enidoreilley
New member
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2018
- Messages
- 8
- Reason
- Learn about ALS
- Diagnosis
- 00/0000
- Country
- US
- State
- PA
- City
- Philadelphia
Hello,
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers 5 years ago when she started moving more slowly and making mistakes at her job. She was 62 at the time. They asked that she retire and we all began preparing for living with and caring for someone with early onset Alzheimers.
Thing is, the disease never progressed like Alzheimers. I am fully aware that Alz is as unpredictable as a disease comes and that atypical presentations are a thing. But it was her mobility that was affected. She went from being a reasonably fit 62 year old to be wheelchair bound with no strength at all to stand within about 4 years. It happened so quickly. She went from cane to walker to wheelchair in such rapid succession that family members who didn't see her for a few months would be shocked to see how her disability progressed. She struggles to speak and chokes frequently while eating. She was recently diagnosed with COPD. This is surprising, too, because she has never smoked, and was an avid hiker. Her memory isn't great, but it's not bad, either. When I see her, she knows who I am, asks about my son and my job, etc.
We have taken her for second opinions a couple times. She also has 3 benign brain tumors, which the Drs have assured us repeatedly do not have any impact on her condition. We also suspected undiagnosed stroke - again, this was not the case. I don't believe she has ever been checked for ALS. Full disclosure, I am recovering from debilitating hypochondria and was unhealthily fixated on this horrible illness, so this is difficult for me to even arrive at.
I am just wondering if anyone has any input on this. Does this sound like it could be an MND? Is there a particular specialty I should approach for a second (4th) opinion on my mom? I am getting pressure from her siblings to keep seeking another answer, too.
Thank you so much and god bless
Enid
My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimers 5 years ago when she started moving more slowly and making mistakes at her job. She was 62 at the time. They asked that she retire and we all began preparing for living with and caring for someone with early onset Alzheimers.
Thing is, the disease never progressed like Alzheimers. I am fully aware that Alz is as unpredictable as a disease comes and that atypical presentations are a thing. But it was her mobility that was affected. She went from being a reasonably fit 62 year old to be wheelchair bound with no strength at all to stand within about 4 years. It happened so quickly. She went from cane to walker to wheelchair in such rapid succession that family members who didn't see her for a few months would be shocked to see how her disability progressed. She struggles to speak and chokes frequently while eating. She was recently diagnosed with COPD. This is surprising, too, because she has never smoked, and was an avid hiker. Her memory isn't great, but it's not bad, either. When I see her, she knows who I am, asks about my son and my job, etc.
We have taken her for second opinions a couple times. She also has 3 benign brain tumors, which the Drs have assured us repeatedly do not have any impact on her condition. We also suspected undiagnosed stroke - again, this was not the case. I don't believe she has ever been checked for ALS. Full disclosure, I am recovering from debilitating hypochondria and was unhealthily fixated on this horrible illness, so this is difficult for me to even arrive at.
I am just wondering if anyone has any input on this. Does this sound like it could be an MND? Is there a particular specialty I should approach for a second (4th) opinion on my mom? I am getting pressure from her siblings to keep seeking another answer, too.
Thank you so much and god bless
Enid
