My mom is 55 years old and one doctor is saying that she might have alzheimers. However, I have been doing my research and the symtomps like alzheimers that she shows is memory loss (like where she put her cell phone or of forgetting how to get to the bank). She does not have any problems doing her daily rutine, she does not have problem speaking, writing or reading. She does not have problems with time and place. No problems with judments nor changing in behavior or loss of initiative. I have learned that these are the main symtomps of alzheimers's. In the other hand, she is showing other symptomps like fibromyalgia, such as body pai, nauseas, dissinezz, skin complaints (she just broke up witha a rash all over her body and it itches her), she has problems sleeping, she also has chronic headaches, chest pain (which they think is high blood pressure), extreme fatigue (to the point that when taking a bath comes out like she is been working out), memory loss, trouble breathing (if she takes long walks), vision problems and weight gain. She had her female organs taken out and she is dealing with pre-menopause. What could be the possibilities of her been misdiagnosed? I dont think that memory loss should be a dominat factor to diagnosed alzheimer's.
- Introduction
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
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Caregiving
- Coping with Emotional Changes
- Coping with Memory Loss
- Costs and Insurance
- Creating a Daily Routine
- Exercise
- Health and Wellbeing of the Caregiver
- Home Safety Adjustments
- Mental Exercises
- Respite Care
- Talking to Children about Alzheimer's
- Talking to Friends about Alzheimer's
- Telling Someone They Have Alzheimer's
- Transition to Assisted Living
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Hi Madeline,
I think you do need to get a second opinion. The doctor may see signs of Alzheimer's but wasn't clear about what they were. Your mom could certainly have fibromyalgia, as well. Please see another doctor to find out what is really going on.
Carol
Hi Madeline,
I don't think it helps if people are guessing about what might it be.
Can't the family doctor refers her to a neurologist to test on her memory in the office with 3 hours verbal test and then decide what is wrong with her memory? What does the family doctor say about her other conditions? I think she needs a specialist to diagnose her. She needs a proper diagnosis, not a guess.
Regards,
Nina
Your Mom's memory loss may be Alzheimer's early stages or it could also be related to her entering menopause. When my mom started losing her memory, I also fought with the doctors. Many doctors assume that all older people with memory problems have Alzheimer's. This is not the case, and it was not the case with my mother. She has anemia, which caused her to be dizzy and forgetful. She was also menopausal and the hormonal changes caused her to lose track of things.
I would suggest that you try changing her diet to include foods that help with Alzheimer's, just in case. It would also help to make sure she eats to avoid anemia and pernicious anemia, both of which can cause symptoms of confusion. She may need to take a B vitamin supplement and an iron supplement to help with these forms of anemia.
As for her pains and fatigue, these could be related to menopause or a number of ther conditions such as anemia, or adrenal fatigue. If they are related to fibromyalgia, again, changing her foods can help here too. In particular, salmon and other foods with omega-3 fatty acids help fibromyalgia.
I have listed some resources which have helped me below. I hope that they are a help to you:
1. Alzheimers. Go to the site for the alzheimer's foundation. also there is a good all around food program for alzheimer's.
2. Fibromyalgia. Dietary changes to help fibromyalgia (based on research studies).
Good luck to you and your mom.
It sounds like your Mom has fibro. By your description I don't see any dementia symptoms. It is described as a "fibro fog" Check it out and good luck!!!!!
Hi, Madeline,
I also write for HealthCentral's menopause site and many of the symptoms that you're describing -- including memory loss --do sound like they're menopause-related.
If your mom has had her ovaries and uterus removed, she may be experiencing an immediate onset of menopausal symptoms, which is known as surgical menopause. "One of every six to ten women whose ovaries were removed druing a hysterectomy is thrown into a tailspin during menopause," Dr. Holly Thacker writes in The Cleveland Clinic Guide to Menoapuse. "Not only are her hormones out of balance, her body may be depleted of estrogen and testosterone." Dr. Thacker suggests that women in this situation should talk to their doctor about hormone therapy since it is not a risky solution for most women who have had a hysterectomy.
Take care and keep us posted!
Dorian
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Hi Nina,
Thanks for your answer. Yes, she had been refer to a neurologist but unfortunetly she lives in Puerto Rico and the goverment health plan is just garbage along with the doctors who administer. It just a whole bunch of burocracy. She was refer to a neurologist about two months ago and this so called doctor cancelled her appointment 3 times before she saw her finally yesterday. My mom took all the test documents with her and this doctor didn't even look at them. She just told her that she was unclear on what she has and to come back in three months. All this situation is so unreal and very stressful for me specialy because I dont live in PR, so I feel hand tied. :(