Taking A Turn For The Worst..

[Mitchell]

Before I post this thread, I'm going to ask that I please not be attacked, as it is a very serious matter. This thread isn't about my father.. it is about my mom's health.

As I've posted before, my mom was declared cancer free in October. The doctors told us to go home and not worry about cancer. Everything seemed fine.

She had a full body scan originally scheduled for this past Tuesday, that had to be cancelled, because the Dr was unable to meet with us for the follow up appointment, which was to have been tomorrow. We have to call both Drs tomorrow, and the hosptial in NJ, to reschedule the body scan.

In the meantime, over the past week.. my mom has suddenly been behaving really weird. She will say she is going to call one doctor, when she really has to call the other. She wont remember resturants we had been to the previous day. Tonight she said to me "We never go to Cactus Willies (A fried chicken buffet near me) on Mondays." Actually, we go there often on Mondays, and just went there this past Monday.

I start to think of causes. Altzheimer's runs in our family. Her grandmother had Altzherimers. The thing is: That happens over a period of time.. this forgetfulness has just been over the past week.

Then I start to think "Maybe God Forbid the cancer returned, and is in her brain or her head". Tug McGraw, the former Phillies relief pitcher who died of brain cancer, talked about having forgetfulness hit him suddenly just before his brain cancer diagnosis.

I've wanted to call the doctors, but my mom doesnt want me to. I'm restraining myself.. because she does have a body scan in the near future.

Hopefully God willing her forgetfulness isnt brain cancer. Even if it isnt, I plan to talk to her doctors, and tell them the symptoms. She says they have her on meds that have her loopy, but I'm not sure.

Anyhow, that's it. Any thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. I dont even have a body scan result yet, and her behavior is really making me worry.

Mitch

 

[Gothika]

sorry to hear that man good vibes going your way

 

[jhop220]

I would recommend you do a couple things.

1) Find out what medication your mother is on, and look at all possible side effects.

2) Do a little test with your mom covertly. Test her skills with memory like say "You know I was talking to someone the other day and told them about the dinner we had Monday. Can you tell me what it was?" Another thing you can do is take her to place you don't go too often but you she should know the way there. Ask her at a red light "Do we take a left or right here?"

Memory tests will help you narrow it down.

Dementia comes in all forms, and I wouldn't bet against early on-set Alzheimer's. Just continuously test her cognition skills with focus on memory. Test short-term with what I suggested (or even get the game "Simon"), and test long-term memory with known driving directions and a story about her life in some way.

Keep your chin up, and make sure she sees doctors regularly. Got to be vigilant, and never give up hope.

 

[kurchatovium]

Sorry to hear this Mitch. As always you and your mom are in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[Jagermeistered]

Oh my friend, Mitch...

I hope the best for your mom, as always: positive hopes and thoughts from me!

I think, jhop; has brought up some good suggestions.

Hang in there my friend!

 

[GEORGIATKLER]

Mitchell: Sorry to hear about your mother's setback. I also think jhop has good ideas. I would let her doctors know ASAP since her new behavior could be caused by or signal a combination of things. You have always been there for your mom and I wish you both the best.

 

[kcantankerous]

Before I post this thread, I'm going to ask that I please not be attacked, as it is a very serious matter. This thread isn't about my father.. it is about my mom's health.

As I've posted before, my mom was declared cancer free in October. The doctors told us to go home and not worry about cancer. Everything seemed fine.

She had a full body scan originally scheduled for this past Tuesday, that had to be cancelled, because the Dr was unable to meet with us for the follow up appointment, which was to have been tomorrow. We have to call both Drs tomorrow, and the hosptial in NJ, to reschedule the body scan.

In the meantime, over the past week.. my mom has suddenly been behaving really weird. She will say she is going to call one doctor, when she really has to call the other. She wont remember resturants we had been to the previous day. Tonight she said to me "We never go go Cactus Willies (A fried chicken buffet near me) on Mondays." Actually, we go there often on Mondays, and just went there this past Monday.

I start to think of causes. Altzheimer's runs in our family. Her grandmother had Altzherimers. The thing is: That happens over a period of time.. this forgetfulness has just been over the past week.

Then I start to think "Maybe God Forbid the cancer returned, and is in her brain or her head". Tug McGraw, the former Phillies relief pitcher who died of brain cancer, talked about having forgetfulness hit him suddenly just before his brain cancer diagnosis.

I've wanted to call the doctors, but my mom doesnt want me to. I'm restraining myself.. because she does have a body scan in the near future.

Hopefully God willing her forgetfulness isnt brain cancer. Even if it isnt, I plan to talk to her doctors, and tell them the symptoms. She says they have her on meds that have her loopy, but I'm not sure.

Anyhow, that's it. Any thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. I dont even have a body scan result yet, and her behavior is really making me worry.

Mitch

Man please keep us updated. I wish her the best and you as well.

Thanks,
K

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, guys, I really appreciate the thoughts.

I'd have her at the Dr tomorrow. The problem is, as anyone who has read my posts knows, the cancer Drs are 150 miles from here, so it isnt like I can just take her there. We dont trust the Lancaster doctors, because they misdiagnosed her cancer.

She says shes going to call the cancer Drs tomorrow. The appointments will be made. I have her chemo Drs email. If the memory stuff continues, I'm going to come in my room, and email him seperately, and ask him to call her, and recommend that she sees a neruologist. I'm hoping that maybe the symptoms will abate for a week or so until she gets the body scan for the cancer check. That doesnt seem to be happening.

Thanks for the sincere feedback. I appreciate it. Believe me, one way or the other, I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

Mitch

 

[kcantankerous]

Thanks, guys, I really appreciate the thoughts.

I'd have her at the Dr tomorrow. The problem is, as anyone who has read my posts knows, the cancer Drs are 150 miles from here, so it isnt like I can just take her there. We dont trust the Lancaster doctors, because they misdiagnosed her cancer.

She says shes going to call the cancer Drs tomorrow. The appointments will be made. I have her chemo Drs email. If the memory stuff continues, I'm going to come in my room, and email him seperately, and ask him to call her, and recommend that she sees a neruologist. I'm hoping that maybe the symptoms will abate for a week or so until she gets the body scan for the cancer check. That doesnt seem to be happening.

Thanks for the sincere feedback. I appreciate it. Believe me, one way or the other, I'm going to get to the bottom of this.

Mitch

By the way, F*** em, if you need to vent about your date the general forum is fine for that is well. Just wanted to add that in. I don't know the whole story there, but who cares what a few trolls think. I'm rooting for the best for you and your family.

Thanks,
K

 

[Leo tickles]

Google every drug she's on and look at what they do to a person. If memory loss isn't listed, call the doctor.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks,. k. I agree with you. Unfortunately, a few people have been very cruel to me in other threads about serious personal issues. I'm glad to see they are so far staying away from this one.

Thanks, Leo. What you said makes sense. I can start doing some of that now.. but.. I might have to wait until morning.. to find out every drug, as its in her med bag, which is in her room or her purse. . I will Google the drugs I do know about.

Thanks for the support in this thread. It means more to me than words can express.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

Leo, as you recommended, I looked up side effects of four meds shes on. Two inhalers, Combivent, and Advair, and two BP meds, Lysinopril. (Dont know if I'm spelling that right), and Toporol, which is the same BP meds I'm on.

Memory loss is not a side effect for any of those meds. The thing is: I believe that either the chemo Dr, or the radiation Dr, had her on some med to help her with the side effects of radiation. They also had her on a Steroid pill of some kind, but I dont remember the name of that one, and whether shes still on it or not. I have to find that out in the morning. All the Dr told us about the Steroid is that it could give her an increased desire to eat.

I'm worried that this is something else, and not from any med. If I dont see improvement tomorrow, an email to the Dr may be needed.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

I was just talking to a friend online, (Who is not a doctor). When I told this person how my mom is acting, they said that the whole memory loss thing, suddenly, could be a symptom of perhaps a mild stroke. Strokes run in our family, as my grandfather, and great-great grandmother, both had severe, life altering strokes when they were just a little older than my mom.

Sigh! Shes sleeping now, but if she doesnt show improvement in the morning, I'm going to call one of the doctors.

Mitch

 

[Angel_2]

The sudden memory loss is a bit scary but it might now be all that bad. when did this start a few days/weeks ago? Dose she seem to have trouble with long term or short term memory? I'd e-mail the doctor asap but as long as nothing else is wrong with your mom that's good.

please do keep us updated

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Angel. I will definitely keep everyone updated.

This started just within this week, about 3-4 days ago. It seems to be more short term memory than long term, things like current appointments, recent events, etc.

We have to call the Dr tomorrow to make appts to go up to NJ. Depending on how she seems in the morning, I might send him a seperate personal email, to ask his opinion on this matter.

Mitch

 

[voided9]

So sorry to hear about your mom Mitch - everyone here has given great advice, I hope something works out and you can figure out what's going on with her. In the meantime, sending prayers and good thoughts your way.

 

[maniactickler]

Lets hope for the best. my fingers are crossed for your mom.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, Brandi. I appreciate your good wishes.

Thanks, maniac. Whatever we debate on, or disagree about, in the politics forum, I always appreciate how supportive you've been about the situation with my mom.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

Well, here's the resolotion to this, at least for now...

She seems better this morning. However, in spite of that, I emailed her Dr anyway. He said that considering her upcoming scan, he doesnt want to put her through any additional tests unless she absolutely needs it. I have a feeling it might be a case of "She';s fading in and out". She now claims she is going to call Monday to make the appt for the body scan. If she stays relatively normal until then, i'll let it sit until the scan. If she has more or frequent episodes, I'll email the Dr again.

Thanks again for the support from everyone. I greatly appreciate it.

Mitch

 

[Mitchell]

More information, which might explain this.

My mom's doctor just informed me that she is still on Predisone. I was looking up the side effects of that med, and it said as one of them. "Rare side effect-Confusion". This probably explains her situation. While I know he wont remove her from it via an email, I will definitely discuss it with him at our next meeting. I hope he takes her off this med, or lessens the dose, because it really is affecting her personality.

Mitch

 

[Bugman]

At least you may have found the root of the problem Mitch. Hopefully an adjustment in your mothers medication will take care of it. Good luck to you both.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks, bug. I appreciate it. I found out she is on 250 MG, which is a very high dosage. Things cant continue like this., Something is going to have to be done. Hopefully at the least the Drs will adjust the dosage.

Mitch

 

[ticklemepls]

Hey Mitch,

Glad to hear she seems better... being on as many medications as it sounds like she's on- it could very well not be any ONE medication but quite possibly a combination of a few which shouldn't be taken together and overlooked. As you said, talk to the doctors about her prescriptions- each one- ask to be sure they are all ok to be taken together by one person... if the predisone has a side effect of confusion, which in most people wouldn't show, on top of the fairly high dosage it could come out due to interactions with one of the other meds.

It could be a combination or a number of any one things... many many things cause memory loss (as you've mentioned many of them here). Try not to drive yourself crazy thinking of everything it can be... That appointment for the scan needs to be made sooner rather than later... if she doesn't do it Monday, YOU do it. Don't put if off any longer than needed- it could mean that much longer to wait for the scan- that much longer to get answers.

I wish your mom the best, and you as well- Easy to forget yourself when you're so involved with taking care of your mom. It's not easy, but make sure you take care of yourself as well.

Best Wishes

 

[paracarl44]

From all of the advice that you have been given you should tell the doctors about her memory loss. Also ask her about what she has done in the past week.

 

[Mitchell]

Thanks for the support carl. She seems to be fading in and out. I found out more info this afternoon, and its a bit confusing to me.

Thanks, pls. I understand what you said about my making the appt on Monday. I'm trying not to drive myself crazy. Shes driving me a bit crazy with all the weird stuff she's saying.

We get our perscribed meds at the pharmacy at the Giant supermarket we shop in. My mom was still very confused at lunch. So.. when I went food shopping, I went to the pharmacy, and asked the pharmicist for side effects of Predisone, and such. She printed a sheet out for me, and nowhere on that sheet did it say. "Confusion". Our Dr is a very busy man, so I'm in no way blaming him for what he told me this morning. My thought is he was probably hassled, and said something off the top of his head. The pharmicist had another thought.

Granted, she's not a DR, but, the pharmicist thought that my mom might have a urinary tract infection. This pharmcist said that a sudden onset of confusion is a classic sign. She didnt think that Altzheimers could set in so quickly, or that with brain cancer there would be this sudden setting in. '

I am going to contact the Dr Monday either by phone, or email. If God Forbid she gets worse this weekend, I'll take her to the ER.

Thanks again, everyone.

Mitch