Does Medicine Always Work for Us?

My husband had been on the Exelon patch when he was first diagnosed with dementia. He was working then. Hubby did more yard work and he could sweat off this patch. I felt the Exelon pill was easier to take with DH's other pills and he would not sweat it off.

Coconut Oil Fudge, Pills and Whatever
We Can Manage Have Hubby Eat

For several years now he has had Exelon or Rivastigmine pill morning and evening. At one time my husband experienced nausea with it when he didn't eat and had that pill in the morning. How he eats a small breakfast with the pill (if we are lucky here), but can get diarrhea several hours later. In April I wrote about one sort of humorous incident HERE. So I have not been giving him his Exelon morning pill some days such as Tuesday when he goes to the senior center and Sunday when we go to church. But I think we need to return to the patch and so does Canada.

Canada is going for the Excelon or Rivastigmine patch as reported HERE.  Two pills are not needed and the patch can be applied once a day.

My carpal tunnel syndrome seemed to have gone away and so I wasn't taking MSM. Bad idea. Hands are showing signs I need it. Will buy more of it to take.

Currently I am off of my thyroid medicine because I am undergoing another test on June 17 and need to be off of the medicine for that test and also no fish--bummer. I have been so careful to not gain weight and do get hungry without that thyroid medicine. I have a small twinge in one eye that I used to get when I taught in the stressful public school system full-time. I wonder if this stress is because my system needs that thyroid medicine.

To save money I have been taking one of my medicines only at night with my doctor's knowledge. She may let me get off of it entirely.

My husband also takes a full strength aspirin instead of Plavix in the mornings. This suggestion came from a comment on this blog and his doctor has always approved.

What do you do to evaluate or save money on your medications?

Antihypertensive Drug Carvedilol May Protect against Alzheimer’s Disease and Promote Healthy Memory

Good news. My husband has been on Carvedilol 12.5 MG twice a day for hypertension.

Alzheimer's Disease: Antihypertensive Drug Carvedilol May Protect against Alzheimer’s Disease and Promote Healthy Memory

He also takes Namenda and Exelon. We changed Exelon from the patch to the pill as we are more consistent about taking pills than putting on patches. However, he does need to take food with his pills or becomes nauseous. We especially noticed the nausea when he switched to the Exelon pill.

Even with our AARP Prescription drug plan, his pills are very expensive.

Memory Medications and Strategies

from the Alzheimer's Disease Center

Four medications, tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine tartrate (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl), may slow the intellectual decline in some people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. These drugs (called cholinesterase inhibitors) increase the brain's levels of acetylcholine, which helps to restore communication between brain cells. Another medication, memantine (Namenda), has been shown to stabilize memory in people with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It is the first in a new class of medications called NMDA receptor antagonists.

Note that my husband takes the expensive Exelon and Namenda. They help!

Other strategies used to help people with Alzheimer's include psychotherapy techniques (reality orientation and memory retraining) and medications to relieve depression and calm agitated behavior. As much as possible, you should follow a regular exercise routine, maintain normal social contacts with family and friends and continue intellectual activities. In addition to regularly scheduled doctor visits, patients and their families should take advantage of community resources and support groups. Discuss any safety concerns, especially driving, with the doctor. Although several nonprescription products claim to improve mental function, the scientific evidence to support this claim is weak. Check with your doctor before taking any nonprescription medication, especially if you are taking a prescription medication for heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure or mental illness or if you have problems with your heart or liver.

My husband has taken Vitamin B12 and Flaxseed Oil with his doctor's approval for over a year.