If you are taking Aricept, will you be told not to drive?
Answers
When someone has dementia, their ability to drive safely can become an issue, especially as the disease progresses. Alzheimer's dementia can contribute to slower reaction times while driving and poor decision making, increasing the risks of accidents and injury. If someone is suspected of having dementia, a driving test should be done to assess their safety behind the wheel. This can be done by occupational therapists or the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. Many states will take away someone's drivers license if they are diagnosed with dementia. However, to answer your first question, taking Aricept is not contraindicated with driving.
Regarding your mother's abdominal pain, Aricept can definitely cause abdominal pain, but it is usually more of a generalized pain. She is complaining of a sore spot on her right side that is so tender it hurts to touch it. Although she has had a normal CT scan, I would be concerned about something going on in her liver, kidney or intestines. If you are really concerned, I would recommend that she see a Gastroenterologist for an in depth evaluation, as they may have some idea of what is causing this pain. Good luck!
Thank you so much for the answer on driving, and for the wonderful suggestions I can take my Mom's primary care doctor to follow up on the pain. I will make note of them and definitely bring them up.
