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Have dementia symptoms but tests have come back negative
Can anyone relate to this??
Started having having night time hallucinations about 18 months ago and some memory issues. After much back and forth with my doctor and insurance I finally got to see a neurologist. He sent me for a brain MRI, a SPECT scan and did a blood test for Alzheimer's. All the results are negative, but the symptoms still remain. He made a couple of changes in my medications to see if that might be the cause, but symptoms still remain. He is now talking about a PET scan and I'm wondering if it's worth it. What would a PET scan show that the other tests didn't? He thought it might be Parkinsonism/LBD since that's what my symptoms pointed to.
It's just been a rollercoaster of emotions and anxiety!! Has anyone else had this experience??
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Have you been tested for sleep apnea
No, I haven't. I would look at all your prescription medications you are on and see the side effects of them and see if it is a side effect of anything you are taking. If it is, you could request to be on something different.
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1 Reaction@dmk Why do you ask about sleep apena - can it cause dementia??
Remember when one has severe sleep apnea they stop breathing during episodes therefore no oxygen gets to the body during the episodes and I’ve noticed a brain fog with the person and memory not same
I don't have sleep apnea. Just a continuation of night time hallucinations and short term memory problems. My doctor also made changes to my meds, but unfortunately that isn't the problem either.
@rigatoni1 meet with pharmacist as a consult they more knowledge PET scans are worth it
Any lung issues? Poor breathing at night is one (of many) causes of nighttime hallucinations. It is rare but if positive important to know
I don't have any lung issues that I am aware of. I will mention it to my doctor at my next visit and see what he says. Thanks for your response.
I was recently diagnosed with Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus. It is hard to diagnose because it has the similar symptoms as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and dementia. NPH if not treated can turn into dementia. However, I would have thought with a brain MRI, they might have helped them suspect NPH. The solution was implanting a shunt in the brain...truly a miracle. I wish and hope you find out soon. 3 symptoms of NPH, gait, cognitive issues, incontinence. You don't necessarily show a 3, but symptoms.
PET Is a key definitive test for Alzheimer’s in that it shows the amyloid plaque on the brain’s surface if that test component is ordered.