No diagnosis yet, what could it be? (76 yr old mom)
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Anonymous
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Over the course of 2 years, MIL went from very talkative (her normal) to barely talking. When she speaks, very slow. Has trouble finding the correct words. The worst part is now she falls At least 3-4x a week. Says she gets dizzy.
Neuro doctor says might be early stage of Parkinsons. Anything else it could be? Dementia? |
Anonymous
| MS? |
Anonymous
| She might have had a stroke. |
Anonymous
| Please forgive me, but my MIL had all the same symptoms. 80 years old. ALS. Took forever to diagnose. |
Anonymous
| Have the doctors ruled out dementia? That's the most obvious diagnosis and relatively easy to assess. |
Anonymous
Forgot to mention no stroke. She had tests done to rule out. |
Anonymous
| So she’s seen a neuro. What tests are being done? |
Anonymous
| Mini strokes in a series that add up to a lot of damage. |
Anonymous
This. TIAs are not very detectable after the fact. I am certain this is what is going on with my 88-year-old mother, and has been for about the past 8 years. |
Anonymous
| Probably all you can do is put effort into making her as safe as possible. And thinking about next steps re: living arrangements. Put effort and attention into that. Dealing with how she is now. Don't chase a diagnosis. That's wasted effort. |
Anonymous
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Another PP who is guessing dementia but I can be more specific: primary progressive aphasia.
Read about it but this is what my parent had. Slow loss of speech and fluency. No strokes at diagnosis. Started with in office paper and pen memory test then referral to neurologist. Was able to drive for at least one year and carried a wallet card explaining that verbally could fully understand what was being said but lacked ability to respond in an understandable way. Also: an MRI can be helpful:telling. I’m so sorry. |
Anonymous
| I'm sorry. Near 80, I wouldn't want these tests. I'm a Senior now. If my driving isn't safe, take my keys. I'll give up my car. I trust a loved one to know. I need some type of care? ... I need it. We can talk about it. I don't want a battery of tests. I'm getting old, I know that. |
Anonymous
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PP, no, you won't give up your car. If you were going to give it up you would be living in a walkable area now and already given it up. You end up with Alzheimer's, that you aren't self testing for, and you will be resistant to any suggestion you have it.
I have an anxiety disorder since birth and preplan for everything. Normal people talk a good talk but they never follow through. |
Anonymous
| I've had far more life experience than you. And no anxiety disorder. Some people do hand over their keys. |
Anonymous
| We need more information. High blood pressure? Does she eat well? Was she exercising before the downturn? |