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Agitation/Shadowing
My DH is entering stage 6 of Vascular Dementia. He is beginning to get agitated at times and so far I have been able to redirect him. I fear that his agitation will progress. I wanted opinions on medication for agitation. Our PCP said that the meds could progress him faster. I hate to give him anything to escalate this disease.
He is mildly hyper-sexual but very clingy and shadows me everywhere I go. My fear is how much worse this could get.
Any experience with these types of medications will be appreciated.
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Hi @ljchr
I have not yet tried this as my husband is very sensitive to meds, but some folks on this blog have tried CBD gummies for calming.
Good luck!
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3 Reactions@judimahoney Yikes, Judi, I may take one of those CBD gummies. After the day I had yesterday, the computer software is corrupt, and causing my machine to malfunction. Now I need a new computer. Due to tariffs, PC's doubled in price. My husband's printer now doesn't work, he constantly has phone problems (that he creates), and we missed his infusion appointment. I always said I need a "wife," now I think I need a wife/caregiver to help me with my caregiving to him. But who said all this technology support was in the caregiving job description? I keep reminding myself: We are not alone...we are not alone. Strength is in numbers on this site.
Best, Karla
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11 Reactions@judimahoney
Thank you. My husband is also sensitive to meds so it is very scary to think about any meds and if they may have an adverse effect.
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4 ReactionsMy husband experienced dementia related psychosis episodes recently where he was uncontrollable. Quite scary to say the least. Advice from our neurologist was to start him on a low dose Seroquel, a sedative medication which has significantly helped the psychosis episodes. Sundowning continues to be troublesome but manageable. That being said, this medication was what he needed at this stage of his illness. I hope you find the best medication to treat this unforgiving illness for your husband.
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3 Reactions@kjc48
When you wrote you need a caregiver for yourself I smiled; wouldn't it be great!
I saw my new therapist for the 2nd time this morning, and my homework is to write down everything that would take stress out of my life (she said it doesn't matter if they could actually happen, but list what would be helpful to remove stress).
I want a caregiver/wife, too! That would take away stress.
Bye for now. 👋
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10 Reactions@kjc48
Yes, my soul sister with the beautiful smile. You said it: " Strength is in numbers on this site."
George's Wife
P.S.
Great minds think alike. When everyone tells me that I need to get a caregiver for my husband, I tell them that I need a wife! (P.S. Out of the blue, a former female lesbian colleague called me to check on me!)
...and thanks for the chuckle: You cracked me up again. Only you can transform a post about agitation and shadowing into a discussion about the technology, the price of PC's and tariffs! I'll up you on that score: I had to be responsible for replacing a cell phone, a desktop computer, a laptop, four toilets, a mailbox, two roofs, a TV, etc., since the beginning of our shared journey--not to mention having to take over doing bills and taxes; managing our investment accounts; and getting contractors to deal with dry rot, termites, rodents (including bats), relandscaping, etc.--all while being sex-deprived!
...and with regard to gummies and CBD in general, they are the only products that work on my George for agitation. (I just gave him some, and that's why I'm able to sit at the computer without being interrupted.)
I spoke too soon: He's yelling again, so I have to sign off.
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12 Reactions@dlssell
Thank you for your comment. I am going to talk to his neurologist about what she recommends. It helps so much to have this forum and hear from people who are experienced and have been there and done it. I appreciate your response.
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3 Reactions@georgescraftjr I'm now laughing over your post, although my corrupt operating system, pales in comparison to your caregiving George, 4 toilets, two roofs, a desktop, laptop, cell phone, bills, investment accounts and contractors for even bats! Please know you wouldn't have had time for sex even if that had happened! And yes, when I asked the gal at Best Buy why the PC was so expensive, she said "tariffs." @judimahoney agrees she wants a care/wife too! We're all in this together. Best, Karla
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3 Reactions@ljchr
Always happy to help. Best
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1 Reaction@georgescraftjr
To all..
Who the heck cares about sex at this point!? I just want peace and quiet and to not be blamed for everything. I can relate to doing more and more everyday. My husband has mild cognitive decline and used to do so many complicated things regarding finances and the computer and now he actually comes to me and asked me. I am pretty techno deficient but I'm getting better at it out of absolute necessity. My dream would be to leave him but that is just not possible. And I don't know if I really want to live alone! Financially neither one of us could afford to live separately. Together financially we are good we are stable and have more than what we need. But he is just so difficult and it gets worse every day. And because he can't remember things, everything is always my fault. Discouraging!
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13 Reactions