Talk

Flip

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Dementia and Alzheimer's

New Referral

6 replies

bluebell8329 · 22/01/2024 11:33

Hi, I am the main carer for my mam who is currently under the memory clinic for a possible diagnosis. We've had the initial assessment at home with the memory clinic at the beginning of November which didn't go very well, which I expected. The next steps were a head CT, assessment with Occupational Therapy and then review again with the memory clinic. She had her head CT in November however we were told that review back in the memory clinic would not be until March. Things haven't gotten much better since then, if anything there has been a deterioration. Anyway, last week we got a letter from the hospital in Leeds which said that an appointment had been made for my mam to see a Neurosurgeon. This has come as a bit of a shock as it's not something that we were expecting, the appointment isn't for another two months and understandably I am worried sick as I have no idea what it's for. I have spoken to someone in the Neurosurgery Department who have said they will get back to me but it's been 3 days no and I still haven't heard.

Does anyone know if this is normal? Should I be worried? Should I be chasing it and getting a more urgent appointment?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:

Report

olderbutwiser · 22/01/2024 11:42

Can you ask her GP if they know anything more? If not try Neurosurgery again, and if no sensible response maybe try PALS at the neurosurgeon's hospital, explain the situation and get them to push for a response?

How old is your mother and what were you expecting?

Report

bluebell8329 · 22/01/2024 11:55

I've been in touch with the GP previously who are reluctant to get involved as it's in the hands of the memory clinic. The contact at the memory clinic is off on annual leave for a fortnight. Thanks for that, I will try PALS if there isn't anything constructive.

She is 67, has had symptoms for at least two years but has been reluctant to push for a diagnosis. In all honesty, we were totally preparing ourselves for a diagnosis of dementia.

OP posts:

Report

olderbutwiser · 22/01/2024 12:03

Is it a neurosurgeon or a neurologist that her appointment is with? She is on the young end for dementia, which might have triggered the appointment with neurology.

Report

bluebell8329 · 22/01/2024 12:10

It's with Neurosurgery, not Neurology which is what made me worry. She is, I agree, I wasn't sure if the referral to the memory clinic was just procedure with her symptoms. We have been advised to get LPA in place by the memory clinic too which worries me slightly.

OP posts:

Report

NoBinturongsHereMate · 22/01/2024 12:22

We have been advised to get LPA in place by the memory clinic too which worries me slightly.

I wouldn't worry about that being a 'sign' of anything - it's sound advice for anyone having memory problems whatever the cause. Actually, it's sound advice for everyone - memory problems or not. You never know when something might happen.

Report

bluebell8329 · 22/01/2024 12:23

Thanks. This is all new to me so I'm not sure what to expect and feel a bit blindsided by the upcoming appointment and not having any information about it.