Neurologist visits

ESkayP

After my mother was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer's (lumbar puncture test), we met with the neurologist very briefly, but he didn't make a clear determination of her progression in the stage of the disease. We are scheduled to see him again in October. I'm not sure if he intends to run a battery of cognitive tests or order a second MRI for comparison. His office is over an hour away, and the last time we went, it was very taxing on Mom's emotional well-being. She was anxious and disoriented. I wanted to ask members here if they reached a stage in the progression of their LO's disease that they stopped putting them through the appointments. A colleague of mine said that she and her husband no longer take her mother-in-law to see a neurologist, just the annual Medicare "wellness" check up with her GP. I'm curious what others think on the subject.

M1

This comes up pretty frequently. I don't personally see the point of putting her through it. But i have a pretty low opinion of neurologists' ability to bring much to the table after diagnosis. I certainly wouldn't do another MRI, it won't tell you anything, and your own information on staging her behaviorally is more important than any testing IMO.

H1235

Mom’s neurologist scheduled her for follow up appointments every 6 months. Mom was fine with going. I asked the neurologist and they said some like the follow up others are just done and don’t come back. We found mom (and my brother) would listen to the neurologist when different things came up. Not showering when alone in the house, no she should not mow the lawn, it’s time to remind her to shower, yes it’s time for AL. This neurologist seemed to have a better understanding of what was going on than the family doctor(I’ve heard others say the opposite). She was also more willing to prescribe medication for mood issues than the pcp. She is in AL now with their doctor and I am considering just canceling the next neurology appointment. I hope this helps.

harshedbuzz

@ESkayP I think the answer is going to depend on where you are and what you need from a doctor. I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all approach.

We initially did twice yearly check-ins with dad. The neurologist has little to offer beyond a comprehensive diagnosis and a whole lotta judgment. Dad's mixed dementia included an alcohol-related form, and his young neurologist had no concept of addiction as a disease so that was fun. The social workers at the memory center were useful for mom and me but given the distance not worth it. Dad had a lot of behavioral issues, and the neurologist wasn't comfortable aggressively treating, so we found a Geri psych to take over his dementia-related care. He was great, a little closer to home and with a pleasant manner that dad enjoyed.

A dear friend was going through dementia with her mom at the same time. Her mom only ever saw her PCP who ordered the blood tests and imaging to rule out a treatable cause. The primary care did prescribe a SSRI at one point for mild agitation which was effective so they never escalated to a specialist.

HB

SusanB-dil

If your neurologist really isn't helping, then don't.

MIL's neurologist will prescribe some things for mood that her PCP does not, and said she will not, because that is MIL's neurologist job. (say what??!!) In fact, this new PCP we ended up with doesn't seem to understand much of 'this'. So I would say it depends on what you are getting from each of them. If you have a good PCP, just stay with the one doc. We had a good PCP, but she left. We continue with the PCP only for 'general' issues, such as wellness, any uti issues, and a while back we had a round of bronchitis, etc…

ESkayP

You've all been very helpful in giving me perspective. It makes me feel more prepared to make these decisions when I can read other people's experiences that are so much like my own. Thank you.