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Dementia & Alzheimer's

Vascular Dementia? In DF

14 replies

Cherrybl0ssm · 30/03/2023 19:11

Does anyone have recent experience of their DF being diagnosed with vascular dementia.
My Dad has had quite a sudden personality change/increased traits. Really ranty, angry. Incessantly talking about topics. Swearing and shouting.
Im interested what to ask at the doctors. How easy it it to get a MRI scan for this ? It’s one of the diagnostics on the NHS website. 
It’s making DM really anxious and unhappy and giving her chest pains from anxiety from him.
Any suggestions and tips welcome. 
I live quite far away so can’t go to the GP appointment with him. He’s told my sister he thinks something is wrong but I think he is scared because he hasn’t booked a doctors appointment
No other issues eg he isn’t confused. Maybe lost a bit of confidence with driving long distance but no memory loss/forgetting to turn off the hob etc

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Led921900 · 30/03/2023 19:14

Why do you think it’s vascular dementia?
a family member has this and their decline was very rapid and are now in a home. Developed incontinence, insomnia and stopped recognizing people quite quickly. Also the personality changes you describe.
Really is best to get on top of diagnosis etc asap as it can move fast.
hope it’s not that and he recovers.

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Imaginethis · 30/03/2023 19:27

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, OP. We faced a similar situation with DM 13 years ago.

DM lived in Wiltshire and I contacted the local Alzheimers Society. Their advice was to start with an appointment with the GP. This was followed by an MRI scan and a session at a Memory Clinic. Finally we had a diagnosis of vascular dementia which confirmed what we had suspected all along.

DM was living alone, with no family nearby. We struggled on with carers but eventually we had to move DM to a care home. Vascular dementia is a horrible disease: but the local Alzheimers Society were excellent. They ran a lovely day centre and I really enjoyed their singing sessions - Music for the Brain.

I hope you manage to find the help you need with this

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Imaginethis · 30/03/2023 19:30

Sorry I can’t remember now whether it was an MRI or CT scan.

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BetterCare · 30/03/2023 20:57

As others have said, the first step is the GP, they will refer to Memory Clinic. Also, the GP can check that there isn't an underlying infection that is having an impact on your Father. For example, UTIs can have a very strange effect on the elderly.

The other thing to sort out, very, very quickly, if you have not already, is the Lasting Power of Attorneys for both Finance and Health and Wellbeing for both parents because you will need them.

Good luck it is a horrible thing to be going through.

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Tara336 · 31/03/2023 07:46

My DF has vascular dementia he had a CT scan after an accident and that's how it was diagnosed. I had been saying for a long time I think he has dementia but no one in our family wanted to address it as DF was not a nice man before dementia. He quickly became even mire controlling and aggressive had has deteriorated rapidly which is standard for this type of dementia. DF had to be sectioned as he was a danger to DM and me. The day he was sectioned was horrendous but it needed to be done and he is calmer now as he is on meds and recently for first time in months he seems to have some understanding of what's being said, however, because of aggressive behaviour the MH unit he has been sectioned again under section 3 so they can detain him for up to 6 months.

It is a cruel disease.

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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 16/04/2023 23:52

How are things now @Cherrybl0ssm? Has he been seen by the GP yet?

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Raininspring · 17/04/2023 00:03

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto I’m not the OP, but I know who she’s talking about!

No appointment yet, but one is scheduled, so hoping it will be discussed then.

In a way we hope it is a mental thing, otherwise he’s just a really mean old man, which would be worse in a way!

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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 17/04/2023 00:26

Raininspring · 17/04/2023 00:03

@SiouxsieSiouxStiletto I’m not the OP, but I know who she’s talking about!

No appointment yet, but one is scheduled, so hoping it will be discussed then.

In a way we hope it is a mental thing, otherwise he’s just a really mean old man, which would be worse in a way!

If this is new behaviours, I don't think he will have suddenly just turned into an angry old Man. I hope the Doctor manages to find out exactly what's going on.

It does sound as though his DW (not sure how she's related to you Wink). needs to also see the GP. When DMIL was at home with Vascular Dementia, DFIL ended up in A&E with High Blood Pressure. Maybe best to get her to talk to the GP about how she's feeling and the symptoms she's experiencing.

Is in touch with her local Carer's Group at all? They are usually good at signposting you to other places that may be able to help and to give her some support.

In a practical level, have they both given POA?

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Skippingabeat · 17/04/2023 04:05

It's called Agitation (which is defined as motor activity, physical aggression, verbal aggression) and is a manifestation of dementia/Alzheimer's.

Here in the US the FDA has just approved the first treatment for it. Worth checking with your GP.

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Cherrybl0ssm · 17/04/2023 07:45

Hi @Raininspring DF is visiting us at the moment.
POA forms have been completed. They just need to be posted off to be registered.
DF personality changes have been noticed by other family members. He has 0 filter. It was always low but now is much lower. Constant monologues. No back and forth in a conversation at all. Also my DH has noticed he blames my DM for most things and is quite aggressive in tone and very dismissive. I had to walk out of a cafe yesterday as he had told my 18 yo DS something hurtful. DF couldn’t see my perspective at all. I had to walk away. Then when he came to the car no acknowledgement at all. Just asked me where a post box was.
He has an appointment for the doctors. I sincerely hope the memory/aggression/ranting etc will be talked about. I have asked DM to take a list and hand it over. If she says it verbally DF will just dismiss her and her can be very persuasive.
It’s exhausting.

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LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 17/04/2023 08:13

Sadly GPs are used to hearing this kind of thing, and getting angry and disinhibited was FILs first sign of dementia. GP will do some bloods and urine to rule out anything obvious (eg UTI) then refer to memory clinic, who may diagnose by history or may call for CT/MRI scans.

Get those POA in the post as a priority.

FWIW FIL calmed down a lot once he had his diagnosis - the anger was a result of confusion and feeling he’d lost his grip and at least he had an explanation, but he was generally a fairly passive man - but was very unhappy about losing his driving licence (not automatic, but in his case an absolute necessity).

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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 17/04/2023 08:38

I would make posting off those forms a priority @Cherrybl0ssm. If he's found not to have capacity they probably won't grant the POAS and I think there's currently a 16 week turnaround time. Are you applying for health and finance?

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Cherrybl0ssm · 17/04/2023 09:36

Yes forms are definitely a priority. Being posted this week. We are applying for both.
I feel sorry for my dad. It’s also super frustrating with his behavior. Being calm is best I’m finding. But sometimes that hard.

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SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 17/04/2023 19:23

Cherrybl0ssm · 17/04/2023 09:36

Yes forms are definitely a priority. Being posted this week. We are applying for both.
I feel sorry for my dad. It’s also super frustrating with his behavior. Being calm is best I’m finding. But sometimes that hard.

It really is hard to stay calm isn't it? Flowers

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