After our feedback session on hubby's neuropsych exam, we were supposed to follow up with the neurologist. I called to make an appt., but the office staff just said they would put us on the call list. We got a call that evening, and I don't know quite what to think.

The neurologist mainly focused on the part of the results that related to his depression. He did say for hubby to keep taking the anti-seizure med, but he didn't seem real convinced that the test results indicated a difference in right brain/left brain function.

He actually didn't comment much at all (except on the depression stuff) but he said to me "When you tell me in 3 years that he is a lot worse, we will do these same tests again and be able to tell if he has or hasn't gotten a lot worse."

So... I don't know if he agrees with the neuropysch guy that this probably not AD. But the results just did not show that much - so I know he won't speculate further at this point. And I know he doesn't expect significant change in 1 year.... since his comment was "When you tell me in 3 years..."

Hubby still thinks something is wrong. He gets upset at himself quite often. He swore he took his evening pills the other night (I had even asked him and he said yes), but when he went to take morning pills the next morning, the evening pills were there. He can't figure out what he did. None of the other pills were missing so he didn't take some other day's pills. But overall, I don't notice much problem. There haven't been any confusion episodes recently.

I guess we just wait and see... But even though the neurologist left me with a little concern that this could still be something that gets worse, I am not panicking since the time frame he mentioned is pretty long...

Anyhoo, I plan to stick around with you guys just in case...

N2E

Dear N2E

Regarding forgetting his pills - here is the difference between whatever your hubby has and AD:

My Mom, when finding pills left in the pill tray, immediately made up an excuse, which changed from minute to minute:

-You put in twice as many as usual, so I only took half of them

-I took the pills but then YOU put new ones in right away (I only refilled the compartments every Saturday)

-The doctor told me to skip one day a week

- The doctor called and said I don't need any more drugs

Your husband said he thought he had taken them and was upset that he hadn't. This sounds very different from an Alzheimer patient.

I do hope you find out what he has and what can be done.

love,

Martha

N2E,
Martha is exactly right. I had the same problem with mom not taking her pills from the tray. She would always say she used the bottle on the shelf instead of the tray.

With AD, they're trying to cover it up. Don't want you to know they're forgetting. Your hubby realizes it, but doesn't know why. A little different I'd think too.

I agree that this is different. I just wonder if with AD, there is a point in the very very early stages when the person does realize. My hubby is very open about stuff - and would not be inclined to cover up - at least not now. It seems that most people ignore/overlook the problems until there is no denying a problem exists... It just makes me wonder about the very early stages since most people aren't identifying a problem at that point. But it doesn't really accomplish anything to wonder. Hopefully treating his depression will make a difference.

N2E,
Sorry bout that, hit the wrong button.

Yes, there are some odd things about AD. Sometimes my mom will be trying to remember something, someone's name, etc., and she'll say, "My meory is so awful, you're going to have to lock me up."

5 minutes later, if her memory is mentioned, she'll say, "I don't have memory problems. I'm really lucky for my age."

She forgets she has memory problems.

I also wonder if as the problem gets worse, the person is more likely to deny it (like on the pill thing) because it is usually one of their children identifying it as a problem and they probably sense a threat to their independence - and therefore there is a lot of reason to say there is not a problem. In hubby's case, he is not threatened at this point by admitting he is having problems. If things progress (which hopefully they won't) and I am getting concerned about him being home alone or driving for example, at that point, there will be a lot more reason for him to deny or cover up the problems. Just a thought.

For those with spouses with AD - did your spouse acknowledge problems to you in the very beginning? Did they get frustrated with themselves about not remembering things? Did they sometimes realize the problem in the early stages - and did that change as things progressed?

N2E

Although my husband has vascular dementia, I have been done a lot of reading on AD and have had conversations with ones that have early onset AD. They do seem to get very frustrated with themselves for not remembering things, I think this is more of a begining stage. They also go into big time denial that they cannot perform the same tasks that they used to. I have also heard that each day it can be different. One gal said, she can cook and egg one day and the next day she has forgot how. They have good days and bad days. I think that is what makes it so hard to diagnosis at the earlier stages. That is probably why your doctor wants to wait, because if it is AD there will be more signs over a period of time. I have also heard many people say, now that they look back they can see they were forgetting things or remember certain behaviors that are associated with AD. My husband's symptons came on somewhat strong because of stroke and MRI showed damaged brain cells. He can no longer focus, concentrate, read, do finances, verbal skills are very limited, etc. I know how you are feeling, the unkown is the worst part. You being the spouse are the best judge in his behavior though, so if things get worse I would let the doctors know. You are with him most of the time and will be the first to notice changes. I had to get a little firm with some of my husbands doctor's, they will spend 5 min. with him and act like he is just fine. I say take him home for 24 hrs. and then tell me he is fine. So I hope that it all works out for you and your husband and he is just having normal memory problems with age. It is a scary disease and you are justified in being concerned. Please keep us updated.
Diane

Thanks Diane and all. I have not seen the problems in recent months - other than minor memory issues - and having the tests come out the way they did has eased my mind for the most part. The neurologist comment did leave me wondering if he still sees some possible progression in the future - however it also calmed me that he used the example "When you tell me in 3 years that he is worse"... since 3 years is a long time away (and especially with hubbies heart problems). At this point, I am going to quit worrying and just take it as it comes - and as the neurologist said, if in 3 years things are worse, we'll go back and have them repeat the tests and see.

You all are wonderful. I do plan to lurk around here to pray for you guys and to learn what I can just in case. I will certainly keep you posted if things change significantly in either direction. I greatly appreciate all of the support you've given me over the past months as we went through the testing and wondering. Hugs to all, N2E

P.S. I signed up at a temporary placement agency this week to try to get some work while I'm trying to find something permanent. I have my first assignment next week (one week only). Should be exciting to go different places and do different things! I really need to get back to the structure of working for my own mental health. Now that things are not so in limbo, I feel more ready to job hunt.

Good luck on the job hunt! My dearly beloved job as pre k teacher kept me sane all the years I was Mom's only caregiver .. 5 years and 2 months, exactly ..(I was counting!)

Love,
Martha