Medications

CUT THE CRAP!

dementia medications Mom began taking as soon as she

was diagnosed. Does not stop the disease, but has

helped lessen/stabilize symptoms for Mom.

Namenda (also known as memantine) - One of two standard dementia medications Mom began taking as soon as she was diagnosed. Does not stop the disease, but has helped lessen/stabilize symptoms for Mom. Update September 2019: We took Mom off Namenda for a couple of weeks and she was a mess! We are right back on it now. (Post: Medicating the fight right out of her.)

Mirtazapine - A sleeping pill that made a wonderful difference in all our lives! Mom takes a low dose pill each evening, about an hour before her normal bedtime, and our sleepless nights have been reduced dramatically. (Post: You deserve a break today..., Mother's Little Helpers)

Busiprone - Prescribed by her geriatric psych doctor for anxiety, we noticed immediately the positive effects on Mom. She's been taking it for about a year, with lessened benefits now, but still part of her daily pill-popping routine. Update June 2019: Mom's geriatric psych doctor took Mom off busiprone a few months after we started Seroquel. We had no problems without it. (Post: Mother's Little Helpers)

Zoloft - Prescribed by her geriatric psych doctor for depression, it has helped a lot, but like the Busiprone, it's benefits have lessened as her progression has increased. I also take a low dose of Zoloft each day and it is super helpful in keeping me steady when everything in Mom's world is going south. Update September 2019: We took Mom off Namenda for a couple of weeks and she was a mess! We are right back on it now. (Post: Downer Town: The Sequel, Downer Town III: So long suckers! Medicating the fight right out of her.)

Seroquel - Prescribed by her geriatric psych doctor for rage. It took about a month for the low dose of 25mg twice daily to really kick in, and while we're still experiences some angry moments (showers - the bane of our existence) it's been a gawdsend.