it is alzheimr's

[piggy1283]

Dear Doctor,


My auntie's age is 54 years old. Four days ago, she acted quite weirdly, whereby she spoke of sth of the past and said that there was someone followed here (which we think it is just her imagination). But, she still can do household chores on that day, like cooking and washing clothes. On the next day, her condition worsen. She didnt eat. But when we asked her to eat, she will eat. Then, by afternoon, she didnt cook and stop doing the household chores. Then, by night, she only eat when we asked her. and she quitened down, just sit down and stare at the television. this is totally different form the normal her. normally she will communicate with us and scold us if anything happen. then her reaction slower down, like she have no reaction when i pat on her shoulder or touch her. her eyes blink very slowly and her mouth open a bit. when she speak, she will say the repeated thing. for example, she will repeat calling the names of her children. then after 15 minutes later, she will repeat the names again. she cannot make her own decision like what time to sleep, or what to eat. She cannot remember the time.

my concern is whether this is it symptoms of alzheimrs or other form of illness? why the illness occur so suddenly without any early symptoms? is just within a week, she changed into a totally different person.

please help me. is there any cure?

as we are chinese, we do believe it may be due to "spiritual disturbance". ( i know this is ridiculous). but we have no choice, unless to try any alternatives available. please advise.

thank you in advance!!

please reply asap.

[piggy1283]

Thanks a lot for the prompt reply. really appreciate your help.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

This is almost certainly not alzheimer's disease.  It does not common on that suddenly.  She is having a form of psychotic reaction that could be caused by many different things including a brain tumor, toxic reaction to medications,etc.  She should be seen by a neurologist and psychiatrist in order to make a full and proper evaluation, and it should not be delayed.