My mother started having issues right before Xmas. We went to a neurologist last month and are waiting for cognitive tests to be set up before the doctor will make a diagnosis. He suggested maybe FTD or stroke. Anyway still no cognitive tests and my mother now wants to die. She is sure she has Alzheimer's even though the doctor said it was not that. She sits at home all day and thinks of all the weird things she's done over the past 10 years which really aren't that weird. Her memory is good, her speech is good, etc. The only issue is that she thinks that she is imagining everything, that is it. Has anyone else had experience with this symptom?
I was reading this, and it occurred to me the doctor or staff said something to give her the impression that they felt it was in her imagination.
The doctor's advice to WAIT could lead to negligence due to a delay in treatment if it is psychiatric and untreated.. The 6 months waiting period would be half over.
What are you waiting for?
Has this been ongoing through your mother's life, that people don't believe her, or is this new? Even long-term psychiatric patients can get a physical illness, don't you think?
Derealization and depersonalization are sensations that can be symptoms of temporal lobe epilepsy. These symptoms can occur with severe anxiety and panic attacks as well. Is your mom on any medication that could cause neurological side effects? (You would think the dr ruled that out but you never know.)
Also, I don't wait on medical offices to contact me, since many are disorganized and often get the phone numbers wrong or just forget.
This does not always work at every office and I have to take the patient with me. No one cared that it saved an unnecessary x,-ray!
Even with my intervention, the doctors still erroneously believe that 800 mg. is the only treatment for back pain. I disagree, but then I am nobody! Even though I explained that with asperger's he cannot take that much medication, so we ended up with 90 tabs plus what was on hand 60 tabs! (Yeah, you try controlling a fully autonomous adult male when the pharmacy automatically calls daily until you pick it up, this after the doctor said he would cancel it). At least, to my knowledge, he doesn't take it. (Counting meds.) He can take Tylenol or 200 mg. Advil and that helps.
He starts physical therapy Friday, after both of us trying for two weeks. See? Meds not the only treatment for back pain. He saw a chiropractor 2x this past week, have not met his deductible, so this cost our budget, too much. He failed to listen early in January.
I just am not able to continue this financially. Soooo very frustrating. imop.
So, what I am suggesting, is that you go direct to the MRI place, get the MRI results yourself, take it to any doctor. Call Medicare to get an emergency visit authorization. Really.
An MRI can rule some things out, but it really isn't a definitive diagnostic tool for dementia. And not giving treatment, such as meds from a psychiatrist, until further tests have been done seems to me to be prudent and responsible. Some drugs can definitely make some conditions worse.
If there is a six-month wait to see another neurologist in your area, that may explain why setting up the tests is taking so long. All of those over-busy neurologists are sending patients for cognitive testing! The testors are backlogged, too.
Sounds like the doc may have an idea of what this could be but wants some confirmation before he brings it up. He knows it is not ALZ.
On a slightly different note, I tried to find a geriatric psychiatrist around here. First, almost none take Medicare. (Medicare reimbursement for psychiatrists is absolutely pitiful.) And the few that did were several months out for taking appointments. You may not get anything resolved more quickly by going to a psychiatrist.
Is your mother saying general things like "I don't want to live like this" or "I wish I were dead" or is she actually thinking about suicide? If you take her to an ER and she tells them she wants to kill herself, she will get attention now, not in six months or after there is an opening for cognitive testing. That does risk having her be given a drug that may make the underlying condition that the neurologist is trying to identify worse. But there would really not be anything worse than suicide, would there?
I don't hear any evidence that the neuro isn't taking your mom's case seriously. But I would stay on the case with the neurologist. Stay polite and understanding of the obstacles his office has to overcome, too. But be persistent. "My mother is very disturbed and is talking suicide. Could you get our name on a list at the testing facility in case they have cancellations? We could get there on short notice. I know you are doing your best, but if she brings up suicide again we'll have to take her to an ER. Is there any other place that could do the cognitive testing sooner?" Again, assume they are on your side and don't be argumentative. Just keep reminding them of how eager you are for the doctor to be able to move forward.
Meanwhile, if she is better with distractions, keep her distracted! And you might say something like, "Oh, good news! The doctor's office called today and said you definitely don't have ALZ. They had someone else look at the MRI and other tests and they can rule that out!"
Keep us informed. You are in a really tough spot, and we care!
Yes UTI!
Please come back and let us know how this works out!
Once i realized, several years ago, that i was within my rights as Mpoa, to not " take delivery" of mom until all her issues were resolved, i was able to act in a much more assertive manner. Normally, i just said yes to doctors.
So instead of " you'll follow uup with x,y and z", we got the necessary tests done "in house"
I am so sorry. Was this an attempt? Maybe a cry for help? Hope that the medical pros figure out what is going on.
Thanks for telling us. How have you been able to cope?
Keep on top of the search for the diagnosis, the proper treatment, and good care for Mom.
Then, try to understand that this was not personally directed at you, it is about her pain, incorrect thinking, and temporary despair.
Glad you are getting help.