@spibill, @coloradomama, and all... I will have a brain MRI Thursday, 1/30/25, ordered by my Rheumatologist. Thankfully. Yesterday, I reached a point with new symptoms that I realized must be diagnosed. I have all the symptoms, it seems, of Normal Pressure Hydrocepholus... These symptoms occurred the last several months every morning as awaking with difficulty from a nightmare, with incontinence on sitting up in bed, severe foggy brain, no balance, hold onto wall to shuffle to bathroom. Can not pick up feet! Feel like magnets on bottom.

I don't recognize myself in the mirror... my lower lip is enlarged and hanging, my entire face, both sides, is hanging with the muscles all drooping toward my chin. I look frightening, both sides.

In the past it took hours to recover, slowly. And, nightmares increased in frequency, these symptoms increased in severity. Yesterday I spent the day at Mayo from 11 blood-work, CT scan and a vasculitis surgeon visit, with no changes so all is fine there.

But, it was a tough day. Getting dressed was tough. Thinking was tough. Moving was tough. I was still shuffling, although less, on getting home and went to bed at 5:30. The last several weeks, I've become more apathetic, more irritable, having problems getting anything done and completed, forgetting... cognitive issues. New. I am usually very clear, clarity of thought, forget little and interested in my limited life. Going downhill gradually, but not associating any of my issues with these.

I have a brain MRI scheduled this Thursday. Thank the good Lord. I think I am a classic NPH patient. We'll see with these test results. I'm very concerned. I'm a 78 year old woman, with several autoimmune illnesses, multiple diseases I accept and deal with daily, vasculitis/PMR/Sarcoid/GCA. Take Prednisone now daily with weekly Methotrexate. I thought these things were boxed in and blood-work shows no activity currently. I have heart disease, 4.9 ascending thoracic aneurysm, and more, but am staying fairly stable until the last several months.

I 2024 I had 5 serious UTI with 3 hospital stays for IV antibiotic infusions. So, my body has been under attack for the last year and these new brain symptoms sneaked up on me! Pooh! Don't like or want this added to my list!

But, I'll deal with it. I'm asking you folks for advice and any suggestions you may have for NPH. I am surely not a candidate for surgery. Have any of you had success with regular spinal fluid reductions, taps as needed when symptoms increase? Is there any other treatment available? Your suggestions for improving symptoms... cognitive decline? I live alone, have a disabled 56 year old son whom I help as I can. He thankfully helps me as well now, but he's deteriorating as well...

Thank you for your suggestions to help me as I join you in this crazy walk... Elizabeth