Our neuerologist admitted something was going on with hubby and couldn't offer any real solutions, he made the remark that since my hubby didn't want to pursue treatment, he couldn't force him. He suggested TIA's and welcomed us to come back if we wished to. Keeping in mind that each time we went hy hubby's behavior was confrontational and rude, I assumed this to be part of the problem. Added to that was his unwillingness to cooperate with necessary testing-that is, when I could even get him to the tests I am at such a loss as to what to do. Has anyone out there had such experience? How did you handle it? HELP? I hate to involve the courts.
My dh will not willingly go to see the neurologist, but I've got him convinced that all senior citizens -- including myself -- have to go and I really need him to come along with me. So far it's always worked but he's often puzzled that they ask him "harder questions" than they ask me. He has an ingrained respect for the medical profession and would not be rude to a doctor, so that helps immensely. Perhaps you could suggest to the neurologist that he first needs meds to make him more cooperative ??? Or write him a letter listing all dh's symptoms and giving examples of dh's behavior? Something written might get put into the file. This might especially help if he has ever done something violent/dangerous ??
TIA's are certainly related to vascular dementia, which is what my husband has. Silent mini strokes that show up as little black spots on an MRI--is how our neurologist described them. HB had a stroke when he was 48; TIAs have followed. He is cooperative with doctors and testing altho' now I don't see the need for more testing: what is; is and more testing doesn't seem necessary for brain function anyway. He's at the beginning of renal problems because of years of meds. So, I don't really have advice for your situation except writing symptoms and examples of behavior and mailing them to the doctor as JB suggested.
Not sure I understand why courts would be involved. If you look back at other threads, there doesn't seem to really be anything they can DO about TIAs and they often don't show up in MRIs or whatever, so having them done on someone who's uncooperative is also unproductive! Most of us give up testing (except the basic MMSE) after diagnosis. Has he been diagnosed with some form of AZ? Getting a diagnosis (if only of "dementia") is important; getting meds that will possibly help him (aricept or namenda or excelon to "slow decline", various others to help with seizures (neurontin), or to help with aggression or depression - are important. I agree with the others: keep a log of problems. But forcing him to have tests he doesn't want is NOT important enough to warrant having a court order him to...
It is absolutely vital to get a proper diagnosis, so he can get the proper treatment. With uncooperative patients, that's where "creativity" comes into play. (See Jeanette's post above).
Other ways are to talk privately with your Primary. If he is cooperative (some are; some aren't), during a routine visit, he can tell hubby that he needs to see Dr. Y (neurologist SPECIALIZING in memory disorders - not all neurologists are alike, as many of our tales of woe will attest). The primary can make up an excuse - he suspects a silent stroke; it's routine for all patients over a certain age; need to rule out a vitamin deficiency; the excuses are endless.
You could call a memory disorder center in your area - talk to them - explain the situation - they may allow you to tell hubby that YOU need testing for headaches or something, and you need him to come with you, and they can test both of you. Cooperative doctors will help out with excuses.