Found wandering today

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
just Wondering - when my OH goes to the memory clinic - do they do memory tests first then scans, do scans always pick up Dementia symptoms, has I am really concerns about the scans he might have - he has had two knee replacements which have failed and he is in chronic pain with and cannot lay in one place to long because of his severe discomfort and awaiting for new op, that's if he is allowed to have a scan because of the metal so very unlikely he is going to agree with having one- giving him Valium or relaxants is a no go, suffering from an horrific surgery with the NHS,
 

jennifer1967

Registered User
Mar 15, 2020
23,135
0
Southampton
just Wondering - when my OH goes to the memory clinic - do they do memory tests first then scans, do scans always pick up Dementia symptoms, has I am really concerns about the scans he might have - he has had two knee replacements which have failed and he is in chronic pain with and cannot lay in one place to long because of his severe discomfort and awaiting for new op, that's if he is allowed to have a scan because of the metal so very unlikely he is going to agree with having one- giving him Valium or relaxants is a no go, suffering from an horrific surgery with the NHS,
in my experience my husband had a memory test. hed already had an MRI scan before due to his wobbly walking. you can have mri scan with metal if its well secured to the bone. maybe pain killers before would be better if you have a scan. they will probably do it in a separate appointment. with my husband, they went away and discussed it with the consultant and then phoned with the results. i took the call and had to tell my husband the diagnosis myself. 2 weeks later, first lockdown and he had to shield.
i have a partial replacement knee plus other chronic pain condition and i understand about being in severe pain.
 

Lynmax

Registered User
Nov 1, 2016
1,045
0
When I had a MRI scan recently following a TIA, I explained that I could not lie still for any time with my knees flat on the bed. They gave me a pillow to put underneath them and made sure I was comfortable before starting.

I could have taken music to listen to but did not bother. The first time the scanner started up, I jumped with surprise as it was quite noisy. But then I realised that just before each round of scans there was a very faint ticking sound so I was able to be prepared.

All in all, it was not as scary as people had led me to believe, the time passed quite quickly.
 

Jessbow

Registered User
Mar 1, 2013
5,678
0
Midlands
just Wondering - when my OH goes to the memory clinic - do they do memory tests first then scans, do scans always pick up Dementia symptoms, has I am really concerns about the scans he might have - he has had two knee replacements which have failed and he is in chronic pain with and cannot lay in one place to long because of his severe discomfort and awaiting for new op, that's if he is allowed to have a scan because of the metal so very unlikely he is going to agree with having one- giving him Valium or relaxants is a no go, suffering from an horrific surgery with the NHS,
Would probably be two different appointments- its two different departments.
The head scan would show up changes i the brain- someone would have to decide that those changes were indictive of dementia, or something else.
 

RosettaT

Registered User
Sep 9, 2018
866
0
Mid Lincs
My OH had his memory test at the hospital 1 mth after being referred by Dr. Then a 2.5mth wait for the scan (it was delayed a week because it should have been on the day the NHS computer system was hit by the virus). It was another 3 mths before he got the results from the scan. So all in all it March - Sept to be diagnosed.
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
Dont know if its another symptom my OH getting very irritated at things and getting very offish towards me these last days- sorry if I'm "running on " abit but this is so very new to me, noticing too thats getting very fragmented and confused when speaking
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
My OH is still working but for how long I do not know it all depends if his employers can accommodate him, but being only 64, , and I'm worried if he do loss his job -how do we survive financially , do not know if we can claim any benefits until he get any diagnoses and that could -so I have read months. any advice
 

Jessbow

Registered User
Mar 1, 2013
5,678
0
Midlands
Hang in there. I keep saying it, but are you wondering about any other possible diagnosis?

Irritation is probably down to frustration.

His progress, if it is dementia seems just so fast ( Too fast!)

Can they side step him into another, less taxing role?
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
I'm worried if he do loss his job -how do we survive financially , do not know if we can claim any benefits until he get any diagnoses
You dont actually need a diagnosis to get benefits. My OH does not have a diagnosis, but we still get benefits.
The main one (which you can apply for even now while he is working) is PIP and this is not means tested. Get someone from somewhere like Age UK or Citizens Advice to help you fill in the form as it is very easy to under-report problems. Once you have this he can apply for Council Tax disregard (which is not means tested) and you can apply for carers allowance if you are earning less than £128 a week. He should also get ESA (support). You may well be eligible for other means tested benefits and both these agencies are very good at checking to see what you are eligible for.

The best outcome would be, of course, if he could get medical retirement or early retirement due to ill health, if he cant be re-deployed within the company.
 

Pork Pie lady

Registered User
Mar 16, 2013
677
0
Anglia
Not sure if this is usual but my husband had a year on sick leave before being retired early on health grounds. I suppose it varies from company to company. At diagnosis he went sick thinking when he got over the shock he would be able to go back as he only had 2 years left but never got to feeling he could cope with it. He just kept going to the GP for certificates.
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
The surprising thing for me is the waiting times for an appointment with a memory clinic , he received a Phone call by his GP to state she was really concerned about his condition and putting down has urgent- We have not had any response with a clinic or hospital at all yet but reading on here it seems there is a very long wait several months even if the request from GP is urgent, I have thought to ask his GP where she is referring him to so I can contact them directly, anyone else who has tried this ??
 

jennifer1967

Registered User
Mar 15, 2020
23,135
0
Southampton
The surprising thing for me is the waiting times for an appointment with a memory clinic , he received a Phone call by his GP to state she was really concerned about his condition and putting down has urgent- We have not had any response with a clinic or hospital at all yet but reading on here it seems there is a very long wait several months even if the request from GP is urgent, I have thought to ask his GP where she is referring him to so I can contact them directly, anyone else who has tried this ??
maybe say you dont mind a cancellation but with covid, the waiting times are long.
 

Lynmax

Registered User
Nov 1, 2016
1,045
0
Even pre Covid, it took quite a few months for mum to get a diagnosis, her GP referred her to the Adult Mental Health Team who sent a Memory Nurse for an initial visit and she conducted an extensive memory test. The results were then reviewed by a consultant who then ordered two different scans at hospital and some blood tests. Finally, the consultant visited mum at home and went through the results giving us a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s. I think this process took about four months from the memory nurses visit, I can’t remember when the initial referral by the GP was made but it was several weeks.

We then had further visits with the memory nurse while medication was started, reviewed and amended before mum was discharged from the AMHT back to her GP. That was it then, no support other than normal health appointments with the GP, no medicine reviews, no advice, nothing! We just got on with it and provided our own support for mum as she needed it, eventually arranging care visits which mum paid for.

It was only after a hospital stay following a fall at the start of the pandemic that any other agency got involved to help us find a care home.

Pretty awful really when I look back but normal I think whene there are family to sort things out.
 

Violet Jane

Registered User
Aug 23, 2021
2,015
0
I am not a medic but I am concerned that the GP is only considering dementia as a possible diagnosis and referring him to the Memory Service. Dementia does not need to be treated urgently but other conditions do. I would contact the GP and ask whether there might be a different cause and he should be seen be a different specialist.
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
I am not a medic but I am concerned that the GP is only considering dementia as a possible diagnosis and referring him to the Memory Service. Dementia does not need to be treated urgently but other conditions do. I would contact the GP and ask whether there might be a different cause and he should be seen be a different specialist.
OH had all blood tests and came out all clear failed Memory test completely got very few question right- my husband deteriorating very quickly, maybe vascular but who knows until test are done, must be something why GP referring so quickly
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
Husband got a appointment via telephone about his chronic pain, via pain management . telephone appointment only she said-, not sure how this is going to happen has he get very muddle and lost when speaking, guess I will be dong most of the talking
Though I am interested how chronic pain has on people with memory problems , cannot find anything on this site related to this
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Husband got a appointment via telephone about his chronic pain, via pain management . telephone appointment only she said-, not sure how this is going to happen has he get very muddle and lost when speaking, guess I will be dong most of the talking
Put the phone on speakerphone so that you can hear both sides of the conversation and put in a comment when necessary
 

mikeb2

Registered User
May 17, 2022
220
0
My other half be Waiting ow 2.5 months for a appointment at the memory clinic and GP put urgent but still no sign not even for a scan- does it take this long ,
 

jennifer1967

Registered User
Mar 15, 2020
23,135
0
Southampton
My other half be Waiting ow 2.5 months for a appointment at the memory clinic and GP put urgent but still no sign not even for a scan- does it take this long ,
probably. there is a long back log we waited about 6 months before pandemic. the nhs are so busy. my husband has to wait 8-10 weeks just for an ultrasound on his leg and the lump he has on it.
 

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