Frank was on the scop patch for a few days and was so confused and had no grip on life, maybe I didn't give it long enough or it might be just how it effected "him". I have given him mucinex, tablet, for a horrible cough, I'm thrill at how well it is working.

He does talk, but it makes no sense at all. Does answer yes or no appropriately. My knowledge of anticholinergic side effects are mental confusion and worsening motor symptoms. Am I correct in this? Would the atropine drops or the scop patch be worse one? I have a meeting with the hospice doc Tuesday morning and am trying to gather info. I did read all the posts on mucus and have implimented suggestions. I have taken him of dairy and cold drinks which some members here have mentioned,. My hospice nurse mentioned constipation is also a problem, and I have been having that problem already. I am getting overwhelmed by all this. Any info would be helpful to me. I am trying very hard to keep him comfortable without completely zoning him out. Not sure that is possible at this point.

I would suggest that you always consider comfort first. A home health patient of mine was dying from colon cancer and her daughters were concerned that the pain medications were making her a 'zombie'. They wanted their mother to be more like herself, obviously. That's only natural. But put yourself in your father's place and imagine what it feels like to endure the problems he's having and try to weigh the side effects against the possible relief he might enjoy. It's always a balancing act but comfort should always be primary toward the end of life. God bless you for being such a caring and devoted caregiver!

Re: cold drinks and mucus - I went to a dr. in Mexico about 15 yr. ago because I arrived there with a bronchial infection that got much worse while there. He asked me if I had a history of sinus problems (yes), upper respiratory allergies (yes) and asked if I drank very cold drinks with lots of ice (yes). He said if I stopped using all that ice my problems would diminish or go away.
He also asked me about my penicillin allergy, and I told him I developed it when I was given penicillin for a sore throat, which turned out to be mono. He told me I probably wasn't allergic to penicillin, that if you are given that when you have mono, it just looks like you are having an allergic reaction. My broncitis was significantly better by the next day with the penicillin he gave me.
He was right on both counts. I can now take penicillin, and maybe it's coincidental, but I don't have as many allergy/'sinus problems when I drink less cold drinks.

Thanks for the advice...BTW Tony is my 69 year old husband. Hospice had a hospital bed sent in today. I must say it was upsetting, just another outward sign of decline. Since taking him off the dairy and cold drinks he seems much better, but still not able to swallow well, holds it in his mouth. Will discuss this with the hospice doc on Tuesday, but it will probably be the scop patch.

The anticholinergic-ness (is that a word?) of the scop patch and atropine drops is the same. I would try the drops first, monitor closely, and see what the result is. The side effects are reversible.

Thanks for the reply Robin...you have no idea how I value your experience. He had the atropine drops two days ago and there did not seem to be any adverse effects, did stop the cough. Only gave them once after lunch. He seems to be the most lucid in the a.m. I believe, and I could be wrong, the namenda from the night before is still in his system. I see an almost immediate result after he takes it . For Tony namenda was the best drug for his cognition. Good to know that the effects of the atropine and scop patch are reversible.