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We reported both events to her doctors, along with the memory loss and apathy after the second episode. My mom is 82, and the doctor did do memory testing, but didn't do any other tests. Should I be more aggressive in insisting on a CT Scan or some other test? I thought a CT scan was standard procedure if you suspect a stroke. She has a new doctor now, and the new doctor has also done memory testing, and said we would continue to monitor it. She mentioned a CT Scan but did not seem to feel it needed to be done yet. Has anyone had any experience like this? Her doctors are treating her for hypertension and that is under good control. My mom also has atherosclerosis.

I want to mention that I think both of her doctors (We have a new one because we moved) are good doctors with a lot of experience. I just thought that any stroke--especially one accompanied by memory loss and emotional changes--required more testing. Maybe I'm mistaken or maybe they don't feel a test would give them any additional information. I just wonder if I should be pushing more for additional testing. I want my mom's quality of life to be as good as it can in her remaining years.

Has anyone had this experience of a relative with stroke related memory loss? What kind of tests were done?

Thanks.

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Back in her 80's my mom began having TIAs. (She's 97 now). An MRI of her brain was ordered and it showed multiple areas of damage... the doc said it "lit up like a christmas tree"! We were referred to a neurologist specializing in stroke prevention, who through aggressive changes to diet and medication was able to stabilize her condition and even reverse plaque build up in her carotid arteries. I was thrilled!
Unfortunately no one told me that all those spots that showed up on the MRI had consequences, in fact I never heard of multi infarct dementia (Vascular dementia) until I started to desperately seek answers for my mom's sudden decline. Arm yourself with knowledge, read, read, read. Don't let the doctors blow this off, seek a proper diagnosis. The damage may be irreversible, but I wish I had understood what was happening and what the prognosis was much sooner, it would have saved me countless hours of frustration and worry.
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Michelle, your profile says that your mom has vascular dementia following a series of strokes and TIAs. If this is true, then i think the doctor would not be doing further cat scans because further strokes and Tias are expected in this scenario. Their efforts are better spent trying to prevent further strokes which is done by controlling her hypertension.
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Is she on a blood thinning medication? I would ask, if she isn't. Sometimes something as simple as a baby aspirin added to their medication arsenal will help to prevent future strokes and Heart Attacks, especially if they have Atherosclerosis. But should definitely be discussed with her Dr's first, as there are complications with this type of therapy too!
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