← Return to Mild cognitive impairment: What questions to ask the neurologist?

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@rwinney

Hello @sb4ca - I'm so sorry you are struggling with MCI and ocular disruption. Naturally you feel "done with this" out of frustration, exhaustion, fear. Understandably, it's a lot. I'm happy you have this community to seek support from. Your post caught my eye because I just went to my mom's neurology follow up appointment last week to discuss her being diagnosed with MCI, after an MRI showed no signs of Alzheimer's or Dementia, thankfully. As I'm sure you have been doing, I've researched MCI. Here's what Mayo has to say about MCI:

Mild Cognitive Impairment - diagnoses and treatment -

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mild-cognitive-impairment/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20354583#:~:text=Health%20care%20providers%20often%20use,the%20degree%20memory%20is%20impaired.

For the past year or so, my mom has described what you say - losing words, thoughts, spelling. She had been having TIA's as well and scans proved a stroke at some point. She has a small brain tumor that is watched annually for growth, and suffers from ocular migraines for many years. Plus, she lives in chronic pain from a traumatic accident years ago which is "managed" and I say that loosely, with opioids. A mixed bag of mitigating factors. Sound familiar?

Has your neurologist suggested memory medication? My mom has been taking one and swears it has made a change in her reciting of words and thoughts. While I don't know specifically about your diagnoses, I know that when faced with a plethora of symptoms and challenges, the CNS can go a little haywire and the overwhelmingness of it all causes an uptick in symptoms. At my Mom's appointment, her neurologist handed her a packet about "Curable".

Curable: A Different Approach -

- https://www.curablehealth.com/?gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvP3s7aiHgAMVVROzAB1fqgJ4EAAYASAAEgKhzfD_BwE

Curable is a site that has been spoken highly of by Connect members who have chronic pain. It offers a different approach to pain management and I was very pleased to see my mom's doc was acknowledging the need for self-help and self-management, in addition to meds, etc. Maybe it could be helpful as you and your doctors navigate your current health conditions.

Here is a Connect discussion about Curable -

- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/amazing-websiteapp-in-dealing-with-chronic-pain-curablehealth-com/

I sure wish you the best in your journey. Try to stay positive and keep your chin up. You got this! When might you know if you will apply to Mayo Clinic?

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Replies to "Hello @sb4ca - I'm so sorry you are struggling with MCI and ocular disruption. Naturally you..."

I am pleasantly surprised to hear that an MRI can rule out Alzheimer’s or dementia. That’s new to me. And good news for your mother.