Dementia added to the journey?

[GAdrummer]

Looks like the roller coaster has taken a turn south. This morning my husband woke up in his bed at home and did not know where he was or who he was. He told me that after I had fixed his usual breakfast. He has no memory of visiting our tax preparer two days ago. We aren't scheduled to see the primary doctor for two weeks. I guess I should give the office a call to see if something should be done sooner. I wonder if tomorrow morning he will be back to his usual self or if we are dealing with a new "norm"?

[dico]

Any chance he had a stroke? Or has this been coming on gradually for a while? Spooky either way. I certainly hope he is better tomorrow...or sooner.

[GAdrummer in reply to dico]

About a year ago, he fell while walking in the yard and days later scans showed a brain bleed. Sort of a which came 1st - the chicken or the egg scenario. There have been signs since then: failure to send estimated tax payments, spending more time napping, not knowing where the different doctor's offices are, and using the wrong word (ex. "CVS" when he meant "Walmart").

[StayingOptimistic]

I wonder if he is on medication for depression

[GAdrummer in reply to StayingOptimistic]

Not yet. He normally is quiet and slyly playful. This past year he stopped writing novels. I had to heavily edit his last work as he was repeating himself unnecessarily. I suspect he could no longer develop a new plot line.

[Mgtd in reply to GAdrummer]

Your GP is the best source of future direction and referrals to see what is happening.

[GAdrummer in reply to Mgtd]

We will see him within two weeks. Today he was better, he just didn't know what day it was.

[Mgtd in reply to GAdrummer]

You may want to read up on some of the paper/oral tests which doctors use for initial screening. They may send you for a more comprehensive test by a doctor. Unfortunately this test is not covered my insurance and was expensive.

discerntest.com/post/naviga....

[sankaran1 in reply to GAdrummer]

What day it is a common thing for many people if you do not work or go to office etc pl don’t worry about it too much I wonder if some mindfulness exercises be of help?

Thanks

GP

[Skoda1]

Don't wait to see a doctor. It may have nothing to do with the PC and waiting may make any treatment more dofficult. Hope it's just a hiccup and all comes right very quickly.

[JSHT]

Maybe check for a UTI too? Or other underlying infections? They can sometimes cause weird symptoms like delirium, confusion, mood changes etc in some people. My dad has had a few spells over the years thst seemed like a mini stroke. One thing his doctor observed is he always had a UTI at the same time.

[Explorer08 in reply to JSHT]

My father’s geriatric psychiatrist told me that UTIs can cause a rapid dive into dementia. If that happens one can recover from the UTI but not the dementia. That is what happened to my Dad.

[Grandpa4]

this is not dementia. This is way too quick. I would take him to ER but your doctor office today is ok. Possibilities include stroke, drugs, pulmonary issue like blood clot leaving him with low oxygen or pneumonia, sepsis.

[GAdrummer in reply to Grandpa4]

If it were sepsis, his adrenal insufficiency would have him in the ICU already.

[larry_dammit]

go see your doctor now. They can get him some help or send him somewhere.

[Redgold]

My husband developed a tremor, and it's most likely Parkinson's. (no family history) I think the meds are very harsh on the body and there will be other issues besides the main one. I dont know which doctor would watch out for the other problems that could arrise. I think Grandpa4 is right.

[DesertDaisy]

Dear GAdrummer, I don't have any answers for you, but reading your bio you both have clearly been through a lot. I hope your husband gets better soon 🙏 🙏🙏

[NecessarilySo]

I had a brain bleed back four years ago. Thankfully, my medical oncologist had me immediately stop all blood thinners, including aspirin and plavix. The bleeding stopped and I recovered completely. However, they said they might have had to drill a hole in my skull to let out the blood. Just make sure he has not continued blood thinners like baby aspirin.

Also, my wife is showing signs of dementia, forgetting her keys, locking herself out, forgetting where her phone is, her drivers licence, etc. It is frustrating. Somebody told me there is a medicine to slow dementia development. I need to investigate. I'm starting us both on Prevagen but it costs something and she cannot remember to take hers.

Found this online:

Medications to slow down dementia progression include:

Lecanemab

Aducanumab

Cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) that boost levels of a chemical messenger involved in memory and judgment.

Other medications to treat problems brought on by dementia, such as depression, trouble sleeping, or irritability.

[GAdrummer in reply to NecessarilySo]

He is on Eliquis because of the TAVIR procedure seven(?) years ago. He will have to skip it for an upcoming molar extraction. [currently waiting for medical clearance] This may be the culprit.

[fast_eddie in reply to GAdrummer]

I fear 'industrial strength' blood thinners. I take a daily baby aspirin for a-fib propensity.

[j-o-h-n]

Hopefully the memory issue is temporary. I'm forgetting names/words and it's very frustrating so I understand his/your dilemma. Keep posting!!! (P.s. his age is?)

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[Orange95 in reply to j-o-h-n]

As long as you remember all of your funny jokes you are doing great!

[GAdrummer in reply to j-o-h-n]

87 next month

[GAdrummer in reply to j-o-h-n]

87 next month

[GAdrummer in reply to j-o-h-n]

It's more than frustrating, it's expensive when the IRS dings us for non payment of estimated taxes! It is humiliating for him to have to stop handling the family finances yet again.

[jcoil]

Please take him to the ER right away. It could be a TIA or a “mini-stroke”. With his history of a brain bleed, this is not something to wait around for.

[dk73]

After his prostate surgery in 2017, hubby had a memory loss of 24 hrs. I thought it was a stroke so took him to the ER. Staff did all kinds of tests but finally declared encephalitis for lack of a better answer. . His license was flagged for 6 months. Since then he’s had radiation/ chemo/zytega/xtandi/more chemo/pluvicto and now more chemo. He’s on seizure meds but these “silent seizures” have continued and last between 30 seconds to 5 minutes. He loses short term memory. Has been tested for dementia twice and both times they say he has great short term memory but short term memory is sporadic. He does not know they are coming or even that he has them. Our friends and family have witnessed them so he now believes me. And since 2021 he no longer drives because I have no idea if he’ll have one on the highway. It’s rough especially with dealing with stage IV PC and bone Mets skull to femurs and now my own cancer.