Alzheimer's or NPH?

[AitchM]

After a year of being diagnosed with Alzheimer's dementia- after 5 years of showing worsening symptoms, my 80 year dad fell and was taken to A n E. They performed a brain scan as he was so confused and they were not aware of his diagnosis.
Now they say they think he may have normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) not Alzheimer's and are sending him to a different hospital where they specialise in this.
Has anyone got experience of this as I had just come to terms with the Alzheimer's and now feel thrown off balance with this new development.

 

[jenniferpa]

There have been, over the 10 years or so I have been associated with this forum, maybe a couple of people who had this diagnosis. The good news is, if this really is what it is, it can be successfully treated and for many people, the symptoms actually reversed. It's by no means a slam dunk of course, but I would feel really quite positive about this development if I were you. It's possible that isn't what he has, or if it is, that it isn't
effectively treatable, but it's better than the current diagnosis of AD and definitely isn't worse.

 

[AitchM]

Thankyou, I will try and look on this as a positive development then- as you say it can't really be any worse than the present diagnosis.

 

[jenniferpa]

I think the difficult thing is: you might be inclined/encouraged to think "yes, something curable" only to be cast down if it isn't. So I would try to tamp down my expectations if I were you (although I am naturally pessimistic).

 

[AitchM]

Thankyou for your sensible and balanced advice, much appreciated at this unsettling time.
I always find so much help and so many lovely people on here.