I was hospitalized a week ago with what ended up being the result of a bad allergic reaction to a new prescription. One evening while in the hospital, one of my Drs just left my room and I heard him say my name, so being curious and at that point they hadn't figured out what was wrong, I turned down the TV to listen. He was standing at a work station just outside my room and calling in dictation about his visit. He said some of the standard things about tests, vitals, etc. and concluded by saying I was "in the early stages of Alzheimer's". Needless to say, this was devastating and shocking.

No one in my family has ever had any form of dementia and all have been "sharp as a tack" well into their 80's or 90's and died of other causes.

I am well educated and have a very challenging professional job that requires ability to multi-task, make client presentations and negotiate while thinking on my feet. The week before being hospitalized, I closed a major deal that included one-on-one negotiations with the CFO of a Fortune 500 company. I travel a lot and often fly to and drive in cities I do not know well and never have a problem getting to where I need to go. I guess what I am saying is that I seemed to be hitting on all cylinders pretty well.

With that said, however, I have noticed over the last six months that I sometimes need an extra second to think of a name (not of people I see all the time but of people whose names I don't need to recall that often). I have attributed this to the fact that I have had more high profile/high-stress multitasking than ever before (in other words, my mind is required to go in a thousand directions to manage all of these situations).

Also, there have been situations at work where someone does something totally unnecessary that is rude or self-promoting and it has made my blood boil like it never used to--just a quick temper/reaction like I've never had before.

In addition, for the last two years, I keep telling my Dr that I have a strange sensation or pressure on the left side of my head. As a result, I have had brain scans that have only detected a cyst in my sinuses. But the sensation seems to be getting worse these days.

I am an only child, age 51, my parents are elderly and it would absolutely break their hearts if I had this diagnosis. I have not shared this with a soul, so come to you for support. This will probably be the first of many questions I will ask.

I guess what I want to know is....How could the Drs. think I have Alzheimer's? While in the hospital, I only had blood and urine tests to try to determine the source of considerable pain--I had no brain scans. In fact, my Drs have all said I did such a good job telling them details of my history and my current pain--and I have never stumbled over my words or been mixed up while in the hospital (no behavior in front of Drs that would indicate Alz).

I go back to my Dr in two weeks--he has said nothing so far about Alzheimer's but it is eating away at me. I just keep praying they are wrong ...and know many of you have said those same prayers in the past.

Any guidance about the tests for Alzheimer's and how this could be diagnosed through only blood or urine tests would be really appreciated.

Thank you,
BDJ

BDJ,
I think you were the victim of an uneducated Doctor. In order to come up with any diagnosis you have to go through a series of indepth cognitive tests as well as brain scans even a spinal tap possibly. If the Doctor wasn't a neurologist that would be another question mark in my book. Unfortunately their are doctors out there who don't know that much about the disease and how to act in front of their patients. I would be so upset with my wifes doctors who at a first meeeitn for a regular pyhsical would blurt out well how long have you had DEMENTIA which did nothing but upset her. I would suggest seeking out a good neurologist.

BDJ: One must always be very careful about things we overhear. A doctor could be dictating and/or sharing your results but then could respond to a colleague re another person without your knowledge.

You, however, may very well have heard correctly and that the doctor is thinking you have EOAD. As you know, the testing that was done would not be nearly enough to come to such a conclusion and it is highly doubtful the doctor is a neurologist -- more likely an internist/hospitalist.

I have noticed lately how "eager" the medical profession is to "jump in" with mini-mental tests. This is completely outrageous -- doesn't sound like the doctor did that in your case tho.

My husband recently developed hallucinations after starting Doxycycline for pneumonia. I was told I should have called "911" instead of trying to handle the situation and was similarly warned after starting him on the replacement antibiotic, "Levaquin." All of that is a very loong story but the results of having him picked up could have led to even greater problems in his case, I already knew.

Anyone reading this should not hesitate to call "911" when their loved one exhibits strange behaviors and particularly if patient becomes extremely agitated and seemingly out-of-control.

Incredibly, the nurse practitioner asked for permission to do one of the mini-mental tests on Bud. I almost swallowed my tongue -- rare for me -- I never lack for words (smiles).

You don't know yet that Bud was diagnosed with Alzheimers many years ago. Please read my appeal to Dr. Marilyn Albert at: http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/3038870/

I thought, "what in God's name are you going to prove with a mini-mental test" when we have years and years of neuropsych tests!!!???" Bud also just had repeat neuropsych testing a few weeks prior. Needless to say, we went on to other discussion.

The same nurse practitioner tried such a test on me when I had pneumonia last fall. "Pneumonia" causes confusion --" The antibiotic is given, and patient is not even asked to make a follow-up appt. The likelihood of a repeat mini-mental test would have been small -- i.e., "no comparison" but there would be a bill..."

In spring of 2007, I was prescribed Minocycline by an ER doc for a cut finger (after lengthy, ridiculous scrutiny as to whether Bud caused the cut). The hospital pharmacist looked concerned and mentioned something about confusion re the Minocycline. Two days later, I developed significant confusion and had to return to the ER for tests to rule out a stroke.

You don't say which medication caused your allergic reaction but we know that any med can do this. Sorry to hear you had such an extreme reaction.

What a "lot of nerve," assuming the doctor was talking about you!!! That doctor needs to spend some time reviewing the PDR and/or he should have input your med on the computer and conducted a search re "side effects." As we know, there are very few meds that don't have 2-3 pages of adverse effects including death.

Enough of my rant -- I actually haven't really gotten started re my feelings about doctors but we do need them for some things. My other stories are long but if I didn't have some medical knowledge of my own on more than one occasion, I probably would not be writing this right now.

If you read my appeal to Dr. Albert and also check out my website, please let me know via email or telephone what electric or telephone equipment you have close to your bed.

Not only can you be helped, but the knowledge I acquire (I am writing a book with Prof. Olle Johansson from Karolinska Institute) re Alzheimers whether related to electric field exposure or not, is being used to help others and to demand the release of known facts by our government, cancer societies and more.

You also need to review facts re benefits of melatonin. I have at least one study on my website but have so much info on melatonin, it is difficult to keep up with.

Taking melatonin every night before bed can help you deal with many stresses. EMF/EMR exposure causes stress. Melatonin is also a cancer-fighter -- a powerful antioxidant and has greatly improved my life as well as quality-of-life for Bud. I rely on book by Dr. Russel Reiter, "Melatonin." You can "google" for info re obtaining the book.

I was a guest of the First International Children With Leukaemia Conference in London in 2004. At that time, I had the privilege of meeting Dr. Reiter. He said, "if your husband had been taking melatonin all along, he may never have developed Alzheimers."

Feel free to call or email with questions. Be sure and include "subject" I will recognize whether a call or email.

In answer to your question, "do I really have Alzheimers," I would say, "I do not think you have Alzheimers." I do think you are amongst the thousands who are suffering symptoms of "cognitive dissonance" as result of our EMF/EMR-polluted "Blue World." I base that on your other concerns re work, etc.

Many persons on the caregivers' part of forum will help you in addition to the help Dan has kindly provided. Never hesitate to start another thread with specific questions. The people on this forum are "the best!!!"

Take care - Joanne

Dear BDJ, while you overheard your MD giving dication he might not have been talking about you at all. I dont think that I would want to wait two weeks to confront him, or this diagnosis, and would call his office and see him on Monday. And if he feels that this is the case, then I would be getting a second opinion from a good neurologist on Tuesday. As you must have heard there are medications to help early in the disease, and many people on the forum can help you with their personal experiences.

BDJ, I spent many years doing psychological evaluations in hospitals, and know a great deal about what happens when a doctor gets on the floor. He/she is bombarded by staff with questions and reports about all the patients. I've seen MDs balance 4 or more consultations at once. You may have missed a question that was passed to him, verbally or even in a note.

The biggest favor I can do for you is to suggest you call the Alzheimer's Association helpline during regular business hours, and discuss your concerns. Plus, call your doc's office and see if he's available for a quick chat; be sure and say specifically why.

The most frightening thing is the unknown -- information is your cure.

Dear BDJ,
Welcome. I'm sorry for what brings you here. This is a great place to vent., ask questions, get insight from others. It is a wonderful community. After reading your post, I thought what I would do? I agree with everything everyone here has said and advised. I would NOT wait to confront your doctor about what you think you overheard. Call NOW. Settle this so that you can have peace of mind. I do agree, however, if you have NOT had scans, MRI's, EEG's,neuropsych. testing AND been seen by a neurologist, then after speaking with your doctor, if he confirms your worst fear, then do all these tests ASAP! There are many people misdiagnosed in this country. Try not to freak out and think the worst until ALL tests are done and you are given a diagnosis. Only then can you be sure it is correct!

Peace and Hope