Expert: Paula Damgaard - 3/8/2011

Question
Sorry for additional question. I keep asking about my mother's life span for financial planning - due to a couple of additional factors. My mom's diagnosis came after about a month and a half after she had a bad fall. We had seen signs of dementia at least a year before her fall. But hard to tell if it was due to her anti-psychotic med (Geodone). She must be on anti-psychotic meds for her paranoia schizophrenia. Long story short she was switched to Seraquel and Excelon patch and Sinemet #for tremors#. Last doctors visit she scored 28/30 on her memory test #from original score of 24#. When I asked the Neurologist if she really did have dementia/AD he said yes she did - her original scan had shown some deterioration of her brain.

I am re-thinking her diagnosis because her functioning seems better. The decline she exhibits seems to be in her paranoia- which increases every few months. It is hard to tell if that is from AD or her underlying mental illness. Funny thing is that when she is paranoid/aggressive/mean she seems sharper mentally but unable to think logically. This was her state when she had her test where she scored much higher. When her Serape is adjusted she seems a bit more confused. But we know that if her paranoia is not kept in check- she will escalate to a very scary place.

All that being said- I wonder if her state is more mental illness than AD - therefore her life span could be 15 years. #It will be a hard road no matter what).

Thanks for your thoughts- I realize there is no definite answer...

Answer
The only way for a 100% diagnosis will unfortunately be by autopsy. I would strongly suggest you look into this now and find out what you need to get one done when the time comes.

You are right she is a complicated case. I am sorry you are going through this. Paula