Mom's self harm with her drug addiction
 

Hi everyone, I am new here and I am from Toronto. M,y mom has been staying with me for the past 2 years and she has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's in the last June. The doctor said that she is at the starting stage, so medicines can work to a great extent. But that medicine itself is being another problem for her. I don't know what is there so special with the Reminyl which she takes 6-7 times per day! I have tried a lot keeping her away from the tablet and allowing only the prescribed amount, but she is getting seriously violent when she doesn't get what she wants. I really don't know what to do. My little son gets scared when he sees her and refuses to go to her. While searching I found about some drug addictions, but I was not able to find anything regarding Reminyl addiction. She is doing harm to herself without her knowledge. One of my friends said to seek professional help from a nearby clinic for addiction recovery named Edgewood Health Network ( http://edgewoodhealthnetwork.com/ ). I am confused that, will they be ready to treat an Alzheimer's patient? If not, what are the alternatives? Can anyone please help me?

So am I correct in understanding that she is taking more than the prescribed amount? Are you able to talk to the doctor who prescribed it about your concerns?

Ok you need to speak to your moms doctor immediately, taking too much Reminyl can be extremely dangerous, much like drinking too much coffee, or taking too many stimulant drugs, this drug will increase Acetyl Choline levels, and this could be doing your mom more harm than good, if you can't manage to control her dosage, then maybe staying with you is not the best idea, I know it may sound hurtful but perhaps she'd be best placed somewhere they can manage her medication and behaviour, it's not saying you're incapable of looking after her, it's saying I'm struggling and need help to look after her.

It's usually prescribed for vascular dementia, please don't let the doctors description of it being mild fool you, this just suggests the doctor wants to limit their responsibility for your mom and her condition, my grandfather had vascular dementia, and parts of his brain were dying, hence his aggressive behaviour, eventually he had to be placed in a care home, he did not know most of his family including me, and had to be sedated for his own and others safety.

I'm really astonished that the doctors have continued to allow you to care for your mom when her condition is affecting her so badly, I'd encourage you to seek help in any way you can, I'm not sure how things work in the US, as I'm in UK, but if in the UK I were in your position, I'd be putting my son's and my safety first, and would not only speak with her doctor, but also contact social services for help, please don't terrorise your own son in his own home, had my mum have moved my grandfather in whilst ill like that, I would have run away from home, so please consider your son, there is no shame in asking for help.

Nobody can hold it against you if your mom were to need to be cared for outside of the family, you have tried your best, and you can be proud knowing that, not many people would have lasted 2 years under these circumstances and this amount of pressure, perhaps it's time to think of yourself, and your son, perhaps it's time to give yourself a break.

I hope you find a way to either get some extra help, or find somewhere that can help your mom, it's so distressing to watch as they drift further and further away from us, but I'm sure your moms grateful that you've stayed so strong for so long, and kept her as comfortable as possible all this time.

*hugs*

As stumpy has said above, you've been a saint to have your mother in your home for the past 2 years but there does come a time where it's too much and it seems like this time might be now. It's so important that her medication is controlled and perhaps if she was in some sort of residential care there would be specific guidelines and rules in administering medication and keeping your mum safe. What are your thoughts about finding alternative arrangements for her?

Sophie.x