The Alzheimer's Action Plan is extremely useful and informative. The book contains information on stages, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's dementia.....By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
When someone asks me which book they should buy for Alzheimer's I always say the same thing -- The Alzheimer's Action Plan: The Experts' Guide to the Best Diagnosis and Treatment for Memory Problems.
I keep the book right here on my desk. I used it so many times it is almost worn out. I received my first copy directly from the publisher. I'm pretty sure they'll give me another one if I ask, several hundred copies were sold through the Amazon links on this blog.
I benefit from the book over and over. My best story is about how my mother didn't laugh for years. I read about Alzheimer's and hypothyroidism in the Alzheimer's Action Plan and away I went to the doctor. A few days later my mother started laughing and smiling. I can still see the exact moment vividly in my head. I'm feeling good just typing these words.
I receive emails asking me for advice about drugs or treatments Since I am not a doctor, I am always very cautious when I answer. I am not a doctor. It is not unusual for me to refer to the Alzheimer's Action Plan before I answer.
This time around the question about a drug came into the comments box below this article -- The Combination of Aricept and Namenda Helps Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients.
The question was about Remeron. I have no familiarity with this medication. Then I thought, I'll look in the Alzheimer's Action Plan. Sure enough Remeron was discussed in two different sections of the book. There was not only a section on the drug but also quite a bit of advice on alternatives to the Remeron.
Here is an example of an interaction that took place between Louise (she used the comments section) and me.
Louise wrote:
I recall reading something about Remeron here. I have just realized that the mirtazapine they have put Mum on in the hospital is known as Remeron in the U.S. I am really concerned about the possible side effects of it. I managed to stop them giving Mum any anti-epilepsy medication - I had to just about threaten legal action though. Now I want them to stop the Remeron due to the possible side effects. Could anyone advise me? They are going to be very angry if I pull rank using my Guardianship document. There's no sign of her getting out of hospital for another 2 weeks, when I will be slowly withdrawing this drug at home, but I wonder what damage it might do in the meantime, or maybe I am wrong and it was something positive I read about Remeron on here.I responded:
You might be thinking of Rember which is not on the market.
In the Alzheimer's Action Plan they do discuss Remeron, first under antidepressants and then under sleep aides. They say the drug can work as a sedative and appetite stimulant. Helps prevent nausea, diarrhea, and appetite lose caused by memory drugs like Exelon.
In very rare cases, it can cause people's white blood cells to drop dramatically. Should not be taken by people with low white cell counts. If the patient develops fever or infections the blood should be tested.
It is not listed as one of their favorites under antidepressants.
All of the above straight from the book.
The Alzheimer's Action Plan is about a lot more than medications. It has a Freqeuntly Asked Questions (FAQs). They answer the 40 most frequently asked questions. Those sections alone are worth the price of the book.
Here are a few examples.
- Should my wife be tested for Alzheimer's just because she got lost driving?
- Does Alzheimer's increase your sex drive? My husband demands sex right after we have sex? (nobody asked me this one so far.)
- Is turning against your grandchildren a symptom of Alzheimer's?
- Isn't it possible my wife was misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's when its just depression?
- How do I get Dad to let me help with the bills? He's paying some bills three times and ignoring others.
- Advice and Insight -- Alzheimer's Caregiving
- What is Alzheimer's Disease ?
- Dementia and the Eight Types of Dementia
- Does the Combination of Aricept and Namenda Help Slow the Rate of Decline in Alzheimer's Patients
- Communicating in Alzheimer's World
- Test Your Memory (TYM) for Alzheimer's or Dementia in Five Minutes
- Dr Oz Alzheimer's Memory Quiz (Test)
- Alzheimer's Clock Draw Test -- Detect the Signs of Alzheimer's Early
- Is it Really Alzheimer's or Something Else?
- 60 Good Reasons to Subscribe to the Alzheimer's Reading Room
Bob DeMarco is the editor of the Alzheimer's Reading Room and an Alzheimer's caregiver. Bob has written more than 1,300 articles with more than 9,000 links on the Internet. Bob resides in Delray Beach, FL.
Original content Bob DeMarco, the Alzheimer's Reading Room
