When I first thought about this post, I was trying to figure out why Mother’s decline has been so rapid recently.
Her tremoring is more pronounced, her confusion is greater, her speech is growing muffled, and compared with 6 months past, she is a very different person, with signs still signaling who she actually is.
I decided to perform an amateur’s search for some clues as to what might be happening.
At first, I found evidence that the Neuroleptic drugs may be the cause of the enhanced decline. There are several studies out there that state they can accelerate this in dementia; yet, there are also studies which demonstrate that the decline in LBD patients is much rapider than those with AD.
Let’s look first at Why Neuroleptics for Patients with Lewy Body Dementia?
To be honest, Mom’s condition necessitates the use of Quetiapine or Seroquel, in order to stave off anxiety and the presence of hallucinations. While it has calmed her, her hallucinations have begun to grow in number, they all seem to be quite benign and not the frightening events that occurred previous to her hospitalization. So, as with most patients with LBD, there is a need for these.
There are sensitivities that are created by these drugs, and LBD patients do lend themselves to be at risk for the various side effects.
There are sensitivities that are created by these drugs, and LBD patients do lend themselves to be at risk for the various side effects.
What are the Side Effects?
The side effects of the drug have also caused her to gain weight, and to up the dosage, as the neurologist put it, would only allow her to “blossom” more; this would provide a greater worry for her physical health, which seems to be teetering in another balance waiting for disaster.
This provides another situation with the side effects of the drug. According to US News and World Report Health, the use of the neuroleptics has been rather poorly studied in the past and newer examinations undergone have realized there is increased risk of heart attack or other related hazards.
Of course, this is also listed as a jeopardy when used; we were informed of this when we first consented to Mom’s being given it. Quetiapine is listed as a “black box” drug. According to Drugwatch.com, black box drugs are those which come with a strong warning of the possibility of death.
Can Neuroleptics Cause An Increased Rate in Dementia Decline?
According to a National Institute of Health Study, Neuroleptics Do increase cognitive decline in patients with dementia. However! with Lewy Body Dementia Patients this is not so. Cortical forms of dementia, such as LBD are not affected in such a manner by these drugs, whereas those with Alzheimer’s may run such a risk.
There are also studies which indicate the decline of those with LBD is much greater than those with AD. But that’s another topic for another day….
Sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment