i have a question about the results of my first attempt at coming to grips with a process i am undergoing in regards to failing cognitive abilities of 'some form'. this all began last fall when my employers (who are very supportive)aand friends noticed a change in my behavior (you've not been yourself lately) we reduced my work load and hours. i am having difficulty with the simplest of tasks. with the reduced hours i lost my insurance and went from kaiser (and our beloved family doctor) back to local indigent care. i witnessed the earliest beginning of my mother's alzheimer's (confirmed by autopsy) and felt sure (and still do) that the same process is unfolding in me. i finally got to my neurolgy appointment and was surprised by 2 things: my demeanor of the physician on a personal basis and the initial good results on the screening test they gave me. the interview was abrupt, condescending and dismissive. i am frank with people about 'being a child of the 60's'. i am not now nor have i ever been addicted to or dependent on drugs. i should mention that i am also gay, free of aids and in a wonderful relationship of 23 years going strong. they did not show me the ct pictures but told me i show evidence of "ischemic strokes". my mother, father and older brother ALL have been diagnosed with this at some point on their later lives...hypertension R us. anyway, this dr. told me the ct result was because i was "doing something i shouldn't be doing" (present tense) and precribed me a medication to help my brain work a little faster and that i would like it because i would have technicolor dreams. on the net i find the drug is used for non-lactating mother's and for people addicted to cocaine!). so there's that part of it. the other part is the test thay gave me..remembering 3 words, remember a short series of directions, write a sentence and draw the face of a clock. i stumbled a bit on the 3 words but i must tell you my anxiety level was so high by this time i just wanted to leave. i had NO problem with that screening test. but i must tell someone that i have trouble keeping our finances straight, typing anytime, writing more than a few sentences. i cannot attend to conversation amidst comepeting background noise and i am really losing it on faces and names with people i have known less than a year or two. the list goes on...i have kept a diary (which the doctor had no interest in looking at) something is going on and worsening. i was hit by a car (cell phone driver) 3 years ago and the ct scan at that time showed no injury or ischemic strokes. i have certainly done nothing chemically in that time(or in the past 20 years)other than what medicines are prescribed to me. SO. what is my question to you? does my good performance on the screening questions rule out an alzheimer's process automatically..should i continue to pursue this? if i have to save up money for an outside opinion i will. i feel dejected, pre-judged and dissmissed by these people. other that that i leave them to deal with their own kharma. would a patient advocate be able to help me with the instituion at hand? lastly, if you feel this is an inappropriate question for the forum PLEASE tell me so. you may certainly remove this from the forum. but PLEASE don't leave me stranded. answer with an email at least, please. i truly need some quidance and i do not know where to turn and i must find out where these things i am experiencing are taking me.

Dear Jbell,
sorry to say I just went thru the same thing regarding my husband and we seen 7 doctors because he didn't want to accept it, but the diagnoses is progressive degenerative dementia stage 5. His coworkers were the first to notice something wasn't right being on the same job for 20 years. He went thru the same test you did the 3 words, counting backwards, drawing a clock and a few other things. He couldn't do.
This is a living nightmare and everyday something else is being presented to verify this horrible disease

Dear jbell,
I am sorry to hear that you were not treated well by the doctors that evaluated you. If you are having signs of AD, it is recommended to seek a thorough evaluation by a skilled physician who can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease with 90 percent accuracy. There is no single test for Alzheimer’s; therefore, diagnosis usually involves a thorough medical evaluation. This evaluation includes a medical history, Mental status evaluation, a series of evaluations that test memory, reasoning, vision-motor coordination, and language skills. It also includes a physical examination, an examination that tests sensation, balance, and other functions of the nervous system, a brain scan to detect other causes of dementia such as stroke, and laboratory tests. In addition, the diagnosis involves a psychiatric evaluation, interviews with a spouse, partner, or close family member or friend of the person suspected of dementia. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s usually falls into one of the following categories: (A) diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s indicates that the physician has ruled out all other disorders that may be causing dementia and has come to the conclusion that symptoms are most likely the result of Alzheimer’s disease. (B)diagnosis of possible Alzheimer’s means that Alzheimer’s disease is probably the primary cause of dementia but that another disorder may be affecting the progression of symptoms.

I am not sure from your post whether you had a thorough evaluation for a diagnosis. If not, it would be beneficial for you to be evaluated by a neurologist or a geriatric psychiatrist.
It sounds like you are going through a lot. It is normal to feel frustrated to be told to go through series of testing for diagnosis. I encourage you to seek lots of support as you go through the diagnosis process. It is good to know that you get some support from friends and coworkers (this is important). Please feel free to call our 24-hour helpline if you would like to talk to someone or if you have further questions. You may also call our number if you need information neurologists or other local resources. Thank you for using the Alzheimer's Association Online Community. I wish you the best.

Sincerely,

Mini V.