Dementia

[jennyjoan]

I know it can show up in a brain scan but friend has said her doctor took a blood test. Would a blood test show up. thanks

[Buenchico]

Some conditions can produce very similar symptoms to dementia, so blood tests are required (to look for possible alternative causes of those symptoms) before an initial diagnosis of dementia can be confirmed:
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/dementia-guide/Pages/dementia-diagnosis.aspx

[hereIam]

It was thought my Mum may have had this, but they did blood tests to rule out other things first. She didn't have it thank goodness.

[jennyjoan]

Although friend is indeed very very confused but she has had 51 years elipsy and sista and I think that her medication has been overlooked for those years. She has one son who has gone into denial but she needs some kind of care and we don't like to butt in etc. Does have one other sister who has just buried her beloved husband.

[hereIam]

Is she going to have a blood test ?

[jennyjoan]

She has had the blood test according to her - no one was with her. Sista thinks it was the "flu injection and she is confused.

I am going to have her up in my house on Sunday for a short duration - maybe her and sista and I will go for a bite to eat. At least it will break the day up for her. Maybe get an opportunity to talk to the son. He's a funny fella ie "odd".

[jennyjoan]

update - visited friend today - and definitely confused - back to the past and to the future ie clinton and trump - at one point needed to go to loo - when nurse and her sister had to help her back to the bed - not only with the talking but the walking you would have had thought she had drank 5 bottles of bacardi. They are talking ie the doctors of "delirium" - I have heard of this of course but when I knew of anybody having it it was only some hours - this is now about a week. She literally couldn't walk back to the bed.

But next bed lady was "crying" and my friend in the delirious state - "you mightn't want to know but I am saying Hello - whether you like it or not" I had to laugh at that. Anyway trying some "tests" tonight - never knew they done tests at night time - particularly when you have been there 2 days.

[jennyjoan]

^^^^ sorry - when you have been like this for a week.

[jennyjoan]

^^^^ sorry again - didn't read my previous posts - she ended up in hospital.

[anneasquith]

I didn't realise your friend was in hospital! Conne. I'm sure its upsetting for you ,but she will appreciate a friendly face .

[Mamyalynne]

Well, now she's in hospital there might be some answers even if they aren't the best - better than being lost at home with a son who can't cope.

[jennyjoan]

LOl - reading my own posts I appear confused too. Sorry.

It is just when I saw her coming out of the loo with her sister and nurse beside her and holding her up - legs were like a puppet - it was so extremely comical because she kept on talking and laughing and it was so unreal or surreal that I was laughing myself - but it is indeed not funny. Do hope they find the solution soon.

[jennyjoan]

By the way - in my "confusion" - her sister said that she got talking with doctor earlier - doctor did call it Delirium. I certainly heard of it but never knew it left you like that. I did google it and there are a cuppla of reasons, bad medication and infection etc.

[Mamyalynne]

Delirium is simply a confused, sometimes agitated mental state - as you rightly say the reasons for can be many.

Glad she is in the right place to hopefully get some help.

[DTCwordfan]

blood work can eliminate certain things; ultimately CT and MRI scans show it up, even to the point that they can tell you which sort......

[jennyjoan]

Ah thanks Mamy for replying with the reassurance. Her sister was sitting on the edge of the bed just sorta saying nonchantly (sp) - Ach a wee care package at home and she'll be ok. Aye right says I - friend's stairs are like climbing a ladder - so steep. This sister and her only see each other about 3 times a year. But, this sister has only buried her husband about 5 weeks ago so it is rough on everybody. God only knows what way this will all pan out.

[jennyjoan]

well DTc - I initially would have pointed to dementia but seeing her today - nearly would say it is not dementia. Can I say as I said to my own sister - I think she is very very lonely and it is causing all kinds of mental anguish. She has told me time and time again she talks to photographs of grandchildren (they live in America and her daughter) - daughter never rings. What a lonely hole of a street she moved to as well about 10 years ago.