Mom has Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

[STmom]

My mom was diagnosed with Parkinson's about 4 years ago.  She was recently told that she is at the beginnings of stage 3 of Alzheimer's as well.  Recently she has been having blackouts and loss of time.  Her longest loss of time was 6 hours.  She did things during this time such as getting dressed, going to McDonald's to eat, then to a Christmas Lights show and then back home.  The last thing she remembered was getting her coat and gloves before she left the house.  She doesn't remember eating at McDonald's but she remembered some of the Christmas lights, and she doesn't remember going home and eating dinner.  The doctor's have ran all kind's of test and they think the blackouts have nothing to do with Parkinson's or Alzhiemer's.  They want to do an MRI but she can't have one done because of an implant she has in her side that has wires running up her spine into the base of her brain.  They say the implant will cause an overload of electrical surges that may or may not kill her.  Have you heard of anyone with these time losses or blackouts that have Parkinson's or Alzheimers and if so were they part of these diseases or were they diagnosed with something else?  We are at a loss and we are afraid that she may become a danger to herself if she has more of these.

[STmom]

Thanks for your advise.  My mom has a dr's appointment today and tomorrow.  They are trying to get her into John's Hopkins for a second opinion.  She hasn't been driving for a year now.  The last time that she drove she had an episode.  There was a friend with her and she didn't realize what had happened until they got back to the house.  My mom had lunch with this friend and they had left the house, went to lunch, got their hair done and came back to the house.  When they got inside my mom asked her friend if she was ready to go to lunch and her friend about freaked and told her that they had already gone and my mom told her she didn't remember.  They called my stepdad and then went to the doctor. She hasn't been behind the wheel since.
One doctor that she has thinks it could be a side effect of the sleeping pill that she has been taking but doesn't want to take her off of it because she can't sleep if she does.  I think they need to find a new sleeping pill.
They are trying to get her into some study at Johns Hopkins that scans your brain without having an MRI.  Guess we will have to wait and see what happens.
Thanks again.

[kelly42]

I am a nurse in an alzheimers unit this dont sound like alzheimers, None of my pt's ever black out only if they have a seizure disorder, sounds like she needs further testing. good luck

[LLWB]

My mother has Alzheimers for quite a few years before she died. It is a progressive disease, she slowly became worse. I don't think what your are describing sounds like Alz. She may need to be  evaluated for a stroke.  What made them give a diagnosis of Stage 3? If she has been competent up until now, driving, knowing her family, etc. I would ask for a second opinion.Just my opinion. Please post how she is doing. Best Wishes.