sufficiently again, but felt that her

mobility was too far gone for it to matter. Maybe if we stopped the

anti-psychotic earlier things would have been different.

With all that said -- I think she's better than she could have been

due to a number of reasons. I think the main one is the weekly

geriatric massage she gets every Sunday. Started that when mom first

entered the NH in Nov. 2005. The difference between before and after

a massage is amazing - especially when mom was at her worst. The

massage therapist was able to straighten out her curled in feet every

time. And Sunday was chosen b/c at the NH the therapy the residents

get are only Monday - Friday. So this allowed one more day of

therapeutic stimulation. www.compassionate-touch.org

When mom first arrived she had physical therapy M-F and that helped

tremendously. Now she walks daily with a walker and the help of one

of the aides (just up & down the hall, about 20 min. session.)

Hospice was going to send someone to walk with my mom once a week

too - but the Head Nurse requested that that not happen since my mom

is at high risk for falls. And she doesn't want a stranger to walk

her, not understand her, and mom falls and breaks a hip... So we

canceled the extra walk...

The other thing I did was purchase one of the exercise pedalers from

Dr. Leonards -- I thought the movement would be good for mom and it

was something that she did well in. She was an avid biker so she

enjoyed it. We also use it to exercise her arms.

http://www.drleonards.com/detail.cfm?EDP=10006542

My mother also has akathisia (involuntary movement) -- she can't sit

still. She's constantly moving. Mostly her legs. She puts them up on

the dining room table, she puts them up on your lap if you're sitting

across, she turns herself into a pretzel... My mom was a dancer in

her day and always one for exercising. I'm sure akathisia can be

annoying -- but it's kept herself moving and not rigid -- so in a way

that has helped too..

So no meds - but therapeutic sessions in physical, massage, and

occupational has helped a lot. Mom is still in a wheelchair and will

stay in the wheelchair, but she's getting the blood moving anyway.

And to be honest, in her situation, she's much safer in a wheelchair.

Especially with akathasia, if she had that and walked, she'd probably

be falling left and right...

[Guest guest]

Lin - we've gone thru plain cane, 4 footed cane, plain

walker, wheeled walker, push-walker with seat, and

wheel chair. If she has to go up-grade, which she

does in our walk, or anywhere to docs or such, it

takes the wheel chair since she is so slow. Now,

because of her falls, we have a belt that stays on her

all day, and someone has to be holding that if she's

up on her feet. And holding palm up and fingers thru,

both hands.

--- l pratt wrote:

> Dear Friends, I'm pretty new here and just learning

> so much. My mom has LBD and PD (or whatever

> variation the latest MD says - no one knows which

> came first or is predominant). Also depression and

> psychiatric illness. She weas stable on meds -

> low-dosage Sinmet, Seroqeul, Reminyl (now called

> razadyne) and Lexapro. Sh also has ortthostatic BP.

> I've been following discussions here and elsewhere

> about pro/con Sinemet for PD symptoms. It helped mom

> stay somewhat mobile and able to feed herself for 3

> years. The current dosage not helping now. Being

> able to move is so important to her, abut I am

> learning how dangerous it can be, too. So, my

> question is: what are you and loved ones doing to

> help with movement if not using one of the PD meds?

> (Sinemet is about all we can use as other PD meds

> led to a psychotic breakdown 3-1/2 years ago). Thank

> you for any ideas, recommendations, thoughts.

> Peace.

> Lin

>

> jonaslaj wrote:

> I think you hit the nail on the head .

> Even though my Dad

> was just diagnosed that is one of the first things

> the doctor told

> us. Treating LBD has to be done with caution when it

> comes to the

> physical aspects because the drugs they would

> normally use such as

> those for Parkinsons makes the hallucinations and

> dementia worse.

> She is starting him on a memory med (which I just

> forgot the name

> of...kind of ironic)and nothing for the physical

> symptoms yet.

>

> LAJ

>

>

> > >

> > > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m.

> saying that mom was

> > > wandering the halls without any clothes on,

> confused, trying to

> get

> > > into another resident's room to go to the

> bathroom. Then she

> sat

> > on a

> > > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I went

> to see her and

> > she

> > > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping

> peacefully in her

> > > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the

> director at the

> assisted

> > > living facility saying that they wanted to

> transport her to the

> > > hospital as she was combative, agitated and

> unresponsive. I met

> > her

> > > there and she didn't respond to me at all at

> first. They ran

> > numerous

> > > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor

> suggested that she

> be

> > > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'.

> I'm going to

> call

> > her

> > > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be

> best for her.

> > Right

> > > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good

> night's sleep. I

> have

> > a

> > > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how

> fast she

> > > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to

> physical therapy

> and

> > > joking around.

> > >

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

FYI, LO has been having urinary infections about every

3 month. Dr. said we could get a urine test strip at

the pharm that was the same one they use in the Dr.s

office and charge much more for. So when her urine

starts smelling, we pull the strip out. The dr. lrts

us call her and will send prescript out to drug store.

Much savings of effort.

--- Sue wrote:

> Hi :

>

> Mom previously had a UTI which was successfully

> treated with an

> antibiotic, but recent tests showed no new one. No

> new meds as I see

> all her assisted living med sheets. Thanks though.

>

> Sue

>

>

> > >

> > > Wow, what a day! I got a call at 6:00 a.m.

> saying that mom was

> > > wandering the halls without any clothes on,

> confused, trying to

> get

> > > into another resident's room to go to the

> bathroom. Then she sat

> on a

> > > chair in the hallway and defecated on it. I

> went to see her and

> she

> > > was subdued but agitated. I left her sleeping

> peacefully in her

> > > chair. At 5:00 p.m. I got a call from the

> director at the

> assisted

> > > living facility saying that they wanted to

> transport her to the

> > > hospital as she was combative, agitated and

> unresponsive. I met

> her

> > > there and she didn't respond to me at all at

> first. They ran

> numerous

> > > tests which all showed 'normal'. The doctor

> suggested that she

> be

> > > placed in a nursing home, diagnosis 'dementia'.

> I'm going to

> call her

> > > doctor in the morning to see what he suggests be

> best for her.

> Right

> > > now I'm going to bed for (hopefully) a good

> night's sleep. I

> have a

> > > feeling I'll be needing it. I can't believe how

> fast she

> > > deteriorated. Just last week we were going to

> physical therapy

> and

> > > joking around.

> > >

> > > Sue

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Welcome to LBDcaregivers.

>

>

>