go with your gut. the worst that can happen is someone else says "you are right, we can fix this or make it better" or "you are right, it is your medications and we can change that"or "we found a bug in our brain and removed it."

none of that makes sense because I have ALz today in spades, because I have fought neurologists for 40 years to be taken seriously and I am still miffed about it, I trust your gut, and it is possible something is munching on our brains and no one is looking for it because they are need the money that comes from more research on plaques and tangles theory. 

You are distressed, you know yourself better than they do. We have a very protective gut brain which is almost always right.

Gut instinct. No down side to soothing your gut instincts meant for your survival by getting more info anyway you can.

I understand the insurance and cost side of fruitless testing for things but we have the human right to find out if we can reverse or improve our lives. Behind you 100% whatever you choose to do.

Tip: the neurologists do not care if we don't believe them or see someone else. 

short story: when my skin lost sensation 30 years and I was overcome with fatigue my doctor sent me to a neurologist. He did a few muscle tests in his office then said "Married?"no. "boyfriend?" no "kids at home?" no. "I know a psychiatrist who can set you straight."

I went to 2 other neurologists and that first guy was contacted each time and told the doctors I was "attention seeking" (found out later). I kept trying until I found a woman neurologist who did some tests and thought it was MS. Since there was no cure I treated myself and improved alot over 3 years although the pinprick sensation did not come back. 

Looking back, it may have been the beginning of ALZ. Point is I stood up for myself and learned to manage my symptoms on my own.

sent a letter to quack and told him if he interfered again with my medical care I would sue him.

now compare you calm demeanor here with my blasting. You are very normal in pursuing this. If anyone suggests otherwise, still follow your gut.

love you friend. you are doing really good.

Spot on Alz!  

Go for it Julie.  I would.  Will give you peace of mind that you checked everything out.

Yes, Julie, 

Go for it!

While I do know that medication CAN, in fact, cause you issues.  Bottom line is, you know you BEST. 

That said, dementia will also drop you IQ.

But, for a TRUE dementia dx...one has rule out ANY possible other cause.  So you no wrong, you doing what is right, and good, and healthy in this situation.  Heck, you even doing what is sane in this situation...with intelligence and foresight. 

So do no let anyone make you feel bad about it.  Hold you head up high and do what you need do for you self....you do no owe anyone an explaination.

Well, technically it can cause the whole thing.

I mean that is what is hard between MCI and dementia.  Although they on the same spectrum, dementia much more certain that what it is.  MCI can be from MANY varied sources. 

Depression can cause dementia-like symptoms (but neuropsych's can show the different patterns). 

Eating gluten, or wheat, can give one brain fog, make them forgetful, and have hard time do things...but eventually wears off.

A number of illnesses also give brain fog...which can remotely be like MCI.

The KEY feature between MCI and dementia - is MCI does NOT progress.  So all those with non-progressing MCI are no going progress, they are no terminal...and they do no have a clue what the rest us going through (although all around the internet some like think they do, and try speak for us). 

All dementia's have common key features, 2 of which are 1) they are all progressive; and 2) they are all fatal.  So getting a dementia dx is very much like being told you have terminal stage 4 cancer....only rather than sympathy, treatment, care, support....we are told sign our lives away and wait die.  We STILL have a very long way go in dementia care rights...and Alz Asso Caregivers are no at all helpful that (they busy fighting their rights and services, no ours).  Indeed, the moment you get a dementia dx...you doctor will start asking whoever brought you questions rather than you, or look them whenever you answer something see if you were right.  It is shocking how suddenly no longer human one becomes in others minds upon dx with dementia. 

The real question is...if it the meds, is it permanent??? 

And the other question, I'd be asking is, if it the meds...how possible is it change them?  I mean, I assume you need them and that other than the dementia symptoms, they working for you...so what one going do??? 

It a real bind. 

But that you progressed, speaks volumes. 

You can have dementia independently as well...and perhaps the meds make a little worse, hard say. 

I take a med for my muscle weakening autoimmune that makes my dementia progress faster than it would otherwise.  But having choose between walking and having life verses bedridden and living longer...I choose walking and having life.  I made peace with that I will die sooner. 

In short, if it is actual, factual dementia...there really truly isn't anything you can do about it.  I know people say diet and exercise...but that does no real help it, it just gives us a feeling we doing something positive....gives us a false sense of control.

What I wish you could find is a provider who'd give you Aricept...and SEE if that does no help you slow the progression.  You could always ask, say you want try it..."unless they have a medical justification no do" is the phrase I always use, tends work....I no longer remember why (LOL). 

Hang in there.  You, in ways, are like Bill....in that you want a concrete, "yes it really is this"...but in dementia, we NEVER get that (unfortunately).  What we get is the progression that eventually erases any doubts we had in the earlier stages.  I mean, all through the early stages, we ALL doubted...thought this could no be what is...but eventually, as it progresses on its expected path....eventually it adds up and we each come know for our own selves that yup, this it. 

That said, many us like forget it is what it is....and life without thinking about it.  Even so, we will lose skills and it will rear its ugly head again reminding us - yes we really do have this.  Now that I have start stage 6...I have say, the slow march my death (every skill I lose) is a soul scary reminder I really am going die soon.  I mean, no that soon...but that it coming.  Of all the peace I made letting go my life and plans...I still no know how say goodbye the baby...and I suspect that I will never find a way.

Anyways, best luck finding you answers.

<3

I don't understand what they mean by your memory loss might be medication related?  What medications?  If medications cause memory and cognitive loss, they should be discontinued. 

Iris L.

All those class of drugs are known impair memory...but this link may help you

https://www.drugs.com/sfx/risperidone-side-effects.html

<3

Julie,

It is believed there are many types and probably many many causes.  For those of us diagnosed it's, in my pinion, to worry about how.

We just have to deal with what we have.

how did I miss you are an artist?

Your art may change, but if you let go of how you USED TO paint and let the new brain/mind/heart/gut fuel your creativity you might come to love it as much as the old.

I am so sorry the IQ measurement has made you feel less yourself.

Did I get my IQ measured? I don't recall anyone saying that, it was loss of function, loss of independent living skills etc.

I can't imagine the benefit to anyone or any treatment in claiming someone has a lower IQ. That seems like a dig based on squat.

The first year or 2 we spend our time figuring out how to work with our illness and figuring out what is BS from our care providers.

If I plan to do laundry I might actually paint - there is an ugly wall at bottom of basement steps and it is warm down there. I want to paint something on that wall. 

When I was young I painted double wooden garage doors with a family portrait of me, husband at time, dogs, cats and kids! I was so free of measuring myself against any other scale.

go forth and paint the heck out something! First step is cracking the resistance to doing something in a new way, go for it as soon as you can! Life awaits, open the door a little at a time.

Best wishes on your referral to the Brain Institute, Julie!  What a great name for a clinic!

Julie, lists will become your best friend.  Every time you have a moment, make lists of things you need to do, such as daily, weekly, monthly, or seasonally.  I call my notebook with my lists "my other brain."  Every week I make a list of To Do This Week, then every night I write out what to do for the next day.  This really has been a great help to me!

Iris L.

Julie, you are still thinking clearly, you are just forgetting.  That's why it is so important to write things down.  The simple act of putting pen to paper will jog your memory.  If necessary, do an online search for "how to prepare a house for winter."  A lot of tips will come up, and you can choose what is appropriate for your home, and add it to your list.  The main idea is to know that you can still function with accommodations.

Iris L.

Iris you are onto something but let me explain a little bit about why I said it was more of a problem than just writing it down.. You see I am the person who always thinks of the worse case and it happening.. Well in this instance I not only did not think there was a problem with leaving the outside faucet uncovered but I had a reason for it.. I would need it to water some plants out there and so it never occurred to me that my plan has a major hole in it.. The cold is the hole and darned near cost us some money if the pipe had frozen. I found when I got home that it had not frozen and I could cover it with no problem.. The problem is if my attitude of always being on top of the things that could go wrong is not in operation I am in trouble because Jay does not think of these things and things like this can happen.. I will write my seasonal to do list though.. It could come in real handy in the future.. Thanks Iris..

Rightmind yes I need an expert.. I need one badly. There are way too many opinions on what is going on from people I have helping me now and need someone to say this is what it is and this is what we are going to do about it or there is nothing we can do about it but we will be with you in this. The Brain Institute is a good place for me to go.. Thanks so much!

Julie, I know exactly what you mean!  I too, used to look out for all possibilities and worst case scenarios and how to avoid them and what to do if disasters happened.  Unfortunately, I can't think of an example now.  My long term recall is diminishing.  I'm getting ready to go to the library.  They have Feelgood Flicks on Fridays.

Iris L.