I am asking for opinions from knowledge of experience. Please read details before answering,please ? Aging mother......
Here's the down low, short as I can make it. She's 87 and has taken to staying in bed a lot. She cry's, she obsesses, she hides things and then forgets where and just goes into a sort of obsessive mania and wants to pull you in with her but won't allow you to help.She's never really been a sweet lady. She's dry and at times very mean but that's always been, just intensified in the past year. Her primary care doc just prescribed her anti depressant. I am concerned at her age......help ?
6 Answers to "I am asking for opinions from knowledge of experience. Please read details before answering,please ? Aging mother......"
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sounds like althiemers to me mu gramms was like that
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My dad and grandfather had it, but I wasn't around. So, did they have her on anti depressant ? How to get her doc to test to see if it's that or senility? I appreciate you taking time to answer !
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i was very young i really dont know but i know i was afraid of her, she would take ice cream and hide it in her room-then aftrer it melted she would accuse someone of stealing and get very mean
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Sounds like dementia. I'd get another doctor to look at her.
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We have to go about it some how. But it must not come to her from any one but her doctor. * sighs* Thank you !
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It sounds very typical of her age (my gran is in her 90s) It must be very difficult on you as it can try the patience of a saint. Take time for yourself & respite care if possible
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Yes, thank you ! I've been so very patient ! Going back 28 years ! I really need to do some reading and research and thanks to you and the others for giving me direction !
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It sounds as if she may be displaying some signs of alzheimer's and or dementia.My suggestion would be to get another doctor,there is no harm in getting a few opinions from other doctors to be sure.
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Ya know, that's what I 've thought but the idea can't come from anyone but her doctor as she trusts him explicitly. When I try to explain things, especially when it concerns her she shuts me down. Then it's an argument because that's her approach. Thank you !
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Have you considered a homecare nurse?
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Hmm ! Great thought ! But she is very suspicious and thinks every one is trying to or will steal from her. And she's very particular. But maybe we could at least try. Maybe she'd luck out and get some one she clicks with quickly. Thank you !
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Best Answer (Chosen By Asker):
Posted by javeachica Mar 23rd, 2013 at 2:41PM
Hi to you, and sorry you are feeling overwhelmed by this, as anyone would. I have been through it, and in the late eighties it was called senile dementia, it would now be called Alzheimers. At least that is exactly what it sounds like to me, depressive behaviour is the opposite of obsessive mania, its a withdrawing into self, being 'less than' rather than more than, i.e. exhibiting behaviours like paranoia, which I suspect may be why she hides things from you. I know you mentioned that she cries a lot, but dementia/Alzheimers makes patients what they call 'Emotionally Labile', i.e. prone to sudden mood changes and great lows as they realise they are not able to cope with even simple things any more. Loss hurts, and they cry, also they cry from frustration, its not an easy illness to bear. I worked in a home for people with dementia at one point, so I can only tell you we had a lot of patients with the kinds of behaviours your mother has. I wonder if the doctor is focusing on the crying and the fact she is low, which is leading him to treat this as depression? Your doctor may need to know there is more to this story, and maybe he or she would be willing to look and see if this could be more than depression? I'm not saying she definitely has dementia, but I do think she may need re-evaluating, a second opinion if necessary. The key is she is behaving differently now to her 'normal' behaviour in the past, even though she sounds as if she has never been the easiest of people. I do hope that you find your own answers, and I think it will be easier for you to know exactly what yr dealing with, so you can plan ahead.
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Reply by JustMarji Mar 23rd, 2013 at 3:23PM
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