1. < Brain & Nervous System

Mild cognitive impairment: What questions to ask the neurologist?

Posted by sb4ca @sb4ca, Jul 8, 2023

I have been having increased problems with word retrieval, forgetting the subject in the middle of a discussion, not knowing how to spell words that I've always spelled in the past, missing important meetings etc. My neurologist had me take a cognition test and did an MRI. Both showed mild cognitive impairment. I really don't know how this advances or how rapidly. My meeting is tomorrow. Does anyone have suggestions on what I should ask?

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loisjparrish | @loisjparrish | Feb 11 9:37am
In reply to @rwinney "Hi Julie! HABIT = Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking and is a 10-day program..." + (show)
@rwinney

Hi Julie! HABIT = Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking and is a 10-day program for folks who have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment to help learn skills for maintaining independence, improve healthy thinking and self-esteem.

Laurie @roch was helpful in providing a downloadable flyer of information on HABIT above and here also is a direct link to HABIT at Mayo which provides information and contacts for all 3 Mayo campuses including a direct application link:

HABIT: Healthy Action to Benefit Independence and Thinking -
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/psychiatry/services/habit-program#:~:text=The%20HABIT%20program%20is%20held,Mayo%20Florida%2C%20and%20Mayo%20Minnesota.

It appears you would have to be present to participate, but I'm not positive. That is a great question to ask. You never know they may offer Zoom. It looks like a fantastic program, are you considering participating?

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My husband and I participated in the HABIT program in the spring of 23. We attended in person, but had ZOOM participants from other states. We also had a couple who did both, depending on the day. Hope this helps on your journey. We have adopted the "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" mantra. Best of luck.

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Rachel, Volunteer Mentor | @rwinney | Feb 11 10:30am
In reply to @loisjparrish "My husband and I participated in the HABIT program in the spring of 23. We attended..." + (show)
@loisjparrish

My husband and I participated in the HABIT program in the spring of 23. We attended in person, but had ZOOM participants from other states. We also had a couple who did both, depending on the day. Hope this helps on your journey. We have adopted the "if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear" mantra. Best of luck.

Jump to this post

Hi @loisjparrish, thank you so much for sharing your experience with the HABIT program. Pretty awesome that participants from other states were able to join via Zoom. I'm tagging @juliesheff5 as she was curious about the ability to join without being in person.

Lois, how did you and your husband like the program overall? Did you find that you left being more prepared, as your mantra says?

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kcblakeslee | @kcblakeslee | Feb 11 4:08pm
In reply to @cmb1 "Thank you for this inspiring post! I could give me another test, but I’m afraid for..." + (show)
@cmb1

Thank you for this inspiring post! I could give me another test, but I’m afraid for the MCI to go on my chart and people not take me seriously if I’m in the emergency room or hospitalized.

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thank you for this post...it clarifies all for me

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loisjparrish | @loisjparrish | Feb 11 7:52pm
In reply to @rwinney "Hi @loisjparrish, thank you so much for sharing your experience with the HABIT program. Pretty awesome..." + (show)
@rwinney

Hi @loisjparrish, thank you so much for sharing your experience with the HABIT program. Pretty awesome that participants from other states were able to join via Zoom. I'm tagging @juliesheff5 as she was curious about the ability to join without being in person.

Lois, how did you and your husband like the program overall? Did you find that you left being more prepared, as your mantra says?

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Absolutely. Doing the CarePro program now.

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 26 11:08am

After 2MRI, an MRA, an EEG, and a pet-scan I was diagnosed Friday with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
It is Mild according to the report and neurologist is working to set me up with the new medication that is supposed to stop the growth of the tangles in my brain. However, it is only 27% effective and you can only get it for one year.
It is very expensive ($26,500/year), but Medicare is paying 80%. It’s called Leqembi.

I’m looking into diet plans to feed my brain well too.

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1 reply
denisejones00 | @denisejones00 | Feb 27 1:49pm
In reply to @SusanEllen66 "After 2MRI, an MRA, an EEG, and a pet-scan I was diagnosed Friday with Alzheimer’s Dementia...." + (show)
@SusanEllen66

After 2MRI, an MRA, an EEG, and a pet-scan I was diagnosed Friday with Alzheimer’s Dementia.
It is Mild according to the report and neurologist is working to set me up with the new medication that is supposed to stop the growth of the tangles in my brain. However, it is only 27% effective and you can only get it for one year.
It is very expensive ($26,500/year), but Medicare is paying 80%. It’s called Leqembi.

I’m looking into diet plans to feed my brain well too.

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Be strong and know that you are not alone in your journey. Diet combined with exercise is key in slowing the progress of Alzheimers. Walking and getting your heart rate up for 20 to 30 minutes a day is extremely benefical . Lifting even light weights siting can get you heart rate up and improve circulation to the body/brain. Exercising your brain by reading, puzzles, games can also be benefical to slow this disease. A diet with lots of berries (wild blueberries), strawberries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, wholegrains, proteins and citrus fruits, can go a long way in helping the health of your brain. Extra Virgin Olive oils are key in attacking the formation of tangles in the brain. I take 2 tablespoons a day for this purpose. Maintaining a healthy weight, lowering cholesterol/sugar levels and keeping blood presser within normal range is all so important. Most of all enjoy your life and don't worry about the future!

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1 reply
SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Feb 27 10:17pm
In reply to @denisejones00 "Be strong and know that you are not alone in your journey. Diet combined with exercise..." + (show)
@denisejones00

Be strong and know that you are not alone in your journey. Diet combined with exercise is key in slowing the progress of Alzheimers. Walking and getting your heart rate up for 20 to 30 minutes a day is extremely benefical . Lifting even light weights siting can get you heart rate up and improve circulation to the body/brain. Exercising your brain by reading, puzzles, games can also be benefical to slow this disease. A diet with lots of berries (wild blueberries), strawberries, green leafy vegetables, nuts, wholegrains, proteins and citrus fruits, can go a long way in helping the health of your brain. Extra Virgin Olive oils are key in attacking the formation of tangles in the brain. I take 2 tablespoons a day for this purpose. Maintaining a healthy weight, lowering cholesterol/sugar levels and keeping blood presser within normal range is all so important. Most of all enjoy your life and don't worry about the future!

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@denisejones00 thank you for your suggestions. I have been reading about the diet and exercise programs mentioned everywhere about “curing” the brain.
They say that meat is bad for the brain…I used to eat a vegetarian diet and I think that it is something I have to resume.

Thanks again!

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SusanEllen66 | @SusanEllen66 | Mar 3 5:17pm

What not to say to someone who just announced that they have Alzheimer’s Dementia.

How did you do that?
But, you remember my name…
You don’t sound like someone who has dementia when you speak…
Is there a cure?

I’m trying to stay calm but it’s not easy.

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sisyphus | @sisyphus | Mar 4 4:30pm

Besides wholesome food and adequate level of activity, that should also help with good sleep, another imprtant factor, missed so often is Stimulating Social Connections, as having a bunch of people who you can talk, laugh, confide into, share fears and worries is also critical for our mental health. IOW book reading, lectures, movies are helpful as long as one can Build On the material we absorb; passive participation won't help. And here's the problem: Friends are Outside of you, and Both need to like Each Other...to even start. This is the hardest...and therefore probably also the most rewarding. Still working hard. I wish us all such friends!
https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-reducing-dementia-risks/

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total99 | @total99 | Mar 4 9:22pm

What is the "HABIT" prgram exactly???

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