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NanaWilson

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Aug 18, 2009, 10:59:26 AM8/18/09
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Was to see Mom yesterday. She didn't say Hi to me, only asked where my DH
was (more than once).
My question (or questions) are ...She scratches herself raw & is always hot,
says she can't breathe. Wants us to turn the furnace off (it is Dog days of
August here & VERY hot) The air conditioner is running but she doesn't seem
to feel it. She's wheel chair bound & has to wear diapers & plastic pants
over them. She's just turned 85. Any one have similar things happening to
their loved ones?

Nana


EddyJean

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Aug 18, 2009, 11:51:20 PM8/18/09
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Lurker popping in!!

Group: alt.support.alzheimers Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009, 10:59am (PDT+3)
From: nna...@hotmail.com (NanaWilson)
=======================
Nana
Itching can be intense. It's best not to scratch or difficult to stop
before the skin opens up and bleeds. Sulfur soap has provided me with
some relief. This was once difficult to find on drug store shelves but
think some stores carry it now. If not, some mail-order catalogs carry
it. If your mother isn't drinking enough water, having a glass of ice
water setting before her so she can sip it throughout the day may help.
Starting out slowly to determine if this excercise can be tolerated,
breathing in and out may help to strengthen lungs. If she's not had a
chest ex-ray in a while, talk to her doctor.

EddyJean

NanaWilson

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Aug 19, 2009, 8:25:52 AM8/19/09
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Thanks EddyJean. I'll try these hints.
Nana


"EddyJean" <eddy...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2473-4A8B...@storefull-3252.bay.webtv.net...

Evelyn

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Aug 19, 2009, 8:58:25 AM8/19/09
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"NanaWilson" <nna...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:h6efkg$18r$1...@news.eternal-september.org...


Nana for itching try this. Hubby and I use this all the time. Go to the
drugstore and look for the Gold Bond lotion in the GREEN bottle. Don't get
any other kind. I like the one with the pump top, because you just press
and get exactly what you need. It absolutely kills itches, but it also
heals whatever is causing it. Great stuff! Everyone I have recommended
it to loves it as much as we do.

--

Evelyn

"Even as a mother protects with her life her only child, So with a boundless
heart let one cherish all living beings." --Sutta Nipata 1.8

kerry latrece

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Aug 19, 2009, 12:13:54 PM8/19/09
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My mother is COLD all the time. The temperature is pleasant if not
warm for everyone in the room but she is asking for blankets. I guess
the thermostat is damaged in her brain.
Itching could be a symptom of allergies. She could be allergic to a
drug she is taking or a food she is eating or even a contact allergy
to the soap her clothes are washed in. Benedryl could help. Also, the
elderly usually have very dry skin. Dry skin itches. Drinking lots of
water, applying soothing/anti-itch creams may help.

Kerry

Alan Meyer

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Aug 19, 2009, 9:11:11 PM8/19/09
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I have no experience with this problem in my family, but in
addition to some of the excellent suggestions already made
here are a couple more for cooling down.

1. If she stays a lot in one room, is it possible to turn up
the air conditioning in that one room?

2. Get a fan for her. It can make a big difference.

Alan

Adelle

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Aug 19, 2009, 10:14:21 PM8/19/09
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"NanaWilson" <nna...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:h6efkg$18r$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

It could be the temperature regulator in her brain is now damaged.

But as devil's advocate, we always tend to assume odd behavior is dementia
related. But what if the overheating and itchiness are symptoms of a thyroid
issue? Or Addison's? or some other hormonal issues? or allergies (could she
have developed an allergy to the detergent her clothes and bedding are
washed in? Does she have any rash along with the itchiness?) Have you had
her checked by a doctor to screen out other causes before chalking it up to
something behavioral?

Adelle


NanaWilson

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Aug 19, 2009, 10:18:35 PM8/19/09
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Thanks Alan. It is central air & there are ceiling fans in every room. I am
thinking of getting her a personal battery operated fan of her own. I made
her a Cool Thing (water activated, goes around the neck) she says it is too
cold........Go figure<shrug> We even wrapped it in a towel.

Nana

"Alan Meyer" <ame...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:h6i7m1$2t3$1...@news.eternal-september.org...

A R Pickett

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Aug 20, 2009, 10:00:21 AM8/20/09
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Nana wrote in part > My question (or questions) are ...She scratches herself
raw & is always hot,

It seems from your comments that she is in residential care somewhere, and I
realize you may not have much control over what soap she uses, or is used
for her, when she bathes. But, if you have any input on this, look for
unscented glycerine soap.

Up until a couple of years ago, the unscented variety was very hard to find,
then it popped up at Whole Foods, and now my supermarket carries it.

I was plagued with continually itchy skin until I began to use that, and was
pleased when the itching declined, and even more pleased (and surprised)
when several patches of ezcema disappeared and have not returned.

And comments by others, that her brain can no longer process sensations of
heat/cold, comfort/itch and so on, might also be the root of the problem.

--
A R Pickett aka Woodstock

"It's bad luck to be superstitious"
Paul Phillips, Colorado Sky Sox catcher

Read my book reviews at:
http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/_idx_ws_all_byauth.html

Now blogging!
http://www.journalscape.com/woodstock/

Remove lower case "e" to respond


NanaWilson

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Aug 20, 2009, 2:29:59 PM8/20/09
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Thanks for your kind help. She is at home, cared for by me 86 yo father.

Nana

"A R Pickett" <WOODe...@PReODIeGY.eNET> wrote in message
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deerwood

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Aug 22, 2009, 2:27:10 PM8/22/09
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On Aug 20, 1:29 pm, "NanaWilson" <nna...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks for your kind help.  She is at home, cared for by me 86 yo father.
>
> Nana
>
> "A R Pickett" <WOODeSTO...@PReODIeGY.eNET> wrote in messagenews:7f537oF...@mid.individual.net...
> > Remove lower case "e" to respond- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

God Bless you Nana

NanaWilson

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Aug 23, 2009, 10:37:36 AM8/23/09
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"deerwood" <deerwoo...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9d02095f-b35f-470b...@24g2000yqm.googlegroups.com...

God Bless you Nana

Thanks for that!! But it is me Pop that deserves all the credit!! He does
all the work. I found this oout when he had to have lung sergery in
January. It took THREE of us, (me brother,sis & me) ta do the job that he
does by himself!!

Gotta love me Pop!!

Nana


Brick

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Nov 21, 2009, 10:13:26 AM11/21/09
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DW is 72 and stage six Alzheimers. She scratches herself raw, but it not
bothered by temperature. She is still ambulatory, but has no idea where
she is or where she is going. She wears diapers, but no plastic pants.I
use bed pads to protect furniture where she sits and I do laundry
incessnantly. I will not trade her comfort for mine. (It helps to keep
nails
well manicured which is a problem I have in caring for her.)

--
Brick (Youth is wasted on young people)

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