Frank saw his psychiatrist today and we're going to try Atropine to see if it helps with his drooling. Do any of your LO's take this and if so, what have they experienced for side effects. Our last resort for the drooling.
Thank you, Gerry

Many in our local support group use atropine eye drops. They are placed under the tongue for treatment of drooling. Usually this medication either doesn't work or works with no unwanted side effects. We haven't seen any side effects of confusion from this medication. I hope it works for Frank.

Robin, Thank you, the drug store had to order it so we'll start tomorrow and hope for the best.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed...This is the 4th day of taking Sal-tropine, (Atropine), and it seems to work very well for 8-10 hrs. It's like a new life, no drool puddles all over the house, no slimmy drool dripping out of my hair, while helping him get pulled back to gether, NO DROOL!!!! This was definately something to be thankful for.
Gerry

I'm knocking on all the wood in sight....

Wonderful blessing!

Dorthea

Gerry, what great news! If I understand you correctly, these are eye drops that you use in the mouth? Where did you finally find some? I can have Derek's PCP order some and we can try it, as well. He's been drooling for years, some days worse than others but most of the time, continuous. He just forgets to swallow, plus he's always bent over.

Pat, This is a pill form, "Sal-Tropine 0.4mg tablet hope" . I have no idea what the "hope" means, unless they were hoping along with me Frank's psychiatrist gave me the prescription and said they may need to order them, they did but they were in the next day. End of day 4, Frank's brother and wife, from Sycracuse were here for lunch and Frank was drool free and was comfortable trying to join in with the conversation. Before he knew he'd drool if he opened his mouth. I've been trying to pay attention and so far it seems to last for 8-10 hrs.

So glad you found something helpful Gerry. These "little things" can mean so much - if he now feels more comfortable talking that is great! Lynn

Gerry,
So glad this is working out for Frank and he can have a little more pleasure with things!

So much for being drool free. For 4 days Frank didn't drool, I was in heaven and I think Frank felt the same, he was a bit like my old Frank. The 5th day he started to have "some" drool and was a little more confused, hallucinating and up and down all night. I've always wondered if I gave up too soon, so I wanted to give it more time. Day 6 and 7 the drool was worse and confusion and halluciation increased drastically. No point of taking the med if the drooling continued. He had no clue, I had to feed him most of his meals and he resisted with EVERYTHING. I didn't give him that med yesterday so hopefully he'll get back to what was his normal, which will include drooling.

Gerry, what a disappointment! How often our hopes are dashed in this disease and we make things even worse trying to bring quality of life to our LOs. We just can't win, can we??!!

I was thinking of using the drops but am also a bit concerned about any systemic effect that might occur. My daughter told me they are using the drops on her father [my ex] who is in Hospice care and it keeps him from gurgling. While drooling is a nuisance, my husband has been drooling for six or seven years now and we're kind of used to it by now. If anyone is using the atropine drops I'd like to know.

Oh, what a shame.

That's too bad Gerry. My dad started drooling a little about a week before he died and they gave him a med for it. Don't remember what it was but they said it worked and he did not hallucinate from it. Lynn