Age Related Brain Atrophy

[Izzy]

I looked at mum's notes in hospital before she got out and they state that the scan found that she has age related brain atrophy (she is 92). I wondered if anyone knows if that is another name for age related dementia. She scored 14 on the MMSE which they did when she was admitted (I think this was done by a junior doctgor on the ward, not a dementia specialist). 14 was more than I thought she would score and the doctor said it was the same score she had when she was in hospital 2 years ago. I did ask the doctor if they would give her a dementia drug but she said the score was too low. I don't know if her referral to the old age psychiatry department is still on the cards after her hospital stay but I will try to find out this week.

[Helen33]

Morning Izzy,

I don't know the answer to your question but I was wondering how you all are?

Love

[Izzy]

Thanks Helen. We're not bad considering!! Bill is doing really well and the change in his medication (to venlafaxine) seems to have made a big difference to his mood and he is less sleepy! Long may that continue. Not sure that mum is right though. All of last week in hospital she was much more her usual self and really desparate to get out. Due to this my brother and I decided that she could be discharged without waiting for the care package as it seemed that this could take to 4th January. Between us we will see to her needs until the care package is ready. She came out yesterday but is not brilliant. I think it may be the change from hospital to home. She is really tired and confused but not agitated. This morning she said she has a sore side - I am hoping that this is not another urine infection. The hospital said she was showing no signs of this when she was in - it would be typical that she develops one now!! Never mind Christmas is coming and the goose is getting fat (that would be me!!) Thanks again for your concern. Izzy xx

[Helen33]

Hi Izzy,

I didn't know you had a brother Izzy who could help out. That's good I imagine it must be a very busy time at school just at the moment but hopefully you will be getting a good break soon.

Are you going to have mum tested for a urine infection straight away as I suppose these things can change from one moment to another?

It is so good to hear that the new medication is suiting Bill.

I think you are amazing and can just imagine the reality of the stress of the demands on you at times.

Sending lots of love

[Vonny]

Hi Izzy, great news about Bill but sorry your mum is not too good.

Re dementia meds, NICE guidelines recommend prescribing these when the results of the MMSE are between 10 and 20, so on that basis your mum should qualify for them. I'd suggest seeing a memory consultant though rather than a hospital doctor.

Hope she picks up soon and it isn't another dratted UTI.

Take care

Vonny xx

[Izzy]

Thanks Helen and Vonny.

Helen - my brother lives in Glasgow and under normal circumstances he comes through to Dundee and stays overnight. This means he can take mum out and about for 2 days in a row. Just before she went into hospital he was out in Dubai for 5 weeks inspecting schools so her only contact with him was via SKYPE! He came home the weekend she was admitted to hospital and has been through almost every day to see her. Now she is out we have compared diaries and he is coming through every time I have a late night commitment (or a staff night out!!). Although he lives around an hour and a half away he is a great help and will do anything to support mum/me. His younger son also comes through when he can.

Vonny - I will contact GP this week re the referral he has made and see if we can get that hurried along so she can see a memory consultant.

I have phoned NHS 24 already to ask if she can get a urine sample tested to see if it is yet another UTI. Apart from the pain in her side she is quite on the ball - I don't want that to descend into confusion again as this is what usually happens with her UTIs.

Thanks again both.

Izzy x

[Sandy]

Hi Izzy,

You probably know this already, but this link does a good job of describing the relationship betweeen brain atrophy and Alzheimer's:

http://www.netwellness.org/question.cfm/27011.htm

That answer was written in 2003 and I think imaging science has come along a bit since then. Getting the referral to the memory clinic is probably the key action item as far as getting an accurate diagnosis for your mum.

As Vonny has said already, if it is AD and she is scoring between 10 and 20 (and has no contra-indications like heart problems), she should be offered treatment with Aricept or a similar medication.

Take care,

[Deborah Blythe]

Izzy, how is your mum today? When she complains of a 'sore side' does she mean the side of her body? Is there anything visible like a bruise or heaven forbid, a small pressure sore?
I hope you are all well today.
Love x

[Izzy]

Hi and thanks again folks.

Mum is pressing in her side around where I think her kidneys are. I have phoned her surgery and am waiting for the nurse from the practice to phone me back at work. Mum is actually in good spirits apart from her side which is such a shame for her.
Izzy x

[Bookworm]

Izzy, I always think that Flank Pain - which is classic indication of probable kidney infection is in the place where......if you could imagine being cross with someone and standing with hands on hips with thumbs to front and fingers to back & elbows well out to side - the pain is where the fingers are.......this is much more serious than low abdominal pain from a bladder infection as the bladder is much nearer the outside, the kidneys much closer to the inside......

Hoping you have resolution now, xoxox