Vascular Dementia seems to fit!

[Buffys97]

Thank you guys for your input about my mother's symptoms.

I am so sorry that people get on here and tease you. This isn't funny.
Losing a loved one isn't a joke. But nothing surprises me any more.

I think Vascular Dementia might fit the bill! I think the most
outstanding difference might possibly the day-to-day degree of
confusion? I must read more.....

Yesterday she did learn how to warm her coffee in my microwave
(digital) by pressing the 3, the 0, and the "start." (Her own
microwave is a dial type - made about 1980!) That's a silver star at
least!

I see where delusions are part of this ailment as well. So the
incident in which she thought her deceased family was asleep and she
was in her old home can be explained.

And under "personality changes." Yes -- she is soooooo FLAT! Ever
since moving into her new house. And she is indecisive. There might
have been some very minor bowel incontinence problems late last year.

But addition to all else, she does have trouble with her gait,
specifically -- my sister was taking her to a balance therapist in the
Spring but she refused to go any more. It was helping, too. It was
helping a GREAT deal. See - she is a very stubborn woman.

So -- I wonder why did the doctor not suggest a test to see why she
was exhibiting dementia symptoms?

I guess I should scratch that and think about what I can do. I can
(and did) just e-mail my sister one of the links.

Yes, indeed. My mother does have days of GREAT clarity. She walked
through my garden with me last week (not that it is a great, palatial
garden....it is just a Midwestern backyard variety...) and evaluated
some of my plants for this problem or that. Gardening is her great
love. Although the links say there is still no cure for Vascular
Dementia -- if she quits the cigarettes, will it help a tad? Even a
slight improvement is better than a progressive decline.

Thank you! I really mean it!

Buffy

[Evelyn Ruut]

Post by Buffys97
Thank you guys for your input about my mother's symptoms.
I am so sorry that people get on here and tease you. This isn't funny.
Losing a loved one isn't a joke. But nothing surprises me any more.
I think Vascular Dementia might fit the bill! I think the most
outstanding difference might possibly the day-to-day degree of
confusion? I must read more.....
Yesterday she did learn how to warm her coffee in my microwave
(digital) by pressing the 3, the 0, and the "start." (Her own
microwave is a dial type - made about 1980!) That's a silver star at
least!
I see where delusions are part of this ailment as well. So the
incident in which she thought her deceased family was asleep and she
was in her old home can be explained.
And under "personality changes." Yes -- she is soooooo FLAT! Ever
since moving into her new house. And she is indecisive. There might
have been some very minor bowel incontinence problems late last year.
But addition to all else, she does have trouble with her gait,
specifically -- my sister was taking her to a balance therapist in the
Spring but she refused to go any more. It was helping, too. It was
helping a GREAT deal. See - she is a very stubborn woman.
So -- I wonder why did the doctor not suggest a test to see why she
was exhibiting dementia symptoms?
I guess I should scratch that and think about what I can do. I can
(and did) just e-mail my sister one of the links.
Yes, indeed. My mother does have days of GREAT clarity. She walked
through my garden with me last week (not that it is a great, palatial
garden....it is just a Midwestern backyard variety...) and evaluated
some of my plants for this problem or that. Gardening is her great
love. Although the links say there is still no cure for Vascular
Dementia -- if she quits the cigarettes, will it help a tad? Even a
slight improvement is better than a progressive decline.
Thank you! I really mean it!
Buffy

Buffy, I have a dear friend who is a non-stop long-term smoker. Even in
the face of cancer and all sorts of vascular problems, she still smokes like
a smokestack. It is absolutely disgusting to me, but it isn't my body or
my life. If you were to ask me, I would simply hide the cigs and never buy
her another one. You could always wonder if the time would eventually come
when she actually will forget to smoke......

[Tumbleweed]

"Evelyn Ruut" <mama-***@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message news:xKMQc.84165$***@twister.nyc.rr.com...
<snip>

Post by Evelyn Ruut
Buffy, I have a dear friend who is a non-stop long-term smoker. Even in
the face of cancer and all sorts of vascular problems, she still smokes like
a smokestack. It is absolutely disgusting to me, but it isn't my body or
my life. If you were to ask me, I would simply hide the cigs and never buy
her another one. You could always wonder if the time would eventually come
when she actually will forget to smoke......

Indeed she will. However, will that time come before she sets fire to her
house? I suppose if the OPs sister lives with her and is willing to accept
that risk, its her funeral......possibly quite literally...but there is no
way I'd let her smoke in my house , just for the fire risk alone.

[Joyce]

Post by Evelyn Ruut

Post by Buffys97
Yes, indeed. My mother does have days of GREAT clarity. She walked
through my garden with me last week (not that it is a great, palatial
garden....it is just a Midwestern backyard variety...) and evaluated
some of my plants for this problem or that. Gardening is her great
love. Although the links say there is still no cure for Vascular
Dementia -- if she quits the cigarettes, will it help a tad? Even a
slight improvement is better than a progressive decline.
Thank you! I really mean it!
Buffy

Buffy, I have a dear friend who is a non-stop long-term smoker. Even in
the face of cancer and all sorts of vascular problems, she still smokes like
a smokestack. It is absolutely disgusting to me, but it isn't my body or
my life. If you were to ask me, I would simply hide the cigs and never buy
her another one. You could always wonder if the time would eventually come
when she actually will forget to smoke......

I don't think so Evelyn. My mom quit smoking close to 20 years ago. She has been
in the nursing home for over a year now. While she doesn't remember much, for
some reason she did remember smoking ... not that she was now a non-smoker. <sigh>
We were sitting outside, she turned to my brother and asked for a cigarette. We
both looked at her, laughed and said no way ... she was smarter than us!

Joyce

[Tumbleweed]

Post by Joyce

Post by Evelyn Ruut

Post by Buffys97
Yes, indeed. My mother does have days of GREAT clarity. She walked
through my garden with me last week (not that it is a great, palatial
garden....it is just a Midwestern backyard variety...) and evaluated
some of my plants for this problem or that. Gardening is her great
love. Although the links say there is still no cure for Vascular
Dementia -- if she quits the cigarettes, will it help a tad? Even a
slight improvement is better than a progressive decline.
Thank you! I really mean it!
Buffy

Buffy, I have a dear friend who is a non-stop long-term smoker. Even in
the face of cancer and all sorts of vascular problems, she still smokes like
a smokestack. It is absolutely disgusting to me, but it isn't my body or
my life. If you were to ask me, I would simply hide the cigs and never buy
her another one. You could always wonder if the time would eventually come
when she actually will forget to smoke......

I don't think so Evelyn. My mom quit smoking close to 20 years ago. She has been
in the nursing home for over a year now. While she doesn't remember much, for
some reason she did remember smoking ... not that she was now a non-smoker. <sigh>
We were sitting outside, she turned to my brother and asked for a cigarette. We
both looked at her, laughed and said no way ... she was smarter than us!
Joyce

Asking for a smoke is a sign of the disease if she hasn't smoked for 20
years. Her memory has unravelled back to 20 years ago or more when she was a
smoker. When it unravels more, to when she started, she'll then forget
again. Its just the same as why they can recall what happened in childhood
but not 5 or 50 years ago. My dad cant recall anything since about 1935.

[doe]

Subject: Vascular Dementia seems to fit!
From: "Buffys97"
Although the links say there is still no cure for Vascular
Dementia -- if she quits the cigarettes, will it help a tad? Even a
slight improvement is better than a progressive decline.
Thank you! I really mean it!
Buffy

They have shown by improving the viscosity of the blood by .. plasmapheresis
there is a definite improvement in cognition ..

Therefore one would think the introduction of PERMANENT .. viscosity
alleviation may bring about permanent .. relief ..

Oxygen to the brain is very important .

1: Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2000 Jul-Aug;28(4):263-6. Related Articles, Links


[Hyperviscosity syndrome and mental disorders]

[Article in Spanish]

Gomez E, Roncero C, De Pablo J, Rovira M, Mazzarra R, Blade J, Cirera E.

Instituto de Psiquiatria, Seccion de Interconsulta Psiquiatrica, Hospital
Clinic.

The hyperviscosity syndrome has been described clinically as the triad of
bleeding, visual signs and neurological manifestations associated with elevated
serum viscosity. Several reports have recognised an association between
hyperviscosity and altered mental status. Since to our knowledge only a case of
hyperviscosity-induced delirium has been described (1), we raise the
possibility of this diagnosis in the most of this reported cases, based on the
nature of the symptoms, sudden onset and fluctuating course, and its resolution
with plasmapheresis. In this paper we review the literature about
hyperviscosity syndrome and altered mental status. In conclusion, serum
hyperviscosity should be added to the large list of causes altered mental
status, especially of delirium. Since plasmapheresis can reverse clinical
symptoms, it early recognition and the measurement of serum viscosity is
essential in patients suffering from diseases that may lead to this syndrome,
and who develop psychiatric symptoms.

Publication Types:
Review
Review Literature

PMID: 11116798 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

--------------------------------------------

Who loves ya.
Tom
Jesus Was A Vegetarian! http://jesuswasavegetarian.7h.com
Man Is A Herbivore! http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/manisaherbivore
DEAD PEOPLE WALKING http://pages.ivillage.com/ironjustice/deadpeoplewalking

[Mary Gordon]

If her vascular dementia is from mini-strokes (its called
multi-infarct dementia), certainly quitting smoking might help. You
can't reverse the damage that has already been done, but you may be
able to slow down additional damage. This is another good reason to
get another doctor, and get referred to a specialist, such as a
geriatric psychiatrist with a dementia specialty, or, more commonly, a
neurologist. When you know more precisely what the cause of the
symptoms is, the doctor will be advise you on what can be done, if
anything. There are several drugs available now that can help preserve
cognitive abilities a bit longer in many people. You ask why her
current doctor has not sent her for appropriate tests (a physical,
blood tests, cognitive screens, an MRI or other brain scan). The short
answer is that many doctors are poorly informed about dementia, and
can also be careless and cavalier about confusion in the elderly. They
say things like "well, what do you expect - she's 80", and don't
bother to investigate - which is completely unacceptable, since there
ARE treatable forms of dementia, and you do need to know what you are
dealing with. If your mother was 55 instead of 85, you know he'd be
paying some attention to her alarming symptoms. Your family needs to
know what to expect will happen next, and be able to make realistic
plans and preparations for her future care.

Concerning the smoking - quitting will certainly be of benefit to her
health on every front - and most importantly - if she is at all
confused and forgetful, you really don't want her smoking without
supervision, or she'll set herself or the house on fire. My MIL's
sister Norah also developed dementia, and the assisted living facility
let her smoke - but she had to keep her smoking materials at the
nursing station, and smoke in a special room so they could keep an eye
on her in case she fell asleep. In short order, she essentially
"forgot" she'd ever smoked, and stopped - which was a big relief to
all of us.

The brain damage that Alzheimer's or vascular dementias cause also can
cause loss of inhibitions, problems with judgement and emotional
control, paranoia, etc. etc. - and that can make the person seem very
mean. We were lucky in that my MIL didn't undergo much in the way of
personality change, but I've certainly seen that happen - people with
brain damage can seem very rude, say cruel things, make wild
accusations, get angry over what seems like nothing, deny things that
seem obvious to everyone else - etc. - and you have to learn that its
the brain damage talking - their brain just won't let them see the
world as it is, and everything is a jumble that they misinterpret.
They really are trying to make sense of it all, but they can't pull
everything together anymore. Its pointless to try and argue with them
- its like arguing with a preschooler who's throwing a tantrum and
calling you a stinky head. All the reasoning and logic in the world
won't work when you are dealing with someone who's noggin isn't
functioning on all cylinders.

Mary G.

[Dennis P. Harris]

On Fri, 06 Aug 2004 13:36:19 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers,

Post by Buffys97
So -- I wonder why did the doctor not suggest a test to see why she
was exhibiting dementia symptoms?

1) because he doesn't keep up with current medical trends
2) because he's incompetent

either is a good reason to switch doctors. you really need to
get her to a clinic that can do a good thorough neuropsychiatric
evaluation --- checking all possible causes for her problems,
which could also be due to endocrine problems, dietary problems,
depression, or a number of other curable situations.

[lynn]

"Buffys97" <***@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:<nPLQc.2294$***@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net>..

(snipped)>

Post by Buffys97
I think Vascular Dementia might fit the bill! I think the most
outstanding difference might possibly the day-to-day degree of
confusion? I must read more.....
I see where delusions are part of this ailment as well. So the
incident in which she thought her deceased family was asleep and she
was in her old home can be explained....
But addition to all else, she does have trouble with her gait,
specifically -- my sister was taking her to a balance therapist in the
Spring but she refused to go any more. It was helping, too. It was
helping a GREAT deal. See - she is a very stubborn woman.
So -- I wonder why did the doctor not suggest a test to see why she
was exhibiting dementia symptoms?
Yes, indeed. My mother does have days of GREAT clarity.

Buffy, welcome to the group that no one has _ever_ wanted to belong
to!

As I read all the comments on your mom, I can't also help but
think of another common form of dementia called Lewy Body Disease
(which, from what I've learned, is actually the next most common form
of dementia after AD) My mom (gone almost 2 yrs. now) was diagnosed
with probable AD but as I learned more and more, it really could've
been the Lewy Body variant.
LBD.org is another site to check out for info and links to
research. LBD is characterized by fluctuating cognition,
hallucinations and delusions-- and problems with gait often develop,
since it is a part of the Parkinson's type of degenerative
neurological diseases. If the gait and tremor problems start 1st, (
with dementia in the end stages), it's called Parkinson's--if it
starts with cognition and dementia problems, it's LBD.
LBD is a frontal lobe dementia like Pick's, the damage starts in
the front of the brain and works its' way backwards.( AD starts in the
posterior part of the brain and works its' way forward) End results
are the same as AD, but the behaviors and symptoms differ during the
course of the disease.
Obviously, with your mom's smoking and other history, she could
have a
vascular thing, too. Best bet, as all here have suggested is a very
thorough work-up with a MD who is a specialist in neuro-geriatric
issues.
The sooner the better....early intervention will help your mom the
most.

Hope this helps! Lynn

[Darryl]

Post by Buffys97
So -- I wonder why did the doctor not suggest a test to see why she
was exhibiting dementia symptoms?

As others have mentioned, it's time for a specialist or at least a new
(preferably young) family physician. As Lynn has suggested and in my
experience, it sounds like Dementia With Lewy Bodies. For the
newbies, my Dad was diagnosed with AD around 2000 and died June 13,
2003--autopsy revealed DLB.

Here's a good site:
http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pathology/lewy/lewyinfo.html

Funny thing is, there's an inverse correlation between smoking and AD
and Parkinson's disease (i.e., if you smoke, the chance of developing
AD or PD decrease).

Now that we've provided enough information to completely confuse the
matter, find a specialist!

Darryl.

[j***@gmail.com]

If you or a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's Disease or some other form of dementia, there is hope and healing to be found in turmeric. Based on the recent findings of three independent case studies, turmeric, whose primary active ingredient is curcumin, has the power not only to heal both the behavior and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, but also help lead to full recovery of the disease in as little as just a few months.

Source : http://www.belmarrahealth.com/brain-function/study-finds-laughter-actually-is-the-best-medicine-for-dementia/

[Alan Meyer]

Post by j***@gmail.com
If you or a loved one suffers from Alzheimer's Disease or some other form of dementia, there is hope and healing to be found in turmeric. Based on the recent findings of three independent case studies, turmeric, whose primary active ingredient is curcumin, has the power not only to heal both the behavior and psychological symptoms associated with dementia, but also help lead to full recovery of the disease in as little as just a few months.
Source : http://www.belmarrahealth.com/brain-function/study-finds-laughter-actually-is-the-best-medicine-for-dementia/

When my mother-in-law began to develop Alzheimer's Disease her husband
bought pounds of turmeric and fed it to her in capsules multiple times
per day. She got worse and worse over time, eventually going the way of
all Alzheimer's patients at what subjectively seemed to me to be a
typical rate of progression.

I'm not saying that turmeric isn't good for you, or even that it doesn't
slow down the progression of the disease. Maybe it does. However we
still don't know enough about how it works, how to get it through the
digestive system and across the blood/brain barrier into the brain, what
the best dose is, or which specific patients will benefit most from it.

I take it myself and I'm hopeful that it does some good, but I have seen
convincing evidence from my mother-in-law's case that it's no sure cure.

Alan