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by Carol Abaya, M.A.
CERTAIN DRUGS MAY INCREASE
DEMENTIA
Question: My mother, 78, has been
diagnosed with dementia. The doctor gave
her some medicine, which he said should help slow down the deterioration. In two weeks, she became so bad she couldn’t do anything for herself. The doctor said to continue the medicine.
Answer: I’m not a doctor. But when such dramatic negative change occurs
so soon after taking a new medicine, I think you should immediately stop that
medicine.
I also
have a lot of questions as you didn’t say what tests were used to determine the
dementia diagnosis. There are dozens of
causes of dementia, most of which can be reversed. Ask the doctor to explain how he arrived at
his conclusion.
In
reference to the specific medicine, you didn’t name it. However, according to a study in last year’s
“British Medical Journal,” a frequently used and popular drug Seroquel accelerates
dementia. In one study, there was a
marked decline in cognitive functions -- both memory and higher brain
functions. In some cases as much as a 50% deterioration.
Question: My parents,
early 80s, stayed with us for two weeks over the holidays. My mother constantly complained of pain --
rarely in the same place. My father,
usually very outgoing, seems to be in a stupor. They take all kinds of drugs, both
prescription and OTCs. Should I
intervene and talk with their doctors?
Answer: When health is involved,
sandwich generationers need to be very pro-active and aggressively ask a lot of
questions. So, YES, talk with their
doctors and establish an on-going relationship.
It is
very difficult to identify the cause of traveling pain. Often pain radiates from the pain center to
other parts of the body. My mother
complained of severe pain in her left side.
At that time, 15 years ago, technology was not as sophisticated as it is
today. It took seven months before one
doctor diagnosed the problem -- her right hip bone had deteriorated, and the
pain radiated to her left side. After
hip replacement surgery at age 86, she was back driving and selling real
estate.
Today
various tests or a combination of tests can help identify the pain center: a neurological exam, x-rays, a MRI and EMG.
Caution
is urged in reference to taking a lot of pain medicine. Even Tylenol has serious risk factors. At the same time, some doctors are very
reluctant to prescribe strong drugs because of side effects. My own feeling -- and studies confirm this --
is that too many people suffer needlessly.
In
reference to your father, ALL medicines need to be evaluated. Does he really need all of them? What is each one for? And what are possible side effects and
negative interactions? Negative
reactions can slow down people, make them depressed,
mentally confused, and cause physical imbalance problems leading to falls and
injury. Again, you need to ask a lot of
questions.
In both cases, a second opinion might be warranted.
Are you juggling doing errands for your aging parents, your children, yourself and working at the same time? Are you tired, stressed out and upset that your once vibrant parent is now frail and needy?
Do you feel alone? Rest assured you are not alone! The Sandwich Generation is dedicated to the 50 million Americans who may have elder/parent care concerns and/or responsibilities.
* * *
Do
you have a question? Send it in. Although letters cannot be answered
individually, appropriate letters will be answered in this column whenever
possible. Letters may be edited. Send letters to Ms. Carol Abaya, mail direct
to her at
Carol Abaya is an international-award-winning journalist and creator of the unique magazine The Sandwich Generation: You & Your Aging Parents.
NOTES TO EDITORS: text = 558 words; other material = 160 words
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