My first thought was dementia. I think you should call your Dad's doctor on Monday. Somebody else suggested his medication and that may be the problem. I hope it's his medication, that way they can readjust it. Good luck and keep us posted.
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My first thought was dementia. I think you should call your Dad's doctor on Monday. Somebody else suggested his medication and that may be the problem. I hope it's his medication, that way they can readjust it. Good luck and keep us posted.
Well, as some of you may know my mom has siezures. Well, sometimes she has them without all the shaking, etc. We never even notice until she asks somthing out of the ordinary like "where am i?" Mabye your dad is having the same things too?
Just thought I would update this thread. We have just returned from the doctor.
She said this is just the natural progression of memory loss into dementia. She never used the word Alzheimer's, but it was hanging in the air over all 3 of us. She is referring Dad to a neurologist for assessment and meds. Sigh. I had an aunt get Alzheimer's and die 2 years back.
She also mentioend Sundowner's as some of you had.
I asked about TIA or mini stroke, and if I should have dragged him to the ER. She said there is not much they could have done, take some blood work, ring up a bill, but she really didn't think that was an issue here. She said it would have been "nice" if he would have permitted me to take his blood pressure (she looked right AT dad when she said this) but it would not have made a difference in treatment.
She told me to expect more of this. To just repeat and repeat getting him to see reality -- show him the time, show him it is dark out. She said it never gets through to them the 1st or second time, so I ahve to keep saying it over and over.
Any time there is a saftety issue, she told me don't hesitate to call 911, but htis time around it didn't sound like that was needed, either.
We will have the referral tomorrow and will proceed from there. Sigh.
{{{{{HUGS}}}}}
Sandie, I know how hard this can be. Please PM me anytime to talk. :(
I am glad she didn't think it was a TIA. If it would have been you would have to watch carefully for more of them to occur. Even so, you should watch (and I know you will) in the future should he have any weakness on one side or, as in my dad's case, one side of his mouth went down in the beginning of his stroke. That is when a trip to the ER would be necessary.
I have worried that my mom might be getting Alzheimers. The caretakers where she lives tell me it is dementia because she doesn't have any of the other behaviors associated with Alzheimers. I wonder if dementia could lead to Alzheimers. I sure hope not. :( As a precaution she is on Aricept which is an Alzheimers medication. I guess they feel it can't hurt. I hope you get some encouragement from the neurologist. Your dad is probably as upset about all of this as you are. We will be thinking of you both. (((hugs)))Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
FYI - there is Alzheimers and there is Senile Dementia. There is a difference.
My mother had the latter - she always knew her name - who she was. Problem being she thought she was 9 years old and was waiting for her mother and brother to come and take her home to West Street. See, she knew her name, and she knew where she lived - when she was small. She didn't know me, or my brother, or her brother 'cause he was 90 and in her mind her was only 13.
Both are bad.
How's your dad?
:(
How upsetting, I hope they can do as much as they can for your dad.
thinking of you today, Sandie - prayers and (((HUGS)))
Let me just offer you some prayers - for you and for your Dad. What a difficult set of events for you to have to deal with. God bless you!
Hi All --
Dad has been fine all week. Better than he was that Friday night and Saturday but not as good as he was prior to all that happening. So I guess he is getting older and whatever he has is progressing. We don't see the specialist for another few weeks.
I scared myself silly this past Saturday. He has decided to take Marlin for a walk around the block, did that Friday and again Saturday. (Neither one of them is interested in dealing with the Arctic blast visiting us, so they haven't gone since.) So I see them off Saturday and settle down; I MUST have fallen asleep, but I didn't KNOW that. I woke to see it was snowing out and they have been gone 40 minutes! I panic, get ready, dash through the kitchen to the car, drive all around, can't find them anywhere. Return home ready to phone the police for help and . . . the TV is on. Dad is sitting in his chair. WHAT???
They went on their walk and returned, Dad took off his coat, got the harness off of Marlin. Then he checked on me, saw I was asleep so he sat and read the newspaper in another room so as not to wake me. He saw me go flying through the kitchen, no clue what THAT was about, so he turned on the TV.
Do you think I am nervous? Just a wee bit? :rolleyes:
Now it's Dad's turn to worry about you! :p Seriously, I am glad there haven't been any more "spells." Please do update us after he has seen the specialist. I hope it is just normal aging with him. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Freedom
It was sweet of your dad to let you sleep in peace! :)
I know you saw the doc etc..but you mentioned he has diabetes, so maybe his blood sugar was down. Anyway, I'm relieved you got him to the doctor so everything is on record. Praying your dad doesn't have another episode. Don't forget to take care of yourself.