Hi everyone,
I have just signed up to this site as I'm feeling totally at a loss as to who can help. My Dad was diagnosed with Dementia in May. I went with him and my Mum to the appointment which revealed the results of the MRI scan. I feel like I've had the strength to get through the initial diagnosis so that I can support both my Mum and my Dad. However, I thought we dealt with things well, but the worst thing was that the consultant said that the MRI scan was inconclusive in that it could be Alzheimer's or it could be FTD. He said that my Dad would need to see a psychologist to try and determine which form of dementia my Dad has. My concern was that if it was Alzheimers, we could be missing out on medication whilst we waited, but the consultant told me that the medication could make my Dad worse if it was in fact FTD. I asked him that if was mixed dementia (both FTD and Alzheimers) would my Dad be prescribed the medication for the Alzheimers and he told me yes. So, we had another lengthy wait to see the psychologist and my dad had a 2.5 hour assessment with him. Today, whilst I was at work, my Mum has had to try and chase things up. Finally, the initial consultant phoned her and said that the psychologist report shows FTD and Alzheimers. He then stated that my Dad could not have medication (I wasn't there to be able to say to him that this is not what he told me in May). He then told my Mum that he will go to the Mental Health Team to request a PET scan. (I was told by him in May that this would only be required if the psychologist's report was inconclusive).
I feel as if we are no further forward. I have heard that there is an atypical frontal form of Alzheimers that can mimic the symptoms of FTD, and I'm concerned that if this is the case, my Dad is missing out on medication that could help him. He also told my Mum on the phone that a PET scan can also be inconclusive so I currently feel 'are we ever going to get a proper diagnosis?' I'm really starting to feel very depressed by all this. In trying to help my Dad in some way, I have looked into natural supplements ....he is currently taking Ginko Biloba, vitamin E, Omega 3 and multi vitamins (including B vitamins) but I'm really getting desperate now. I would really appreciate to hear from anyone who has experience of FTD and Alzheimer's, because I can't find much about this as a mixed form of dementia. Does anyone have any details of private dementia specialists who can help try and determine for sure what my Dad has, as I currently feel like we are getting nowhere, and I'm worried for my Mum and if my Dad can have medication to help his symptoms etc then I want him on this asap.
Would also like to know of anyone's ecperience if this is a mixed demntia my Dad has and whether they know of anyone who took medication for Alzheimer's whilst having FTD as well.
Thank you
I have just signed up to this site as I'm feeling totally at a loss as to who can help. My Dad was diagnosed with Dementia in May. I went with him and my Mum to the appointment which revealed the results of the MRI scan. I feel like I've had the strength to get through the initial diagnosis so that I can support both my Mum and my Dad. However, I thought we dealt with things well, but the worst thing was that the consultant said that the MRI scan was inconclusive in that it could be Alzheimer's or it could be FTD. He said that my Dad would need to see a psychologist to try and determine which form of dementia my Dad has. My concern was that if it was Alzheimers, we could be missing out on medication whilst we waited, but the consultant told me that the medication could make my Dad worse if it was in fact FTD. I asked him that if was mixed dementia (both FTD and Alzheimers) would my Dad be prescribed the medication for the Alzheimers and he told me yes. So, we had another lengthy wait to see the psychologist and my dad had a 2.5 hour assessment with him. Today, whilst I was at work, my Mum has had to try and chase things up. Finally, the initial consultant phoned her and said that the psychologist report shows FTD and Alzheimers. He then stated that my Dad could not have medication (I wasn't there to be able to say to him that this is not what he told me in May). He then told my Mum that he will go to the Mental Health Team to request a PET scan. (I was told by him in May that this would only be required if the psychologist's report was inconclusive).
I feel as if we are no further forward. I have heard that there is an atypical frontal form of Alzheimers that can mimic the symptoms of FTD, and I'm concerned that if this is the case, my Dad is missing out on medication that could help him. He also told my Mum on the phone that a PET scan can also be inconclusive so I currently feel 'are we ever going to get a proper diagnosis?' I'm really starting to feel very depressed by all this. In trying to help my Dad in some way, I have looked into natural supplements ....he is currently taking Ginko Biloba, vitamin E, Omega 3 and multi vitamins (including B vitamins) but I'm really getting desperate now. I would really appreciate to hear from anyone who has experience of FTD and Alzheimer's, because I can't find much about this as a mixed form of dementia. Does anyone have any details of private dementia specialists who can help try and determine for sure what my Dad has, as I currently feel like we are getting nowhere, and I'm worried for my Mum and if my Dad can have medication to help his symptoms etc then I want him on this asap.
Would also like to know of anyone's ecperience if this is a mixed demntia my Dad has and whether they know of anyone who took medication for Alzheimer's whilst having FTD as well.
Thank you