Comments on: DOCTOR IS IN: Alzheimer’s comes with longevity. http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/ Advice and suggestions for taking care of you and your family Mon, 27 Sep 2010 23:18:14 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Hank http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-860 Hank Sun, 14 Jun 2009 16:21:31 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-860 It is nice to see that Dr. Lah and his colleagues are developing a simple screening test for MCI. I have been experiencing symptoms of MCI for several years now and no one could find a cause. The general response I would get was, your depressed, everything seems normal. Other health problem were found and treated but my core complaint, Cognitive problems, was always dismissed as in my head. It's an easy out when the doctor doesn't have the answer I'm lucky I guess, as I am a stubborn SOB and would not let it rest. I recently had some disc problems and I saw a Neurologist. I told his PA about my cognitive problems and talked her into doing an MRI and a one hour Neuro Psych exam.. I had had an MRI about 3 years ago which two Neurologists looked at, including the author of this article, and I was told then that there was no physical problems in my brain that could cause my MCI.. My new neurologist told me that I have been having silent strokes for quite a while. He even showed me the MRI and pointed out where I had many white matter lesions. Looking back over my previous MRI results these were evident and even pointed out by the radiologist yet ignored in the final diagnosis. . I'm starting Aircept. I'm told that it should greatly reduce but not eliminate the progression of the MCI. If I had started it 3 years ago when the problem was ignored, I would probably not have lost (and will never regain) anywhere near the cognitive functions I have. Early detection tests are only good if the doctors actually pays attention to them. As JoAnn said, "you have to take your health in your own hands" For whatever reason you can't always depend on doctors to do what is in your best interest. It is nice to see that Dr. Lah and his colleagues are developing a simple screening test for MCI. I have been experiencing symptoms of MCI for several years now and no one could find a cause. The general response I would get was, your depressed, everything seems normal. Other health problem were found and treated but my core complaint, Cognitive problems, was always dismissed as in my head. It’s an easy out when the doctor doesn’t have the answer
I’m lucky I guess, as I am a stubborn SOB and would not let it rest. I recently had some disc problems and I saw a Neurologist. I told his PA about my cognitive problems and talked her into doing an MRI and a one hour Neuro Psych exam.. I had had an MRI about 3 years ago which two Neurologists looked at, including the author of this article, and I was told then that there was no physical problems in my brain that could cause my MCI..
My new neurologist told me that I have been having silent strokes for quite a while. He even showed me the MRI and pointed out where I had many white matter lesions. Looking back over my previous MRI results these were evident and even pointed out by the radiologist yet ignored in the final diagnosis. .
I’m starting Aircept. I’m told that it should greatly reduce but not eliminate the progression of the MCI. If I had started it 3 years ago when the problem was ignored, I would probably not have lost (and will never regain) anywhere near the cognitive functions I have. Early detection tests are only good if the doctors actually pays attention to them. As JoAnn said, “you have to take your health in your own hands” For whatever reason you can’t always depend on doctors to do what is in your best interest.

]]> By: christy http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-634 christy Tue, 19 May 2009 20:23:49 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-634 alheizmer's runs in my family as my father passed away last fall as a result of this family gene. thank you for your work in the early detection of this disease. http://www.christyhulsey.wordpress.com alheizmer’s runs in my family as my father passed away last fall as a result of this family gene. thank you for your work in the early detection of this disease. http://www.christyhulsey.wordpress.com

]]> By: Sarah http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-496 Sarah Mon, 06 Apr 2009 04:40:10 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-496 I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often. Sarah http://blanket.ws I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sarah

http://blanket.ws

]]> By: Cal http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-487 Cal Wed, 01 Apr 2009 16:10:15 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-487 "Given the magnitude of the impending threat, successful drugs are likely to become multibillion-dollar blockbusters for big pharma. I encourage, support, and participate in these efforts", THIS STATEMENT IS A BIG CONCERN TO ME along with possible side effects of the drugs. We are well aware that pharmaceuticals are very profitiable - sometimes at the cost of health and wellness. If I'm "still kicking rear ends at bridge clubs", I wouldn't want to take anything that might hinder that "kickingness" even if it means a better quality of life later on. AND, if I'm 88 with few physical ailments, taking a drug that might decrease my physical condition would not be welcomed. I agree that the 3-minute MCI test is not enough. I experienced this first hand with my mother. I was even sent out of the room. It should be common knowledge that some cognitive impaired indiv. can answer some of those simple questions well enough to pass that test. I could have given them a more accurate picture of what was actually going on. AND this happened at a geriatric clinic. But, I'm sure we all agree, a lot needs to be done. “Given the magnitude of the impending threat, successful drugs are likely to become multibillion-dollar blockbusters for big pharma. I encourage, support, and participate in these efforts”, THIS STATEMENT IS A BIG CONCERN TO ME along with possible side effects of the drugs. We are well aware that pharmaceuticals are very profitiable – sometimes at the cost of health and wellness. If I’m “still kicking rear ends at bridge clubs”, I wouldn’t want to take anything that might hinder that “kickingness” even if it means a better quality of life later on. AND, if I’m 88 with few physical ailments, taking a drug that might decrease my physical condition would not be welcomed. I agree that the 3-minute MCI test is not enough. I experienced this first hand with my mother. I was even sent out of the room. It should be common knowledge that some cognitive impaired indiv. can answer some of those simple questions well enough to pass that test. I could have given them a more accurate picture of what was actually going on. AND this happened at a geriatric clinic. But, I’m sure we all agree, a lot needs to be done.

]]> By: HSR0601 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-453 HSR0601 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 04:14:36 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-453 The elderly are required to engage in some 'sporting activities' to stay active and for 'soft landing', and to consume more comfortable to digest diets such as fruits and veggies, which are instrumental for their metabolism and blood stream, from my perspective. The elderly are required to engage in some ’sporting activities’ to stay active and for ’soft landing’, and to consume more comfortable to digest diets such as fruits and veggies, which are instrumental for their metabolism and blood stream, from my perspective.

]]> By: Jo Ann http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-413 Jo Ann Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:11:39 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-413 My father died from alzheimers in 93...............my sister just turned 60 yesterday and has for the past few years been experiencing memory loss...................I expressed my concern to her husband and her daughter........................I took matters into my own hands and flew up myself and drove her to the daughter..........long story short I wasn't pleased with the dr..............I flew back home..................another 2 weeks her husband took her to another doctore.......................blood tests were done and she was told to come back in 3 months!! My plan is to go back up and request that further testing be done because her memory is horrible! Any testing that I should request would be appreciated....................I am not exaggerating the memory.........you have to take your health in your own hands, but if you aren't capable or you're scared, then a family member must step in ! My father died from alzheimers in 93……………my sister just turned 60 yesterday and has for the past few years been experiencing memory loss……………….I expressed my concern to her husband and her daughter……………………I took matters into my own hands and flew up myself and drove her to the daughter……….long story short I wasn’t pleased with the dr…………..I flew back home………………another 2 weeks her husband took her to another doctore…………………..blood tests were done and she was told to come back in 3 months!! My plan is to go back up and request that further testing be done because her memory is horrible! Any testing that I should request would be appreciated………………..I am not exaggerating the memory………you have to take your health in your own hands, but if you aren’t capable or you’re scared, then a family member must step in !

]]> By: Elaine http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-412 Elaine Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:25:02 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-412 My father passed away almost 3 years ago from the effects of Alzheimers but we lost him long before that. He no longer knew his family and friends and didn't even remember who he was. He lost a lifetime of memories before he lost his life. So I guess that's what it's like to have your life taken away from you before you die. Very sad. My father passed away almost 3 years ago from the effects of Alzheimers but we lost him long before that. He no longer knew his family and friends and didn’t even remember who he was. He lost a lifetime of memories before he lost his life. So I guess that’s what it’s like to have your life taken away from you before you die. Very sad.

]]> By: Steve http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-409 Steve Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:32:38 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-409 There is a link between vaccines and Alzheimer's. Why don't they publish that? There is a link between vaccines and Alzheimer’s. Why don’t they publish that?

]]> By: Jeff http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-408 Jeff Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:19:08 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-408 I lost my dad to Alzheimers. While the disease slowly took him away from us my mother fought and lost a battle with colon cancer. My family and I were the caregivers and watched them both suffer daily. By far Alzheimers is the most devastating disease in so many respects. I worry daily about my risks and I cringe every time I hear someone say that a friend or love one is afflicted with Alzheimers. From personal experience, Alzheimer's is devastating to the core! I lost my dad to Alzheimers. While the disease slowly took him away from us my mother fought and lost a battle with colon cancer. My family and I were the caregivers and watched them both suffer daily. By far Alzheimers is the most devastating disease in so many respects. I worry daily about my risks and I cringe every time I hear someone say that a friend or love one is afflicted with Alzheimers. From personal experience, Alzheimer’s is devastating to the core!

]]> By: Dennis Fortier http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/2009/03/24/doctor-is-in-longevity-comes-with-alzheimer%e2%80%99s/comment-page-1/#comment-407 Dennis Fortier Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:17:04 +0000 http://blogs.ajc.com/better-health/?p=229#comment-407 This is the most cogent argument for the importance of early detection that I have see. Thank you Dr. Lah for constructing it. I am directing readers here from http://braintoday.blogspot.com. This is the most cogent argument for the importance of early detection that I have see. Thank you Dr. Lah for constructing it. I am directing readers here from http://braintoday.blogspot.com.

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