AboutMichalene Peticca Expertise I'd be happy to help with any questions about Alzheimer's or Dementia diseases. I can also help with Medicare, Long term care & other insurance questions.
Experience I have my Masters degree in Geriatrics and am credentialed through the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Pennstate Milton Hershey hospital and the American Geriatrics Society. I've been in healthcare for over 20 years and worked directly with Alzheimer's and Dementia individuals for most of that time. I am also a licensed insurance agent in PA and MD. Currently i train healthcare professionals to care for Alzheimer and Dementia individuals and i have been a care manager for guardianship services in PA
Organizations American Geriatrics Society
Education/Credentials Masters degree in Geriatrics
Licensed insurance agent in PA & MD.
Past/Present clients PHI Homes in Pennsylvania
York, Dauphin & Adams County Area on Aging
The Jewish Home of Harrisburg
Question Hi, I am a 41 year old female....the last couple years I have alot of trouble remembering things...even the smallest things I have trouble recalling. In 2003 I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm...went through two separate aneurysm clipping surgeries...I had told my surgeon that shortly after surgery I had problems remembering things, he sent me for a 4 hour psychology test and nothing really showed loss of memory. I am just wondering if I may be going through some kind of early AD...If you have any advice for me I would greatly appreciate it. I have no medical insurance so its not easy for me to see a doctor.. Thank You
Answer Hi Jessie,
Thank you for writing. I am very sorry you have had such challenging medical events recently; i appreciate your enthusiasm to search for answers.
Alzheimer's disease is an entity of Dementia...that is, it is considered it's own "disease of the brain". So, therefore, no i do not think you suffer from Alzheimer's disease.
However, based upon your recent ruptured brain aneurysm and surgeries. it is quite possible that you may suffer from some memory deficits.
While hard to detect, i have seen many folks with brain "trauma" whether that be from accidents or "by-products" of a surgery. Your brain is a very delicate organ and it controls all aspects of our bodily functions as well as our thought processes.
What i don't know is how long these memory lapses will remain. Many times a person that has had a stroke may experience more memory deficits within the first few months or years from the stroke...but, over time the brain will "heal" itself and rebuild memory from self-repairing of "synapses" that transmit brain information.
While i am not a physician, i would strongly consider consulting a neurologist ...if you are able....to determine if there are any treatments (pharmaceutical or physiological) that may aid you in "healing" your brain.
You may want to check out the Mayo clinic, Johns Hopkins Medical campus or Boston Memorial websites to see if they have information on brain trauma. You may find much information in relation to your condition.
Don't give up...keep getting 2nd or 3rd opinions from these doctors as needed!
