My dear wife has been diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer’s kind as of 8 years ago. I need help with pain fixation and anxiety.

Amen to all the above.

People are so reluctant to give their LO's medications b/c of the enormous stigma that is attached to some drugs.

I'm not aware of anyone having "Proudly unmedicated to the last days of my pain-filled life" put on their headstone.

Drugs have a purpose and are so useful in HELPING those who need them. You will work closely with her Dr and she will be much happier and feel better when the pain and anxiety are under control!

She;s probably really suffering--and there's no need for that! (A side note about Wellbutrin: it's one of the AD's that works almost immediately. Many take up to 6 weeks to be therapeutic.) Ativan also works almost immediately, as would any opioid.

Thanks for your assistance. The shoulder pain has been treated over many years by physio, opioids, massage and many scans etc. I’m thinking the pain is a fixation and are trying hypnotherapy . She sleeps without pain, but on waking is back in pain. With her short term cognitive memory, she assumes it’s a new pain. I have tried many Doctors and specialists to no avail. Thanks again and have a great day.

My mother took Ativan for anxiety and agitation, Wellbutrin for depression, and Tramadol for neuropathy pain. Cymbalta worked very well for the neuropathy pain, but it exacerbated her dementia something fierce, so it was discontinued and she had to go back on Wellbutrin. Like Geaton said, contact your wife's AD doc to discuss these concerns.

Best of luck to you.

Make an appointment with her ALZ doc to discuss meds for her issues. Many people with dementia benefit from medication that addresses their anxiety, depression and agitation. And the caregivers definitely benefit :-)