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General Anesthesia for the mentally impared

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Alzheimer's Disease
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Posted 8/20/2010 7:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hello,

My mother's dentist just informed me that she has a cavity on her front tooth that is pretty substantial. He gave 2 options for this.

1. Get a root canal and put a crown there.
2. Pull the whole tooth and put in dentures but.... for liability reasons the dental office will not do this unless my mom goes under.

He suggested #2 because he said the tooth is beyond saving. The cost of the anesthesia alone will be about $1K not including what the dentist will charge. I'm more concerned of the injection to put her out. Is it safe?
Posted 8/21/2010 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
i would think its safe hun
you can always get a second opinion if that would ease yr mind
tk care of self as well
lyn
Posted 8/21/2010 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Her dentist said if she's not in any pain then just leave it alone and let it eventually fall off by itself. She can chew with her other teeth. At her age, putting a denture there is just for looks.

My mom has fallen down twice yesterday which was very scary. Once in the parking lot of her podiatrist office and then a few hours later at home in my bedroom. Each time she lost her balance. The 2nd time she hurt her lower back. I think she fell backwards and landed on the carpet banging her backside to my desk. She's now complaining about the pain but no bones seem to be broken, just banged up.
Posted 9/5/2010 11:13 PM (GMT 0)
Mention it to her doctor. It may be a mini stroke. Many people have "silent killers" with this disease. My grandmother, whom I am her soul caretaker, has vascular dementia. She loses her balance during a stroke, aka "silent killer."
Posted 9/5/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the heads up but that wasn't the reason. I got her new shoes and I had her wear it around the house to see if they were the right fit. She lost her balance because the shoes didn't support her enough. Since then she's walking ok.
Posted 9/5/2010 11:52 PM (GMT 0)
Thats great hon
Posted 9/6/2010 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Also because she was taking generic Mirapex which I could tell didn't work so well for her. I switched her back to name brand Mirapex 3 days ago and I already notice a difference in her flexibility and awareness of what I say to her and she's not as dazed as before.

Now if only I know an easier way to lift her off the floor when she slips down from the couch. I had temporary numbness in my left hand this morning when she tried to life herself back up with my help but I had to let go because my hand didn't have any strength left. Eventually she gave herself a little push while I pulled. It's never easy but I can tell you this. When she was on the generic Mirapex it took me and her sometimes caretaker to lift her up because she didn't have any energy in her to help us out. Unfortunately I'm generally alone with my mom so I don't have the luxury of another pair of hands to help out.
Posted 9/9/2010 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
Proposol position-- Get one leg on floor and bend one leg foot on floor. Have her wrap her arm around your shoulder and neck. Put your arms under her arm pit and around her back. Slowly stand up.

If that is not an option--

Have her first sit up
Have her sit on all 4's like a dog
Have her stand on knees
Reach behind her thru the arm pits
Have her stand
Posted 9/9/2010 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the suggestion. The first one won't work because she can't follow directions.
2nd one won't work for the same reason. Think of lifting someone that can't think.
Posted 9/9/2010 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Here are some suggestions:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081205003201AAuoEvp

http://ucanhealth.com/goto.php?page=lifting_standing_aids.php

http://www.ehow.com/way_5459192_patient-lifting-techniques.html
Posted 9/9/2010 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the links. I did a similar search online prior to posting here. Calling 911 on a regular basis is not a good idea and the hoist mentioned costs thousands of dollars. I think I just have to bulk up and LIFT.

Thanks again.
Posted 9/10/2010 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
If you have a problem getting her up don't hesitate to call 911....

As for her tooth,let the dentist pull is if he can that way it won't cause her infection if left in to fall out later......

Posted 9/10/2010 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
My mom slips down a lot. calling 911 would be a daily occurrence if I did.
Her dentist said although it's pretty decayed it's ok to let it fall off itself since she's not complaining of any pain which would indicate infection. Meanwhile I've been flossing and brushing her teeth really well lately. They are sparkling clean and glossy. blush
Posted 9/11/2010 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Would you believe this? I gave my mom a piece of chocolate today and she tried to take it out of her mouth. I pushed it back in like I always do with other small snacks I give her when ever she has this annoying habit of spitting food out that she thinks is too big. well, when I turned away from her I heard something drop to the floor. It was part of a tooth. Her front tooth broke off in 3/4. At least she had the intelligence to spit it out knowing it's not to be swallowed.

Unfortunately this is not the same decayed tooth that her dentist was reluctant to pull. I think the enamel of this tooth was wearing thin and just broke off. It's not noticeable at all because she never liked to open her mouth much and never does when she smiles. The remaining part is small enough so she doesn't look like jaws.
Posted 9/12/2010 12:49 AM (GMT 0)
Mentally impaired means diff.things.Bi Polar is mentally impaired.
Alzheimer Dementia is a Neurodegeneric disease,Two different diseases......They are not lumped together......
Posted 9/14/2010 3:47 AM (GMT 0)
I'm sorry but did you post to the wrong topic? I didn't mention bipolar. confused
Posted 9/14/2010 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
I was using it as an example........
Posted 9/14/2010 7:59 PM (GMT 0)
I see. My aunt is bi-polar and my bestfriend from childhood killed herself with the disease.
bi-polar people aren't thinking straight but at least they had the ability to think and not have brain freeze
Posted 9/14/2010 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have dementia but I can still think reason but at some point I won't be able to.......BUT not everyone with dementia knows this or can reason about it.......
Posted 9/15/2010 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
If you continue to stay active mentally and physically, the disease may not get you as quickly. Fight! I wish my mom was a fighter but she's not and never has been. She always wanted things done quickly and take the easy way out.

I try to get her to recite the alphabet daily but she stopped doing it long ago. It used to roll out of her tongue just like that but now she skips about 15 letters in between. As for even writing her name, it has now turn into scribbly lines and circles. My mom used to have BEAUTIFUL handwriting. cry

Right now she's wearing 2 layers of diaper with a pair of vinyl underwear I got for her online. She's uncomfortable and hot and itchy. She's half asleep 20 hours a day and her legs are like jello and often falls backward if I try to her to walk just 5 steps by herself. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.
Posted 9/15/2010 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
I was dx 13 yrs ago,still going good.........
Posted 9/15/2010 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
That is fantastic! You should write a book.
Posted 9/15/2010 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
Don't think so.Not a writer......
Posted 9/15/2010 9:16 PM (GMT 0)
Something to let people know how you did it.
Posted 9/15/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
I keep my mind busy,either reading,watching tv,mostly playing on my computer & games at pogo.com.I'm also on oxygen 24/7 I have severe COPD.I stay inside when it's hot & windy.The polin count has been very high & that causes me problems.Allergies don't help,lol.........I don't feel sorry for me don't have time for that...I have a chiuahua,& a tuxedo cat they are my babies.......Spoiled rotton.Then there's my hubby he's the greatest,does everything for me that I can't do anymore.I still do laundry & he puts it up when it gets to heavy for me...We work as a team you might say.....
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