Hi! A intro

[Grandaughter 1]

Thanks for the reply.

Grandad was seem by doc yesterday about his collapse who said he probably had a virus!!! His assigned Alzherimers doc is visiting soon though. Now they are thinking that he might not have Alzheimer's after all but Parkinson's disease!! This is all getting a bit much to take now. Apparently it is because he has tremours in his hands. I'm thinking more along the lines of this "vascular demetia" route. I only had a brief read about it yesterday on this website but he has weakness in his left leg and I'm beginning to wonder it he had a mini-stroke when he collapsed on Monday!!!

Has anyone else got experience of Vascular dementia?

 

[SallyB]

Hi Grandaughter,

My Aunt was told she had Parkinsons because she shakes. Her GP had got her medication. When she was eventually seen by the right Dr! they stopped her medication as she obviously has Dementia although she hasn't been given a diagnosis .

The shaking is interesting though as my Dad has similar movement although not as bad as her, he has been given a diagnosis of AD.

I wonder if this is common with AD?


Sally

 

[connie]

Hi, I always feel that Lionel has many of the symptons of Parkinsons, as I nursed my mother with this for many years. and can see the similarities.
However a firm A.D. diagnosis was made four years ago. I do think lots of symptons overlap, as do some conditions. OMOP of course. Regards Connie

 

[Brucie]

Hi Connie,
I think you have it spot-on. The brain and the human body are complex things.

We try to identify some of the strange things that happen to people and call them something or other, but that doesn't mean they have absolutely unique characteristics. I believe, as you do, that there is a large degree of overlap for many things.

 

[jc141265]

Its not always about forgetting

I too have compared notes with Parkinson's carers and note many similarities. Iguess it depends on what part of the brain is affected by the dementia. I.e. for Dad the dementia appears to be more about losing the ability to physically interact with people, via speech and behaviour, and physically perform tasks, like eating and dressing, etc. For Dad dementia appears to have nothing to do with forgetting.

 

[Grandaughter 1]

It is a very complex subject isn't it. All this reading is making my brain ache!

They now think (as i suspected) that Grandad did have a mini-stroke when he collapsed and they are going to get a Parkinson's specialist to visit him. They also are talking about taking him off his medication as they don't think it is working! I'm not too sure about this though and whether it is a good move.

Do all Alzheimers sufferer's take medication?

xx

 

[Brucie]

Hi Grandaughter 1,

I don't know if all people who have Alzheimer's or another form of dementia take medication. Certainly my wife does.

I suspect that at some stage - possibly all stages - of the development of the dementia most sufferers take at least some medication, whether it be for slowing down the development of the condition, or in trying to help with behavioural challenges, or depression, etc.

 

[Geraldine]

Mum was initially diagnised with Parkinson's but eventually the Dementia symptoms became more of a problem. A correct diagnosis of Lewey Body Dementia was eventually reached - much to late to be of any use to Mum and probably some harm done along the way because of drug side effects etc. Might be woth people doing a little research into LBD especially if Parkinson's with dementia is given as a diagnosis. An excellent sheet on the Parkinson's Disease web site

Geraldine

 

[Grandaughter 1]

Thanks Geraldine, I have looked at it. An interesting point is that the drug he is on and they have now told him to stop taking is the one mentioned in the fact sheet to help with Lewy Body Dementia.

Nan seem's to think he is better off without the medication now though as she said it was making him "space out"

I suppose all we can do is wait now for this Parkinsons doctor to visit soon.

Best Wishes

Louise x

 

[Lynne]

From what I have read here over several months now, drug dosage often seems to take quite a lot of time to get right. Like many other aspects, it's very individual.

I can understand that your G'dad being 'spaced out' must have been very disturbing for your Nan, but the answer may not be to abandon that particular medicine completely; the doc. may well try to reduce the dose a bit, to get a balance between the benefits and an acceptable degree of mild side-effect.

Unfortunately it's often a case of 'try this for week', followed by 'OK, well let's try that for a week then', with a wait-&-see period for assessment. Then if that's not doing any good, a similar procedure for a different type until something is found to be right, or at least an acceptable compromise.

I hope the specialist can help soon.

Best wishes

 

[Tyke]

What to do

Good morning everyone. not sure of the protocal for the forum but I'm sure someone will guide me in the right direction. Having read all the postings not sure whether I should start a new posting or follow on with this one. My problem is that my father is showing all the symptoms of the beginning of dementia, short term memory loss, mood swings, trouble with mental arithmatic. My father is 74 and quite fit although he has been a diabetic for 30 years. The issue is that my parents live 250mile away and my mother is frightened to face the prospect of my father having the desease, my mother has an attitude of " if I ignore it it will go away " coupled with my father's view that he there is nothing wrong. The issue is how do I get him to the doctors to find out the truth and get my mother to act. Any advice would be useful to get the ball rolling
Thanks

 

[Amy]

I'm not sure of the protocol either, but if I reply it will keep the thread at the top of the list and then others will add to it, I'm sure.
I got mum to go to the doctors, in order to put my mind at rest. (First visit didn't really help as the doctor dismissed it as "it comes to us all", even though she was only 58). It was then ignored for a while, until I pushed again, and managed to get my dad on side. My dad also tried to ignore it; I think it is a very frightening thing for the spouse to accept; you may just have to give your mum a little more time.
Sorry, this hasn't been much help, but hopefully others will have something more constructive to say.

Amy

 

[Grandaughter 1]

Hiya,

My Nan had been in denial for 5 years so my Grandad's Alzhiemers was quite advance by the time he saw a dr.

She thought he'd never agree to see a doctor, but she said to him did he want to see a doctor to get some tablets to sort out his memory loss and he agreed straightaway. I think he was relieved to be honest that Nan was admitting there was a problem.

Good luck with your parents Tyke

Louise

 

[janjan]

janjan

hi everyone. i'm new to this forum. My dad is in the late stages of alzheimers. The worst point of his illness was when mom had to come to terms with him losing his licence. he worked at British Leyland for 25 years and was a driving instructor for over 10 years. I told mom it was better that dad had a clean licence and hadn't hurt anyone on the roads. It took my mom along time to come to terms that they no longer had a car. He calls me sarah now, which is mom's first name but everyone calls her by her middle name. The other day he ruffled my hair like he used to do when i was a child. i had to go into the kitchen so i didn't cry in front of him and mom. How come he can't remember my name but can remember what he did when i was a child? i have to wash, shave and cut his nails, and it breaks my heart that he used to look after me. i miss my dad. Janet

 

[connie]

Janet, firstly a very warm welcome to TP, so glad you found us.

I agree that it is so hard when you are doing all the little personal things, but remember deep down Dad does know who you are, he just has trouble placing eveyone in the right slot.

Try to hang on to the fact that you still have your dad with you, although maybe not as you would wish. You sound a wonderful daughter, and I am sure you are a great support for your mum.

Try to take a little time out for yourself, post again soon, Connie

 

[zan]

With my Dad i knew that he had AD well before we went to the GP but it is so difficult to persuade someone to seek help. When I suggested it he said nothing was wrong but I'm sure that he knew but was scared. It was the fact that there are drugs available that can improve things that eventually enabled me to persuade him to visit the Gp.
Tyke, as you are some distance from your parents, could you try writing to his GP and explaining the situation - he just might decide to test your Dad on a routine visit, send a health visitor out or CPN. I would also phone the Gp once you have sent the letter to find out what is happening. As I'm sure you will read elsewhere, don't let anyone fob you off - if they don't do something, keep on pestering them until they do.

Jan, I so agree about the driving. It was a shock when Dad was told to stop and so hard for Mum to cope with as she was disabled and couldn't get out without the car. I also think it makes it sink in that this is for real after all the months of pretending that all is well. Zan

 

[janjan]

Thanks for all the help

Connie,
Thanks for your reply .Nice to know someone outhere understands how i'm feeling.Went to see dad today,he was ok, apart from his usual headache.Mom was in a good mood aswell. Dad goe's to the daycentre tomorrow,so we go shopping,and catch up on our chat.

 

[janjan]

Zan,
thanks for your reply. mom's got all the buses sorted out now.She's off out all over the place when dad's at daycentre....ever resoucefull my mom. jan

 

[Lulu]

Went to see dad today,he was ok, apart from his usual headache

.

Hello Janet. You'll get lots of help and advice here, as I have done. I'd just like to ask you about the headaches you mention your Dad suffers from, if you don't mind. My Mum also complains of headaches which is proving to be quite a mystery and a challenge.

 

[connie]

Saw Lionel today, quite cheerful. Mentioned headaches, first time ever.
Set me wondering. Connie