Mixed Results - Alzheimer's Disease & Dementia Message Board

quetzalmom · 10-02-2008, 12:47 PM

Took Mom to Dr, who believes her problem is depression. He checked her physicly but did not really test her memory. Mom acted plenty confused. He gave her Lexapro, which she says she will try. Mom did sign the HIPPA form, so if there is no improvement I'll be calling the office. I hope this is the answer, but considering she had forgotten what the white pills were for by the time we got to her house, I have my doubts. Do I have to leave?
Q

skimps46 · 10-02-2008, 02:13 PM

Q,

If there is one thing I have figured out...and it is not a LOT of stuff I have figured out...it's that WE...let me repeat that...WE, the caregivers know our loved ones. The doctors, much as we depend on them, see our people for 15 mintues - 20 minutes, make their decision, let the conclusion roll down from on high, dismiss us, and then...we are on our own again.

I always used to leave the office dizzy headed. Whaddya mean, he's no worse? He craps his pants now, fergoodnessake. Whaddya mean, he is talking fine? He was rehearsing all the way here! Whaddya mean, he looks good to you? His lips are blue, and he looks like hell!

Do not take the doctor's "verdict" as gospel truth. YOU know mom. YOU know that she is all jacked up, and YOU need some answers!

How would mom feel about a new doctor? Ask around...see who people recommend for patients with beginning/moderate/severe dementia. And don't quit till you get some answers.

The reason daddy has this sweet doctor he has is that she schedules him 30 minutes each appointment, asks questions he is not expecting (How are you? How have you been feeling? Anything new?...these are all the answers he rehearses, and therefore, have no meaning. She asks him stuff like, "How about all that snow outside (when it's 75 degrees)?" and "Who is your friend with you today? (Me)...I love her), and seems to really take a gooood look at him. She is frank and honest, telling me stuff like, "He is really going downhill, isn't he?".

Look around, Q. You AND your mom deserve better.

...lil' deb

Gabriel · 10-02-2008, 06:16 PM

Q... I feel your pain. I got the same thing from my Mom's doctors. Her first doctor diagnosed her as depression brought on by caregiving for Dad. Three years she hung on to his diagnosis as proof she was ok. After she accidentally gave Dad an overdose of Xanax and then told everybody he had a stroke or a heart attack, depending on who she talked to, I insisted she be properly tested. We had changed her doctor in the mean time and he didn't think it was necessary... "according to the chart"! Even after I took her to the Memory Assessment Research Service (the best in the state) and had her diagnosed with Moderate Sever Dementia consistent with Alzheimer, and I was explaining all the bizzare behavior, he wouldn't tell her she needed in home home (he knew Dad was well into vascular dementia and was not help to her) or tell her not to drive the 6 hour trip to the cabin (even when I told him she had gotten lost on her last trip and took 13 hours to get home). He told her she needed to focus more on her driving and try harder at home but she would be ok at home alone. !!!ARG!!! Then, after changing Dad's doctor, we discovered that Dad's diagnosis (for 6 years) of Alzheimer's was incorrect and he actually had Vascular Dementia. If I had not spent so many years working LTC I might have believed what the Doctors told me. But I knew better and I didn't stop until I had a proper diagnosis and proceeded from there. DId the doctor do the flash memory test, ask her any questions to test her current memory, or chat with her about current events?

I hate to say it but many General Practicioners and Family Physicians don't have a clue about dementia. Your Mom need to see a cognitive testing service, geriatric neurologist, geriatric psychiatrist, or geriatric physician that is familiar with the progression of dementia. Being on Mom's HIPPA you can request this refereal. With all you have told us.... I don't believe it's just depression. More likely depression brought on by dementia. Hopefully the Lexapro will help with the depression and then you can see if the memory and behavior improves. In the mean time see if you can make an appointment for a proper diagnosis.

I do wish you luck...... and don't beleive all you hear that is not what you know....

Love, deb

Ry953 · 10-03-2008, 05:43 PM

You are sooo right - and you are very lucky to have found a great doctor for your dad. We ARE the ones who know our parents. 10-15 minuts is not enough time to really evaluate a patient.

Ry953 · 10-03-2008, 05:48 PM

Deb,
After reading your post, I think it's a great idea for my stepbro to take stepmother to see a specialist in a larger city for an accurate diagnosis. We have never heard anyone really say she had dementia/alzheimers/et cetera. It's all been in roundabout suggestions. We should find out the actual diagnosis after next Friday. She went into a nursing home about 3 weeks ago after being admitted to the hospital from an assisted living home. It's amazing how quickly she has degressed. Ry