Newbie here - is it essential my husband see a neuro?

JoyLynette

Almost 2 years ago, my husband was diagnosed by our GP as most likely being in the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s.  He did not recommend we see a neurologist to confirm his theory, but he immediately started my husband on a medication to slow the progression.  He has changed to a medicine called Nazmaric now which is supposedly a bit better than his previous meds. 

Anyway, over the past 1-1/2 years, his memory has progressively gotten worse and has other changes as well.  Is it really that important that he see a neuro to be positively and officially diagnosed, especially since he is already taking the proper medications for dementia/Alzheimer’s?  He will be 81 in a couple of months.  Fortunately I am almost 11 years younger than him and because of that I feel I am able to take care of him at this time.   

I just don’t know what the benefits for us would be to have him officially diagnosed.

Your thoughts?

Rick4407

Hello Joy and welcome.  Your Dr may be comfortable prescribing those initial meds for your DH.  

A diagnosis, though, is a formality.  Largely determined by the elimination all other potential causes.  There is no "treatment", medications will be dictated by his symptoms/behaviors.  Your Dr will try to control his behaviors.  As that happens he will need the more serious meds to control unacceptable behaviors, delusions, aggression, paranoia, etc.  A neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist who sees lots of dementia patients is what you'll want.  Having an established relationship with one of those specialties will be essential to getting the right meds when needed.   

I suggest you read lots of posts here, this is a very difficult road and the stronger meds will probably be required.  Good luck, Rick

Ed1937

Joy, welcome to the forum. Sorry you have a need for it.

Nazmaric  is a medication that is made up of a blend of memantine and donepezil, two relatively inexpensive meds. If paying for Nazmaric becomes hard, ask your doctor if he might give you prescriptions for memantine and donepezil, and mention that the combination is what Nazmaric is made of.

One benefit of having a proper diagnosis is that there are some meds that do not work well with certain dementias, and in fact might make things worse. But be aware that a diagnosis might be changed at any time. It is hard for a doctor to pinpoint the type of dementia someone has, and with progression, the diagnosis might be changed. But as long as there is no problem with his medications, and other symptoms typical with other specific dementias do not show up, I think you can do without a different diagnosis. The end result in almost all cases is the same.

Iris L.

Rick4407 wrote:

  .  There is no "treatment", medications will be dictated by his symptoms/behaviors.  

This is the crux of dementia caregiving, recognition that there is no cure (yet), but that managing day-to-day life is what you have to do.  This includes keeping the environment safe, learning new ways of communication (validation), and understanding anosognosia.   

Both responses are right on the spot.  They should be put on a flyer and handed out to all families, IMO. 

Iris