Husband with early Alzheimers: Question about medications

My husband loses balance as well. The doctor asked to get him a cane to help him attain better balance and it could be both medications and ALZ. My husband is participating in the DIAN Project (Dominant Inherited Alzheimer Network) at Washington University in St. Lois MO. He went through genetic testing and his early onset is inherited. His mother passed away at age 65 with complications of ALZ and his only brother also has ALZ but it's in much better condition than my husband who is younger than him. I have always kept a tight relationship with his psychiatrist and neurologist as well as his Internal Medicine doctor who ensures he is not overmedicated. Many blessings to you in your journey. Lots of prayers as well.

We have a hard time knowing why my husband loses his balance. He takes 16 prescription drugs every day - Namenda, Lexipro and the others are for COPD, heart problems, prostate and high blood pressure. Sometimes I don't think his various doctors even know. His COPD is worsening and right now he has an infection, pseudenomas aruginosa. He may loose his balance at times due to not getting enough oxygen to his brain. Does the DIAN Project bother your husband in any way such as various side effects? You indicated that he has Alzheimers in his family. My husband's Mother, one brother and two sisters had Huntington's Disease (HD). My husband tested negative for HD but he was diagnosed with Alzheimers last fall. I often wonder if there is a connection between HD and Alzheimers. Thank you for your responses. I really don't have anyone to bounce questions or ideas off of.

My dad tried namenda but it changed his personality and "dulled" him. He engaged with others mich less than beforem His neurologist said that it is a psychoactive drug and can change personalities in some patients. He returned to his normal personality and just stayed on aricept.

Thank you Scott. I am beginning to realize that this site will be very helpful. People are friendly and very supportive by sharing their own experiences which is very helpful.

Your message struck a cord with me. My husband is 74 and was diagnosed with MCI three years and a half years ago. It has progressed quickly to moderate Alzheimer's and like your husband his days are much better than his evenings and some days are better than others days. Often he sleeps in his chair most of the evening. I did some internet research to see if I could find out if this was one of the symptoms of the disease but it didn't show up. His neurologist said perhaps it was partially a side effect of the medication he was taking. It bothered me so much because his sleep is so deep that he seems lost to me--not the short nodding off he might do in better days. Another symptom that seems to be getting much worse is the ability to communicate. Word retrieval and the ability to narrate even a short story are a huge struggle. I happened across this site and read several of the posts where people mentioned many of these problems and it gave me a great sense of community and comfort--knowing others were experiencing the same things. My husband has worked with a speech therapist and, unfortunately, it was not a particularly successful experience. He's aware of the fact that the words he's using and what he's trying to say are not clear and it's so hard for him. It breaks my heart. He used to be a wonderful conversationalist and very quick-witted. It seems impossible that this could be lost. This is my first time writing on this site and I'm pretty sure I'm starting to ramble so I'll sign off and just say thank you to all the people who have shared their own experiences. If anyone has found strategies that were helpful when communicating with those suffering from Alzheimer's, I'd appreciate hearing about them. We often end up irritated with each other and then I feel guilty. I want, above all, to be kind and patient and get irritated with myself when I'm not.

My husband clams up around other people. He says that he has a hard time following the conversation so it is easier for him to remain quiet. At home he opens up more but at times he slurs his words or uses an odd word or can't think of the right word he is looking for. This is very hard for both of us because he was an English teacher and always used perfect grammar. I am wondering if being on Namenda since 01/2016 has dulled him and helped to reduce his energy. He has other health problems such as severe COPD with current infections, heart disease and is mildly diabetic. He takes 16 prescription drugs so it is hard for anyone to tell if his balance or loss of energy is coming from the drugs or alzheimers. He also hides his aches and pains from me such as chest pains when we are out for a short walk.

My husband also indicated he felt on the edge and at times he would slightly shake. We told his Neurologist and they put him on 5 MG of Lexipro for anxiety. A few months ago my husband asked if it could be increased to 10 MG. That is what he is taking now in addition to Namenda.

Hello @suzie2017 Nice to e-meet you here. I am Scott and my MIL had dementia for over 20 years. Early on during her illness she too became increasingly uncomfortable communicating in the company of anyone outside the immediate family.

In her case her doctors said it was a defense mechanism as she declined. She became increasingly uncomfortable in any setting that was not her normal setting of routine and people so she would not communicate in those situations where and when others were around. It was a way for her to avoid making 'mistakes', which embarrassed her and importantly didn't require the use of loads of her energy which was required from her to function in any non-normal situations.

Dementia is so unique in each person I only bring this up as an example.

Peace & Strength

Thank you Indiana Scott. You explained my husband's situation perfectly. It gives me some form of comfort to know that others are similar to my husband.

My dad is completely non verbal now and spends much of his day sleeping. He was diagnosed with PD and dementia at the same time six years ago at 75 (very few symptoms ). His rapid decline was helped along by a broken hip which required surgery and we all know the various issues broght on by the anesthesia. ..uggg. Along with being non verbal at this point we are also making a minced diet for him because swallowing is a challenge. I used to think that this was all PD related but in the meantime have learned that it's prevalent in later stage Alzheimer/dementia as well.
Like some of your loved ones here, he was extremely vibrant and a big personality. His withdrawal from friends and conversations were signs of embarrassment for not being able to keep up. We went through a few years where he refused all company. The speech therapist didn't help either and his light began to fade.
During these times I used two things to perk him up and take him somewhere happy.
Old photos. ..I mean very early...pics with my mom from their 20s, me as a baby etc. He loves that. (Unfortunately it makes my mom cry)
Old music from those days is my second weapon to make him smile. (I had to dig deep...music from Germany in the 50s is hard to find...lol)
I found newer pics upset him and reminded him about his decline...old ones seemed to just bring joy. I'm sure most of you have already experimented with some of this...so this long post is really to say "you're not alone" . If you find something that brings them a smile...share it. We all need strategies.
It's a tough road and you're all rockstars!