Tuesday I finally got a diagnosis of my moms problems: Fronto-Temporal Spectrum Disorder, probably Pick's Disease. Pick's is a form of FTD as it's called. It would explain the personality and behavioral changes she's had. It would also explain why things have progressed so rapidly. I met with Dr. Headshrink about her test results alone. Mom had called in sick and tried to cancel the appointment.

Thursday the memory doc gave a different diagnosis: Mixed Dementia, which is a combo of Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer's.



Huh? We were at the memory doc's appointment together. I wanted him to break the news. I had already told her it wasn't Alzheimer's. Thank God she had forgotten that!

I kept asking why there were two different diagnoses. I got silence. No explanation. No answers. The only question he did answer was whether there would be any follow up or more tests. No to both. Huh?

I felt like he had said, "You have an illness that will confuse you, debilitate you, and eventually kill you. Good Bye."

Gee, thanks Doc.

Just as I was about to post this, the phone rang and it was Dr. Headshrink himself on the line. I had called him after I took her home yesterday. He explained that after he had studied her chart from the memory doc's office, he had changed his mind about the diagnosis. He said yes, it's Mixed dementia, vascular and Alzheimer's. After we chatted for a few minutes, the diagnosis makes sense.

I reminded him about the Occupational Therapy evaluation and driving test he had said were needed and said the memory doc's office wasn't inclined to order either one. He said when he writes his report, he will emphasize the need for both. He'll send a copy of his report to her internist so that if the memory doc doesn't order the tests, the internist can do it.

Now I feel better.