I've never had allergies before.
I've had sinus BS now for three weeks.  It DEFINITELY started as a cold, now it's stuffy head all the time and runny nose at night before bed and in the AM.... and coughing up luuuuggers pretty regularly throughout the day (baad post nasal drip)

How do you know when it's allergies
When it's a cold
When it's an infection? 

 zipper wrote: 
Oh yeah- he retired from Lockheed. Those bombs and planes  and shit paid for some good stuff for some people. Especially secondary insurance.

 He's primarily covered through Medicare  though.

 bokey wrote: 
Yer a good lad.

My mother wanted to fight it. So I helped her do that - even obtaining a drug from Germany (with her doctor's knowledge and support) - memantine HCl - that wasn't available here at the time.

Never saw any adverse reactions from either the aricept or the memantine.

But it was up to her for the most part. I did force a companion on her - 40 hrs. a week - turned out to be a loving friend after a year. I'm really glad I did that. It kept me sane (Monday through Friday, 8-4.)

PS - keep in mind that sometimes mood-altering drugs like Ativan also alleviate symptoms - including pain.

  BlueHeronDruid wrote: 
Thankee  Ms. C- 

 I gave quite a bit of consideration to  what you said the other week about Aricept and was almost going to do it, but in the end I decided it would not be what he would want.

  And since it is his life, I need to respect what I know would be his decision.
  I did allow the Remoron to be increased from 7. 5mg to 15, but that's going to be it as far as stuff that affects  his head.

 He has made it clear that his wish is to go out in a natural way, and I must respect that.

 bokey wrote: 

 bokey wrote: 
Yes, you need an advocate to help you figure all this out. You've been carrying a load of responsibility for a couple of years or so. Does his insurance cover that service? Maybe there's someone available at the hospital who isn't affiliated with the hospital? It would be bad to reach the point of not being able to take it any more while there's still lots of things left to decide and do.

 bokey wrote: 
Boke, the Aricept won't harm his mind. And it might help him keep it for a while longer.

Good luck with your decisions, and good luck getting him back home.

 zipper wrote: 
I'm starting to push them. He is covered  by his excellent insurance 100% until 9/26/09 and I  think they want to tap all of that.
  He was supposed to finish rehab this week, and then sit around like an eggplant or something for a few more weeks but I didn't like the way he was transferring  and got an extra week of PT added.

 I'm going to try to have him out next week, but I hate his primary care physician and I need to find a geriologist. (sp)

 I've had all his meds handled by his endocrinologist for the past year, but it's getting past that point and I need some help or I will go totally fucking insane.

 bokey wrote: 
When do you expect him to return home?

 bokey wrote: 
The shrink called back yesterday( after not returning my call from the other week)   and I over ruled her.

 I think a man  with an IQ  of 180 deserves to have his mind left alone.

 Even if he is slipping, he is still smarter than the shrink or any of his doctors.

However  I'm going to keep him on the Remerol until he gets back home.

I called the shrink and told her to do it. Also he's getting his Remerol upped to 15 mg.

 katzendogs wrote: 
Decisions about other peoples lives.

 Decisions.

 Life.

 bokey wrote: 
What's hard Bob?

She kind of waffled on me. I guess it's up to me. This crap is too hard.

I think I'm going to let my cousin the trauma nurse call it. She doesn't really know that, but I'm just going to roll with whatever she suggests since I'm such a tard.

 bokey wrote: 

My father-in-law, who had Alzheimers - was on it. But my info is that it is most effective when used early in the onset of symptoms. My FIL was well on his way by the time the drug became publicly available.

 bokey wrote: 
Studies indicate some minimal benefit is possible— very mild, and very short term (as in— you might buy yourself a couple months).  However, if you're talking about someone's memories, functionality, etc., some people think it's worth a try.  It is expensive.  If the cost won't break you, it's worth considering. But don't expect it to be a miracle drug.
EDIT:  As BHD said, it's going to be hard to tell if it did any good or not.  But it seems (for now) to be relatively harmless in terms of adverse effects.  If he's got a history of stomach ulcers there's potential for problems, but otherwise... has so far shown low incidence of side effects.

 bokey wrote: 
My mother was on that. Hard to say if it did any good - but it didn't seem to cause any harm. IIRC, studies are showing some benefit. I'd do it.

So a shrink in the rehab place where my Dad is at while recovering from hip replacement surgery suggests that he goes on Aricept.

  Anyone have any experience with this? ( I mean with a family member, if you've taken it yourself fer crissakes leave me alone)

 geoff_morphini wrote: 
OMG! I just got this. now I have the giggles.