Something is going on with my dad, I fear he may be showing signs of dementia

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Socreta93

Socreta93

Senior Member
#1
Jul 28, 2015
2,298
360
83
#1
Long story short, he’s been normal in the past few days until today. Today he’s had moments where he forget stuff and act like everything is normal. I brushed it off at first but it got worse and got concerned. When I question him he gets annoyed. It got worse right now with him trying to sort out his medicines that he takes (thyroids and diabetic medicines). I fear it may have started with that since he has to take a lot of them and maybe he accidentally didn’t follow correct instructions and messed him up. For example he has something in his hand and gives it to me. Ask me to pick it up from the table and I told him I’m holding it. One table is for one set the other is for the other set and he keeps switching them up. It’s really concerning, I asked him if he ironed my clothes for church. He said no abs said he was going to do it now but it’s 12 am. He then brings the board to the other side of the room despite the fact he does it near the bathroom. Then forgets to add water. Irons my sweater a bit and just bits the iron on the bathroom floor saying it belongs there. I picked it up and put it near the window. It’s really concerning and heartbreaking. Never thought I’d have to go through this

Please pray that this was just one weird day and that he may get better. It was a sudden change which is jarring.
 
Artios1

Artios1

Born again to serve
#2
Dec 11, 2020
678
419
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#2
Dementia does not progress that quickly.

I am not a pharmacist (or a biologist for that matter) but I would check his meds first. Check for side effects and interactions with the various meds and anything else he may be taking (supplements).

There are other things that can cause or mimic dementia …check with the Doctor
It might be necessary for you to control the meds for a short time, so you know that he is taking the prescribed amount.

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T

TheIndianGirl

Guest
#3
#3
The best way to check for dementia is to get brain MRI. It is better to do this sooner than later. I have read that people with dementia have periods when they can remember and periods when they are forgetful.
 
JohnDB

JohnDB

Well-known member
#5
Jan 16, 2021
6,191
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#5
Socreta93 said:
Long story short, he’s been normal in the past few days until today. Today he’s had moments where he forget stuff and act like everything is normal. I brushed it off at first but it got worse and got concerned. When I question him he gets annoyed. It got worse right now with him trying to sort out his medicines that he takes (thyroids and diabetic medicines). I fear it may have started with that since he has to take a lot of them and maybe he accidentally didn’t follow correct instructions and messed him up. For example he has something in his hand and gives it to me. Ask me to pick it up from the table and I told him I’m holding it. One table is for one set the other is for the other set and he keeps switching them up. It’s really concerning, I asked him if he ironed my clothes for church. He said no abs said he was going to do it now but it’s 12 am. He then brings the board to the other side of the room despite the fact he does it near the bathroom. Then forgets to add water. Irons my sweater a bit and just bits the iron on the bathroom floor saying it belongs there. I picked it up and put it near the window. It’s really concerning and heartbreaking. Never thought I’d have to go through this

Please pray that this was just one weird day and that he may get better. It was a sudden change which is jarring.
Click to expand...
Actually...
You can go to YouTube and look up dimentia tests that aren't expensive like an MRI is.

Give one to your father...and where the test is difficult you lie and tell him he's doing well the whole time to keep him happy and calm. And you be happy and calm during the whole test as well.

Anger keeps us from thinking coherently.

One other thing.
Get some high potency B-Complex vitamins and make sure he takes one every day.
Most of your dimentia can actually be stopped and somewhat reversed a little by that vitamin. I know that this sounds nuts and like health guru quackery...but this actually helps as explained to me by a doctor.

And I get it...I recently visited my father and mother and there's several warning signs of dimentia my father is showing. He's been so active too... getting to go and do all kinds of stuff he enjoys.
But I'm really worried about him as well.

We all get some level of dimentia as we age. Ol brain is just worn out. Just a natural part of aging. Simple mathematics and short term memory skill exercises can help a lot with the symptoms. The brain is also a muscle...use it or lose it.

So....try those things first. See if something more needs to be done.
 
JohnDB

JohnDB

Well-known member
#6
Jan 16, 2021
6,191
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#6
Also... because of his age and other issues... keep an eye out for a stroke.
Small ones can happen.
If he calls out the wrong color when asked. Or wrong name of a coin. It's a thing that happens with recent stroke victims...it's only temporary. But calling a penny a quarter is frustrating....then get him to the hospital.

The brain is a funny thing...but those things are just simple easy and inexpensive tests to see if more needs to be done.
 
Socreta93

Socreta93

Senior Member
#7
Jul 28, 2015
2,298
360
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#7
Update:
Sorry for late reply but here is what happened. A few hours after I made this post, at 3am he woke me up telling me to take him to the doctor. He felt very dizzy. The fact he told me this showed me he was at least sane which is good. I ordered an uber and we went there "local hospital at 4 am sucks since we had to wait. I left because Covid doesn't let you stay with a person unless they are a minor plus I needed to go to church. Anyway they did a CT scan, MRI and multiple blood tests. I spoke to multiple doctors that treated him there and said everything came out normal and that their fear of a possible stroke was nothing to be concerned with anymore.. But still wanted him to see a neurologist and take vestibular therapy to improve balance. I asked the second doctor why she thought he acted the way he did the day before. She had no concrete explanation except that he may have suffered from his sugar being very low. I read that having low sugar may lead to dizziness and confusion which is what happened. That Sunday until today he has been fine. He has lower energy but for now is trying to limit his diabetic medicine. I think he may have gotten mixed up and stop taking one or double dipped which caused what happened. As of now he is fine, most likely just a drop in sugar so I may know what to do the next time.
 
Magenta

Magenta

Senior Member
#8
Jul 3, 2015
59,996
29,365
113
#8
Socreta93 said:
I read that having low sugar may lead to dizziness and confusion which is what happened.
Click to expand...
Glad to hear your dad was looked after and is doing better :)

Is he a diabetic? :unsure:

Socreta93 said:
He has lower energy but for now is trying to limit his diabetic medicine.
Click to expand...
Okay never mind :D Though diabetes is very serious.
 
Bingo

Bingo

Well-known member
#9
Feb 9, 2019
9,196
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#9
"Let us pray to realize a glucose monitor being essential for a diabetic. My wife being
a diabetic for several years and I have had some anxious times. Symptoms you described
sounds like low sugar, and nothing to mess with. Wife always carries some kind of sweet
chocolate and different times she says she is not feeling right, it's chocolate time and her monitor
verifies it. But she checks her sugar regularly and on insulin at home.
Thank God for some great doctors here in our area and she gets along well.
I pray your family and others with health issues are in God's care as well as a good doctor."
'Amen'
'Praise God'

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Flowergirl19

Flowergirl19

Active member
#10
Jun 1, 2021
378
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#10
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
—2 Peter 3:9
 
G

GodIsMyKeeper

New member
#11
Feb 3, 2019
2
0
1
#11
Socreta93 said:
Long story short, he’s been normal in the past few days until today. Today he’s had moments where he forget stuff and act like everything is normal. I brushed it off at first but it got worse and got concerned. When I question him he gets annoyed. It got worse right now with him trying to sort out his medicines that he takes (thyroids and diabetic medicines). I fear it may have started with that since he has to take a lot of them and maybe he accidentally didn’t follow correct instructions and messed him up. For example he has something in his hand and gives it to me. Ask me to pick it up from the table and I told him I’m holding it. One table is for one set the other is for the other set and he keeps switching them up. It’s really concerning, I asked him if he ironed my clothes for church. He said no abs said he was going to do it now but it’s 12 am. He then brings the board to the other side of the room despite the fact he does it near the bathroom. Then forgets to add water. Irons my sweater a bit and just bits the iron on the bathroom floor saying it belongs there. I picked it up and put it near the window. It’s really concerning and heartbreaking. Never thought I’d have to go through this

Please pray that this was just one weird day and that he may get better. It was a sudden change which is jarring.
Click to expand...
 
G

GodIsMyKeeper

New member
#12
Feb 3, 2019
2
0
1
#12
Lord let the anointing of the Holy Spirit to heal and restore his fathers mental health. Fill him with your healing power God.
 
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