Your Stories Mean so much

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I have been going through a tough time with my Mom. She fell 8 days

ago in her AL apartment. Hospital worried about fracture and took 4

days to decide not broken. They gave her Haldol the second night

when she panicked about me being there. She had constant

Hallucinations/Delusions the whole time and except for one hour 5

days in, was never out of bed and recieved no PT except what I could

do while I was there. I basically guarded her for 5 days, going

home for about 8 hours at night. She was not able to tolerate

Aricept, Namenda or Exelon, and I had her on no medication prior to

hospital. The doctor talked me into Seraquel, 1/2 dose on day 3

(she had a bad reaction to this drug one year ago before the

diagnosis of LBD), instead of Haldol and then the day she was

transported to NH on 1/2 dose Sinemet. Her condition continued to

deteriorate and yesterday (day 7) I asked for the Serequel to be

removed. They would only stop if I agreed to 1/4 dose Ativan if she

becomes agitated.

I want to see her at a baseline of symptoms, so I can see what is

the disease and what is the result of meds. Prior to fall she was

on 1 baby asprin a day, period!! But I have been reminded that I

don't have an MD after my name.

Yesterday, after working hard with her for about 3 hours, I was able

to get her to be " present " and responsive...then they gave her the

sinement dose and within 1 hour her head was back, rigid muscles in

her neck and shoulders and unable to open her eyes or move her

neck. I am frantic about what to do and this morning came and read

stories in back posts. Your courage in dealing with this awful

disease and experiences help me to know that I am not alone and

isolated. I also know that there is not one perfect answer for

anything and I just need to find someone on the medical staff of the

NH who will listen and work with me until we can get Mom the best

quality of life that is possible for her.

Thanks for your presence and starting this loop!

, daughter of Hazel who was finally diagnosed with LBD in May

2007, after a year of fast decline.