My sister took Mom to the ER last night, very confused, couldn't discern between cell phone, home phone , an d tv remote or how to work them. Her speech wasn't garbled but was strings of words making no sense. After monitoring, tests, and a CT, thehy found nothing wrong--everything normal. The Dr. said it could be "Sudden Onset Dementia". With nothing wrong, there was nothing for them to do so they discharged her. She's to follow up with her Dr. today.
None of us have heard of "Sudden Onset Dementia". Personally, I think it sounds like a TIA to me.
Carosi, I agree with you.never heard of Sudden Onset Demenita.It does sound like TIA.Sometimes we wonder what we should do.'m thinking other opinion would ease your mind.
If her symptoms continue into the next day, you will need to be persistent with the doctor for follow up tests.
I know this sounds odd, but it could have been dehydration. One of my best friends is a pediatrician, and her elderly mother exhibited some of the symptoms you are describing. She took her to the ER, and they determined dehydration. Once she was pumped full of fluids, she was back to normal.
Sounds like a TIA to me as well..and an MRI should have shown that. That said, have her glucose checked, her BP, everything..could be something else is out of whack that might bring these symptoms on out of th clear blue.
Update: Sara (sister) said Mom was much improved when she took her to the Dr.for follow up this morning. He went over her whole day yesterday and the ER visit. Hkis Dx is a TIA. He has prescribed Plavix and is ordering ultra-sounds of her carotid arteries and heart to rule them out as factors in this event. He alsao directed that 911 be called should there be a repeat event.
I've been through TIA/ER adventures wkith my DH 3 times and through numerous small TIAs with him at home(Dx=Vascular Dementia). In the 6 months after DX we made 3 ambulance trips to the ER with suspected TIAs. Spent at least t6 hours or more being watched,tested, and then sent home because they could find ansd see nothing. The last trip, they did keep him overnight because they had seen the classic Stroke symptoms (one side weakness, etc) but those symptoms were gone by the time he got upstairs, and nothing showed on the tests. Later, his PCP said it is common for TIAs not to show up on scans. DH ios in Stage 6 now and I just keep watch. It's much easier to keep him calm and watch atr home than to spend hours in the ER trying to keep him on the gurney, when the event has faded and he feels fine.