Expert: Michalene Peticca - 9/29/2011

Question
my father is 62 yrs old andbeen diagnosed with alzheimers. he is very forgetful of words, and can hardly finish a sentence. he has started complaining with a severe pain in his belly and says it comes up his body. he claims he is constipated and keeps trying to relieve it himself with his finger. the doctors are telling us all there tests are normal and its just in his head that he is hurting cause they cant find anything wrong. would the alzheimers cause him to make up this pain when he isnt or should we believe he is really hurting somewhere? we know he is actually having bowel movements but he thinks he cant. he is very irritated that no one will relieve him of his pain. would really like to know if its possible he is not really hurting and its all in his head like the doctor says that its just the alzheimers.

Answer
Hello Bennie,

Thank you for writing.  

While it is "common" with an Alzheimer's individual to sometimes experience "phantom pain" due to brain deterioration and "crossed sensory nerves"....it is not that usual.   Headaches are the chief complaint of most Alzheimer's individuals due specifically to brain matter deterioration.

As with any physical ailment that an individual keeps complaining of.....i suggest a 2nd and possibly even 3rd opinion.  Don't hesitate, just find a good doctor.  I would strongly urge a specialist consult in the area of Gastrointestinal concerns.  

Best Regards,

Michalene Peticca, MA