Hi, I'm new to the forum, I just signed on today. I am near 61 years old, and for the last year I have become more and more confused, forgetfull, and moody. My primary care Dr. diagnosed this as mild cognitive impairment, I was sent to a Neurologist who ordered an MRI with results stating "Nonspecific moderate diffuse cerebral and cerebellar atrophy." I was sent for Neuropsychology testing yesterday. In taking the tests, I feel that I did very well in the areas of math however, remembering was a nightmare. I was read two very short stories and asked for details which i remembered some of but not too much. Later I was again asked abouth the stories and I argued that only one story was read, and even today cannot remember anything about the second story. I was then interviewed by a Psychologist. During the interview she asked if I read the paper and watched news on TV. I replied that I read it from cover to cover and watch at least 1-1/2 hours of news each day. She asked what some of the recent headlines were, to my total surprise, I couldn'r remember anything except the Senator denying he was gay. At that point I broke down crying which is something I do no more than once every 5 years. Wow, the entire day was like a bad dream. My problem now is that I cannot see the Neurologist to get his final diagnosis for over two months, and I think the anxiety is going to be overwelming waiting for answers. Knowing that this forum is not made up of professionals in this field, I would still like to ask if anyone with AD had these kind of results. My grandmother, father, aunt, and uncle all were institutionalized with AD. Three of them had no idea who I was when they were 65 years old. I just want to find out if I have it so I can plan the rest of my life and prepare my family.

Had to get this off my chest,

The Bun

Hi The bum welcome to the forum. This is a nice place to come and get answers to many questions you want to ask and to many that you don't want o know but need to know.

In my opinion the medical field is overwhelmned with so many patients and so few answers. The normal response seems to be to hurry up and wait. And at this point I am not sure that having a pen point clear dx is going to change anything.

There are too many varibles for science to be able to know what is going to happen to our memories and to come up with a cure. I am learning that slowing down my life and getting things around me more simple and calmer is going to be the best for me. Seperating the safe people from the toxic ones is working well too.

I read everything I can get my hands on just to exercise my brain and to keep me informed. I use notes to remind myself of the thibngs I have forgotten and I am learning other coping skills.

The bottomline is that it is not wise to put all of your hopes on what a doctor is going to tell you or not tell you. No one knows you better than YOU.

Carolyn: You are more right than you realize!!!

The Bum (which I am sure you are not -- smiles) -- you are describing ME!!!

Now, neither I nor probably any doctor can guarantee that your relatives had a "gentically induced" form of dementia whether identified as Alzheimers or not (unless confirmed at autopsy and even then findings of amyloid are known to be related to EMF/EMR exposures.....and I don't claim to be doing that but when you read what I write at the end of my comments, remember that only about 5% of cases are truly "genetic...!!!"

The fact of the matter is that Alzheimers as well as most diseases correlate with graphs showing increases in electrical usage.

Before I was said to have "pre-senile dementia" (really "EOAD"), I worked as a Legal Assistant/Secretary. I applied for a job in a small town close to us.

I could not believe the number of questions that were asked regarding "current events!!!" I "failed miserably" and they surely must have thought I was from another planet. I was actually quite angry about the situation but then figured I was lucky not to be hired because they were idiots for asking the questions in the first place. My "interests" (and therefor "retention abilities") were never in those areas!!!

We can have "general knowledge" without needing to be able to provide the details such as names and titles. I have an opinion of the persons who came up with ideas but those sort of tests but probably best not to state that right now.....

I was NEVER able to count backwards EVER.... loong before the diagnosis of pre-senile dementia that was so long ago, I can't even come close to saying just when it was -- 15 years or more......

I have been communicating with researchers and activists from around-the-world on a daily basis for over 17 years. I am a non-accredited EMF/EMR researcher and have actually conducted my own guinea pig studies and am writing a book titled "Inflammation and EMF/EMR" with one of the top EMF scientists in the world who is a researcher at the world-famous Karolinska Institute (where they issue the Nobel Prizes).....

"Stress" is a major factor that I do not believe is being taking into consideration when evaluating persons' performance and results of neuropsych tests. The assumption is that we are all more or less alike. There are "vast differences" between individual abilities. THEY do not ask whether we experienced horrible things as a child regarding various subjects. I, for one, was beat every time I didn't answer a multiplication question at the click of fingers!!!

I "immediately freeze" and can not even play certain card games due to the effects of my memories even if subconscious at the time.

That law firm I applied at also, for some strange reason, had three typewriters fairly close together. I am and always have been "a crackerjack typist (since learning, that is...)

WELL, that day, I couldn't type to save my soul. As you know, I now figure my angels were really trying to save my soul.....

I had to ask to use a different typewriter when I just could not find the right location on the keys of the first typewriter.

I confidentally sat at the next typewriter knowing I most certainly would quickly produce very accurate copy.

NOT!!! -- I could not use that typewriter properly either. I do not recall why I was dumb enough to continue on with the other tests but thought maybe I hadn't done too bad on the third typewriter, I guess.

Memories of this day are, for the most part, intact and even now come close to making me feel sick to my stomach. I went on to be hired by a major lawfirm in Minneapolis....(they did not ask me any questions from the newspaper (smiles.....).

I was a mother of four, needing to work fulltime bccause my husband worked on construction and was frequently laid-off due to weather, lack of materials -- endless problems. My priorities did not include trying to remember anyone's names except my childrens, family members and friends and, in fact, I had vvery little time to read any papers at all.

The Bum -- tests may show "white matter hyperintensities" that may not be described as such. These changes can occur when persons sleep close to electrical items even as seemingly innocuous as an electric clock. The list is endless insofar as items of concern. My website shown as part of "sign-off" provides additional details also re some telephone equipment that should not be close to one's bed.

Check out my appeal to Dr. Marilyn Albert, Alzheimers' Advirosy Board Task Force: http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/3038870/

You will also read about my husband improving after his diagnosis of Alzheimers (a top neurologist here in Minneapolis, Minnesota). He is now said not to have Alzheimers after improving in three parts of his Executive Function. I moved his electric clock radio off his nightstand and discontinued his statin (also known to cause memory and cognitive problems as well as muscle pains, plus).....

Call of email with questions after viewing website and email to Dr. Albert....Best wishes and take care - Joanne

Now I'm even more confused. The psychologist called me with the results of my psych test and her interpretation. She stated that I did not do well on the memory portion but suggested that was because I was nervous. She further stated that I did not do well on the reasoning section because I wanted to be accurate. Her final conclusion is that she cannot tell me that I am in the early stages but she cannot tell me that I am not.???? What am I supposed to make of that. I quess I'll have to wait until november and hope that the Neurologist has something more definite to say, one way or the other.

Bum