Borderline dementia

[maggiemaynot13]

How would you define 'borderline dementia' ? It has been suggested as a diagnosis without any specific tests and on the interpretation or hearsay from a relative by a professional. I can understand how this, perhaps, was made as I did not argue with the examples being put across by the relative to the Doctor as didn't feel I could deal with the fallout and denials that would be offered in a 'reasonable and conciliatory; voice. I also 'hate' confrontation which has now left me in a very difficult and weakened situation. Where do I go from here, how can I store the status quo ?

[sassy59]

Hi Maggie, that’s a really tough question. How would you define it? Please seek a 2nd opinion if you want to and take it from there.

Wishing you well. Xxxx

[Hidden]

You might find this link interesting (from a medical doctor who thinks outside the box)

drhyman.com/blog/2010/06/14...

Even though I myself don't like taking vitamin pills unless absolutely necessary, I do agree with him that there are a lot we can do to help ourselves when it comes to health.

[Tugun in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this link. It was very informative. I seem to have a higher than normal need for Vitamin A and have long thought that there might be a genetic component to this or to other health issues that might lead to a deficiency, or greater need, of Vitamin A for me. Some illnesses also lead to an inability to synthesise Beta carotene into Vitamin A. The work that is happening here is very promising. Thank you once again. It will be the next step in what has been a very lengthy journey to better my health. Promisingly though, I am much healthier in my fifties than I was in my early years, teens and twenties. I began my health journey in my late teens and have discovered much but this has also been a journey with many dead ends which I don't begrudge because as Edison said,"The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time." and "I have not failed. I've just found ...... ways that won't work."

[Hidden in reply to Tugun]

Thank you Tugun. It's very encouraging to see someone taking an active interest in self care. There is so much information out in the wild, we need to apply common sense of course. You are absolutely right. When something doesn't work, try something else. Also, prevention is always better than cure. Continue to enjoy your health journey. Bonne santé !

[MAS_Nurse]

Hi Maggiemaynot13 and welcome to the forum. Sassy59 and superhealer have given some very helpful replies. There is no single test for dementia. A diagnosis is based on a combination of assessments and tests. As sassy59 suggested, please seek a second opinion and see your GP. Also, have a look on nhs.uk/conditions/dementia-... where you will find some very useful information. Are any other members of the forum able to help Maggiemaynot13 with this, please? Let us know how you are doing.Thank you and best wishes.

[bquoss]

Maggiemaynot13 - please do seek a second opinion and do not give in to casual, superficial judgments about your life. My mother was diagnosed by a professional and I was told to put her in assisted living right away. Instead I sought out a geriatrics team who, after thorough work, spoke to her not me and said, "You do not have dementia". And then they discussed how thinking changes just because everything slows down in aging, and how she needed to simplify her life. As I have aged and my mind has slowed and been affected by B12 anemia, I have been thankful for that team. The mind slows down, we can't take in information and work it through to give the responses other people want immediately. They react as if there is something wrong with our response, and then we easily get flustered and doubt ourselves. Ordinary memory problems of aging will aggravate this experience, as will slight hearing loss. None of that means your mind is failing. Tell people you need more time to think something through. Ask for "a few moments", etc. Make them repeat when they talk too fast, etc. Tell them firmly they will have to slow down. (Not just family, but business transactions!) Say you don't want to decide right now. You may need to develop more routines or use lists, etc. These are just ways of supporting the slower pace of your thinking and some change in working memory. Slower is not demented, but it takes some understanding and adjustment. I am so wanting you to have confidence in your ability to adjust your style and to have others be supportive of you. Find or reach out to the people who support you, who will be honest with you about your state, but who will support you doing all you can and who will encourage you to feel good about your abilities, whatever they are. Call on those who support you to help you develop a plan to restore the situation you are in. You don't have to face this negative situation alone, get support, don't give in to it. If I weren't so far away in the U.S. I would support you in person.

I know this is a long answer but I really care that you don't let others change your life so casually. I hope we hear from you.