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Otherwise Asked March 2021

Could she have mixed dementia? Do the delusions, hallucinations and extreme terror subside at any point?

Our mother (76) seems to have ended up with the most severe presentation of delusions, hallucinations and fear that a person with dementia can have. No movement symptoms. No shaking. Still can talk intelligently, but she is confused about reality. She is still in the hospital behavioral unit after one week and they won't answer our calls and emails because of patient privacy. She calls us, fearful and confused. She had an MRI but we don't know the results. A doctor did tell me on 2nd day that he thought it was "dementia, her Montreal score was 19 of 30, and there was no UTI".


She does a lot of Alzheimer's type things: rummages, loses things, hides things, asks what day it is, forgets appointments, gets scary-angry, distrusts everyone, wipes her mouth, feels strings in her mouth, talks obscenely, accuses us, has incontinence, bathes infrequently.


A CT scan done by a previous hospital showed "old cva right external capsule", "atrophy with moderate small vessel ischemic change noted", "microvascular ischemic changes may be appropriate for age", "cannot exclude aneurysmal changes on the left".
Does this indicate another type of dementia? I'm thinking it's mixed?

Otherwise Mar 2021
So mom (76) has been diagnosed with early Alzheimers. The doctor said her running out in the road was delirium due to too much prescription medication.
I hope knocking down her meds will also soften the hallucinations, anger and fear a bit. He has started her on Aricept, but I've heard that doesn't do much. I have a conference call with the doctor and social workers tomorrow to find out the level of care she will require.
The family's sights are set on assisted living, and if she balks, we will shoot her there with a cannon I guess.
Oh...she has two small unruptured aneurysms that the doctor said just need to be "watched" by the neurosurgeon.
Geaton777 Mar 2021
I'm hoping that having an official diagnosis gives you a little mental/emotional "relief"... In my family's experience Aricept didn't do much. Who is caring for her while she levels out on her meds? Will someone be watching to make sure she is taking the proper amount of meds (no more, no less)? Don't take anything about her memory for granted, even if she seems "better". My MIL wasn't remembering to eat even though we quizzed who on her diet daily. Thank you so much for the follow-up post -- we all learn so much on each others' journeys. May you gain peace in your heart.
Geaton777 Mar 2021
I'm so sorry you and your family are bystanders in this stressful situation. I agree with Alva that you should consider emergency guardianship sooner rather than later. If the family does not gain guardianship, the county will, and then they will make all decisions on her behalf going forward (placement, medical manage all her finances, etc).

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AlvaDeer Mar 2021
It sounds as though this has been happening for some time? Not sudden onset of symptoms? There is no POA for health care? If that is the case NOW while she is in hospital is the time to get emergency guardianship with the help of their Social Worker who can often do this in many states with a call to a judge.
It does sound as though she is getting all the testing done for diagnosis.
Evidence of possible aneurysmal changes would be an incidental change. If there is an aneurysm in the blood vessels you should google that word to understand what that outpouching and thinning in one area of a vessel could mean; she may have had it for many years; sometimes from birth. The other changes would add up to what diagnosis you will get eventually.
I am certain from what you describe your Mom is currently in care?
I wish you good luck moving forward. First step is to get a diagnosis. This is fairly early onset for dementia, but clearly something is happening.
Speak to a social worker about guardianship/conservator ship for one family member as soon as you are able. I hope you'll update us and wish you good luck.
If you will fill in your profile with some history we may be of some more help on Forum. Again, good luck. So sorry this is all coming down.

lealonnie1 Mar 2021
A score of 19 out of 30 would not be cause for symptoms THIS intense. When my mother scored a 19, she was somewhat confused and losing her short term memory. In 2019, she scored a 10 and was STILL not exhibiting any of the symptoms you are describing here that your poor mom is going thru.

You say the behavioral unit won't answer your calls & emails, yet a doctor told you on day 2 'he thought it was dementia, etc.' Which is it? Are you privy to her medical information or not? Who has medical POA for your mom, if anyone? That person would have full access to speaking with her doctors about what's happening.

This is a very frustrating situation for you, I'm sure, and you have my sympathy. Mixed dementia is always a possibility for any elders suffering as your mother is, from several different sets of symptoms. I hope the behavioral unit can come up with a diagnosis and a plan of treatment for her, b/c this is NO way to live, for anyone............you or her or any family members trying to deal with the chaos.

I hope one of our nurses comes by with an explanation of what the the CT scan results translate to in plain English.............I have no idea myself. If she's had 'aneurisms' in her brain, well that can lead to all sorts of mental issues right there!!! I know my mother has had a stroke which left her with worsened dementia afterward.

GOOD LUCK!
Otherwise Mar 2021
They told my sister at the hospital that mom has to sign the form to allow us to have access to her information, and if they can get her to sign, they will email my sister.
I think the only reason I got to talk to the psychiatrist on day 2 is because he called me wanting to know her background so he could figure out the diagnosis. He volunteered the small bits of information. I haven't been able to talk to him since.
Mom doesn't trust us right now, and may never trust us again. We do not have POA.

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