question needed for MIL - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

manateelynn · 10-10-2007, 02:02 PM

My MIL's doctor in Canada has told her that she WILL NEVER get Alzheimers because she has had a small series of strokes over the last few years. He has told her she has lesions on her brain but that she will NEVER get Alzheimers BECAUSE she has had these small strokes. Both her mother and older sister had it, but she insists that they had strokes and that was the cause of their not knowing anyone at the end. My MIL's doctor is lying to her about this and I need to find proof that stroke victims CAN get Alzheimers. Where can I find the proof???? She shows EVERY SIGN of having Alzheimers but this quack of hers is lying to her about it. Can anyone here point me in the right direction????? I just feel like she isn't going to get the right help is he contintues to lie to her.
Thank you for any help and direction you can give!
Manatee

savv55 · 10-10-2007, 02:55 PM

I have never heard that stroke victims can't get Alzheimer and I would highly doubt the truth of this. If her doctor told her this and she is relayiing this information to you, is it possible that this is just what your MIL heard - not necessarily what he said. Do you think your MIL has Alzheimer?

I am quite certain my Dad had mini strokes (not confirmed) and then developed Alzheimers. I would check this claim out and perhaps ask your own doctor or a geriatric doctor the question. My Mom and Dad visited their doctor regularly by themselves so we never knew what they were told and what they either chose to believe or made up. We took them to another doctor for a mini mental test and the doctor determined they both had Alzheimer's, my Dad would never go to that doctor again.

Check it out and if you have to see if you can get a family member to visit the doctor with your MIL. If you MIL has had strokes, it would be prudent to get a POA signed (if not yet done). This also helps with dealing with your MIL's doctors - they will then talk to a family member about the patient's care and you will likely need to do this sooner or later in any event.

Good luck.
Shirley

Martha H · 10-10-2007, 03:54 PM

You know what may be happening? He may have noticed that she has a terrible fear of getting Alzheimer's, so he is trying to reassure her. Her mental problems are caused by the stroke, it is not the 'typical' AD which comes without strokes, usually. So why not let her think, "Well, I am having some problems but at least I can never get Alzheimer's" if it makes her feel happier and more secure?

Remember that it is uselss in this disease to try to 'educate' the patient, or 'clarify' anything because the victim cannot reason any longer. Let them believe anything that makes them feel better.

You could discuss it with her doctor, but not by calling him a liar - remember, his motivation is most likely caring concern for her well being. (and there is nothing you can do about AD anyhow, outside of a few pills which may or may not slow its progress in a very small percentage of patients.)

Good luck ---and try to relax more about this - it is hard enough withut being angry and upset with anyone.

Love,

Martha

manateelynn · 10-10-2007, 06:27 PM

thanks for your advice. It's a big help. I don't mean to be angery...it's just that, even though she has always hated me for marrying her son, I still wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy, and it really bothers me that her doctor isn't being truthful to either her or the family. My sister-in-law in Canada is her caregiver. We live in Virginia and really can't do anything to help out.
Anyway, thanks again for the advice!

angel_bear · 10-11-2007, 06:32 AM

I think you'll find the doctor means she's got "Multi Infarct Dementia" (meaning memory loss and dementia symptoms because of lots of little strokes). If that's the case, then NO .. she won't get Alzheimers, because she's already got Multi Infarct Dementia.

He needs to brush up on his communication and explain himself better.

Multi Infarct Dementia primarily affects peoples feelings and brings on some paranoid attributes with it. It can turn a normally loveable person into something that would make "The Exorcist" look like a movie about angels and in the other vein, if they were already horrible, it'll make 'em worse.

I know ... I've been there and I work with it. It's not pretty.