Saturday, June 20, 2009 worried asks

Q: Has anyone had a misdiagnosis of for a loved one?

if so, how did you get the correct diagnosis? father diagnosed with korsakoff's syndrome based on a family member's description of history. two other family members myself included, feel it may be part this syndrome, but more likely alzheimer's or a deep depression since this all started when our mother died, followed shortly by him having to put his dog down, and then his oldest son died at the young age of mid 30's from cancer. It's too much for anyone person to handle all at once, and it just seems the symptoms fit other disorders and not korsakoffs because he gets worse and worse, instead of maintaining where he was once quit drinking beer. Should not keep going down hill, where he doesn't even know how to dress or who his kids are, should he?

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Answers (2)

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

6/21/09 8:12am

I would definitely find a doctor who will check him for depression. What he's been through is too much for anybody. Even if Korsakoff's is part it, he may have Alzheimer's or benefit from Alzheimer's drugs. He definitely should be checked carefully for depression. It's unfortunate, but anyone who shows ill effects from Alcohol can be marginalized because of the "moral judgment of a medical person." This shouldn't happen. If your father was/is alcoholic, that is still a disease. Not drinking, of course, if necessary, but he also needs and deserves other help. If you feel his doctor isn't looking beyond Korsakoff's, I'd consider changing doctors, or at least get a second opinion.

You are kind and compassionate to consider this, and right to be worried.

Take care,

Carol

worried

6/23/09 3:26pm

Thank you for your response. I would love to get another opinion, the problem lies with power of attorney which I nor my other sibling out of state has, only my brother living near my Dad has it. Of course he has a closed mind and thinks he knows thats what it is, I just know there are other possibilities that can and do get missed because they think they have the answer right in front of them. My Dad has been on Aricept for about 4 years, and it hasn't helped him at all. He gets worse every few months it seems, especially after something major, and it's just heart breaking. With each move or change of address he got worse, and with each loss. I mean, we moved out of the town he lived in his whole life to a strange place to be closer to my brother, and he got worse, my brother made him give up his new dog, he got worse, they moved him into an assisted living place, he got worse, and now, the assisted living place, said they can't care for him anymore because of issues they don't deal with. He was moved to a dementia home, where they have to help him shower and he punched the lady. Who wouldn't, I mean nobody wants a strange lady giving you a shower, talk about an invasion of privacy! It just makes me sad to think about what he is going through, or has gone through, and there's nothing I can do about it. Guess I'll just keep asking for them to get another opinion and hope that one of these days they listen. thank you again for your help.

Carol Bradley Bursack, Health Guide

6/23/09 3:32pm

My heart breaks for you. You obviously care so much and know that all of these piled up losses are huge for him. I hope you can somehow get through to your brother, but you are right. Some people will just accept what they are told and don't question, especially if they aren't put together to be caregivers. You have the heart to do it. I'm sorry you have to fight so just to get heard.

Blessings,

Carol

AFA Social Services, Health Guide

6/24/09 12:30pm

You are right, what you described does seem to be a lot for any person to handle all at once. It appears as though your father has faced a series of emotionally stressful events, which could have led to a grief reaction. A number of illnesses can be mistaken for Alzheimer’s disease, including grief, depression, vitamin deficiency, thyroid problems, hormonal imbalance, and other symptoms. Misdiagnosis of an individual can be avoided if appropriate tests are given and protocols followed. This is why it is especially important to identify the right diagnosis in order to provide proper treatment and ensure the best outcome for your father. The first step is to bring your father to his primary care physician, who may then refer him to a specialist, preferably a Neurologist. The doctor would conduct a series of tests on your father which can include a cognitive screen, blood/urine analysis, comprehensive medical history, and brain imaging such as MRI/PET/CAT scans. This would be able to rule out other possible illnesses and better pinpoint reasons behind your father’s symptoms. This is also a good time to discuss with the doctors any available treatments that might be suitable for your father. During testing, make sure to bring up the string of difficult events that your father experienced to give the doctor a better sense of what he’s been through.

worried

6/25/09 10:38am

Supposedly some sort of scan was done 4 years ago, and they said he had alcohol on his brain. That's when he stopped drinking. Since that point, his memory has gotten worse every couple months or so, especially after a stressful event, and my brother tells this scan result and drinking history to his new dr's, which he should, I get that, but what about all the bad stuff that has happened? He is now seeing the VA drs. They all say Korsakoff's but from what I read, korsakoff's maintains function from where ever they were at the point that they stopped drinking and received vitamin treatment. So, 4 years ago he still new my name, he new his grandkids names, he knew where to go to the bathroom, etc. Now he's in a dementia home, since a couple weeks ago, and had been violent ever since moving in there, and wont' use the bathroom he goes where he shouldn't. They took him to the hospital for evaluation after he threw something and hit someone, & sent him back. Read up on korsakoffs and you will see that it says they don't lose the skills they had before korsakoff's but they cant' gain new ones. So why is it that he doesn't even know where to use the bathroom, or to wipe after the bathroom, or how to take a shower, or what kind of clothes to where? Those aren't even skills those are things you learn when you're a child. They shouldn't disappear from having korsakoff's, and it would seem any Dr should know that. Maybe I'm not getting the whole story, but it seems pretty obvious that he needs different meds. He can't even look in a mirror or see his reflection, he thinks it some one else. This is so frustrating, it makes me sad.

worried

6/25/09 1:11pm

I guess he is on an anti- depress already. I didn't know that. It's not helping him though, so maybe i'm just in denial and they have it right after all. They gave him ativan at the hosp. and it seemed to help, so maybe they need to keep him on that.

I assume it's normal for them to lash out like that after a move. I don't know I still feel in my gut that there is more to this and it's being missed, but I am beginning to doubt myself. I remember an episode of law & order where they had a guy living on the street that they thought had dementia, and it turned out to be some sort of depression but I don't know they gave him to make him better. He picked at his hands and arms just like my father does. Guess I'll just keep my fingers crossed that he doesn't hurt himself or anyone else and pray that he gets better after adjusting to the new surroundings. thank you all for your help and kind words.

Q: Has anyone had a misdiagnosis of for a loved one?

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