Alzheimer's or Vascular Dementia
June
know I've somewhat discounted Alzheimer's for my mother's dementia because
of the long length of time since her diagnosis (1993). Most doctors just
say she has Alzheimer's and let it go at that. If I thought it would make
any difference I would seek out a specialist but at this time nothing is
really going to matter. She still functions somewhat independently in her
assisted living apartment. I've googled the meaning of vascular dementia
and quite frankly Mom's symptoms don't follow that either. Her problem is a
lack short term memory and the mental capacity of young child. She never
had high blood pressure but I'm sure she's had some kind of TIAs or
whatever. But just the other day we were talking about birthdays and I
asked her how old she is and she answered correctly. On another day she
probably wouldn't have known. I know there are several kinds of dementias
but what are the choices here---Alzheimer's or Vascular Dementia or
something else? Could low blood pressure cause some of this? It runs in
our family especially with me and also my daughter. I know that many of
you have done a lot of research and have talked to specialists and maybe can
shed some light on the subject. I'm sure a lot more is known now than in
1993......June
Evelyn Ruut
news:4tydnc9iQd4gXSXY...@insightbb.com...
Hi June, I seem to remember having read something somewhere about low blood
pressure being associated with strokes and TIA etc. Don't recall the
source, unfortunately.
--
Best Regards,
Evelyn Ruut
august
Hi June, Our LO has vascular dementia, although our young physician used
to say she had AD. As time goes on he has come around to agreeing with us
about the diagnosis because of the peculiarities of her dementia and
remaining abilities are clearly different than someone who has progressive
AD. Our LO had temporal arteritis about 14 years ago which went untreated
for a couple months. She almost certainly had some micro strokes at this
time. She was also hit by a car at age 70 and landed on her head. This
injury was never examined other than stitching up her head because the Drs
were focused on internal injuries plus we were not there to ask the
questions. We think this injury certainly factors into her present
condition. We didn't have any neurological testing done because she had
numerous other more pressing maladies to worry about and frankly we thought
she was going to croak any day.
She has been 100% dependent on our care for 10 years or longer and has lived
with us for 7 years. Now she is healthy as can be and might live to 100. She
has the function of an agreeable 4-5 yr old and absolutely zero short term
memory. However she remains a good speller (frontwards or backwards to the
amazement of our Dr) and is excellent at Wheel of Fortune. If you mention
that "her show is almost on" she won't know what you are talking about. If
you are out of the room when someone wins and you return 3 seconds later and
ask her which contestant won, she won't know. She doesn't usually know what
city or state we live in, who her Dr or anyone else besides family is, or
even how to get to the garage. However she is generally happy as a clam. We
are really glad she doesn't have progressive AD.
Most of her declining abilities at this point seem age related. She now is
almost 90 and sleeps a lot. She has recently lost interest in eating so she
is back on the Ensure and we just feed her bites all through meals. She
enjoys loading the dishwasher but can not unload it or you will find dishes
everywhere other than where they go. She can make a bed better than most
drill sargents. She tires very easily and has old compression fractures that
cause her a lot of pain if we don't stay on top of it. She can't use phone,
microwave, TV remote or anything else other than her electric toothbrush.
All in all, she's physically very healthy as long as she eats and drinks
enough water to keep the pipes clean and takes her regular meds. She has
normal BP, and always has.I've never heard of low BP as cause of vascular
dementia - just strokes and brain injuries. She is good natured about not
having any memory, although we did go through the compulsive note writing,
accusatory paranoia and denial stages about 15 years ago. I much prefer this
stage although it is really weird living with someone where you remember
more about their life than they do. AW
august
"august" <august_...@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:f7SdncLN_7_gtiTY...@comcast.com...
>
> "June" <NoS...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:4tydnc9iQd4gXSXY...@insightbb.com...
>> I've noticed some posts here discussing Vascular Dementia.
>
> to say she had AD. As time goes on he has come around to agreeing with us
> about the diagnosis because of the peculiarities of her dementia and
> remaining abilities are clearly different than someone who has progressive
> AD. Our LO had temporal arteritis about 14 years ago which went untreated
> for a couple months. She almost certainly had some micro strokes at this
numerous other more pressing maladies to worry about and frankly we thought
she was going to croak any day.
My writing needed a little editing. I was finished writing when I added the
sentences about her getting hit by a car at age 70. She didn't live near us
at the time. The sentence above about us not getting neurological testing
refers to the time frame while she had temporal arteritis - which was many
years after her getting hit by the car. Hope this helps make sense of my
writing.
btw- I always read your postings June, because your experiences with
dementia always seem to mirror ours. best, AW
June
>
> btw- I always read your postings June, because your experiences with
> dementia always seem to mirror ours. best, AW
Wow! Yes Your experiences are extremely similar to mine. It does answer a
lot of questions. Mom has always been different and finally I'm figuring
out why. Thanks....June
Limestone-Cowboy
far his favourite place.
Rest in Peace.
Darryl
I *think* Evelyn is referring to cerebrovascular insufficiency;
however, this is essentially synonymous with vascular dementia which
results from TIAs, multi-infarcts, etc. The "nice" thing about these
types of dementia is that they can often be visualized by CT or MRI.
Darryl
(a lifetime member of the club nobody wants to join).
p.s., Hi Evelyn, Gwen and Tumbleweed and everyone I've missed.
Evelyn Ruut
news:k56ds2ps9u2pfq64b...@4ax.com...
> Hi June,
>
> I *think* Evelyn is referring to cerebrovascular insufficiency;
> however, this is essentially synonymous with vascular dementia which
> results from TIAs, multi-infarcts, etc. The "nice" thing about these
> types of dementia is that they can often be visualized by CT or MRI.
>
> Darryl
> (a lifetime member of the club nobody wants to join).
> p.s., Hi Evelyn, Gwen and Tumbleweed and everyone I've missed.
DARRYL! :-)
Good to see you around! How have you been?
ladylove77
Gwen
"Darryl" <umpo...@REMOVEhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:k56ds2ps9u2pfq64b...@4ax.com...
Easter Stephens
spam @hotmail.com June
isn't on any medication. Hope you continue to do well.........June
"Easter Stephens" <begga...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:10632-45C...@storefull-3114.bay.webtv.net...
June does your mother have Diabetes? That was a strange thing that
happened to me....i got Alzhiemers and then Diabetes... and found that
the Dibetes medecine was protecting me from the alzhiemers....I'm
forgetfull but can live a fairly good life....
Easter Stephens
RArmant
Stephens) wrote:
>June does your mother have Diabetes? That was a strange thing that
>happened to me....i got Alzhiemers and then Diabetes... and found that
>the Dibetes medecine was protecting me from the alzhiemers....I'm
>forgetfull but can live a fairly good life....
What diabetic medicine are you on that you feel is protecting you
from alzheimer's?
Easter Stephens
Dennis P. Harris
begga...@webtv.net (Easter Stephens) wrote:
> I take Avandia in the morning and metformin in the evening The Avandia
> is suppose to protect you from the alzhimers....even tho it is for
> diabetes...and I take my metformin in the evening....i think this is my
> 7th year.....
easter, how did your doc/docs arrive at this diagnosis? did you
have any kind of brain scans? if so, more than one, and has any
change been noticed?
usually when someone is stable as long as you apparently have
been, the cause is NOT AD, but a vascular dementia of some kind.
that means that it is/was caused by a stroke, mini-strokes, TIAs,
blood vessel restrictions, or bleeding in the brain.
if you haven't ever had a full neuro-psychiatric examination &
evaluation that includes brain scans and a full physical exam to
rule out other physical causes, you need to ask for one NOW. if
your doc has never had one done and refuses to do so, it's time
to change doctors.
jesseb...@gmail.com
> I've noticed some posts here discussing Vascular Dementia. As most of you
> know I've somewhat discounted Alzheimer's for my mother's dementia because
> really going to matter. She still functions somewhat independently in her
> and quite frankly Mom's symptoms don't follow that either. Her problem is a
> asked her how old she is and she answered correctly. On another day she
> but what are the choices here---Alzheimer's or Vascular Dementia or
> our family especially with me and also my daughter. I know that many of
> you have done a lot of research and have talked to specialists and maybe can
> 1993......June
I take care of a gentleman with vascular dementia, and I am currently finishing up a nursing degree. I just started to researching the disease, but it sounds like your mother has an macro-ischemic/infarctive version of vascular alzheimers caused by a stroke, or in your mothers case, a brain trauma. It makes sense that the doc was thinking "typical" degenerative alzhiemers, because the progression of AD is usually slow and "choppy" with up and down periods, whereas micro-infarctive/ischemic dementia is a quick, steady progression. Typically low blood pressure is not an issue as long as cardiac function is unimpared, but you did say she may have had some TIA's? Does she have an arhythmia or valvular disorder? This may be a source of the alzheimers, beginning with a series of ongoing strokes caused by blood pooling in the heart.
hope i helped, and good luck.