Hi
I've just joined TP as I have been worried about my mum for a while and she seems to be getting worse.
About 8 years ago she had an operation to drain a cyst on her brain which was diagnosed when she had cognitive problems (such as not able to write things down). She had a stent fitted and all was fine for a while and she has regular check ups and MRI scans to check the stent is still draining the cyst.
Over the last couple of years I have felt that she is not herself, initially it was just forgetfulness, but lately she seems muddled and things she used to be familiar with seem complicated (using a cash machine, getting lost in the car going to places that she doesn't go every week but is familiar with)
She was referred to the memory clinic about a year ago and had a CT scan. She was told that she was showing no signs of dementia and its probably to do with the cyst/stent. We have since been back to see the neurosurgeon who has confirmed that this is not causing the problems. With his intervention we have managed to get an appointment with a neuro consultant in November.
My concern is that this appointment will not shed any light either. My mum lives on her own and seems reluctant to contact myself or my brother by phone or to visit us despite us telling her repeatedly that she is welcome. Her grandchildren hardly know her because she doesn't see them often enough. We do visit her, but it usually means sitting in front of the TV and the kids get bored. She has never been a typical grandma, but seems less and less interested in them.
Also, as she lives alone, I am concerned that she could have an accident in the car, do something stupid at home. My mum is 64 and she does still work in a shop, but has been having a few problems with making mistakes on the till so I don't know how long her job will last. If she loses this she will spend even more time on her own.
Both my brother and I feel that we are losing our relationship with her and if she does have dementia this can only get worse.
I am finding the whole process of understanding what is making this happen extremely frustrating as we first went to see a GP about 18 months ago. It doesn't help that my mum sometimes knows she is having problems but then other times thinks she is fine and nothing else needs to be done. I struggle to get straight answers from her and the story about events/situations seems to change all the time. I really don't know how to deal with this situation and feel hurt/helpless/angry/at a loss etc
Has anyone got any advice?
I've just joined TP as I have been worried about my mum for a while and she seems to be getting worse.
About 8 years ago she had an operation to drain a cyst on her brain which was diagnosed when she had cognitive problems (such as not able to write things down). She had a stent fitted and all was fine for a while and she has regular check ups and MRI scans to check the stent is still draining the cyst.
Over the last couple of years I have felt that she is not herself, initially it was just forgetfulness, but lately she seems muddled and things she used to be familiar with seem complicated (using a cash machine, getting lost in the car going to places that she doesn't go every week but is familiar with)
She was referred to the memory clinic about a year ago and had a CT scan. She was told that she was showing no signs of dementia and its probably to do with the cyst/stent. We have since been back to see the neurosurgeon who has confirmed that this is not causing the problems. With his intervention we have managed to get an appointment with a neuro consultant in November.
My concern is that this appointment will not shed any light either. My mum lives on her own and seems reluctant to contact myself or my brother by phone or to visit us despite us telling her repeatedly that she is welcome. Her grandchildren hardly know her because she doesn't see them often enough. We do visit her, but it usually means sitting in front of the TV and the kids get bored. She has never been a typical grandma, but seems less and less interested in them.
Also, as she lives alone, I am concerned that she could have an accident in the car, do something stupid at home. My mum is 64 and she does still work in a shop, but has been having a few problems with making mistakes on the till so I don't know how long her job will last. If she loses this she will spend even more time on her own.
Both my brother and I feel that we are losing our relationship with her and if she does have dementia this can only get worse.
I am finding the whole process of understanding what is making this happen extremely frustrating as we first went to see a GP about 18 months ago. It doesn't help that my mum sometimes knows she is having problems but then other times thinks she is fine and nothing else needs to be done. I struggle to get straight answers from her and the story about events/situations seems to change all the time. I really don't know how to deal with this situation and feel hurt/helpless/angry/at a loss etc
Has anyone got any advice?
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