Expert: Paula Damgaard - 1/10/2005

Question
My friend just recently told me that her mother is acting strange lately.  The first incident was when they went out to eat.  Her mother starting flapping her arms and stating that she wanted coffee, my friend told her that she has a cup of coffee in front of her, the mother wanted coffee so she got her another cup.  While returning home the mother got out the car and started walking the wrong way to the house and again started flapping her arms yelling out i feel wierd, i feel wierd.  Could this be a sign of Alzheimers or something else?  This is not at all like her mother.  Help please.

Answer
Dear Maria, if your friend's mother just started acting like this then it probably isn't Alzheimer's.  Alzheimer's is a progressive disease.  It starts gradually.  

I would recommend that she go to her doctor and get a full physical and then if nothing is found then a referral to a neurologist is highly recommended.  

Good luck Paula