How fast do dementia symptoms progress?

From my understanding, Alzheimers is a type of dementia, so she has alzheimers now if that was her diagnosis of type of dementia. It can go rapidly or it can take years. It is individual in nature. What I mean is she will not go from dementia what ever you mean by that to Alzheimers,. If it old age, well we all know about that, but Alzheimers is quite specific once it gets going and you will not mistake it if you are with it 24/7.

As ive been told here everyone is different on aricept I had to take mum off it after six weeks as she was very sick the main side effect seems to be nausea my mum had this with 5mg but then when she went up to 10mg she was violently ill.
But then others have no problem on it so you will just have to see. I am seeing my mums doc this week to see if there is anything else?

I heard there was a PATCH cant remember the name exilon or something maybe someone on here knows about it I spoke to a woman whose husband was on it and hes had no problems.

All you can do is try and see how bad the side effects will be also try giving her coconut oil (virgin only) about 3tablespoons a day I take it myself I also give mum Krill Oil great for heart,eyes and brain.

You are very lucky that shes walking my mum wont go and dementia patients need oxygen ive given up asking her now.

Good luck and let us know how you get on with the aricept!

My husband has been diagnosed with FTD this year and is on Aricept and I also give him gingko (600 mg). I make sure he takes all 600 mg of the gingko at one time so it is most effective. He takes it in the morning because it seemed to disturb his sleep at night. It appears he tolerates them both well. No noticeable side-effects. It seems to have stabilized his decline somewhat. I have some experience with ALZ since my dad suffered from it, so I know what to watch out for. Since we live in a small town, the police have requested I get them a recent picture in cause he wanders off or goes missing. He no longer works or drives, but still works in his garden and recognizes us. We are going on a 2 week vacation soon and he is looking forward to it. We try to do as much as we can while he can still enjoy it.

If you want to get her to try it, just tell her the doctor says it might upset her digestive system, but that people who can take it like how it works.

It can be helpful, but it's not a miracle cure. Doctors are divided about it. If you decide not to try, it's not a great deal you're giving up on.

My husband is pretty young - 68 - and likely to live a long time, so I want to preserve his brain as long as possible. I'm willing to risk side effects because for us, the payoff seems worth it, even if it's small.

My sister has been dealing with my BIL's Alzheimers for over 14 years now. He used to be a heart surgeon and now he doesn't even remember his name. Everyone is different. He took Aricept and it slowed down the disease, but he is now in hospice. She never mentioned any side effects he may have had, but you never know unless you try. I cannot imagine what she is going through. I am caring for my husband who has pancreatic cancer and I think nothing could be worse, but all of you who are dealing with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia of loved ones get a hug from me. God Bless you all.

I was reading about Aricept's side effects and wondering what percentage of people do experience them. If I ask her to take Aricept on the pretext of some vitamin and should she experience obvious side effects she will most likely question me back

Jlakhani - tell her Aricept is approved to improve brain function even in people without dementia. Or tell her it's a vitamin. It did help my husband, so I encourage you to try to get it into her. You won't know if it helps until she tries it.

Christie - she doesn't trust them the way she trusts her family. But I think it's good for her immortal soul to be around people she "has" to be nice to.

It is hard for elders to be out of their usual environment.

If she gets sick - a UTI or just a bad cold - you will see rapid "progression" that usually goes away when she recovers from the illness.

The thing about forgetting that it was you that told her - I do that, so that proves that that symptom, anyway, is not dementia! LOL.

My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease five years ago. Her disease has caused changes to occur slowly. When my father passed away 1.5 years ago, she went downhill very rapidly. She has been getting worse since then. Her most recent symptom was becoming combative with every member of our family. She as placed in a memory care unit of a senior living home two months ago, because she was just too much for us to handle. I think she is happier there. She is much nicer to the helpers there than she is to family members. Isn't that a kick in the rear end???

Each case of dementia progresses at its own pace. A new symptom may pop up in the next two weeks. Current symptoms may become noticeably worse. Or there may be no noticeable changes for months.

It will be helpful if you and your sister learn as much as you can about dementia. If possible join support groups for caregivers of persons with dementia.

Gingko and fish oil may be good for Mom, but I doubt they will have any impact on her dementia.

Many experts feel that the best thing a person with dementia can do is to keep active, physically, socially, and mentally. It is great that your mother goes for walks.

Doctor did recommend Aricept 5 to begin with but she's not convinced she has dementia. So she isn't on any medication though I ask her to take Gingko and Fish oil caps. Not sure how much is that going to help

Is she taking any medication to slow the progression? Even in the later stages of Alzheimer's my mother benefitted from Donepezil (Aricept) it is approved to treat all stages of Alzheimer's. Best of luck to you and your family.