This seems to be a question that is not asked enough or we think what we are feeling is not as important as what our loved one is going through. This job we have taken on is a tough one and there are days when I think my "stress rope" cannot be pulled any tighter. Then there are other times that make those bad days just a memory. Do you feel like banging your head against a wall one day? And then the next day your loved one is attentive and loving and comprehends whatever you say? There are some who keep those feelings bottled up within themselves; others take the time for outside resources and others who look at sites such as this for some understanding. I do better when I have someone else to bounce my feelings off of. Let's face it....we aren't superhuman and besides ourselves and perhaps a family to take care of we now have taken on the responsibility of another human who is incapable of taking care of themselves. Do you breeze through the care giving without a problem? If so, I would like to know how you do it, maybe you can offer some new ideas; do you have feelings of frustration and need to talk about those? Come and talk and know that you can speak freely and without judgement and without finger pointing.
I am caring for my mother-in-law and have been for about 1 1/2 years. She has moderate dementia and incontinence. Other than that she is very healthy. Sometimes that short amount of time feels like 10 years and I wonder how long I will be able to do this job. I get so very tired of hearing the same thing day in and day out, but I have to remind myself that to her, each time she sees me, she is offering new information. At times I have no problems communicating with her, but it seems like more and more she cannot retain a thought longer than 5 minutes. We have had to make signs for her so she will know what she can and cannot do. So far it's working, but for how long? Maybe I will have to end up making her a "Book of Do Nots". She is on memory drugs, which don't seem to make a difference. So why do I continue to dole them out to her? I guess I'm afraid of what might happen or how she might act without them. I might have to rent a boat or buy a helmet! Sometimes I see something in her that leads me to believe that she could get aggressive and what would be my reaction to that? At the end of each and every day, after she is tucked into bed, I breathe such a sigh of relief. The "inner beast" is quiet at last, or at least for a few hours.
Pull up a chair and visit........I would like to know how you are coping everyday..be it good or with handfuls of stress.
T.I.A.'s are transient ischemic attacks (like a mimi-stroke), and while your symptoms could be anything, they point to something neurological. When I was having episodes, the symptoms were very strange, always a little different.
Of course, have your doctor check for side effects of your medications, especially if you have stopped taking one, or missed, or abruptly stopped Klonopin/clonazepam. OK? Can you check back in here?
I wish there was a med you could take that would just help for this time in space... I know how you are about meds, and I know there are many things you can not take.... I am sending you gentle hugs.... and I am waiting WITH you.... you know I am there with you ...... give it some time, continue to share.... you know what to do.... the fact that your brain is going back and forth... means that you really don't want to DIE, you just want a different life and some relief from the one you are having to live....
You don't have Parkinson's.... our body can only handle so much and not having an outlet, our body does strange things..... my eyes jump, drives me insane..... other physical things.... so if nothing esle you get from this post, please hear that I love you..... and you are not alone.... and I DO understand..... gentle hugs to you sweetie...
BTW This is NOT what children are for sweetheart. I want my children to live a useful happy and healthy life - I do not want them to be looking after me at a time when they should be enjoying their lives ... just a thought
I imagine stress can cause this sort of thing as well. You know how we all feel about the caregiving you have done for your folks for many years at the cost of fulfilling your own needs. You have been a wonderful, caring and giving daughter to your folks for many years. Caregiving is very stressful and we each need to care for ourselves first. I am not going to tell you what I think you should do, you already know what that is. So Book ask others if they have noticed you doing this. Get to your doctor for a referral to a neurologist. Do not panic before you have consulted a doc. Sending you hugs, my friend.
Today, I had a client in front of me. As I was putting her flight reservations together, I finally did it - 3 hours later. Towards the end, she asked me what's wrong. When I gave her a puzzled look, she said that I kept shaking my head as if something's wrong. OMG! Not once did I realized my head was was turning left and right! Parkinson's??
Retail therapy often leads to depression. You don't sound like you are in a good place. I don't remember you being quite this low in a long while. Please call 911 and get yourself some help!
Love, prayers and hugs!
Last night and this morning my depression was so bad. My thoughts were turning to death, which seems so - wonderful. I even went crazy lastnight looking for that prescription I have for depression. Remember, my doctor got me a lower dosage and different drug? But the part of me that doesn't want to live won out. I didn't take the med. I'm so torn inside, mentally. I want to die, I don't want to die. Ladee was the one who noticed a pattern of my really bad depression that I get yearly. It's around this time? It's so tiring this mental fight in my head.
Then, if you're not feeling better, come on over to: These are a few of my favorite things, thread. Keep posting, until you feel better.
Did they wash their hands this time? So glad to hear that you are having 'parties' there at the hospital, meeting Mom's needs. Hope you are having some fun too.
Oh well perhaps it will keep them smiling
I wasn't fast enough to get the website the first time you posted. I'm able to do so with these. I once posted here on how to get around doing the www... and the moderator came on and uhm... reminded me that we're not suppose to post websites on here. Part of the rules. Now I do like you said on the last one...Google "......"
My laptop is facing my dad. On my right is the TV. As I was just typing the above paragraph, I saw my dad lift his butt up and his hand was proceeding to pull down his pants. I said, "Ah! Ah!" (Not Ah-ha. But Ah Ah as in No.) He was so fast to pull his pants back up - not once even looking at me.
Keeping the undresser clothed can be a challenging task. In an effort to preserve the dignity of those suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease, this garment gives the illusion of a 2-piece outfit, but is actually a 1-piece jumpsuit designed to discourage undressing.
it will take you straight to it
Might be better if I had done it right first time
buckandbuck
Hope that works for you book
Since then, I've noticed that she cleans up after she explodes on the toilet (but she doesn't clean underneath the seat) and she now keeps offering me her frozen sausage link (Ugh! It's that small round sausage that you usually eat with eggs.) I've always hated that meat - even as a child. Never outgrew it. She went grocery shopping today. And she bought me a case of my favorite ice coffee - Mr Brown Coffee. She packed our small fridge's freezer with lot of frozen dinners. I, uhm...was hungry a few weeks ago and took one of her Stoufer's Lasagna frozen dinner. Eewww!!! I couldn't eat it. I offered her the 2/3 of it and she didn't eat it. I threw it away after a few days in the fridge. I had told her that I thought it was going to taste like the one I used to buy (until the price went up) - Michael Angelo's. So, today, she bought 3 boxes of Michael Angelo's lasagna and said it was for me. And she bought some cans of Roast beef hash - and offered me some of it. Ohhh... I'm touched. And I was smiling more with her. But - she still won't eat the food I cooked today. I had to warn her ahead of time that I drowned it with onions. There goes my eating healthy!