Dear Romany,

I love you guys - all of you. I don't know what I'd do without you.
This Forum has been a 'release valve' for me in more ways than I can ever say. And you've made me laugh, cry, and been there for me when it really mattered.

As far as mum is concerned - I'm afraid I can feel it in my 'gut' that it's not just going to be a 'vitamin, ' cure.

The signs are all there. It's just a question of getting it confirmed and going from there. One step at a time.

Romany, I appreciate your being so honest with me and opening up as you did. It helps me more than words can say. Thank - You.

I'm so grateful to you all.

Dear Foxy

Very sorry to hear about your Mum. It sounds from what you say that there are several signs pointing you to think this way.

Just thought I'd pass on our family story as just another issue that might be relevant. A few years back my husband's father started to act strangely. He was becoming confused, wasn't remembering people and was uncharacteristically aggressive on occasions. The family were all of the conclusion after reading up and talking to his doctor that he was in the early stages of dementia. He deteriorated quite rapidly soon after us coming to this conclusion and ended up in hospital. It turned out that he'd been mixing up his medication and probably overdosing and maybe he was on some stuff he shouldn't have been on. I'm not sure of the exact details but the doctors sorted out what he was taking and he gradually came right again over a period of several days. He's with us to this day and not all that well but he doesn't have and never had dementia despite presenting with the symptoms.

I guess it's very unlikely that this would be the explanation with your Mum but thought I would pass it on just in case. This is turning out to be a testing year for you Foxy. But I can sense in you an inner strength and resourcefulness that I'm sure will help you through it. Love and good wishes.

Foxy, I don't have any helpful to say to you because the others have done an excellent job.

But I still would like to give you and your mother my very best wishes.
I hope that your mother will be accepting the diagnosis and willing to cooperate with any treatment/medication regime.

I suppose these times are the times when we have the opportunity to return all the love, the care and the patience that were once given to us as children.

Please take care of yourself as well as your mother, Foxy, during these hectic and what can be stressful times.
The carers are often forgotten, but it's important for them to keep up their strength and alertness.

Love and strength for you and your mother and all other carers out there.

Dear Foxy,

Everyone has offered such good advice. However, I would like to add something more. Depression or stress in the elderly can throw up false symptoms of dementia - you really need an expert to diagnose this.

Others have mentioned vitamins and such. Folic Acid is vitally important, indeed for everyone as they age. Research indicates that it has some positive effect on dementia. Check online for the information. There are a number of sites for dementia, Alzheimers, etc., but obviously a person has to be diagnosed by a professional.

We all sympathise with you; indeed, I suspect many of us fear getting this ourselves. Your mother is very fortunate to have someone who loves and cares for her as you do. And as others have stated, it is important that you take care of yourself.

Good Evening Everyone,

Well I've hit my first brick wall.

I made an appointment with my mum's GP and after being kept waiting for an hour and a half I was told that my mother's state of health could not be discussed without her being present due to privacy regulations, confidentiality et cetera.

I wasn't deterred and went ahead and explained my concerns anyway only to be told that I must bring my mother in with me next time, and
the matter will be discussed in her presence.

I asked for a referral for my mum to a specialist - again merely to be told that the referral could only be given to my mother - not me.

But I'm not giving up. I will now try to persuade my mother to let me
come with her to her next doctor's appointment - and take it from there.

Dear foxy

I am sorry to hear of your concerns for your mother espeically considering its important that you rest.

Here is the best thing to do if possible. Find someone you can trust other than yourself to talk with Mum. Someone she repects.

It is very true that little things can throw a older person out from a bladder infection to systems of Having head a Minni Stroke

Yes your need a specialists appointment. The specialist should firstly do a blood teast than a brain scan to see if there are any your mother had a mini stroke. TSI

Contacts your local hospital by phone. Ask for the to put you through to the aged care assesment team.

Once you get through insist on speaking with the person incharge.

Ask them to assist you by doing an assesment of your mother.

Mums and Dads basically co operate better with outside help.

Try to stay out of it but if you can not.

Your free to email me so I can arrange to get you the help you need. Its too hard on here.
info@livexports.com