Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia

How were you diagnosed? I had an MRI brain scan . Now waiting for the results.

@fletchette what is the difference between the two tests that you had ...the CT SCAN and the PT scan?
So many different tests... and wondering...why was I given an MRI? And, I read that the MRI would not necessarily be conclusive! Not sure where this is going.
My Dr. didn't contact me yet, so tomorrow I am going into the office to see what my diagnosis is. Very anxious!!!!

@sisyphus I read the same article and wondered how it actually applies to an individual who has been and still is an introvert. I have a few friends, and right now belong to two face-to-face groups which meet regularly, and several online groups that I participate in but my MCI is starting to make it harder to participate in groups. Also what happens when you cannot drive to places where there are people?

Hello @m961922zxymary
How about we connect again in ~24 hrs because I don't want to steal from you the Possible Answers to your question Yourself, helping You become more Confident in Your Own Abilities to surmount Your challenges, thus making you feel Good about Yourself?

@doclarrea I am happy to say I finally saw a neurologist. after my regular doc never did anything for me. He ascribed my mental decline (progressive). The neurologist prescribed a series of Vitamin B, (6, 9 and 12)) folic a folic acid and an over the counter drug, Donepezil HCL 5 mg.
Lo and behold, withing 3 weeks I have had great improvement. Occasionally I have a lapse of mword memory during a conversation, or can't remember a specific incident but SO, SO much better. I am 85 years old and thought I was at the end of being mentally competent. Yea!

@mtnmarge
Hello. I’m so glad you made the sensible decision of consulting with a neurologist. I hope that after taking the vitamins your memory will improve even more. By the way, how is your level of vitamin D, you might want to go to your primary doctor and ask to get a level because us older folks, tend to need vitamin D supplement. I’m happy to know that you’re taking good care of yourself. Also, allow me to mention that a healthy diet and exercise are of paramount importance. Godspeed to you.

@m961922zxymary
Hello. No worries your are already doing it by attending groups and being an introvert as you mentioned, the online groups are less stressful as you limit the physical exposure by using a computer, also you could choose not to show yourself turning off the camera. These groups are usually very supportive with folks who suffer from any kind of disability. So my advice to you is to keep on keeping on. Do not give up, soon you’ll start enjoying it and wouldn’t be surprised if you begin to miss your groups.

And with the continuing story of my research study.
I had a PET scan early in the morning, and an hour after that I had a slightly radioactive injection , waited three hours and had a DAT scan. You have to take a pill an hour before the injection because the thyroid will absorb the tracer.
I have two more appointments this month for a PET CT and another nuclear med scan which I’m not sure what this one is exactly.
The fun continues.🙂 Regards, Ashley

@sisyphus i have the same
opinion. I have undeniable degradation of cognitive reliability, but I also have quite inadvertently robbed myself of a social circle and believe that is impactful in this context.

I thought I was being smart selling my house ahead of my condition requiring it and moving 1.5 hours away to a smaller cottage near my oldest son and his wife.

The problem is there are no neighbors I might reasonably invite over for cocktails or coffee. So I am quite isolated. My circle has always developed organically and that isnt likely here.

The point is not just or even mostly my social circumstance. It is that I fear the isolation will accelerate my impairment.

While I have not been able to find in-person even tho I meet new group of people about every two weeks about an hour's one way by public transport, it still has not progressed into some more enduring common interest that we may wish to pursue, except now a walking group that indirectly helps to discover more about each other.

I am however open to even having a phone or zoom contact if two or more find each others company, often in a group that already has some common area of interest as, e.g. humanism, healthy lifestyle, current events, etc.

I still lose (find useless) about one group each week but also find one more to try. I am even trying to go into helping at-risk young adults with mentoring, which can be gratifying. But one Must Like, or it likely become 'unhealthy' for both. there are many ways I'll keep on looking. Old age has a lot to offer, too. I've had so many doors close-and-open I am getting used to this! Viktor Frankl of Man's Search for Meaning asks us: Are you worthy of your suffering? really? I'd to look up...there it was, exactly so.
I think that's what the Great Gatsby's message is.

Wish me luck, I wish you the same!