Expert: Paula Damgaard - 11/17/2005

Question
Four weeks ago 10/17/05 to be exact I was sitting up in the evening with my mom watching t.v like any other night. Tues morning when she came down for breakfast she seemed a little off. She wasn't sure of the day. After I told her a, because she seemed not to be herself I asked her about a half an hour later if she new what day it was. She didn't. As the day went on at random intervals I asked if she new the day & she did not. The next morning she seemed no better so we took her into our internist. They did a complete blood work up, chest xray, cardiogram, etc. All checked out. No abnormalities in the blood. No over active gland stuff. So next we took her to a Nuerologist. This appointment was on the 28th, eleven days from the onset. They took her through the standard exam, and actually she didn't do to bad. He ordered an MRI for the 11/5. However before we left the office he gave us a medicine called Aricept. Standard package 28 5mg pills and 7 10mg pills. I put mom on the medicine immeadiately. After four day she seemed worse. I spoke to the doctor and he said lets keep her on it until the MRI. She took the test on the 5th. The evening of the 7th the doctor called with the results. The Mri was unremarkable. To new evidence or activity to explain what was happening, No tumors, new strokes, etc. All the time she is getting worse. He said because the medicine didn't seem to have a helping effect,and she was on it now for about 9 days that I should stop it. When I asked whats next? Well.. there really isn't anything we can do. My mon is 86 year old. Not the most physically strong person, but very strong willed. She is now four weeks down the road and Can no longer comunicate, needs assistance to walk,& bath. Food needs to be prepared. She can still feed her self. The medical comunity is done with us. I am finding this difficult to accept do in large part that it came on so acutely. It's as if someone just threw a switch. I need some outside the box thinking if possible. Even if I can't make her well. I could accept that so long as I can get some reasons for what caused it, and who knows if they gave it this thinking maybe they just might find something that might be treatable. I have heard of stranger things. Hope you can steer me in a direction. I live on Long Island

Answer
Dear Robert, I would find another doctor!  Since you live on Long Island go to one of the teaching hospitals like North Shore or Stonybrook.

One of them must have a dementia clinic.  Call the Alzheimer's Association and ask them.  

Alzheimer's disease DOES NOT come on rapidly.  It is a slow progressive disease that takes years.  

Good luck and let me know what happens.  Someone must be able to help you. I wonder if it is CJD?  Let me know.  Paula