My mom's "Alzheimer's" was so "advanced" her doctor put her on hospice last March. This year my mom has had extreme confusion and agitation. Slept less than 2 hours a night (if that). Wouldn't eat or drink- has survived on Ensure and ice cream which it took me all day to get down her. Was incontinent. Couldn't swallow (anything). Was either in a manic state or crying to the point of moaning. All of that has changed.....
Last night we laughed through old movies and ate pineapple pizza. She got herself ready for bed and slept all night. This morning she ate two bowls of cereal, brushed her teeth and did her hair, is putting puzzles together and is asking about the grand kids. She is wearing underwear instead of pull-ups.
The miracle cure? Taking an antibiotic for a week!!!
She had no pain and never had a fever. Her urine had been cloudy and smelling terrible for over a year. When I asked her doctor about it he dismissed it when he was told she didn't have pain. It continued and I regularly asked her hospice nurse about it, convinced her kidneys were failing or she was dehydrated. Always told she was fine because she had a wet tongue. (Was also told that it was normal for kidneys not to function properly at her age/stage).
For the last year life has been hell for both of us.
Luckily though, on Christmas morning she did have pain when she urinated. Her doctor was out of town (she was taken off hospice because I stabilized her weight) so I called the ER. They told me to get her in immediately and she was finally diagnosed with a UTI.
I can't believe this has happened to us! My family is in absolute shock. My cousin who's a nurse told me this is very common!!! I've been studying Alzheimer's and dementia for a year and I've never heard of this. I can see how having an infection could cause erratic behavior but she never had a fever or pain and it got to the extent that she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's "so advanced" she was put on hospice and basically written off as dead!
I'm in total shock...my head is spinning as I type this. We went through literal hell for nothing!!!!
I hope that I'm the only one that was unaware of this and my mom is the only person this has happened to. But just in case get that pee tested and don't let yourselves be written off!!!
I am glad that someone out there got a correct diagnoses.
Its ashame, I'm sorry to say that your mom could have passed due to malpractice of the doctor and you would have never known.
I swear "us" the caregivers are more diligent doctors than actual doctors. For myself ,taking care of my mother with dementia(which I question at times) I am always trying to research things and bring it up to the doctor. Which they look at me like "who the hell are you,to tell me how to do my job"!!!
But hey, I figure that if they really wanted to help mom they would be considerate and listen to my thoughts!! I have not found a "good" dr yet!! Thats every caregivers right to get the best care for there loved one.
Yes seen that before in here and myself with my own mom...when they get UTI or CONSTIPATION..it takes them on a tailspin downward. We have to be better at diagnosis than these lousy 2 minute doctors! Yes WORD UP for newbies out there....check for UTI AND CONSTIPATION if your mom or dad seems to be out of tune...