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left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 04:44 PM Mar 2021

My doc wants me to see a psychologist

I’ve had some memory problems for a few years, which I think is just part of the aging process.
My current and past primary care docs say ‘borderline Alzheimer’.
I think I ‘think’ too well for that.

But sometimes I forget my meds, or accidentally lose a credit card and find I mistakenly threw it in the trash can.

Once I couldn’t find my keys. I always leave them on my desk along with my ‘going out stuff’ (watch, wallet, sunglasses, cap, etc). After a search I found them in the linen closet with my towels, etc. Easily explainable (ghosts).

The fact that I can remember these little ‘missteps’ I think is a good thing.
I’ve seen two neurologists who tested me with a ‘cognitive test’ on which 30 would be 100%
I scored 25 on both tests, and both docs said it wasn’t really bad.

But some other memory issues have come up and my doc says a psychologist can do additional types of ‘cognitive testing’ and look at it from a diggerentt angle than the neurologists.

Then based upon that my doc may order medication.

A year or so back he wanted to put me on Aricept but I told him I didn’t think I needed it,
so I refused it.

I think 95% of the time I’m fine, but he thinks ‘we’ need stop any decline.

Oh well, life gets interesting the older we get.

9 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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My doc wants me to see a psychologist (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Mar 2021 OP
Tough call... Wounded Bear Mar 2021 #1
I would go XanaDUer2 Mar 2021 #2
"...I found them in the linen closet with my towels, etc. Easily explainable (ghosts)." dixiechiken1 Mar 2021 #3
Be aware of anosognosia. If your doctor wants to make the referral for you, I think littlemissmartypants Mar 2021 #4
Like my Dad says,,,, KarenS Mar 2021 #5
My mother was prescribed Aricept and took it for over a decade. She was diagnosed early alwaysinasnit Mar 2021 #6
Alzheimer's is not the only form of dementia. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2021 #7
Are there side effects with Aricept that concern you? If not, why not take it? 3Hotdogs Mar 2021 #8
Yes, and not being funny, I don't remember what left-of-center2012 Mar 2021 #9

Wounded Bear

(60,590 posts)
1. Tough call...
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 04:49 PM
Mar 2021

and really difficult to self diagnose, too.

No advice from me, friend. Just take care of yourself.

XanaDUer2

(13,602 posts)
2. I would go
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 04:53 PM
Mar 2021

my psychologist gave me some diagnostic tests, and absolutely nailed some mental and emotional issues I have. I now have greater insight into my reactions and thought processes. Good luck!

dixiechiken1

(2,113 posts)
3. "...I found them in the linen closet with my towels, etc. Easily explainable (ghosts)."
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 04:53 PM
Mar 2021

Spewed water on my keyboard @ this. 🤣 You've got a great attitude... and a sense of humor to match. Thanks for the laugh!







littlemissmartypants

(25,114 posts)
4. Be aware of anosognosia. If your doctor wants to make the referral for you, I think
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 04:54 PM
Mar 2021

You should check it out. Early intervention in many disorders is key to mitigating the possible damage to your quality of life. Short term memory problems can also become safety issues.

At the very least you will be establishing baseline data, so if you develop problems in the future, you have a starting point from which to measure any changes. Baselines are important tools in not only diagnosis but in rehabilitation and recovery.

KarenS

(4,608 posts)
5. Like my Dad says,,,,
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 05:02 PM
Mar 2021

"getting old ain't for sissies"

This is some hard stuff we go through.

My Husband & I try to practice 'mindfulness' and make lists,,,,

But you need to do what you think is right for you

alwaysinasnit

(5,232 posts)
6. My mother was prescribed Aricept and took it for over a decade. She was diagnosed early
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 05:08 PM
Mar 2021

(Alzheimer's). In her case, her "descent" was very, very slow and it may have been as a result of taking the Aricept. (She passed away 7 years ago.) One of my older brothers who is having mild cognitive difficulties, is now on Aricept. Of course all of this is anecdotal, but in early stage Alzheimer's, it seems to be very difficult to differentiate it from normal aging degeneration. Regardless, it is still a difficult decision. Given that Alzheimer's seems to run in my family, I am paying a lot more attention to my own situation.

3Hotdogs

(13,343 posts)
8. Are there side effects with Aricept that concern you? If not, why not take it?
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 05:37 PM
Mar 2021

There are books that give suggestions to respond to forgetfulness.

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
9. Yes, and not being funny, I don't remember what
Fri Mar 19, 2021, 08:21 PM
Mar 2021

I google my meds and before I picked up the prescription I found something on a site similar to WebMD that bothered me,
Now I'm not seeing anything special.

Aricept - Side Effects

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14335/aricept-oral/details#:~:text=Nausea%2C%20vomiting%2C%20diarrhea%2C%20loss,body%20adjusts%20to%20the%20drug.

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