Hey, y'all. I still read here about every day and I SO appreciate this site and feel so much for the regular posters here. I thought I'd ask a question and see if anyone here might know something of it from experience.
My wife started showing signs of what I later learned was possibly dementia about five years ago. Of course when I broached this subject with her she was very clear to me that nothing was wrong with her. I finally got her to agree to seeing a doctor, but she would only agree to having the full blown blood labs done. Anyway, the work showed that she had 'fat' red blood cells. Macrocytosis. She agreed with the doctor to have follow up testing for her folate and B12 levels. They came back normal. Go figure. The thing is that the macrocytosis is there. And we don't don't know for how long. From my research it is clear that this condition can be a marker/cause of dementia if not treated early enough. My dear wife will NOT consent to any other testing at this point. I'd rather beat my head against a wall than try to push this issue with her. I'm just looking for clues here. Did any of you ever have a doctor mention this condition when your LO was going through the DX process?
Below is a link, one of many I've found, to a short read on the subject. Thank you very much in advance if you're able to 'shed any light' here.
What is macrocytosis? Macrocytosis, or megaloblastic anemia, is a blood condition characterized by insufficient and unusually large red blood cells. The lack of viable red blood cells leads to oxygen deficiency throughout the body. Over time, this lack of oxygen can cause symptoms related to many organ systems.
Symptoms of macrocytosis can range from very mild to severe. General symptoms of macrocytosis are related to anemia and include fatigue, poor concentration, dizziness, pallor, and shortness of breath. In severe cases, macrocytosis can lead to neurological symptoms, such as confusion, dementia, depression, loss of balance, and numbness or tingling in the arms and legs. Neurological symptoms of macrocytosis should receive prompt medical attention, as they may become permanent if not treated.
Macrocytosis typically results from a problem with deficiencies of vitamin B12 or folate, two nutrients that are essential for red blood cell formation. Such problems can result from damage to the digestive tract that interferes with efficient absorption of these nutrients. A hereditary condition called pernicious anemia, in which the body cannot absorb sufficient vitamin B12, is a major cause of macrocytosis. In addition, inadequate dietary intake of vitamin B12 and folate may lead to low levels of these nutrients in the body.
Macrocytosis can be treated with vitamin B12 supplements in pill or injection form. Following your treatment plan will prevent any severe complications from macrocytosis.
By the way-I love your kitty picture on your info page
"By the way-I love your kitty picture on your info page". Thank you, blue. Big Girl was such a pretty and sweet cat. She passed away in my lap about a year ago, from old age. My DW was in the bed next room over from me. I said, "Big Girl just passed." DW replied, "So?" (...shakes his head and tries to forget...)
I have loved all my cats and still miss those over the rainbow so much. I once had a 28 lb. Maine Coon. His sweet paws were almost as large as my hands. I once took my husband's favorite puss to visit him. I put the puss on his lap and he stared at it and didn't understand who or what the cat was. So sad.
Boutoutaluck I think I'd talk to the Dr. Whether the cause of or just a contributing factor to her dementia, it seems like treating her for it would reduce the degree or speed of decline. Oxygen starvation can't be good for her, any wayyou look at it.
Charlotte, the way I got her to agree to see the doctor the first time was to point out the long term problems she could have if her thyroid wasn't functioning properly. The doctor gave no indication that she was anemic, either. I believe that the symptoms caused by her macrocytosis, if any, are dementia related. I had my own appointment with her doctor and spent a good twenty minutes telling her what I had observed these last years. The whole time I was talking she was entering my words into the DW's file. Now that evidence and a letter I had written to the doctor before DW's first appointment are in the file. The last word from the doctor to me was that I was very caring to be doing this and of course she wouldn't know these things from just seeing my wife in the office. She said, "if we could just get her back in here I could refer her to specialist who knows about these things." That's a non starter for DW and my shrink told me that if I didn't stop worrying about this deal, since I couldn't force the issue, I would end up in worse shape than her and then we'd both be scrooged.
It seems that macrocytosis hasn't been too much of an issue in the DX of dementias. Oh well.
i think if it were me i'd work on a plan to get her to a neurologist for a checkup before worrying more for the blood disorder. if you can get her on meds for the dementia it may affect her demeanor in a positive manor and she may then be a bit more complacent about treating the disorder. getting them for evaluations is always hard in the beginning. many of us here found that giving the meds crushed up in foods or desserts was the only way we could get them into our spouses whether they were willing or not. if they are unreasonable it can make things very difficult .
Actually, Ed, I think that may be the reason a Dr. will order B-12, and folate levels in the labs...when trying to determine the cause of a person's dementia. If treatment for the B-12 deficiency is begun early enough, it may make a little bit of a difference. Hopefully, you will be able to get your wife in to see the Dr. and be evaluated by a Neurologist. Good luck!
bella, I actually had gotten DW to start taking a folate B12 supplement before her first doctor's appointment. Might be the reason her levels for those were normal when tested. When I asked her she said taking the supplements seemed to give her more 'energy' during the day. Still, it's a fact she has "fat" red blood cells. I don't even know if this condition can be treated if it has been present for a long enough period of time. I'm with my shrink on this one, I've done all I can do. By gosh, if it comes down to me surviving or not, and DW can't see the light of the day, then guess what, I survive. This is a terrible terrible situation I find myself in. And I'm perfectly aware that probably 50% of the people in the world are in MUCH more dire straights. And I DO so appreciate you all for trying to help me out as much as you can. You're all a great bunch and deserve the very best that can possibly come your way.