Here goes....need some insight or input.

My middle step daughter was here for her dad's birthday. While here, she mentioned some memory issues she is having. First she said she took herself off zoloft and seraquel stepped herself down..seems to feel ok.
Then she started to tell of things that have been going on with her for some time. Sometimes she doesn't know who her husband is , knows he is something or someone special, then finally puts it together that he is her spouse; she mentioned that there are times when she can be looking at her son E and not be sure if it is E or T and E is 16 T is 24. Then E will say " mom, E here"... she mentioned that at times she will put her glass of water on a table ( as an example) and then wonder where she set it, can be looking right at it and not see it, sometimes doesn't remember a whole day. Her sister told me that there are times she will come out of a store and not know where she is as in city or even state. I have had to remind her to take her meds in the past.
I took her to my doctor and she got a physical and labs. Her labs were Excellent. So the doctor recommends she get an MRI of the brain and see a neurologist in addition to getting some of the normal age related screenings. She is 53.
What are the odds that this is caused by menopause? Both parents have dementia.

Marsh, as an MD, I appreciate your input. It is my great fear. In her case it would be Early Onset I suspect. She lives overseas. I have no idea how the socialized medicine where she is now supports this condition.


By the way, Marsh, what is a CMET lab test?

I could be younger onset dementia (this term is replacing Early Onset ever so slowly), but it could be something else. I agree on the MRI, and if that doesn't show anything, a PET scan. A neuropsych exam if everyone is still mystified. And a spinal tap or lumbar puncture. It is important to consider every cause which is identifiable and might be curable.

Which country. Whether socialized or not the key is seeing a doctor with expertise in dementia, and not just Alzheimers.

Sorry to say, but I second everyone's opinions and suggestions.

A complete neurological work-up is surely indicated. There are other treatable conditions it could be like temporal lobe seizures.

I agree with Marsh and the others, further testing and an apt with a neurologist are mandatory to find the real cause. I doubt it's menopause since the symptoms you describe are too serious.

Hi, Mimi,

I'm sorry for all the anxiety you are feeling and how could you not?

CMET as a lab test is a blood panel, "comprehensive metabolic". I think it is a fasting test. There is another CMET, "cardiopulmonary metabolic exercise test". I think it is done in conjunction with a stress test and is mainly concerned with oxygen levels. But it sounds like you are talking about the first one.

If it was me I would want an mri/pet and I would really want a neuropsych evaluation- all for baselines if nothing else.

PS I have migraines too. Do you take Zoloft for migraines?

Her bloods were not fasting. I wouldn't say she is a heavy drinker...she will throw a few belts down when they are singing a gig and those go late into the Icelandic nights especially in summer when all Icelanders make the most out of daylight. No she is not a vegetarian, she eats well balanced meals and will try anything even things most of us would think is yucky like Puffin ( it tastes like liver) or horse meat..All her bloods came out very well..

I sent a FB msg to her spouse to be sure not to let her put off getting the tests the doctor recommends. I too think a PET and neuropsych testing would be in order to rule things out...or in....

According to the article posted earlier, in Iceland if you are a mere 67 you are considered elderly..( not in my book).She will have to go to Reykjavik for the specialists. Up in the West Fjords they don't have some specialists visit but once a month if that. It has to be terrible to live in a place where medical care of that nature is so far away and that would be 7 hours drive one way, flight of about an hour if the weather cooperates.

I was put on Zoloft, to answer an earlier question, because my husband's neurologist did not like learning I was on very low dose Valium. So I made an appt with him and actually argued with him about going on Zoloft because of the horrific experience I had with Lexapro...my god it was bad! But in the end he put me on it for anxiety and depression as I had symptoms of anxiety, depression and panic attacks. I need to talk to him about the anxiety issues that seem to creep in now and then...I'll get the "adrenalin rush" feeling or today when Hubby's HR was 49 and in the 50s...that worries me....I got the creepy crawly feeling in my face and felt a little dizzy..off pace...

I cannot take on M's problem, if it is a dementia, she has a spouse and they will have to figure that out. They are on hard times and I don't know how it will work in Iceland. It does make me wonder if I will ever be free of this disease....my mother had it, her younger brother had it, an aunt by marriage died of it and now my hubby has it..and by extension his x wife too....and now possibly one of the 3 girls....who are at higher risk just because both parents have this disease. In my case, I was an orphan so my history of any kind of illness is a real " crap shoot"..

Lord I hate this disease. If I ever win a big huge lotto, I'll put it toward care facilities that don't cost an arm and a leg, that bury those who do have assets only for the spouse to end up under a bridge and something so that people who have nothing don't have to jump though hoops to get help . We need another Mother Theresa!!!!!

Mimi, you are right not to take on your step daughter's problems on top of your own. You have enough to deal with right now. She has a spouse, so she has some support in place. I wish you well at the neuro appt on Friday. Hugs to you!
Bonnie