Dementia

[Bigblue20]

Hi,

I would like some opinions on my Mum. Moved to another county in her 60s, big life change due to an unexpected circumstance, wasn't sleeping and prone to anxiety anyway. Put on statins by doc but said she felt they affected her memory. Prescribed xanax for sleeping without any break and has been on them for years. Some other big events and shocks happened and she just seemed to zone out with the stress of it all.

Everyone says dementia - I wonder about depression. Would like to try vit d, magnesium, antidepressants and get her off the xanax and doing things but she is now weak and immobile.

I know I may be clutching at straws but I also know her reactions and moods and that when faced with difficulties she can go int inside herself. Lots of difficult stuff to deal with.

Any advice appreciated. Is 78. Just feel everyone has assumed dementia and it was her big fear but I think the changes in place and circumstance are the cause.

Thanks.

Both B12 deficiency and Hypothyroidism can cause dementia like symptoms - has the GP ruled those out?

Hi, it's me BigBlue20 who started the thread - sorry just was on another thread and NC.

No tests to my knowledge. (Mum is not in this country) Mum has been on thyroxine for about 30 years?

I have been on vit d from dr for last 5 weeks and the difference is extraordinary and I was as though my batteries were completely run down. I know she felt the same before she became so poorly as she didn't have a proper nights sleep for years.

I was also diagnosed with sleep apnea which I think she may have as she cuts off in sleep and snores heavily.

I think a combination of all of these things have kicked in and overwhelmed her plus some depression and she has shut down as her physical strength failed so is caught in that cycle of not eating enough/not moving enough/not working up an appetite and thus fading away.

I think if these were better and she was active she wouldnt be any different memory wise to most her age (particularly considering all the changes)

Perhaps I am clutching at straws? Is it normal to test in UK for vit levels in elderly before diagnosis of dementia?

Is it normal to test in UK for vit levels in elderly before diagnosis of dementia? The process in the UK goes in 3 stages:

1. blood tests to rule out physical causes of confusion, certainly looking at thyroid function, anaemia, not sure about the rest. Possibly an MRI scan at this stage (if not now, it will be done later)

2. A quick dementia screening using something like the Addenbrookes Cognitive Exam - either administered by GP, or as the first stage of testing after referral to the memory clinic.

3. Longer series of tests over 2-3 months to determine whether there is dementia.

Everyone says dementia Who is "everyone"?

If she has hypothyroidism then the first thing the GPs should have checked for is Hashimoto’s dementia. It’s rare but reversible and can be treated. B12 deficiency testing can be hit and miss - often you have to push for it.

Is there a list of blood tests we could get done privately?