We had noticed our mom had become increasingly more forgetful and was having a lot of difficulty knowing where she was or what she was doing.
Originally we brushed this off as forgetfulness from old age.
Our Primary health care Physician contacted us (who was also her neighbor for 15 years) and advised that we should take mom to a neurologist as she was showing significant signs of dementia.
After numerous tests the neurologist stated there were no issues and she passed the tests with flying colors.
We took steps to keep her safe despite the diagnosis taking the car away hiring aids etc. none of which were easy.
It is now about a year later and she has been getting progressively worse forgetting to pay bills, having trouble remembering grandchildren, appointments and more.
She is very distant and does not engage in any conversation unless pushed.
The agency we have who comes in 5 days a week to assist called and expressed concerns over her decline verifying what we had experienced.
Having concerns we made another appointment with the neurologist.
My sister took her and once again the neurologist said she passed all the tests and he has seen no decline.
Once they got back to the car my mom didn’t know where she was or why she was there. Then a half hour later she completely forgot everything.
It is obvious to all who know her she is not the same person and cannot function as she did.
How is it that a neurologist can say nothing is wrong?
Also, what are you hoping to achieve with the diagnosis? Are you hoping there will be some pharmaceutical solutions? It sounds as though you have already convinced her to stop driving and accept in home help. What other goals would a diagnosis help you achieve? What other supports would the caregiver agency who reported her decline like to see?
I posted a link to an article the other day called, "Robin Williams death: the nine things to know about Dementia" The article says its important that you know the type of Dementia a person has because of medications. An example given was Lewy Body vs Parkinsons. Its hard to distinguish between the two. Giving someone suffering from LB a Parkinsons Med could be deadly.
https://m.activebeat.com/your-health/women/robin-williams-death-9-things-to-know-about-lewy-body-dementia/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=AB_GGL_US_MOBI-SearchMarketing_TR&utm_content=g_t_303659477023&cus_widget=&utm_term=lewy%20body%20dementia&cus_teaser=kwd-35132660&utm_acid=3040947159&utm_caid=1599827680&utm_agid=62022144433&utm_os=&utm_pagetype=multi&gclid=CjwKCAiA7t3yBRADEiwA4GFlIwXNqttVn7Uds_rHQseE0Lf2rFXNN0wDvS4RrIV-lP80ott8wAXsuRoClvoQAvD_BwE
my mother had this tests when I first started taking her to neurologist. He showed me little white spots on film were mini strokes that caused the dementia. that was 7 years ago. She will be 93 in a couple of weeks. She was able to walk w walker then but now immobile & wheelchair bound. You can get second opinion & take copies of all tests with you.
Hugs 🤗
I’m sorry for your frustrations. Definitely make another appointment to see another Neurologist, bring in notes in regards to her behavior and daily functions, mention that caretakers & ppl close to her notice a significant difference from how she used to be.
In the meantime take her for a complete bloodwork count and urinalysis to rule out any infections that may cause delirium...maybe a CT Scan/MRI of the brain to rule out any ischemic stroke to those specific parts of the brain that may also cause memory loss/confusion.
When in doubt go with your gut feeling...you’re usually 99% right! If your still not satisfied with the 2nd Neurologist visit, go see a Geriatrician too.
Good luck, I hope you find out soon what is mother’s medical state.
Like your mom both my parents performed well on standard test but had difficulty with memory once we got home.
I have had situations in my own health where my specialist consulted with other specialists.
I admire someone who knows their limitations and will consult other experts in the area.
Her doctor should not object to wanting more information. If he does, he isn’t the doctor to see.
A doctor’s ego or ignorance or not being thorough has no place in practicing medicine.
There are many other resources to choose from. You are doing what is right by putting your mom’s wellbeing first and foremost. If that means a new doctor, so be it. They will get all medical records transferred to her new office and do their own testing as well.
Best wishes to you and your mom.