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I am so sorry. My mother had Alzheimer’s so I know how scary dementia is.
It could be a brain tumor. My advice is to see a neurologist as the first step. They can run imaging tests of the brain and also advise whether they think the medication is playing a role if it’s not a tumor.
Without insurance or Medicaid she will have to go to ER (have you or brother take her) and get the work up that way. You could say you had to pick her up from somewhere because she called and didn’t know where she was. That would qualify as an emergency.
I second this. Brain tumors can cause all sorts of symptoms and may go undetected or misdiagnosed (including as psych issues - happened to a family member of mine) for years. They could be benign, like my relative's was, so don't automatically freak out with the thought. Ask about an MRI with contrast.
I am sorry to hear about your MIL. That sounds awful.
Mom isn't eligible for Medicaid.
Why would your mom not be eligible? She doesn't have money and is ill> I double check into that. She's been working.
Ugh, Ambilify. Drs Rx that too easy. Hubs was on it and a doctor took him off it.
Does she take Ambien? That is really awful for people to take. I was one it and when I heard what it does and knew of people it screwed up, I went off it.
OP: Sorry to hear your story and sounds like all the meds didn't do great things for her.
When I was struggling trying to thyroid dxd and supported, I was sent to a psych for more and more anti depressant drugs and these were not the answer.
For me it was Thyroid and I finally got a SMART doc do a good job for me.
Also, Vit D is so critical and so overlooked.
There is so much to learn out there and to stop with certain types of doctors are just NOT the answers as I have experienced as I head into 80 yrs of life.
I asked my mom about her thyroid. She told me she had it checked recently and that everything was fine. She said her psychiatrist had ordered blood work for her and that everything checked out.
No, she does not have any savings. Zero. She definitely lives paycheck to paycheck. Luckily, her mobile home and private lot are completely paid for. Her place is small, so her utility bills aren't too high. She recently did some work fixing up her trailer, so it's in pretty good shape. She likes to spend money, but if necessary, I think she could live pretty cheap. My brother is in his early 20s and lives with her; he's been looking for a job, so I think he could help. My husband and I could help some. She lives across the street from her sister, and they're pretty close, so I think that's a positive as far as support goes.
No, she did not sign up for health insurance during the enrollment period. Although I wish she had. Our state didn't expand Medicaid, so even insurance with a high deductible is expensive.
She does not drink alcohol. She's never been much of a drinker anyway -- maybe a glass of wine or so with a nice dinner or on a special occasion -- but she told me a couple of years ago that she doesn't feel comfortable drinking with her medication.
She does take her medication as she is supposed to. No problems with that (yet.) I think it's so ingrained in her daily routine that she doesn't even think about it. (Speaking of routines, even before the doctor said this, I've been trying to encourage her to get into routines for things -- like always putting her keys in the same place -- because I think it might help?)
I am really hoping beyond hoping that it's something simple. But honestly, she's been saying that she thinks the urgent care doctor was right. She told me she's been struggling more than anyone realizes. I believe her. I hate to say anything based on "feelings," but frankly, my mom, brother, husband and I all kind of have the "feeling" that it really could be Alzheimer's or dementia.
She said if that's the case, she doesn't want a concrete answer until after Christmas. I told her I understand that, but I have been urging her to please not delay in seeing a doctor as soon as possible after the holiday.
And thank you again, everyone. I have basically been a mess ever since she left the doctor's office. The idea of my mom having something like this at her age is mind-boggling, but at the same time, it's not very surprising at all...if that makes sense? Having support here is great. You guys are amazing.
My Dr said my bloodwork is fine too. Because he did the most basic panel. Didn't even check sugar levels and for cholesterol. I had wanted more advanced that that, because I had previously had a vit D deficiency. Just wanted to toss out that maybe he didn't do much blood work,,,,,
Why would your mom not be eligible? She doesn't have money and is ill> I double check into that. She's been working.
Medicaid was not expanded in our state. Only children, disabled individuals, low-income pregnant women or low-income senior citizens can get Medicaid. My mom looked into it when she first lost her last job so that she could continue seeing her doctor for her mental health issues. Also, at this point, her income would be too high anyway, but that's not for long.
If she ends up with a serious diagnosis, then I think Medicaid/Medicare would be an option. Right now, it is not.
You guys are all giving me some food for thought. I never thought about a brain tumor or anything because she doesn't complain of headaches or anything like that.
As for those who are concerned about the woman who she is caring for -- she is never alone with the woman right now. She was previously, but since the lady has basically been "sent home to die" (very cold, but I don't know how else to say it...they aren't doing anything else for her but keeping her comfortable), my mom has not been there with her alone at all. Home health and hospice are there, and the family members are all cycling in and out...one of her daughters or another family member are always there. Mom even confessed that she feels guilty about what she is being paid right now because she really doesn't do anything except clean up a little bit and take care of the cats.
I definitely think she needs to be very thoroughly checked out. She says very soon, right after Christmas. I'm going to stay on her.
After initial shock please try focusing on a methodical problem solving with all your intellectual might vs letting your limbic system do the “ talking” and “feeling” and wearing you out emotionally.
Your Mom is lucky to have you both to help her sort it through.
Excellent advice here!
Make a list of the topics discussed-and cross one by one off your list until you get to the bottom of it.
One of you need to go to Dr with your Mom, but you MUST get power of attorney for everything as well as access to her accounts, utilities, etc,etc in case she will be diagnosed with dementia. If you do not start with that- the State appointed guardians could get involved. They will charge your Mom for their expensive services until she is depleted and they may not even let you know what they do. They even can’t take her trailer and place her in memory care. So legal stuff first!
Let us hope the solution is much less scary: adjusted meds, thyroid, UTI, B12 deficiency ( her gut can not use the B12 from food or supplements and she may need injection or sublingual B12- methylcobalamin form is the best). B12 deficiency definitely looks like early onset dementia.
Could she be pre- diabetic?
Could she have suffered a transient mini-stroke recently? Did she happened to fall recently possibly due to mini stroke? (vascular dementia)
Many medications for anxiety are linked to memory problems and the development of dementia. I be she is on Hydroxyzine (atarax or vistaril). If taken for over 4 months, it greatly increases the chances of early onset dementia and memory issues. Find out what meds she is on, and talk to a pharmacist.
YES! Often when looking at medications and possible reactions with each other, pharmacists are the experts even more than doctors are. Your mother (and you) might question a pharmacist where she gets her meds and get some ideas. My daughter is a pharmacist, and I never realized how much they're relied upon. (I used to call a couple pharmacist friends pill counters.) Her final year in pharmacy school she interned at our local hospital for a few months and related how she caught a doctor's prescription mistake that could/would have been lethal.
And one of the nicest things about asking your pharmacist for help is, they don't charge for their opinions!
My mother has dementia and the inability to write the cursive part of a check was one of the first big clues that something was truly amiss, also getting lost while driving, name recall, and various nouns, all the while being able to carry on a conversation emotionally just fine albeit with repetitive stories, which is a very common sign.
She may think she is taking all her medications properly, but think about it--can a person who gets lost in their own town be relied upon while discussing that?
Notes help immensely. Filling the pill daily containers ahead of time for a full week helps. Lots of messages to herself posted wherever she needs them--next to the telephone, daily reminders, separated by topic so that she doesn't get confused reading her own notes.
Your brother needs to get a job and step up to the plate here; if he is going to be a part-time caregiver for awhile then he needs to show he can handle responsiblity, especially if this gets worse.
I agree with everyone that she needs the full medical check-up and testing for dementia which is several hours, not just the mini-test.
Sorry to hear at such a young age but it is not as uncommon as we all assume, that is, until we find out just how prevalent it is.
Ikmax, like everyone's saying, 5 meds for bi-polar is an awful lot & would suggest that she's not on the most efficient medication. With that many, I wouldn't be surprised if at least one or two have been subscribed to treat side-effects from the first 3 or 4.
These types of drugs are terribly harsh on the body (Like the liver for e.g.) Less is better.
Stopping & changing these drugs can be dangerous & a nightmare for the patient. Your mother definitely needs a 2nd opinion but ensure it's a specialist with much experience. You need to accompany her to her Dr's appointments, so at least you'll know what's going on. Who knows what she may have forgotten to tell you.
So sorry that she's going through this.
Get her some Lugol's iodine for the hypothyroidism.
Long-term deficiency of B12 is linked to brain atrophy which is mostly irreversible. Even normal levels of B12 is linked to brain atrophy which indicates that the normal range for the elderly is too low.
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