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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Dementia, Anxiety And Memory Loss

Hi. My mother-in-law, Diane, is 72. She has struggled with memory & anxiety for over 10 years. The last year has become much worse. She is starting to hallucinate, gets lost, gets disoriented, needs help figuring out how to put her clothes on, needs help with her stove & other appliances, etc. My father-in-law, Terry, has been with her 24-7 to make sure she s okay & to help with everything she needs. He has take n her to get a CT scan twice among other things. Their geriatrics doctor says there is nothing wrong physically with her. He has been taking her to a psychiatrist, who has been treating her for anxiety. Her psychiatrist has noticed a substantial change in memory loss from when the psychiatrist first started seeing Diane a year ago. The hallucinations just started last week (we think). All hallucinations revolve around bugs - seeing them on people, on food, coming through the drywall in her home, etc. Family history = Diane s father (Ed) had Sun Downers Dementia. Thankfully Diane is happy all of the time, but as a family we are concerned & are at least praying for a diagnosis. Can you help? Thanks so much, Tanya Miller
Fri, 16 Aug 2019
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,

Since your MIL is having visual hallucinations, she needs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with antipsychotic medicines.

Antipsychotic medications have side effects, any manifestation of side effects should be reported to the treating doctor without much delay.

Hallucinations occur due to changes in the brain due to dementia & factors like anxiety, agitation, certain medicine, overstimulating environment, etc.

Help her stay in peace, she will respond better to medicines & therapy if she is kept in a comfortable environment. Too much ecstasy or depression both are not good for her, the optimum living standard is best for her.

Stay connected to the treating doctor & let her take medicines as prescribed.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician
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Suggest Treatment For Dementia, Anxiety And Memory Loss

Hello, Since your MIL is having visual hallucinations, she needs cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) along with antipsychotic medicines. Antipsychotic medications have side effects, any manifestation of side effects should be reported to the treating doctor without much delay. Hallucinations occur due to changes in the brain due to dementia & factors like anxiety, agitation, certain medicine, overstimulating environment, etc. Help her stay in peace, she will respond better to medicines & therapy if she is kept in a comfortable environment. Too much ecstasy or depression both are not good for her, the optimum living standard is best for her. Stay connected to the treating doctor & let her take medicines as prescribed. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Dr Nupur K, General & Family Physician