Does anyone know anything about this awful disease. I think my mum could be showing signs of it.I really dont think its just old age forgetfulness. She has always been very active and to a degree she still is (she is 71) but her mind isnt right. she remembers certain things about years gone by but cant remember what she told me 2 minutes ago. She went to asda( our wal-mart) and bought dvd's. they were the same ones that she had bought the day before.She told me 8 times today that she wants to see the new Sandra Bullock film.I wrote down the name of a painkiller I use as she wanted a good one.I put it in her purse, when she got home ( about 5 mins after leaving me) she phoned and asked what the piece of paper i put in her purse was for. Do you think I should see her doctor and chat to him?
Alzheimers, bi-polar, depression, and schizophrenia have been linked to mycoplasmic infection. Apparently the same stuff that starts heart disease starts Alzheimers -> it's in the plaque.
That being said - if this just started - it's not Alzheimers. And from what you wrote this sounds like it has come on all of a sudden.
What meds is she on? Any change recently? Run a PDR search - it looks to me like she's having a reaction.
Pip
This has been going on for about a year and half but just getting worse. She isnt on any meds apart from some painkillers for a sore hip.
Sometimes pain killers affect the elderly like that, and so can a lot of innocent over the counter drugs like benedryl. There was a good article on it in AARP about 6 months ago written by a pharmy.She only started the pain killers today. She has also started to get argumentative and is normally very laid back. Sorry but I am trying to piece things together, its all very worryingGood luck - and keep us posted what you find out.
I think I will make an appointment with her G.P. tomorrow .I'd rather she was safe than sorry.Thanks for all your inputPin Cushion, Hillhoney & the others are right. So many things can cause short term memory loss & crankiness in the elderly. UTI (Urinary Tract Infection), dehydration, medication reaction, so many simple things to solve. So definitely best to get her checked out. I used to work in a Rest Home, and if that happened to one of our residents the first thing we would look for was a UTI.
So please have her checked out, if only to eliminate the nasties, and get her on the correct treatment for whatever it is. Try not to worry - although I know that's difficult. Good luck and remember to take good care of yourself as well.
The others are so right - you need to have her checked out. And Kiwilass - I forgot about the UTI! - my Mom just went through that when she was in rehab for knee replacement. I was getting scared about how many things she was forgeting - but the ABX fixed her up in a jiffy.
My father had age-related dementia; it was ruled that it was not Alzheimers. He had sun-downer syndrome and would get particularly confused at sunset. He started that freaky time-travel thing that is so hard for family to cope with - he couldn't remember us. He also had only one working kidney - so - any pain pills like demerol would make him loopy.
My point is, getting her evaluated will help a lot. There is a lot they can do to stop them being combative.
Pip
You may want to find out how much pain meds she is taking. Or what all isHi all
She hasnt a UTI and as the pain meds only started yesterday she has only had one dose.we took her to town early in the morning for some shopping and my daughter saw her on the bus about an hour after we got back, She asked her where she was going and she said "to town for some shopping as I need milk and bread ( she bought those on her first trip) and she decided to get out and about as she'd been inside all day ( we stopped at the country park on the way back to let the dog out and she walked for about 15 mins). I am trying not to read too much into this but even my 12 year old has commented on how forgetful and repetitive my mum is. Hopefully seeing the doc today
Hi Pin
I really feel for you on this issue. A couple more things to toss into the pot - there are different types of Alzeimers/Dementia, one even curable. It really depends on the cause. Anaemia can bring on forgetfulness and confusion, also an intolerance to light. I appreciate this is a massive worry for you but if the worst is dx'd you must rally the troops because your own health is of paramount importance.
I'd keep my fingers crossed for you but you know...
My Grandmother had gotten to where she wasn't eating......and she would let herself get real dehydrated. That sent her to the hospital on one occation. That ooccation was the beginning of the end for her that lasted almost two years.
She was never dx'ed with Alzeimers but we were all suspicious of that. Her doctors said no though.
I'll keep your Mother in my prayers Pin....you as well. I know how scary this is for your family. I'm sorry this is happening.