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Early-stage dementia and NyQuil
Husband, 73, dx w/ MCI 3.5 yrs ago. Has progressed to Stage 3. After 5 days of having a terrible cough and altered mental status, I brought him to the ER. They determined bronchitis and the fact that he was taking NyQuil for symptoms, did worsen his mental status. The ingredient, dextromethorphan or DM, can worsen symptoms of dementia. DM takes 55 hours to clear the system. In the last 34 hours it is as if he has instantly developed sundowners and hallucinations. Praying to see improvement by 10am tomorrow when those 55 hours have passed. Has anyone had this experience?
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Thank you for the information about DM and worsening cognitive decline plus 55 hr to clear the body.
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5 ReactionsI’m happy to report that this morning all is well. The DM must’ve cleared out, restoring his mental function back to his normal. He has no recollection of not being “quite right”. I provided him very few details because why go down that road?
Thanks for your support. It is my hope that I’ve helped by sharing.
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13 ReactionsI gave my husband’s DayQuil this morning before I left for church. He waved “bye” to me and commented my going. When I returned he was just getting dressed, said he didn’t know when I left and had slept the whole time. Except for eating lunch, he has slept all day. And, I know he will sleep, all night, as he is a great sleeper, which I’m not. Anyway, DayQuil and NyQuil are great for sleep, and I guess for helping respiratory symptoms. Strong stuff.
@lag630 You have been incredibly helpful! Thank you so much. I was not aware of this prior to you sharing and could have ended up in a similar situation with my husband.
I’m sure we all are thankful for you sharing and just as thankful to hear your husband has returned to his normal.
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2 ReactionsWe elderly people are especially susceptible to side effects of many drugs that may not be of concern to yourger people. We metablolize drugs slower, and drugs may accumulate in the system and remain there longer. Lower doses and less frequent dosing is often called for. Also, drug interactions are more common, and so-called supplements are frequent causes of drug interactions. The most common OTC offenders include antihistamines and any drug in the anticholinergic category. Dextromethorphan is well-known to cause neurologic side effects, especially in the elderly.
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5 ReactionsThank you for this information.
It is my hope that health care providers relay this to patients “of a certain age”.
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1 Reaction@wctdoc1943 Thank you.