concern for my Dad - Diabetes Message Board

dak2005 · 05-31-2005, 07:22 PM

I am a daughter who is trying to get some answers. My Dad is 61 and has had diabetes(type 2) for 9 years. He has been experiencing memory problems for sometime. My Mom believes for about 2 years. He has had some incidents that have really alarmed. He went to a neurologist a month ago and has also done a sleep study. Nothing is conclusive which is why we are so worried. I have done so much searching for them. I have come to so many possibilities: thyroid, sleep apnea, Alzheimers/dementia. We really think that it is the statin drug that he has been on for 2 years. The drug is Zocor. I have found so much information that it's unbelievable and obviously hoping this is the culprit. The side effects that I have found are overwelming for memory problems, lack of concentration, focus, etc. My Dad's doctor hasn't been all that convinced and seems to be giving him and my Mom the run around. We have no family history of dementia/Alzheimers and hoping this is not it. Can anyone help me with this??? Any similarities? My Dad's Cholestoral has always been mild to moderate. This isn't a fun thing to deal with and right now he hasn't been driving much and it has put his job with construction in jeopardy. He is worried and just isn't himself. Any feeback would be so much appreciated. I can share more if needed. I just wanted to give the basics !! Thanks!!

dak2005

Marie55 · 05-31-2005, 08:03 PM

Has your dad had his potassium checked. If so, a count of 3 or less is too low, a count of 4-5 is better. If it is down to 2, they are in trouble with too low and will become mentally confused.

Many older people are told they have dementia or other and all they need is the proper amount of potassium.

Do not give potassium without doctor approval, too much can cause problems in the electrical system.

Marie55 · 05-31-2005, 08:04 PM

Has your dad had his potassium checked. If so, a count of 3 or less is too low, a count of 4-5 is better. If it is down to 2, they are in trouble with too low and will become mentally confused.

Many older people are told they have dementia or other and all they need is the proper amount of potassium.

Do not give potassium without doctor approval, too much can cause problems in the electrical system.

Always get copies of lab work at the time results are given.

Marol2 · 06-01-2005, 06:10 AM

Hi, If it were my Dad I would take him off the Zocor, too many problems. If your Dad has only mild to moderate chloresterol I don,t think it,s needed, They have done studies that show the elderly should keep their cholesterol at around 200, the studies show more heart attacks at levels under 200. There are so many alternative methods to lowering that, One very promising one, and many alternative docs reccomend it, is Policosanol with Guggul. Do some research.

HeatherP · 06-01-2005, 02:39 PM

You may want to get a 2nd opinion from another doctor. Perhaps even a doctor that specializes in older folks.

(might not hurt to ck his vitamin B levels, too)