My father inlaw - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

TimHeather · 05-22-2004, 08:19 PM

I was wondering if anyone out there can give me some advice. You see the this is my fater inlaw. He must have something wrong with him. He is 48 years old. He is really getting bad with his memory. For example. About a year and a half ago he and my husband were working on my car. He was in my car and picked up this little thing between the sets. He pushed the button not realizing it was pepper spray. He got it right it the eyes,,,lol, we all had a great laugh over it. The thing is now he can't remember. He doesn't believe us. How can you forget that, it was the funniest thing ever. Also about two summers ago they lost two black cats. One day my mother inlaw was talking about them and he had no clue, he said he doesn't remember owning two black cats. She had to show him a picture to get him to remember, that's if he even did. I kinda think sometimes he acts like he know's what were talking about just to fit it. I feel bad. I've told my mother inlaw to take him to the dr. But she won't. She's scared he'll think she's nuts. My think is I have a 15 month old son and I don't trust to leave him alone with him. They have a dog that isn't to nice, and I don't want the dog near my son. My fear is he'll forget that, and I'm not willing to take that risk just to spare some feelings. I'm worried that if something isn't done, someone may get hurt or even him. He works on cars, what if he forgets to do something important and you drive your car and something goes wrong. I really believe something has to be done now, but what can I do. My mother inlaw won't listen. Maybe she's scared of the truth, I don't know. But at 48 I think that's kinda young to be going through this and if he gets help now maybe they can slow it down. If this is what it is. There are so many other things I could tell you that he forgets. The list goes on. Could it be something else, how do they test for it and what can be done to help and how can I get him help without interfearing. I wish my mother inlaw would just step up and tell him. I mean how can he know if he can't remember. Thanks

BarbaraH · 05-23-2004, 01:41 PM

Hi,

Sympathy! You're right to be concerned. My suggestion is for you or your spouse to call his doctor's office and ask to speak to a nurse. Tell the nurse of your concern and the many instances of things he has forgotten. You have no legal standing in this matter and the office cannot tell you anything about your FIL, but the nurse can tell the doctor of your concerns. Perhaps the doctor's office will call your in-laws as if it's time for a check-up. The sooner your FIL is checked over, the better. If it's Alzheimer's, there are medicines that help slow it's progression and the sooner they're started, the better. If he has some other medical problem that is causing this symptom, that needs to be found, too.

Good luck! Barbara

LuvMyLilDoggie · 05-26-2004, 07:03 PM

Hi TimHeather!

BarbaraH has given you some very good advice.

It sounds like your MIL may be in the denial phase. Or maybe she thinks just old people get alzheimers which couldn't be further from the truth. The sooner your FIL gets tested, the better off EVERYONE will be-no matter what the diagnosis.

Please don't worry too much. It's very possible your FIL doesn't have alzheimers. It could very well be something that's very easy to treat. One simple test your FIL or MIL might suggest to the doctor is a blood test for thyroid disease. I'm 41 years old and I have hypothyroidism. That can play tricks on the memory. There's no way of even guessing what might be wrong with your FIL. Call his nurse like BarbaraH suggested.

To answer your question about what tests are done to dx alzheimers-my dad had blood tests (I asked them to test for thyroid disease since it often runs in families). The doctor also did reflex tests, cognitive function tests. She asked a LOT of questions like 'Who's the president of the US, what day is it, etc.' The dx is probable alzheimers. Tomorrow, we go for the CT scan. I'm told that's to rule out any mini strokes or anything else that can cause his symptoms.

Let us know how it goes.

Good luck!

Barb

SnowyLynne63 · 05-26-2004, 08:02 PM

I had a battery of tests ordered by a Neurologist.I was found to have Hyperthyroidisn,also Pernicious Anemia,& the MRI showed Plaque&Tangles on my brain,with some Atrophy.............