diagnosis

[Biddy88]

I've only just read your thread. It makes my blood boil how the medical profession keep their patients dangling without a thought to the distress it causes. Feel very sorry for you, and hope this guy soon gets his finger out and does his job properly! (If not, could you ask to be referred to someone else? )x

[Helen33]

Dear Linda,

You must have been disappointed and very frustrated and I am so sorry that it is not straightforward.

However, you can either rail against it or work with it and so I am thinking that the ball has now begun to roll - which is positive. Perhaps it gives you a chance to make notes of all the symptoms and keep them in a journal together with dates. Log everything large or small. Make notes about things you need to ask about during your appointments. Like if you have a dementia, what are the consequences of delay in taking medication? Perhaps you could be asked to be assigned a Community Psychiatric Nurse simply because they can't rule out dementia. This could help enormously maintain your current mental health which is a priority at the moment. It could be very reassuring to feel you are being monitored and that a particular person has been assigned to take an active interest in you.

Sending love and a (HUG)

[grove]

Hi Linda , Just "popped in " to see how you are & found Helen had "Posted " & agree with what she says & it might help you at your next Hospital Appt !

Take care & hope you have a good day

Love & Hugs Love Grove x x

[Butter]

I managed to find just one positive thing that you were told: that it might take years to get any diagnosis might suggest you are not perceived to be at any immediate risk? Maybe you think I am daft?

[linda1scot]

hi all

well im off yet again to the hospital this afternoon. more memory testing - aagghhhhh. i think these tests are made to purposely humiliate! actually, i know they arent but thats how i always feel by the end of them. maybe i will get some answers from the neuropsychologist re the tests she did last month!

Lots of love to you all and hope your having a good day.

Linda xx

[grove]

Hello Linda , Just a quick Post before you go ! & sending Positive Vibes that you are given some answer's very soon

Thinking of you & much Love & Support

Love Grove x x

[jan.s]

Hi Linda
Just read your post. I wanted to wish you well for your appointment.

Sending hugs and positive thoughts

Jan xx

[creativesarah]

my lovely GP calls them the humiliation test!

I got so fed up with them that i decided the next time it was done when they held up something to identify I'd say it was a maraca

can you imagine the look on the new consultants face when he held up his watch
and I said "mmmmmmm its a maraca"

I fell about laughing and fortunately so did he

hope it wasnt too trying today

lots of love Sarah

[Dazmum]

I hope the appointment went well andwas not too daunting for you Linda x

[Helen33]

Hi Linda,

Hope the test was ok and not too humiliating!! Thinking of you and looking forward to hearing how it went.

Love

[linda1scot]

Thanks once again for your support.

The appointment was ok. i asked the neuropsychologist about my last memory test and she told me it showed depressed scores (not the same as depression!). all the tests have shown the same pattern. she said there are signs of dementia BUT the pattern of the tests are not in keeping with 'normal' patterns. i told her i was thoroughly fed up with all the memory testing and how they make me feel humiliated. she completely understood and said that we dont need to do any more memory testing as i have done enough of them. she asked about the spect scan and i told her that is next week. she will see me again at the end of May once the results of the scan are in and they can compare the scans i have already had to the memory tests.

We talked about when all this started and how i feel about it etc. i told her i want to be able to get my 'house in order' and need to know whats happening. she said she understood but said again this could all take some time!

anyway, thats an hours appointment compressed into an abreviated couple of minutes. what i would appreciate is if anyone has any knowledge of a 'normal' pattern regarding the memory testing. she didnt give me the scores and said that they werent that important!

Hugs as usual

Linda xx

[jan.s]

Hi Linda
Glad your appointment went OK, even though you are no further forward with a diagnosis, at least your consultant could understand how you need to put your house in order, and she promised no more memory tests.

Well done for staying strong.
Jan x

[Grannie G]

What I understand about the memory tests is they really only compare you with yourself.
I know there is a basic level which initially points to an area of concern, but once that is established, your score is compared with your other scores rather than those of anyone else.

[linda1scot]

Hiya Sylvia

thanks for your reply. i understand that my scores are all comparible to each one i have taken (if you know what i mean) but what i was wondering about was the 'pattern' she was talking about.

does this mean each individual type of dementia has a 'pattern' attached to it? sorry if im not putting my question over well enough but was just a bit confused over her observations re the memory tests.

Linda xx

[Grannie G]

All I can think of Linda is the cognitive area which is most affected might be evident in the score.

I can only talk about my husband. His maths and language were always good and , relatively speaking, still are. But, apart from his memory, his spatial awareness and logic were the first things to go.

I think each individual dementia might have a pattern but this pattern will be affected by other illnesses, and medication, which will be more prevalent in older people.
I suppose this is why it is so difficult to get a definite diagnosis for you.

I have spent hours with friends, comparing signs and symptoms and we never seem to get any further, it is so difficult to understand.