Not diagnosed yet......

Katp29440

I am trying to find some information about getting diagnosed. My family doc says just old age back in Decemeber 2021, but i find myself having "things" happen that are concerning me. I make simple mistakes at work. I am a bookkeeper, and unnormal forgetting names, places, apptointments. Once in awhile I get a feeling of disconnect from my body. My eyes twitch. I also have ocular migraines but I lose my ability to speak correctly when this happens. I feel so alone and scared about whats happening. If this is really just getting older..... than why?

What kind of doctor should I see? My family doctor has been treating my diabetes for a couple of years now. Should I look for a new doctor? Are there any doctors that care about their patients anymore. I was scheduled for a MRI but with insurance i still had to out of pockets thousands of dollars. 

Dont know what to so anymore...

Kathy

Martha O

Dear Kathy,

So sorry to hear of your situation. The type of dr you need to see is a Neurologist. The sooner the better. Please make every effort to make the appointment. There are some meds that you can try to see if they help. Try to appeal to your insurance company. Ask your ins co if they have case managers, they can be a great help.

Good luck. Hope to hear back from you. I care.

Jo C.

Hello and welcome to you, Kathy.  The best approach would be to see a good Neurologist who could best assess you for multiple different causes for the symptoms you have been experiencing.

There are actually many different conditions that can mimic Alzheimer's, so it is best to have a Neurologist specialist make the determination of what is present.

Also, the Alzheimer's Assn. has a 24 Hour Helpline that can be reached at, (800) 272-3900.  If you call, ask to be transferred to a Care Consultant. There are no fees for this service.   Consultants are highly educated Social Workers who specialize in dementia and all the dynamics that entails.  They may possibly also have information regarding financial assistance.  It is worth making a call.

 I send you best wishes and warmest of thoughts, please let us know how you are doing, we care.

 J.

Iris L.

Welcome Kathy.  I'm sorry you are having these problems.  But they are not uncommon.  As mentioned there are many medical causes of memory loss in older adults.  A thorough medical evaluation with blood tests is necessary to search for diseases and conditions.  Also many drugs,  prescription and non-orescription, may cause memory loss and other side effects. Do not accept "old age" as an answer!

The main website, www.alz.org, has a section under diagnosis called "Visiting your doctor".  Please visit that.  Afterwards request a referral to a neurologist for further, specialized testing.  Read about diagnosis so you can prepare yourself.

I had a cardiac MRI a few months ago, it cost me nowhere near thousands of dollars.  You can call the Helpline for free for questions 1-800-272-3900 24 hours a day.

Please let us know how you are faring, Kathy!

Iris

Jo C.

Hello again, Kathy.  I have been looking for you too and hope we hear back from you.  We are thinking of you.

J.

ChHodge

Hello Kathy!

I hope you're going okay. It's good you understand the seriousness of the situation and think about the right diagnosing and the treatment. Of course, you should try! Don't search for another doctor, try to address different specialists. Nowadays, there even exists such thing as medical tourism. Haven't you heard about it? My mom's friend's husband has serious mental problems. They don't let your hands down. She found the right treatment in Germany, in some of the hospitals listed on https://bookinghealth.com/blog/medical-tourism/hospitals-rankings/301079-top-10-best-german-hospitals.html. She says she's happy she looked for options, and happy she helps/supports her husband. So the main thing is to choose the correct treatment and not procrastinate.

JeriS

Hello. So glad I found you. I am struggling lots if issues that make me think I may have some form of dementia and feel the symptoms are getting worse. I told my primary a year or so ago about my fears but he says it's just part of aging. I turned 70 in December. He did have me draw a clock to show 3:00, give me 3 words to relate back to him a few minutes later, and a couple other thing s I can't remember right now.  Although it was a struggle I answered correctly so he told me that as long as I can remember what kind of car I have that I'm ok. No kidding. Here are some issues that's going on with me now: I often forget what I'm trying to say mid-sentence. I just seem to lose my train of thought. I forget where I put things like my glasses or keys. This issue has been ongoing for more than a year. Since I've always been an OTC organized person this is a big problem for me to understand I no longer seem to have a place for everything kind of thought process. I forget how to spell even familiar words and to perform simple mathematical problems. I'm told this is because of overuse of computer use. The "use it or lose it" thing. But the worse thing is my inability to control my emotions. Panic attacks and depression are happening much more often and my family seem to be distancing themselves more. They just tell me to snap out of it and fuss at me a lot then stop talking to me even when I tell them I need omeone to talk about it to. I guess I just complain too much but I'm so scared and feel so alone. I've recently starting to have suicidal thoughts. I've gotten to the point that I want to see a specialist help but I don't know who or where. A neurologist? Please help me . Thanks

Iris L.

Welcome Jeri.  You need a thorough medical exam because there are many dementia mimics.  Have you been evaluated for sleep apnea?  Many drugs prescribed for older adults or used by older adults can cause memory loss and other symptoms.  Check all your meds for memory loss side effects. You can do a search on www.rxlist.com or other sites. 

Sometimes the signs of depression and dementia overlap.  Aggressive treatment for depression over four to six weeks may make a distinction between the two diagnoses.

Look for a neurologist who regularly diagnoses and treats the dementias.  You may find such a neurologist at a Memory Clinic or a large university affiliated medical center.  Or call the Helpline (1-800-272-3900) and ask for a referral in your local area.  You will also need cognitive testing done by a neuropsychologist.

The diagnostic process will take time.  In the meantime, try to make your life easier.  Do you have anyone you trust to help you?

Please post back and keep us updated on your progress, Jeri.

Iris L.

jfkoc

You want a diagnosis to rule out causes that are treatable. Here is the fast link to what Iris wrote;

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis

You can also google where you will find info and yes, call the 800#. They can be very helpful.

New Dr? Maybe but after initial testing you will likely want to see a specialist to determine which dementia you may have.

OutsideLookingIn

I went to a neurologist when I started having both cognitive and memory issues.  She did a thorough workup (lab work and an MRI to rule out a tumor or TBI) and put me through one of the tests they usually do (clock, counting backward, connect the dots, etc). The only issue I had was waiting her standard 6 weeks for a follow up. Finding a neuro who sees a lot of dementia patients is better in that they know the range of normal better than what the textbook teaches.

The other thing a workup does is relieves your mind because you find you don't have it or because you know what you are up against and can take steps to slow it down.  Waiting seems to just let you get a lot worse prematurely.  I think I've lengthened the number of years before I go into moderate level and will enjoy my family and travel more and longer.

OLI

Arrowhead

There is a blood test called the Precivity AD test, developed by C2N Diagnostics in St Louis. Patients can get results in just days. This test is intended for anyone over the age of 60 and it's aimed at those who have memory or cognitive issues.

Iris L.

No one test can make a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.  The diagnosis needs to be made in conjunction with other factors.

Iris

okiecity2408

I just joined the boards, so I don't know if you have solved your diagnosis as yet. I fought for four years before I was finally diagnosed like I see everyone else has said contact a neurologist that specializes in the disease. And do not give up the fight until you have answers.

Iris L.

Welcome, okiecity.  I hope you are faring well.  If you have any questions, please post back. 

Iris