Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
B
Brandie Asked June 2015

My Mom (61) only remembers 5 mins ago. Where to go?

For the last 3 years we have battled with dr's. No clear diagnosis at this time. Our journey began 3 years ago after my Mom began to complain about numbness in her face with visual problems. MRI showed nothing. No stroke or any brain damage. During those 3 years my mother suffered with 11 bouts of pneumonia (which was not related) memory seemed to be fine during this time. Still no diagnosis for the numbness. About 7 months ago she really started going down hill. No balance.. we have to hold her hands to the bathroom etc. She began to get up in the middle of the night cooking (almost caught the house on fire) we took safety measures. Still going down hill. She doesn't remember what she had for lunch.. thinks she hasn't eaten in days. Days she sleeps all day other days she stays up 24 hrs. Took her to a neurologist who put her on Prozac. This only helped her with the emotions. Now she has no emotion except for anger . Dr. did blood work (showed low B-12) of which she stated "could be some of the problem" did 24hr urine test. (showed bacteria) which now she wants to send her to a blood dr. (not sure why) Took her off the prozac (after two months) because she's not sleeping and replaced it with something to help her sleep. Needless to say I'm very confused and tired. I work full time. My step-father is a alcoholic and that's a terrible mixture. She is on obama care so I'm sure that assisted living is not a option. Any advice would be appreciated

kk1968 Jun 2015
I had dizziness, fainting spells, focal seizures, memory problems etc until I learned I had Lyme and Babesiosis Microti. Go to one of the Lyme websites (not CDC) and see all the various illnesses and symptoms.

kk1968 Jun 2015
I always ask people ... have you checked for Lyme and the other tick diseases? Lyme is the great imitator. Worth a shot.

ADVERTISEMENT


Brandie Jun 2015
I will defiantly research. She has been pneumonia free since September. Other than the memory loss and balance her health seems better than it has been in 3 years. I know that sounds odd but true. Neurologist however did mention that some of the memory loss could have been caused from lack of oxygen during pneumonia. It's just hard for me to believe. MRI show no signs of anything abnormal. I have a video that I showed the Neurologist from 3 years ago with her dancing with her grandson on the boardwalk.. This was my Mom. Now she can't walk straight and has no memory. Lately she has been very aggressive.. talking about things that make my family and I very uncomfortable. We just change the subject and move on. I guess my question is "Why does the doctor not see that there is a problem and address it?"

blannie Jun 2015
Have they checked her for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)? That can mimic Alzheimers or dementia. It is from a buildup of fluid in the brain. It typically presents with a characteristic shuffling walk. If you Google NPH and 60 Minutes, you'll find a very good segment about it.

What was causing the pneumonia? That seems like something major is going on with her body that may or may not be an underlying cause of some of her issues.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter