Question on behavior/symptom

Runner6

My partner is 53. Her father had early onset Alzheimer’s as did his sister and

I think one grandparent.  My partner underwent some kind of cognitive test

About 3 months ago and was advised she did not have any sign of early onset A. 

She often makes mistakes with medication she is taking  

This morning she thought she was using a mist inhaler to relieve some nasal congestion 

And instead used a hair product in a similarly shaped container.   Obviously this was a

Disaster and led to extreme pain.   

Is this perhaps a symptom of early onset?   

Thanks so much 

Neverends

Hello Runner6  Could it have been she was in a hurry and just  wasn't paying attention? I could see that happening  if the containers  were similar. Does she  forget to take her meds? Does she take  quite a few pills that look similar? I think when we have dealt with this disease upfront  and personal  we tend to become super suspicious  of things when actually  nothing is really going on.

M1

Hi Runner and welcome. Even if she passed cognitive tests, you are right to be paying attention and only time will tell. Families frequently pick up on early signs more than formal screenings do. Id keep a private list or journal. If its not the case, no harm no foul. If it does progress, you'll have an important record to share with her docs.

Iris L.

Read the 10 Early Signs of Alzheimer's on alz.org and keep notes.

Iris L.

Emily 123

If the meds are a concern, how about getting a pill organizer at the local pharmacy?  Those also help keep track of when to get meds refilled.

It doesn't hurt to be aware and keep an eye on things. 

I have a sister-in-law that has ADD.  She's a successful professional, but things like you describe occur at home when she rushes. 

Runner6

Thank you, everyone, for replying.  The behavior exhibited yesterday seems 

To be part of a pattern.  It has happened before with different 

Medications.  Yesterday was particularly alarming because of 

The immediacy of her reaction.   

This particular behavior is not specifically listed as a symptom.  

Stuck in the middle

Sounds like ordinary carelessness to me, like trying to control the TV with the phone (I did that last night).  

I use a med set for my meds, and I don't have dementia.  Strongly recommended.  Suppose you routinely wash, shave, brush teeth, and take meds in that order.  The phone rings during your routine.  When you're back in the bathroom, did you take the meds or not?  Your washcloth and toothbrush are wet, your cheeks are shaven, but that little bottle(s) sits there half full.

Paris20

I’d try to get an appointment with a neurologist for further testing. It often takes months to get in so it may be wise to set something up. You can always cancel if you think all is well.

My husband’s grandmother died of AD. When he started exhibiting very mild symptoms of forgetfulness and repetition, I took him to our PCP. She’s the one who referred us to a neurologist. It took six months before DH could be seen. By that time he was worse and his prognosis was fairly clear…but not before several different tests were conducted. 

harshedbuzz

Runner-

If it's a one off I wouldn't be overly concerned. My DH once put Desitin on his toothbrush and got as far as putting it in his mouth once but hasn't done anything similar in the 5 years since.

If it's part of a pattern, then it could be a symptom of a cognitive shift. In my dad, I noted personality changes well ahead of this kind of behavior. With my aunt, the confusion was more obvious earlier. 

Do you know what sort of test was given? My dad was fairly intelligent and was able to score well on the quick and dirty screening tools like MMSE and MoCA until about 6 months before he passed from aspiration pneumonia. I watched him take the MoCA the last time. He did pretty well- his serial subtraction by 7s was faster than my mom's- scoring just under what was expected of a man his age and education level. His geripsych was impressed and commented which led to dad crowing about being off the charts all the way down to the lobby. While I had my back turned at the valet stand, dad toddled off and got into a random car being driven by a very surprised little old lady. We were waiting on a minivan and she was in a sedan.

HB

Sea Jay

Is she menopausal, by chance? Brain fog, stress and COVID life could all be contributing factors?