Nuerologist at this point? - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

sunnydaze1 · 05-11-2008, 07:34 PM

Mom has been in a NH for about 2 mos. now. She keeps falling down.

Sometimes it's because she get dizzy, which she has suffered through most of her life with no known reason; other times she just misjudges where she is to sit...this last time she thought her walker was a chair.

Her doctor wants her to see a nuerologist just as a precaution to see if anything else is going on.

I mean...what if there is? I'm not going to put my mom through chemo or radiation at this point in her life! Is it just so a doctor friend can get a piece of the pie, or is it that this doctor just doesn't want any malpractice complications if there is something wrong?

My brother and I will have to drive her about 20 miles from here just for an exam and we are both not looking forward to handling mom on our own. She's extremely feeble and I'd rather just tell the doctor to let it go...should I?

gemini1961 · 05-12-2008, 05:54 AM

How feeble?

I mean, is she bed-bound? No longer eating solid foods? Is medication the only thing keeping her alive?

Has anybody done 'random daily blood pressure' to see if the dizzy spells are blood pressure related? Is she a diabetic and is having a hypo or hyper attack?

I guess, ONE visit to a neurologist will be able to tell you a lot of things ... even where Mum is in this disease process ... I wouldn't discount it as 'useless' or 'doctor support' unless you really, truly, honestly feel that there is absolutely NO REASON to support a further investigation.

If she has a slow brain bleed causing the dizzy spells, at least you know what your dealing with, as do the nursing staff looking after her.

Quote:

I'm not going to put my mom through chemo or radiation at this point in her life!

Yes, that is extreme, but if a pill can re-create her equilibrium, or something else can be done, then that's not such a biggie. It's not KEEPING her alive, but it is going to make her more comfortable in the long run.

Oh and by the way, you can ask the nursing home for a nurse escort. It's within your rights. Alternatively, you could also ask for a volunteer to support you in taking Mum to the doctor.

And no, no doctor wants a malpractice suit, nor does the nursing home, and then again, nor do you. If you've had this window of opportunity open to you and you refuse, and something happens to Mum that could have been prevented by a 'quick' visit to a neurologist YOU could be the one the finger is pointed at.

Sad. But true. Watch your own back.

Goodluck. Lets know what goes.

sunnydaze1 · 05-12-2008, 06:23 AM

You make some very valid points, Gemini; and I'll take them into consideration.

It is well known that her BP drops quickly when she stands up and they are giving her a pill for her dizziness, but it still happens from time to time.

She did see a nuerologist a couple years ago; had an MRI done; and nothing was found to be wrong other than the "normal aging process" as they put it.

But, we'll give it a go again.

sunnydaze1 · 05-14-2008, 04:44 PM

My brother and I took our mom to the nuerologist this morning. I was so nervous about just getting her in and out of the car to the wheelchair, but between he and I, we managed fine.

The doctor stopped some new meds, one was an anti-psychotic and the other one was for dizzyness. He did the BP check where it drops considerably upon standing, which we already knew. He asked her some questions and surprisingly, she answered pretty well except when he asked her to follow his fingers and she just stared straight ahead. He acknowledged that she definitely "has some problems".

He took a look at her MRI from 8/06 and said outside of the small benign tumor she has on her brain, her brain did not show much atrophy at all. He ordered a new MRI which we will take her to have done in about two weeks, and followup appointment with him in about a month.

When we arrived back at the NH, mom says, "I'm not getting out here!!" I'm thinking...oh no, here we go...brother says, "Mom, yes you are this is where you live now." She didn't say anything and he hurried and got out of the car and then I did and just got her right back into the building. When we returned her to her room, she had no idea where she was, like she'd never seen her room before. Amazing in the 2-1/2 hours we'd been gone how her memory of the room had left her.

Anyways, thankfully my brother is accompanying me to these appointments. My husband could have, but I am glad my brother is so he can be more hands on. He told me I should never feel I have to do this all on my own and he's there to help whenever now that he's retired.

Gabriel · 05-14-2008, 06:46 PM

Whatever comes out of the neurologist appointment you have to be thankful that you are blessed with a brother who will help you and be there for you. He must be a dear man. It is always easier to share the burden.

Hopefully the repeat MRI will give you some answers.

As for your Mom not knowing her room, that is not unusual. Dad has forgotten the house he lived in for 54 years and when he talks about going home it is to his childhood home. Many times, when he returns to their apartment from a meal in the dinning room, he has to ask if that is where he lives. He may say he doesn't like it but then he will walk in, find his paper, and sit down and read the comics very contented. Mom is a little more clued in to the visual but will repeat a story 5 times in a 30 minute conversation and forget what you have just told her. Her deficiency at this point is more auditory than visual. I do know that, "oh no here we go" feeling well. All you can do is take a deep breath and hopefully it's must a momentary objection and if it is not then deal with it the best you can.

Hope you find the answers to your question about your Mom and good job to you and your brother on getting your Mom to and from the doctor sucessfully.

Love, deb