What stage he’s at?

paybeck4 · February 15

as far as I know hallucinations are not present, my husband will get the mail multiple times if I let him, the day we are in at present are validated. We’ve been to Labcorp, the Neurologist, and SimonMed numerous times and we were never told if this is Alzheimer’s or dementia. My husband was told he carries the Alzheimer’s gene. If our days were up to him we would be at the Harbor. My husband cannot be left alone so traveling is not in my sites.

Michele P · February 15

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75374/what-stage-he-s-at

In order to definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, multiple tests are necessary. A neurologist should order bloodwork to rule out a deficiency vs neurodegenerative disease, an MRI and PET scan of the brain, and the specific blood test for Alzheimer’s. In addition, several hours of extensive cognitive testing should be performed by a neuropsychiatrist. There are several types of neurodegenerative diseases. This may or may not be Alzheimer’s.

harshedbuzz · February 15

@paybeck4

Hi and welcome. I am sorry for your reason to be here but pleased you found this place.

Does the doctor have a patient portal? If so, the diagnosis may be included somewhere in the testing results or in the notes from the visit. Often, neurologists do not discuss the actual diagnosis in front of the patient, so you may need to ask via the patient portal assuming your DH has signed the HIPAA forms to allow that.

As for stage, as his live-in caregiver, you would be the expert on that question. I use DBAT to get a sense of the disease progression.

DBAT (7) (1).pdf

HB

jgreen · February 15

Hello @paybeck4

I too welcome you. I hope you will come back and let us know how you are doing.

I agree with @harshedbuzz - with all your visits to medical appointments there should be something in your DH’s records. I did get copies of MRI and had to look up all the medical terminology on my own. Found doctors are reluctant to be direct. I have learned that Alzheimer’s is one ‘type’ of dementia, and the most common. Not being an expert, it is only my guess, but I imagine the different types have different rates of progression and also different parts of the brain affected in different order. The behaviors are most likely similar, so I feel the DBAT will at least help you see what stage your DH is in and what to expect.

Many on this site have recommendations that can help you research the disease and learn as much as you can. The book “The 36-Hour Day” is a good reference, and websites for Tam Cummings, Teepa Snow, and Natalie Edmonds are good ones. (The DBAT tool came from Tam Cummings website)

If you haven’t already done so, seek out an Elder Care Attorney and get powers of attorney, wills/trusts, and HIPPA forms created and signed while your DH is able. I went to our attorney alone when I first met her and spent about an hour talking about our situation and what I needed to do (and in what order). Then took DH and told him that ‘we are getting older and we need to get our affairs in order’. He was agreeable. My son is my power of attorney as DH would not be capable if something were to happen to me.

Hugs and prayers for you and your DH. 💝

paybeck4 · February 16

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/266142#Comment_266142

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/75374/what-stage-he-s-at

He’s had a PET scan, we seen a neuropsychiatrist, and so far the Nuerologist has not said anything about Dementia or Alzheimers. A follow up phone call is scheduled for end of this month. He’s on donepenzil 5 mg. Being Sunday once he wanted to get the mail, he caught himself and said “ today is Sunday right?” 2 times after he said “did I bring the mail in?” According to the chart he’s at stage 2.

paybeck4 · February 17

tomorrow I will call an elder care attorney to get everything in order, first things first. What ever he has dementia or Alzheimer’s something is not right.

paybeck4 · February 17

he’s had all the X-rays, blood test, seen the neuropsychologist and nothing was said of what he has. He cannot have the MRI because of the pacemaker. Next week he has a phone call with the Dr.

jgreen · February 17

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/266292#Comment_266292

Good for you @paybeck4 One step at a time.

paybeck4 · February 28

the Dr upped the medication from 5grams to 10 grams. My DH cannot have the MRI because of a pacemaker, he’s had a pet scan.

What stage he’s at?

Comments

Commonly Used Abbreviations

Community Guidelines

Categories