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What Causes Weakness, Snoring, Argumentative And Lack Of Energy In An Elderly Man?
Question: My husband is 70 years of age, has several complicated medical concerns including severe diverticulitis, bilateral knee replacements in August 2015, 5 lower back vertebra replacement in May 2015, bi polar disorder and several other small ailments. He is constantly falling asleep which may be due to the pain killers he takes including: Targin 10/5 in the morning, Lyrica 150 in the morning, dexamphetimine 2 x 5 mg each morning, cymbalta 30 mg in the morning and other less powerful drugs. At night he takes Diazepam 5 mg x 2 at night, Syrequel (Quetiapine) at night, Lyrica 75 mg at night and Cymbalta 60mg at night. He is always dropping objects, snores very loudly at night, argumentative, and has no energy to do anything. When he decides to do 'things' around the house or go out he drops into a sort of malaise and I have difficulty in waking him. We are both at the end of our tether because he has seen many specialists and his GP and none have the slightest idea of what is wrong. Please could you help us? Thank you. Kindest regards Sue Lamb.
Brief Answer:
Cause and management
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. After throughly reading your husband complaints, I can see that he is taking many medication which directly affect brain and nerves.
Each drug has side effects. All these complaints could be due to
: Drug side effects specially Cymbalta, Lyrica and Targin. You can consult doctor for reducing dose of these. All these medication can affect mood (aggressive behaviour), sleep (excessive sleep), balance (imbalance), memory (poor memory) etc.
If needed, change medication according to his age. At age of 70 years when patient is already having cerebral atrophy, these medications cause more damage.
: Another cause could be degenerative brain disease - It could be due to age related, nutritional deficiency (die t related). You can ask your doctor for MRI of brain with FLAIR, Perfusion study to rule it out.
Conditions like Alzheimer, Atrophy, Parkinson can present like it. You can provide me details of investigation to suggest treatment.
Meanwhile at home, you can ask him
: Keep a diary to note important things
: Do meditation if possible
: Play chess or Sudoku to enhance cognitive functions
: Discuss his problems and be supportive. Do not argue with him. It will increase his symptoms.
Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.
Cause and management
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for asking from HCM.
I can understand your concern. After throughly reading your husband complaints, I can see that he is taking many medication which directly affect brain and nerves.
Each drug has side effects. All these complaints could be due to
: Drug side effects specially Cymbalta, Lyrica and Targin. You can consult doctor for reducing dose of these. All these medication can affect mood (aggressive behaviour), sleep (excessive sleep), balance (imbalance), memory (poor memory) etc.
If needed, change medication according to his age. At age of 70 years when patient is already having cerebral atrophy, these medications cause more damage.
: Another cause could be degenerative brain disease - It could be due to age related, nutritional deficiency (die t related). You can ask your doctor for MRI of brain with FLAIR, Perfusion study to rule it out.
Conditions like Alzheimer, Atrophy, Parkinson can present like it. You can provide me details of investigation to suggest treatment.
Meanwhile at home, you can ask him
: Keep a diary to note important things
: Do meditation if possible
: Play chess or Sudoku to enhance cognitive functions
: Discuss his problems and be supportive. Do not argue with him. It will increase his symptoms.
Hope it will help you. Thanks. Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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