Hello! I haven’t posted here in a long time!
My Dad was prescribed Rivastigmine 6 months ago due to some paranoia and delusions ( only intermittently - thinking my mum was having an affair, thinking she was whispering about him)
He didn’t get on with the patches due to skin rash so he got moved to tablets.
This did stop the delusions for a few months but over the last two months dad has suffered a severe decline -it started off as intermittent but he is now extremely confused most of the time, he is seeing people and animals in the house daily, he is at times delirious and not making sense at all, speech slurred. The delusions are also back with a vengeance. Sleep is all over the shop
He’s app clear for urine/chest infections.
Dads decline has been very gradual generally over the last ten years and so this massive dip is really worrying and the only thing I can think to attribute it to is the Rivastigmine which is meant to be helping with the dementia symptoms. Does anyone else have experience of Rivastigmine causing a decline/causing the very symptoms it is meant to reduce?
We have an appt with specialist but not for 3 weeks.
I’m not sure if I am wrongly trying to pin this decline on the new drug but this is my gut feeling - he has become very different since using it and even at the beginning it seemed to ‘dull’ him down, he was always fairly sharp of mind before. Thanks ! Naomi
Hi Naomie,
From what you say you seem to be spot on with your thoughts.
One of the side effects is anxiety/depression and aggression.
It also can make someone, dizzy and clumsy or unstable, this leading to the slurring of speech etc.
As you know all PD patients have varying symptoms and thus react differently to different drugs.
This seems as if the Rivastigmine is actually making his dementia worse not better.
You do need to discuss this as a matter of urgency with your neuro.
Perhaps ask him if you can decrease the Rivastigmine in small amounts over time and see if that helps, however I really feel that your neuro needs to prescribe a different drug.
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help.
Thanks so much for the advice Clive, I’ll give it a go
I’m not a professional. And. Trust your gut. Gut instincts are there for a reason. I hope you can get the guidance and support you need.
Hello,
Agree with previous posts, some drugs like the one you have mentioned can have adverse side affects, trust your instinct if it’s not good try speaking to either Parkinson’s nurse or you could even call Parkinson’s UK.
Hi Naomie, fully agree with E and CliveV. Known side effects and trust your instincts. 3 weeks is a long time to suffer these symptoms. Are you able to reduce his dosage at all? If possible run it past a Parkinsons nurse but if you can’t get hold of one, take it slow and monitor it. If nothing else it will help inform the specialist. Good luck
Did you find any answers? I am having the same problems with my mom & haven been thinking the same as you about the same medicine.
Hello! I’m so sorry I’ve only just noticed your comment. Unfortunately my Dad passed away at the end of December so we never got to see the specialist 
I strongly believe the Rivastigmine didn’t help him and that it possibly contributed to the decline. If you have similar concerns definitely speak up and see if they can try something different. I’ve been told that this sudden decline may have been the sign it was ‘the end’ so it may be that it would have happened anyway. Wishing you lots of luck and all best wishes x
Ristitus thanks so much for your reply. Sadly we never got to discuss with the specialist but Dad died at home and didn’t have to suffer in hospital which he would have hated x