Need some input about my mom
 

Hi everyone
I'm hoping someone here can help me.
I have to go to work,so this will be short[for now]...
My mom hadan M.R.I a few months ago.
I looked up all the words i didn't understand.
It said she had very little blood flow to her brain abd white matter,suggesting dementia/alzheimers.
She later had a cognitive ability test,which proved it was all true.
She went to her primary care dctor and i was unable to go with her.
My dad and sister went,they won't ask questions or speak up about much,but i absolutely couldn't take off work and go..
Anyway,her primary says to her,i don't agree with the cleveland clinic docs,just take your oxygen and keep doing what your doing,come see me in 3 months.
I'm just going crazy over this.
My mom has all the symptoms of alzheimers...
His word is golden to her,so now she thinks she is fine!
My dad also just goes with the flow..
What am i suppose to do now??

I wonder if he thinks maybe he's doing her a favor? Maybe he figures she'll enjoy the holidays more if she thinks she doesn't actually have Alzheimer's?

When my mom was first diagnosed with dementia, it was very hard on her, because so many changes happened at once. She was losing control and it was frustrating to her when she'd forget, especially if people reminded her she was forgetting something.

Maybe you can just go along with this through the holidays (assuming you celebrate the season) and keep an eye on her, and take her back to the doctor in January if things seem to be getting worse.

Try not to worry too much. :hug:

Any chance that you can take her to a different doctor. Maybe tell her it's for a second opinion (well, it is....really).

My Mom suffered from Alzheimer's and I remember all too well the early days of forgetfulness and confusion. It was hard on her because she had enough wits about her to know that something was happening. When we'd tell her that she'd just repeated herself she would get flustered and I think that made it worse. But....it's hard to ignore.

Maybe if you could find a doctor that could get her on one of the new Alzheimer's meds it might help.

It's a tough diagnosis to hear. But researchers have developed more treatments than they had when my Mom was dx with it. I hope you can convince your family to get another opinion. :hug:

I think another opinion is needed too, maybe her doc doesn't keep up with the new meds & info???

new Alzheimer's meds -
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Alzheimer's Disease Medications Fact Sheet

Sep 18, 2009 ... Clinical trials are the best way to find out if promising new treatments are safe and effective ... Medications to Treat Alzheimer's Disease ...
http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Pu...icationsfs.htm - Cached - Similar
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Alzheimer's News | Alzheimer's Disease News

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www.alzinfo.org › Alzheimer's Disease News

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Alzheimer's Treatment | Alzheimer's Drugs

Jump to What potential new Alzheimer's drugs are being tested in clinical ...

‎: More than 20 potential new drugs are currently being tested ...
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Show more results from www.alzinfo.org
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Alzheimer's Disease-Medications

Nov 10, 2008 ... At this time, there are no medications that can prevent or cure ... Watch Video: Motion Blindness and Alzheimer's (opens in a new window) ...
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New Treatments for Alzheimer's | AHealthyMe.com

Apr 2, 2009 ... There's still no cure for Alzheimer's, but new medications can slow down the disease and improve the lives of many patients.
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Oct 10, 2007 ... Alzheimer's disease takes a long time to develop, which suggests that it may be possible to design drugs that work early in the disease ...
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Alzheimer's drugs slow progression of disease - MayoClinic.com

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FDA Approves New Alzheimer's Drug - CBS News

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facts for health--alzheimer's--frequently asked questions

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http://www.alzheimers.factsforhealth...atment/faq.asp - Cached - Similar

lots more -
http://www.google.com/search?q=new+A...ient=firefox-a

Thank you for your replies.
It has been very frustrating with all the changes going on.
For her & my dad and myself.
She is sooo forgetful,especially the past few months!
She is no longer allowed to drive,that's one thing her primary care doc agreeded with.
He receives all of her info from other doctors.
He is also my primary care...I just don't get it.
I have been thinking of making a call and having him call me back to discuss it further.
Maybe he is trying to keep her from worrying...
I'm off to read on some of those posted links.
Many thanks to all of you,once again!
Happy thanksgiving~

I just wanted to leave you a hug Kell and tell you that you are missed. :grouphug:

Hi there, so sorry to hear of this challenge in your family. It sounds like you are the only one really investigating to check on reality. Sometimes I don't know which is worse denial in the doctors, or dementia in the patient. What I do know is that it would be highly beneficial to have your mom referred to a Gereontologist, a specialty for elderly medical conditions. There are many nutritional and metabolic imbalances that mimic dementia. These need to be ruled out first. Otherwise trust what you observe, feel and intuit and then go from there. The PCP is likely doing the same, but his conclusion fits the tools in his own toolbox, not necessarily appropriate in current situation. Also consider that the doctor is attached to your mom doing/feeling well and is affected by her condition yet feels helpless to do much for her. Ask him what his general policy is in cases like your moms. Maybe as he talks you will be able to see where he is able or unable to move forward effectively. Good luck and try not to let this disconnect from others observations make you feel too crazy. That just adds to stress with no resolution for you. Enjoy the day and I will send good wishes and blessing your way. ( P.S.-my mom just entered and extended care facility, my sister is her primary caregiver.) Best Wishes TT

I was suspicious that my husband had a form of dementia back in 2002. Primary doc sent us to a neurologist who did a mental status exam and felt there was nothing wrong. I knew there was something wrong or I would not have brought him! (I have read that, highly educated individuals have scored high on mental status exams even though they do have Alzheimer's disease.) An MRI was ordered and we were told that there was nothing wrong. At the time we were both relieved and went on our merry way. I wish I had known then what I know now. That it is best to start on the meds sooner than later. It is supposed to slow down the progression sooner. By 2003, I insisted that the primary doctor, prescribe Aricept, which he did. By 2004, went to a different neurologist who did tests and MRI. And said my husband had all the symptoms of alzheimer's and he added namenda and cerefolin to the aricept. I believe that WE know our family member better than any doctor and WE know if they are declining cognitively and losing their memory. I am better than any mental status exam (which takes what - five minutes) to know that my family member is having memory problems! All I can say that Alzheimer's is a diagnosis no one wants to hear. I accepted the doctor's misdiagnosis, because I didn't want it to be true. But it is really important to know and to let your Mom know that she needs to have another opinion, because it is really important to get on the meds, sooner than later.
I truly wish for your mother and yourself and your family, that her doctor is correct and she doesn't have alz or dementia. I'm just saying from my own experience (I wish I knew then, what I know now) that doctors often don't detect this early on and if we in the family feel there is a problem, we need to be an advocate for our loved ones and help to guide and make sure they get second and third opinions. I always have to remind my self - that's it's the PRACTICE of medicine, we are dealing with. Not every doctor is right all the time. I don't mean to sound harsh, because I know this can be scary for all the family, I just want your Mom to settle for one doctors opinion when she deserves to have another. All the best.