My husband suffered a subdural hematoma in an auto accident in 1981. He had "some" residual short term memory impairment as a result. In 2005, the family and I noticed a progressive decline in his memory which led to a PCP visit. She did lab work to rule out various illnesses and he then had an MRI. Th MRI indicated a dementia. His assessment is complicated by his previous cognitive problems. Thus far he is on Aricept and Namenda and is being taken care of by our family doc. He was recently excluded from a study using isotopes to track amyloids in the brain ,because of his previous head injury and resultant coma. From all of your experiences with dementia treatment, do you think we need to move on to a Neurologist. His symptoms are such as I read on this site, including the anger and behavior problems that is currently being discussed. Our doc told him he can no longer drive as of yesterday , (his birthday) when his license came up for renewal. He was very angry this morning, after being unable to find his keys. (which I hid) He does not remember any discussion with the doc or myself. I would certainly appreciate any input.
Jean, we go to both his primary care physician as well as his neurologist. (He has COPD, Restless Leg Syndrome, acid reflux and high blood pressure, which the primary care physician still treats.) The neurologist may want to do a PET scan as well as look at the MRI which was done. Be sure to make a list of everything he is taking and how much and how often. His neurologist works with his primary care physician. The standard response from both when we leave their offices is "call me if you need anything." This website is what I need!
If your doctor will write a letter on his/her letterhead with his diagnosis of Alzheimer's and the fact that he is no longer capable of driving, then make yourself several copies (he may tear some of them up when you show him) before you give him one so that he anger will be directed towards the doctor and the disease and hopefully not as much at you.
There are a lot of comments under the driving discussion which will help you as well. We've been there and written about what we went through!
I had to remind my husband for a while. He hasn't mentioned it lately, but I won't make the mistake of leaving keys unhidden, just in case.
I asked the doctor to write on a prescription pad that he shouldn't drive. She said she couldn't do that. Maybe she would agree on her letterhead. Is there a legal problem involved?
My husband refused a neurologist and a PET scan when he was initially seen . I think he might agree now for all the wrong reasons. He would like someone to say he's OK........so would I!
I read the website daily. It is the only thing right now helping me hang on.