Normal aging or start of Alzheimer’s?

[Blissful_in_TX]

DH was talking to his “mom”, and he asked her a question about some baseball cards he had as a kid. She thought a minute and then broke out saying the Hail Mary in Slovak; it was very bizarre. Afterwards she was obviously shaken up, but she went on with the conversation like normal. We’re concerned b/c she’s 77, lives alone far away, and has never done anything like this before. She’s normally very sharp and “together”. Thoughts?

[Blissful_in_TX]

Kathy B-

Thanks so much for your PM. DH did talk to her doctor, and he too thought it was a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Apparently reverting to your native language is a classic sign of damage to the left brain. She’s at the hospital now and has been intermittently speaking in Slovak. The CAT scan didn’t reveal anything, but DH is trying to get her seen by a neurologist and to get an MRI.

They say it's a good sign that she's quickly recovering from these "episodes", but I'm really unclear about the magnitude of the whole situation. I don't know if this is something that can be controlled by medications, or if she really shouldn't be living alone anymore?? I know my grandmother (last year) went from living entirely alone to needing round-the-clock care at a nursing home literally overnight. Hers was also stroke-related, but I'm not exactly sure what. So I don't know if this is a similar type sitation or not?

[Beth]

You really can't tell from one episode what might be going on, but I would suggest she get checked out. It does sound like something caused a short circuit of sorts. My dad had a couple of mini-strokes sitting at his desk and found that his carotid arteries were both nearly blocked(something like 95% on one side and 97-99% on the other). He didn't go to the doctor then and casually mentioned it at a later physical. If he had ignored it, he probably would not be with us now. I wonder if she could have had something like that.

My mom has and my MIL had Alzheimer's. What you have described doesn't sound like anything we have seen, but I don't think any one thing can tell you about Alzheimer's. I think you have to look back at patterns and may not be able to say until you are years into the disease. If it is, starting early on Aracept or another medication may help. I think the earlier you start them, the better they work. They didn't do much for my MIL, but my mom got some definite benefits. Even so, I wish we had been able to start her sooner.

From what I remember reading when we were concerned about my MIL, Alzheimer's is most often diagnosed in the mid to later 70's. It can actually start showing subtle signs years earlier, and those stricken with it are very good at compensating for the symptoms and not showing near as much as they are really experiencing. I read a few really good books, but I passed them on to other family members and never got them back, so I can't give you titles to check out, but I would suggest getting a good book or two. You can start with the library and the internet, but look for recent information. A lot is changing.

There are also forms of dymentia caused by poor diet and dehydration. If she is living alone, she might not be taking good care of herself. Is there anyone who could check on her for you? Can you or DH pay her a visit? I know you are worried and the possibilities can feel overwhelming. Hope for the best and know that even at it's worst, it's better to deal with things sooner rather than after they have caused greater problems. Best of luck to you, DH and MIL. ((( )))

[jmarie]

Prayers that everything will turn out ok. I know this is really frightening for your DH and yourself.
Joyce

[Meganator]

My dad has had 2 or 3 TIAs, and like Beth's dad, he has a partially blocked carotid artery. He has his artery checked regularly, as it is not at a point where they think it is necessary to correct it. He leads a completely normal life, and is a very active 79 year old.

Good luck,
Megan

[tbb113]

My grandmother suffered from TIAs for years before she needed nursing care. She started them while I was in HS and didn't go into a nursing home until after I was married (10 years later at least).

Yes, they are scary when they happen, but she was fine after each attack.

[wallycat]

I've tried posting this 6 times now...maybe it will go through.


Many things affect the memory (or behavior). I wouldn't assume it was AD without a check up.
Is she on any new meds? Stress or illness abruptly appear?
It could be anything from dementia (which is NOT AD) to a mini stroke to med interactions or reactions.

I'm not a doc ...but really, the only way to know if it is AD is with an exam, and even then, it is (today) a rule-out/rule-in thing...though new tests are being devised to give more accurate diagnosis.

[memartha]

I've also tried posting and not had it go through... I think you've got some good advice, and I'm glad your MIL is being checked out.

I've also dealt with Alzheimer's with my mother, which started in her late 60s. For more info. on that disease, check out www.alz.org.

Good luck to you and your family.

[Kathy B]

Glad to hear she is getting things checked out and is in a place where she will be continuously observed. Hope you get some answers soon.

[Beth]

Blissful, for some reason I didn't see your second post earlier. Glad she's getting things checked out. Sounds less like Alzheimer's and more like something that needs prompt attention to prevent further damage.

[mbrogier]

I also tried to post last night. I didn't catch last night that she was reverting back to another language. I'm glad they're checking her out for a TIA. I can tell you from my own experience that a TIA doesn't always appear on a CAT scan during the first 12 hours. I know a lot of people just have mini strokes and are fine. I wasn't so lucky. I had a full blown stroke two days later. Since I was young, I fully recovered through intense physical therapy. (of course, since I was young, the doctors also didn't send me home on clot busters, either because they thought I was having a migraine)

AD diagnosis is very long and drawn out. Causes of dimensia are wide ranging and sometimes can be very simple like diet or medications. I read somewhere recently that the cause of a lot of cases of dimensia is incorrect medication doses or combinations.

I wish your family the best. I hope your MIL recovers quickly.

[angelamaria]

i see someone else already mentioned it but TIA (transient ischemic attack) sounds most likely. sounds like the appropriate workup has been started. it is not my area at all so i can't tell you longterm prognosis, what meds you start on (i would assume some sort of blood thinner or aspirin therapy) etc.
let us know. hopefully it won't be a recurring thing once she is on appropriate therapy.