Today I had my neuro appt. and there were some changes. He gave me a brief mmse which I failed the clock, both making and setting the time. He asked me what a tulip and a ?(I forgot the name of the second flower) had in common and I could not tell him. He had me repeat numbers, I did ok until he got past 4 numbers and then had to do them backwards, not so good. I DID know the President! He asked me to remember the 3 words in the beginning, I think I got 1 out of 3. For the Glabellar Tap where they tap between your eyes and upper lip I kept blinking. I didn't know what that mean't until I got home and looked it up and that is a positive sign for more cerebral shrinkage or degeneration is my understanding. This is the first time in 7 years that he has done that test and I failed it. Of course after the testing and all he said I did very well. He is a VERY optimistic neuro and keeps encouraging me to hang on there is something good just around the corner. Truth is, I think he saw some major changes because he told me to come back in 3 months, usually it is 6 or 9 months. I guess all in all I have done well for 7 years and I know it can't last forever. He did state there was some progression but was going to up my namenda to hep with that. This was my news for the day.

Tracy,
Thanks so much for sharing. Please, take care of yourself.
Thanks for all you do!

Tracy, that's really interesting about the Glabellar Tap, I hadn't heard of that. I looked it up, and tried it on myself. I have a feeling it doesn't work when you do it to yourself.

Don't you just hate hearing the inevitable? We know we're getting worse, but seems like we should get a year off every now and then, when we get to hold on to what we have left. But, no. Oh well, at least we keep learning about interesting things, like our Glabellar Reflex.

Hello to all, I hope you will agree to let me participate in your chat. My name is Debi and I'm a nursing instructor in Florida. I am trying to help my students understand dementia can strike at any age. Regardless, they need to respect and include the person in all decision making. Any comments from this group would be helpful in promoting positive health care experiences.

Thank you

debi

Referring to the previous post...I posted in September asking about talking with you'all about your experiences with early onset dementia. I received several responses which prompted me to do a great deal of research on EOD. It's been awhile since I was here but I have not forgotten any of you. I have been trying to teach my students and nursing colleagues the importance of "LISTENING" to people with dementia. I'm sure I don't have to tell any of you, that is quite a challenge but I'm not giving up!!

debi