Mom's Memory

[homesleym]

Mom is 85. Lives by herself and able to function well. With in the last month rapid onset of profound short term mem loss. No med changes with in last 1 year.Took a course of prednisone about 4 months ago for eye infection. Did not like how she felt when taking it. Blood work shows urinary tract infection. No complaints from her except says her head feels hot and she feels woozey especially in am. Temp 99-99.8 Starting Cipro XR today. She has been taking Glyburide 5mg 3 times/day; Hyzarr 100-25 one/day; Toprol XL 200mg one/day; Metformin 1000mg one/day; Norvasc 5mg one/day. doc has added Avandia, and reduced Glyburide to 2/day. Has high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetic. Blood sugar has been hovering about 250-300. Is the combination of the infection and high blood sugar such it would cause this memory loss? Does combination of meds seem excessive?
No problems sleeping; no nightmares. Some dizziness, has fallen twice in past 6 months. Once 6 mths ago, once two weeks ago. Have't thought about Alzheimers until now.No behavioral changes. Long term memory, recognition of people ok, but has trouble following a "game plan" for the day. Any thoughts??

[BarbaraH]

Hi,

I suggest you talk to her pharmacist about the medications she's on and if there could be an adverse reaction to the combination of medicines. Also talk to her doctor about her sudden behavioral changes and your concerns.

Another possibility is that she's no longer taking her medications properly - too much or too little can cause all kinds of problems.

My mother's first noticable symptoms of Alzheimer's were clutter everywhere in her house, she forgot to dial "1" before long distance call, forgot how to make coffee, forgot how to set her clocks for Daylight Savings Time, forgot how to run her washing machine, and was confused about how to handle her mail.

It is important that someone in the family have "durable power of attorney" to handle her affairs and medical decisions if she becomes unable to do so. I was fortunate because my mother had the legal assignment of power of attorney made 10 years before I needed to use it to step in and handle her business.

I hope her problem has an easy solution and that it's not Alzheimer's. Good luck! Barbara

[homesleym]

Thanks for the reply Barb. We are going to the attorney this week to get things in order. I'm making sure her meds are correct each day. I have heard that her UTI combined with her high blood sugar can cause the memory problems, however I do see some of the signs of forgetfullness you discribed and have thought to myself about Alzheimer's. We are going back to doctor this week and I will ask them to evaluate her for Alheimer's.