Newly Diagnosed Physician

sogdoc

I am a 60 yo newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's. I am a retired Family Physician who noticed issues approximately 18 months ago and was diagnosed with MCI. I stopped practicing medicine and was given disability benefits. I am fortunate to have had that option but despite all my expertise the process of getting a definitive diagnosis was to say the least frustrating. Particularly as my insurance company kept delaying tests or denying them. Ultimately a spinal tap was done that was non diagnostic but "suspicious" per my local neurologist. He requested a PET scan and it was denied by insurance. I am fortunate being in the field and had access to the director of the Alzheimer's department at The University of Pennsylvania. I knew the spinal tap most likely was the answer but I needed to see someone to give me a final answer. After a 3 hour visit at U of P he came into the room and told my wife, brother and I that indeed I had Alzheimer's. I am currently undergoing Lequembi and plan on doing my best to be productive as long as possible. I have decided to share my journey as a physician with Alzheimer's through social media. I know what the ultimate outcome will be but I have always been someone who has called it like it is so I want to share how I will deal with this and hope to help others while trying to help myself. This is just the beginning of my Alzheimer's journey and hope to be able to share more here as time goes on.

lindajny

I am waiting on my MRI which is Friday 10/24. Waiting is the hardest part for me. I’ll be following your post to see how your doing

sogdoc

I totally understand. Had mine this morning but no results yet.

sogdoc

Totally understand, had mine this morning and still waiting for results.