Hi Friends, I haven't posted for awhile because I have been having one heck of a time here. My mom has had diarrhea for over a month for no apparent reason and was right out of it ALL the time. She refused to sleep or eat and was determined to go for a walk anytime of the day or night. We spent one day in the ER getting IV fluids. She told the Dr. we were there because I was sick!! Of course we had her checked for a uti but there wasn't one. (when I ask the Dr. to check for that he pointed his finger at me and said "You get it" He seemed quite pleased that I was educated about Alzheimer's.)

Our family Dr. has been wonderful. He knows I want to try to keep my mom at home with me so he saw her every three days to try to get this sorted out. Her blood pressure dropped alarmingly.
The Dr. told me that for some unknown reason it is not unusual for older people who have been treated for high blood pressure to suddenly have low pressure and to be tapered of the medication. We did this and she's much better.

I have altered her diet several times but this week have returned to her regular diet. The brat diet didn't do anything for her. The Dr. started her on one packet of cholesterstyramine powder at noon every day and this has worked the best. It is also a cholesterol med. and he said we could double the dose if needed. We tried immodium but it didn't work either and I think it made the confusion worse.

I have come to the conclusion that my mom gets diarrhea each time I leave her with home care. The Dr. thinks it is "progression of the disease" diarrhea. I hate that she is so stressed each time I leave but I have to get out sometimes.

The best thing to come out of this situation is that the Dr.told me to double her melatonin to 6mg each evening and also started her on seroquel 25mg and then upped to 50 mg at bedtime. These meds have made such a wonderful change in my mom. She smiles and is pleasant and sleeps through the night. There have been fewer delusions. She is sooooo much easier to deal with. She isn't trying to get out the door every five minutes.
There is certainly an up side to this story too. My husband has decided that I need a weeks holiday so tomorrow we are off to a cottage by the ocean. I will be able to watch icebergs drift by and whales playing. My wonderful children are going to care for their grandma (they aren't kids...all in their late twenties and early thirties). The other good thing is that I worried off fourteen pounds this month so I actually fit comfortably into my clothes again!!!
Take care.
northernlights

You sound so happy northernlights that it makes me feel happy.
Make sure to enjoy every minute of the week with your husband and try not to worry about Mom and the kids.

Thanks Joyce. I am happy. I'm packing as fast as I can and I will try not to worry about home. I do call home every night just to be sure all is well.
northernlights

Oh that sounds like, Heaven! A cottage by the Sea. I wish you could stay for a month, and I wish I could stow-away. I wont be a problem, I promise! LOL!

I sure wish the right-meds, was not always the answer, but it seems to be, at some point. Have a GREAT time!

Our cottage by the sea is in Newfoundland and there is wonderful scenery and very few people. The restaurants and coffee shops are all a 45 minute drive away so we will have all of our meals just by ourselves. It is a wonderful place just to wind down and relax.
I'll tell you all about it next weekend.
I do wish all care givers and those under stress could have a place like this to go to. I wish you could come too.
northernlights

That sounds wonderful!

Have a great time! That just sounds so nice and relaxing!
Say hi to any penguins for me .

Kat

Oh your trip sounds wonderful. I hope you are having a nice relaxing time.

Just as a side note, Helen was on cholesterstyramine for about 20 years because of gall bladder surgery and not being able to control her bowels afterward. It really is great stuff.