Diagnosis

Please, I need some answers... My husband had a stroke 5 yrs ago. I cared for him at home here for over 4 years. Then I got ill and had to put him in a CBRF home. His actions were pretty eratic and we tried to tell everyone that that wasn't like him and they evicted him from 3 homes. He finally sued me for divorce after 50 yrs . I tried to tell the lawyers he was sick but a therapist ruled him competent about a yr ago so in this state I couldn't do anything about it. Now 3 wks. later his conduct got so eratic that I took him in for an MRI. the report came back yesterday that his brain has atrophy. They said that meant alzheimers. I am devestated. Could he have become that way in just 3 wks?( since the divorce} they said his brain has shrunk.We are taking him to a nuero therapist this time to have him evaluated. Last time it was just to a regular therapist.. Thank you for your help

[HFHS MD-JM]

Jeanne,

      Brain atrophy is a non-specific finding that is associated with normal aging and Alzheimer's disease.  Behavioral change, memory impairment and difficulty in planning and caring out complex activities are part of the picture in dementia.  Generally Alzheimers disease (one type of dementia) is slowly progressive but maybe acute in onset on occasion.  It is important that your husband have further evaluation by a physician who may order neuropsychiatric testing to clarify the situation.  Please search this forums archives for additional information on dementia and Alzheimers disease.

Sincerely,

HFHS MD-JM

Keywords:  Dementia, Alzheimer disease