DM was recommended this by the memory clinic doctor. She has query Parkinson’s, query vascular disease, and/or query Lewy Body Dementia. She’s been on co-levodopa which has made a huge positive difference and she’s been ok at home with carer support and weekend visits from me and my sibling. Cognitively slowly declining with difficulty with her words but otherwise happy at home watching telly all day.
doctor recommended rivastigmine to assist in memory and also to damp down any auditory or visual hallucinations. Mums had a couple of instances, eg convinced she heard the front door bell, or saw someone out of the corner of her eye. But these have been rare, plus she has macular degeneration and I understand hallucinations are not uncommon as the brain tries to make sense of the shadows. She knew the person she saw wasn’t real.
She’s been in a starting dose of rivastigsmine for about ten days now and she’s really struggling. Her memory is worse and she’s confused. Worse, she’s aware of these issues and that’s distressing her. My instinct is to stop taking it now, but before we do I wanted to check in whether anyone else has had this experience and whether it’s worth persisting as it gets better once the patient gets used to it. Personally I think 10 days is enough of a good go to say she’s tried it and it doesn’t suit her.