Why is it so hard to get a diagnosis?
I am a 49-year-old female who has been having memory problems for about 4 years. When I saw a neurologist just over a year ago he said that I mild cognitive impairment or mild early onset dementia and that I had an 80% chance of that progressing on to AD. I have had to wait a year for an MRI scan (OK) and my latest memory testing has shown that my memory has not declined significantly, however I feel that my personality has been hit this time as even I can identify significant changes in my behaviour. I am now waiting to visit the neurologist again, but he has already warned me that he is unable to make a diagnosis until my memory testing shows another fall from 28 to the magic figure of 26 on the MME.
As I saw my Grandmother decline with this dreadful disease, I am only too aware of what is happening to me. It is very hard to look back and admit that I have already had to give up my career (computer consultant and lecturer) and that I am having problems just going out of the house or talking to people without my mouth saying the strangest of words!!
Talking Point and the local Alzheimer’s branch have been a brilliant source of information but as I have not yet had a diagnosis there is no other support available. My GP has not got a clue as to what to say to me, he can only suggest yet another anti-depressant (which make me feel dreadful and even more confused than normal) to fill in time while I wait for the next appointment. My husband works long hours and he simply cannot face what is happening to me at the moment.
What I don’t understand is this need to let me decline to a certain point before I can receive any treatment to help my quality of life. I feel that I need a diagnosis so that I can move forward rather than waste time and I desperately need some support.
Has anyone any suggestions?
HeatherR
I am a 49-year-old female who has been having memory problems for about 4 years. When I saw a neurologist just over a year ago he said that I mild cognitive impairment or mild early onset dementia and that I had an 80% chance of that progressing on to AD. I have had to wait a year for an MRI scan (OK) and my latest memory testing has shown that my memory has not declined significantly, however I feel that my personality has been hit this time as even I can identify significant changes in my behaviour. I am now waiting to visit the neurologist again, but he has already warned me that he is unable to make a diagnosis until my memory testing shows another fall from 28 to the magic figure of 26 on the MME.
As I saw my Grandmother decline with this dreadful disease, I am only too aware of what is happening to me. It is very hard to look back and admit that I have already had to give up my career (computer consultant and lecturer) and that I am having problems just going out of the house or talking to people without my mouth saying the strangest of words!!
Talking Point and the local Alzheimer’s branch have been a brilliant source of information but as I have not yet had a diagnosis there is no other support available. My GP has not got a clue as to what to say to me, he can only suggest yet another anti-depressant (which make me feel dreadful and even more confused than normal) to fill in time while I wait for the next appointment. My husband works long hours and he simply cannot face what is happening to me at the moment.
What I don’t understand is this need to let me decline to a certain point before I can receive any treatment to help my quality of life. I feel that I need a diagnosis so that I can move forward rather than waste time and I desperately need some support.
Has anyone any suggestions?
HeatherR