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XP: Alzheimer's

sweetpea0911sweetpea0911 member
Knottie Warrior 500 Comments Combo Breaker
in Wedding Etiquette Forum
I have posted once or twice vaguely referencing the fact that my grandfather has Alzheimer's and dementia, and that I am one of two full-time caregivers for him (my uncle is the other).  Several people had commented before that they have had experience with these patients and I was hoping maybe to glean some information off anyone who has  it.

We took him to the doctor this morning, and the doctor suggested putted him on Aricept to help improve his memory function.  We're trying to do some research on the drug ourselves, but there are many mixed reviews from doctors on whether or not it's actually beneficial and very few testimonials from actual users or users' families.  

Has anyone had any experience with this drug, good or bad?  It's pretty expensive with my grandfather's limited medical coverage, but we're willing to make it work if it will actually do some good.  Thanks in advance!  

(Posting this over on SB, as well as my club board, to see if I can reach other people)

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Re: XP: Alzheimer's

  • ohwhynotohwhynot member
    2500 Comments
    I don't have direct experience with it, Sweetpea.  I'm sorry for you and your family; demetia/Alzheimer's is horrible. 

    Does your grandpa go to an adult day care?  There may be family members of othr day care clients who have had some experience.  If you and/or your uncle have any kind of caregiver support group (and I hope you do), people there may have some experience, too. 
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  • LittleKatie13LittleKatie13
    500 Comments
    My grandma was on Aricept for probably a year before she passed.  Our family joke was that it helped with her memory when she remembered to take it.  At that point she was still living on her own in an apt within a senior community.  Once we got a system down so she took it regularly, we felt that it helped a little bit, but mostly she just didn't get worse.  Her doctor told us that that was pretty much what we could hope for.  It sounds like her memory issues weren't as severe at the point as your grandfather's, so the outcome could be different.  I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it's very hard on everyone involved! 
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  • sweetpea0911sweetpea0911 member
    Knottie Warrior 500 Comments Combo Breaker
    Thanks girls =]

    OWN - he does sometimes, but not today.  I'm going to ask around on Monday when I drop him off.  He only goes about once or twice a week now - he still has good enough function that he doesn't have to be watched 24/7, but it makes us feel better to have him out and about with other people...he doesn't like leaving the house if he doesn't have to, and usually just sits in his chair during the day.

    Katie - we're seeing that on a lot of information - that they don't get better, but they don't get worse.  I'm not sure what it will do for him, since his memory loss sounds a bit more advanced, but it's nice to hear from someone else whose family has used it.

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  • jesslovespetejesslovespete
    500 Comments
    My Grandfather was on it for a little while, but the doctor took him off of it because it was too tough on his stomach. : /
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  • mica178mica178 member
    5000 Comments Fourth Anniversary 5 Love Its
    Aricept works amazingly well (reverses memory loss) in 20% of people, and it's pretty effective (slows down memory loss) in another 20% of people.  So it's good for 40% of people with dementia.  For the other 60%, it doesn't really do anything.

    So, my suggestion is that your grandfather try the Aricept at a low dose (5mg) for about a month, then go up to 10mg for a month.  Starting low and going slow with the taper helps reduce side effects.  If your family sees a difference, keep on going.  If nothing happens, talk with your grandfather's doctor about possibly adding on Namenda or stopping the Aricept.
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  • smokeybaileysmokeybailey member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    My grandmother wouldn't take it regularly.  (If that's the blue one).  She dumped ALL blue pills into one jar and would take one daily.  Either way, it didn't work for her because her compliance was low.

    My heart goes out to you.  Good luck with everything.
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  • 2dBride2dBride member
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    As previously pointed out, it helps about 40% of people, so it is probably worth a try.  However, you need to be aware that beyond a certain point, it will no longer help.  Basically, people not taking Aricept seem to have a gradual memory loss over a long period of time.  For those taking Aricept, they tend to go longer without nearly as many problems, but then suddenly drop to the level of someone who never took it.
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