Hi all!
I've already posted a couple of messages on the "memory concerns and diagnosis" section. Today was Diagnosis Day or D-Day for short. And after a few questions and looking though notes my mum's been diagnosed with the early stages of vascular dementia. Her CT scan shows 3 areas of the brain that have already been damaged by mini-stokes and she's been on a blood thinner and statin for a year now since her first TIA. She doesn't smoke and is a healthy, moderately active 74 year old. I don't know what else can be done to reduce her risks of other "events" that will lead to more brain damage and therefore more symptoms of dementia. She also has a blockage in an artery within her thigh which affects her walking speed and distance.. Basically it seems that all her arteries are causing problems as the TIAs have been narrowed down to a blockage in her neck.
Her doctor today said we need to notify the DVLA and insurer on the car but for now if she's happy she can drive. I completely disagree with this: we don't know if and when she'll have another TIA or a full blown stroke (and the stroke specialist said these were likely) - is getting behind the wheel really safe? Not just for my mum or anyone she has in the car, but for anyone on the road/pacement around her!
The doctor also described her as having mild and early dementia, but I'm almost loosing my temper with her everytime I see her. The repeating information, the worry of has she managed to cook a meal, the longer than 28 days between repeat prescriptions is really getting to me and it's been 6 months since GP referred her and a year since her first TIA. I'm not sure what to do as mum believes she's not ill enough to require any assistance or support. All her appointments seem to have fallen in "good" days and she forgets to tell them what she's forgotten.
She's lost a little over a stone in the last year, she's 5'7" and only 8st 4lb. I'm fearful that she's not eating if I'm not there, she says she is but I think she might forget she's forgotten.
As my mum had me slightly later in life I'm only 35, only moved out of home 6 years ago and only a year into a relationship with the guy who's been my rock through mums health scares and problems. I have a good boss that I can talk to, who I've nearly cried in front of, and who I've told I will ask for flexible working if I need it in the future. It's just been a lot to take stock of during the last 1 year 10 days.
If you've stuck with me this far, thanks for reading I just needed to brain dump somewhere!
Rachael
I've already posted a couple of messages on the "memory concerns and diagnosis" section. Today was Diagnosis Day or D-Day for short. And after a few questions and looking though notes my mum's been diagnosed with the early stages of vascular dementia. Her CT scan shows 3 areas of the brain that have already been damaged by mini-stokes and she's been on a blood thinner and statin for a year now since her first TIA. She doesn't smoke and is a healthy, moderately active 74 year old. I don't know what else can be done to reduce her risks of other "events" that will lead to more brain damage and therefore more symptoms of dementia. She also has a blockage in an artery within her thigh which affects her walking speed and distance.. Basically it seems that all her arteries are causing problems as the TIAs have been narrowed down to a blockage in her neck.
Her doctor today said we need to notify the DVLA and insurer on the car but for now if she's happy she can drive. I completely disagree with this: we don't know if and when she'll have another TIA or a full blown stroke (and the stroke specialist said these were likely) - is getting behind the wheel really safe? Not just for my mum or anyone she has in the car, but for anyone on the road/pacement around her!
The doctor also described her as having mild and early dementia, but I'm almost loosing my temper with her everytime I see her. The repeating information, the worry of has she managed to cook a meal, the longer than 28 days between repeat prescriptions is really getting to me and it's been 6 months since GP referred her and a year since her first TIA. I'm not sure what to do as mum believes she's not ill enough to require any assistance or support. All her appointments seem to have fallen in "good" days and she forgets to tell them what she's forgotten.
She's lost a little over a stone in the last year, she's 5'7" and only 8st 4lb. I'm fearful that she's not eating if I'm not there, she says she is but I think she might forget she's forgotten.
As my mum had me slightly later in life I'm only 35, only moved out of home 6 years ago and only a year into a relationship with the guy who's been my rock through mums health scares and problems. I have a good boss that I can talk to, who I've nearly cried in front of, and who I've told I will ask for flexible working if I need it in the future. It's just been a lot to take stock of during the last 1 year 10 days.
If you've stuck with me this far, thanks for reading I just needed to brain dump somewhere!
Rachael
