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What Causes Hot And Cold Flashes In Elderly People?

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Posted on Fri, 6 Jun 2014
Question: What could be causeing hot and cold flashes in a 88 yr old women she is just suffering with it
She has Altzheimers but this is driving her crazy
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Monitoring of blood pressure/sugar levels advised.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the situation this madam is in.

She had high blood pressure but they took off her pills as it was running low. At this point, I advise to monitor her;
- blood pressure
- blood sugar

record the results, and get her doctor revised (you can send them to me too).

I think her blood pressure and sugar levels might have been spiking high due to this interruption. Her body was used to the drugs. This sudden interruption could be the causative of her situation.

Please monitor her BP and blood sugar and let me know!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (33 minutes later)
My sister has been monitoring her BP and BSugar very closely. They took her off the meds for that because it was so low. Now my sister is taking it right after one of the episodes and it can by up or down we can not figure it out. She has been on Paxil, Remorin and Trazadone for years with no side effects. With The Altzheimers she was becoming so depressed and mean we had to put on something. They tried Ativan for a while then they tried Wellbutrim which helped the meaness and moods. She was also having these spells before any medication changes. Do you have any more ideas on things we can try. Would you put back on Wellbutrin or stay on the Buspar?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (24 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Evaluation of her Alzheimer's status is needed...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

Apart BP and BSugar changes, if I was her caring doctor would exclude other organic problems with:
- bowels (constipation or abdominal cramps/gas)
- urinary/genital tract infection
- other gastro-intestinal problems
- anemia or blood-related issues

Closely monitoring is also advised together with ECG and cardiac echo to exclude heart issues (transient ischemia).

Next, if Wellbutrin helped the meaness and moods, you can try it back. Controlling mood changes/anxiety can improve her symptoms too.

As she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, there are five main drugs which are approved by FDA to treat it:
1. donepezil (Aricept)
2. galantamine (Razadyne)
3. memantine (Namenda)
4. rivastigmine (Exelon)
5. tacrine (Cognex)

depending on the severity of the disease (stage). So, it is important to contact her neurologist to determine the severity of her Alzheimer's disease and to discuss if she can take any of these drugs.

The main goal in treating Alzheimer's disease is to improve mood and behavior and improvement in functioning of daily activities.

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (19 hours later)
Thank you so much Dr. Albana for your help. It is so hard getting anyone to help us. Most people are just writing her off becasue of her age and the Altzheimers. If you think of anything else that could be causeing these hot/cold flashes that make her so weak please let me know.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (16 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Alzhemeir's difficult to deal with...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

For the moment, this is all I can help. You can upload her tests reports when you get them to get them further evaluated.

I understand Alzheimer is a tough disease to face, however, a good collaboration with neurologist and her personal doctor is highly recommended to evaluate her health condition.

All the best to your sister and all of you!
Dr.Albana
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7300 Questions

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What Causes Hot And Cold Flashes In Elderly People?

Brief Answer: Monitoring of blood pressure/sugar levels advised. Detailed Answer: Hi, I am sorry for the situation this madam is in. She had high blood pressure but they took off her pills as it was running low. At this point, I advise to monitor her; - blood pressure - blood sugar record the results, and get her doctor revised (you can send them to me too). I think her blood pressure and sugar levels might have been spiking high due to this interruption. Her body was used to the drugs. This sudden interruption could be the causative of her situation. Please monitor her BP and blood sugar and let me know! Dr.Albana