a bit on the cunfused side - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

02-01-2002, 11:02 PM

Hello!
I have been reading soome of the ways alzs patients are described. I am a bit confused. Could someone please explain to me how this awful illness starts? Is there a test to find it early?
My mother in law is 65. She moved in with my husband and I about 5 years ago. (I have a muscle disorder and sometimes require personal assistance from time to time.)
The past year, my mom in law has begun to be forgetful. When she forgets things we tell her, she insist she was never told.
Last year around Christmas time, I left her for a few minutes in the childrens department in a local department store. I was only a few sections over in the same store. I told her where I would be. She said she would be around the same area she was in. 30 minutes later, I had walked half the store and paged her twice and could not find her! When I did find her, she had gone to the snack shop and got some coffee. She was waiting on me to meet her!
Some days she is normal. Some days we repeat things over and over. She drives still. (I dont drive due to my illness so I ride with her alot.) She has forgotten where she is going. When I ask where we are going she realizes what she is doing and gets back on track.
Some days she stares at the tv. She knows what time each program comes on and she tunes them in right on time like clock work.
Could any of this be alz? Or maybe is she just forgetting do to age?
She has sugar dieabeties. Some times she forgets when that gets high. I have heard that hardening of the arteries can cause semular problems.
I mentioned this to the doctor but she denies it. So he just says maybe its high sugar levels or just doesnt relate.
My husband and I have had several arguments due to her telling us different things and mixing up certain things. (Like what time he gets off work or where one of us will be or she forgets a message.) Her phone edicate leaves something to desire. (You dont know if she is talking to "sally" or if its "paul" calling for "sally" for example)
If anyone knows how to find out if its alz early, please let me know. Any ideals anyone?
When it comes to her health, I am the one that handles the doctors appoinments and such. I am disabled myself. We help each other. I would like to know what I am facing so I can prepare myself if possible. She has other children but they dont listen when I try to explain it. My husband agrees something is going on. Like I said, any help is welcome!
God Bless you all that deal with this awful illness every day!
Margarita

Franklin K. Casel · 02-06-2002, 07:21 AM

Dear Margareta:
It surely sounds like your MIL has Alzheimer's Disease. I suggest you waste no time in getting her off to a competent neurologist and have her evaluated and diagnosed. It may be that she has something that can be treated. If however it is Alzheimer's than the sooner the better that she be helped to understand what is happening to her and to learn how to cope while she can. Those who will be taking care of her should learn all they can about the disease and what it takes to cope. If the patient can be made to feel loved and still important she will escape some of the terrible things that happens to victims of this awful disease.
Keep faith and God bless.
Franklin
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franklin K. Cassel

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 04-04-2002).]

SciTeach · 02-06-2002, 09:38 AM

Margarita,

I agree with Franklin. Getting your MIL evaluated is key. There is no ONE test to determine Alzheimers. Rather it is a process of elimination. Probably getting a good physical, including blood work, is a good place to start. There are some conditions that may be found that cause the forgetfulness, etc that can be treated, including vitamin deficincies and thyroid problems and such.

If everything comes back normal, as in the case of my Mom, your PCP may send her on to a neurologist. The neruologist can conduct further tests. Mom's included CAT scans, to eliminate other possible causes.

When everything has been eliminated, you are likely to get the diagnosis of dementia of Alzheimers type as in Mom's case.

As Franklin said, become as acquainted with AD as you can. One book that was recommended to me that has been a huge help is THE 36 HOUR DAY. It deals not only with dementia of Alzheimers type, but all dementias.

Good luck and let us know how things are going with you.

SciTeach

02-07-2002, 11:03 AM

Thanks so much for your help guys! Ruby has an appoinment for her regular check up soon. They do blood work and all every few months. I will try to talk with the doctor to see what we can do.
I dont want to alert her to my concern until we are more sure. She gets depressed easily. She often speaks of being old and not being around much longer. She has recently been doing things her mother (Who is 91) does. For example; She washes in the bathroom sink. She cant tell me why she doesnt use the shower. I have offered to get her a shower seat. (I use one and it helps me from falling) I didnt know she was bathing this way untill I went to cut her hair, (I am a hair dresser) and found that she doesnt wash her hair anymore because she cant lift her arms to do it in the sink. I asked her why she doesnt shower and she said, "Oh I just do like mom and wash in the sink. I dont know why, I just do it that way like mom does."
Ruby lives with my husband and I. If anyone has to help her with personal things, its me. (Like I said before, I am disabled myself. Sometimes Ruby or my husband have to help me so I dont mind helping her if I am able.)
The problem is, my husband says if she is diagnosed with alz. or something like that, she will have to go to a home or some place where they can care for her.
This is her biggest fear! That some one will 'put her away'. This is why I dont want to alert her to anything if I can help it.
As long as I am able, I will do my best to care for her. I do try to change her bed sheets as often as I can. (She cant get around the bed well enough to change the sheets because the bed is next to the wall and its hard for her. She does make her bed each day.
She does have 2 other children but they dont even come to visit much so asking for help is not an option.
Do any of you know if medical insurance would cover someone helping out with a few house hold chores? My husband works all the time. I dont know if we would be considered needing this help but I could really use the help. Any ideals where to search for help?
She does have sleep apnea. The doctor said that could cause memory problems. But she is using oxygen at night. I think she needs it when she naps too but he said she didnt.
She is dieabetic. I can tell when her sugar levels are up. its a bit different than her normal forgetfulness.
I hope you dont mind me rattleling on like this. I am just so worried about her. If I cant take care of her, no one else will.
I can understand my husband's point. For the past 5 years, he has had to help me and watch we struggle with my limitations. (I have something that resembles MS)
The difference is, I am 35 and I am still fighting! Ruby is 65 and giving up. So I do see how he can get overwelmed.
Thanks so much for listening. I will keep you posted.

I am so thankful for you all! God bless you and thanks again for listening.
Let me know if I can help at all!
Margarita

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 04-04-2002).]

Franklin K. Casel · 02-09-2002, 02:48 PM

Dear Margareta:
Responding to your posting of 2/7 I would like to say that your desire to care for your MIL at home is indeed commendable for there it is where she can best be made to feel loved and still important. This is most important for an Alzheimer's patient. However it appears to me that in your situation with her being diabetic and needing oxygen and with your own limitations your husband may well be right and you will need to tell his mother that your love now says she needs nursing care which you cannot provide at home. Do have her evaluated by a competent neurologist and if it is Alzheimer's, which I strongly suspect, then you can continue to learn all about the disease and what it takes to cope.
I will be happy for you to keep in touch with me.
Franklin

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 04-04-2002).]