Memory loss and stroke

whydoibother

For someone who is losing memory since they had a mini stroke what can be done? This person is just in his early 50s and is losing his short term memory. He’s been to the memory clinic in Dublin. They confirmed he had a mini stroke but said that the memory loss was due to depression so he’s been on antidepressants since then (4 years) but his memory is not getting any better and we don’t know what to do. We’re very worried because we’re afraid he might have Alzheimer’s and may lose his memory altogether… he’s taking nothing for memory loss or Alzheimer’s (not even sure there’s any meds for Alzheimer’s?)

would there be any natural meds for memory loss? This isn’t getting any better and we’re very worried. Our GP sent us again to the memory clinic in Dublin but that was in January and we still heard nothing back - GP has been informed of this but it’s like nobody cares…

Noddy45

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058303001/memory-loss-and-stroke

No idea. That person probably is going to die sooner rather than later without any care. Here nobody seems to have any advice for you, which is sad, so you should just speak to your GP again.

pihjin

What an awful reply!

Mention your concerns to your GP and say that you would like your dad to be assessed for Vascular Dementia. If they refuse then ask for it to be noted on his record that you requested it and your request was denied. If they ask why then say it is your right to have it added and you want a record of dates of when symptoms were reported.

Contact the memory clinic and say that things have gotten worse and you want a reassement.

Nag and persevere.

Also contact your local public health nurse. If your dad does get a diagnosis of dementia then you want them as your best friend as they help sooooo much in arranging everything. Contact them and mention your concerns and give the full history. Say you'd like a full assessment so that you have a starting benchmark for comparision should things decline further.

Also ask about if your dad may be having TIAs. My dad used to have them during the night and not even notice but we'd see it in his behaviour in the morning.

Best of luck.

whydoibother

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120845877#Comment_120845877

We have alerted GP on several occasions but it’s no use. GP just thinks it’s got to do with depression and she even said strokes are very common in someone aged 50+ and nothing to be worried about.