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ypiffani Asked August 2014

Dementia Dad has such vivid delusions, last night's broke his heart. Any advice?

It started yesterday afternoon, he was wandering the house, without pants I might add, "playing" with the puppy. I just went about my day he wasn't hurting anyone just wandering. Then later that night ... it got quiet... just like when my kids were up to something I could tell something was off. I found him on the floor in the middle bedroom, panting, pants-less, rolling back and forth.
"whats up?"
"well I was trying to help my wife... giving her CPR so I got down here to do it and I can't get back up"
"Dad... your wife?" Mother died 8 years ago and he has never remarried or even dated.
"Cindy... my wife" cindy was a therapist he had 5 years ago after his stroke.
I called help to get him up and he continued the story with them...he NEEDED to get to the hospital, no there was nothing wrong with HIM but he needed to check on his wife... please could they take him to the hospital.
paramedics left without taking him
I kept digging... What happened Dad...
Well, a few months ago he got remarried to Cindy (if you're following I don't know if the imaginary cindy and the imaginary coleen know about each other but my dad is a hound dog!!) They had gone to the ASPCA and adopted a puppy something happened and he electrocuted the wife and the puppy in the bath tub (we don't have a bath tub just a walk in shower) He managed to drag out his wife and give her CPR and the 5 firemen had taken her to the hospital to help her.
welllllll..... I had listened and calmly asked if all of that made sense to him? He was very very upset ... understandably. I tried to talk him down from his manic moment... to no avail he wandered the house and fretted and tried to call people to take him to the hospital, he never cried he just panted and then I managed to ask him if he could honestly say it all made sense... The electrocution especially.... since he could clearly see there was NO bath tub... HOW could he have electrocuted them .... he stopped and stared like seeing the shower for the first time... and said, I couldn't. he calmed down a bit and has managed to get into bed and is asleep. But it seriously broke his heart, normally my dad is the most calm tender person in the world. He would never hurt anyone intentionally or an animal. no question just wanting to share that. Thanks for listening.

ypiffani Aug 2014
yes I know.... the "experts" at the VA have given it to him to "calm" him. I've bitched and complained and now just ready to throw a fit, I just can't find any good info for something better. They just tell me it works differently for everyone and its better than nothing ... but is it? they just seem to throw stuff at him to shut me up. I don't want him zoned out but I don't want him wandering dangerously and hitting me either. he'll be in a facility soon I hope. then they can see how the meds "work" on him.

littletonway Aug 2014
p.s. Zyprexa is not recommended for use in the elderly with dementia.

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littletonway Aug 2014
What is Zyprexa dosage? Too much can cause vivid dreams and "dream" walking.

gladimhere Aug 2014
Have Dad checked for a Urinary Tract Infection at the doctor's office tomorrow, could also be a TIA (mini stroke). Sudden changes like this can often be attributed to some sort of infection that, when my mother gets them, really throws her off of her normal. Whatever the heck that is!

ypiffani Aug 2014
Haldol made it SOOOO much worse. He is on Zyprexa now one daily and one prn. I had given him is max dose of 2 that day and he was still manic. No one in the medical field has given me anything that will help for his delusions even though I have asked. the zyprexa is the latest "fix". They tell me there is nothing they can do for him other than that. which doesn't seem right.

pamstegma Aug 2014
Have you tried an SNRI? Something to make him dream better things? Even cannabis, a pinch under the tongue? There must be something that will help him. Haldol?

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