Fluctuating Function

[Guest guest]

,

It's sad that this disease has forced you to make some difficult decisions, but

remember that in placing your mom in a home you are still providing the best

care for her. You are still loving her and overseeing her care.

In trying to take in all that is happening with your mom keep in mind those two

words (that I learned here at the group): Fluctuating Function. That phrase

pretty much describes most of what is happening with LBD. Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde.

It's been the same continuous ups and downs with my mom. Oh, yeah. Been there,

seen it, have the T-shirt.

Since the brain controls the body, ALL functions fluctuate.

One minute my mom is pleasant and the next agitated, angry, and paranoid. Her

vocabulary is wonderful, and then she's mumbling incoherently. She's

constipated for days and then has diarrhea for days. She announces she's

hungry, says the food sounds/looks/smells good, and then she won't eat. At the

next meal she keeps eating and eating until I simply have to stop offering food

because she doesn't know she has had enough. UpDownUpDownUpDown. The

" Lewyville Roller Coaster " is a phrase used often and appropriately here in this

group.

Please believe that the disease is causing these changes in your mom. If you've

had a sweet, loving mom like I've had all my life, it's sooooooo very hard to

see this now angry lady, but remember that it's a disease that's causing these

changes, not your mother's choices over her own behavior. Often I refer to my

" LBD mom " and my " real mom. " That helps me to not respond in inappropriate

ways.

Seroquel has been the most important tool in managing this nasty disease for my

mother, but there are many others (such as employing validation/redirection

techniques, maintaining routine, using calming touch and music). Keep checking

back in here and spending time learning the files section. Let us know how you

and your mother are doing.

Here's to happy hallucinations for all LBDers,

Sheila in IN

Daughter of Louise, age 87, dx LBD 7/2007

Seroquel 9AM- 25 mg, 3PM- 62.5 mg, 9PM -100 mg.

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> I'm sorry to hear Sharon your Mom and you don't see eye to eye. And pray

> her dementia can be handled. When you mention the dr. jekyl, mr. hyde,

> that is what my mom has, that is typical with lewy bodies right? Like my mom

> the night before was so mean and aggressive the first night in the home,

> and then yesterday just as sweet as they come:)

> Love you and hugs to you Sharon,

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