Are you sure you want to exit? Your progress will be lost.
Who are you caring for?
Which best describes their mobility?
How well are they maintaining their hygiene?
How are they managing their medications?
Does their living environment pose any safety concerns?
Fall risks, spoiled food, or other threats to wellbeing
Are they experiencing any memory loss?
Which best describes your loved one's social life?
Acknowledgment of Disclosures and Authorization
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington. Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services. APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid. We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour. APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment. You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints. Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights. APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.I agree that: A.I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information"). B.APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink. C.APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site. D.If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records. E.This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year. F.You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
✔
I acknowledge and authorize
✔
I consent to the collection of my consumer health data.*
✔
I consent to the sharing of my consumer health data with qualified home care agencies.*
*If I am consenting on behalf of someone else, I have the proper authorization to do so. By clicking Get My Results, you agree to our Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive calls and texts, which may be autodialed, from us and our customer communities. Your consent is not a condition to using our service. Please visit our Terms of Use. for information about our privacy practices.
Mostly Independent
Your loved one may not require home care or assisted living services at this time. However, continue to monitor their condition for changes and consider occasional in-home care services for help as needed.
Remember, this assessment is not a substitute for professional advice.
Share a few details and we will match you to trusted home care in your area:
Family members and some employees of mine and my GP Doctor insist I I get tested. I am reluctant, but I forget a lot now, trouble spelling, make bad decisions get confused in driving. I am 71. On antidepressives.
Tell your GP you're trusting him/her to consider all of the possible causes of recent change and not just head down the nearest diagnostic rabbit hole. Then do trust, and go for it. Better the devil you've identified.
If you go ahead with this go to a Neurologist. He/she should run tests to determine it isn't anything physical happening. Thyroid, low potassium and other factors can cause Dementia type symptoms. There is no cure but in the early stage there are medications to help with cognitively. Stress can cause problems too.
..and if it's something else causing the symptoms, then this may be treatable and thus able to eliminate the problem. Therefore, a thorough examination may enable you to go back to your normal self.
By all means get tested. Wouldn't you rather know what exactly you're dealing with, than to continue just guessing? It will make life easier for you and all involved when you get to the bottom of why you've been having these memory issues. It will help you prepare better for the future too. I'm not sure a GP's testing will be as thorough as a neurologist's or an actual Memory assessment place, but it's better than nothing. Best wishes.
Your GP can perform basic screening tests to see if you exhibit dementia symptoms. I see you're on antidepressants; depression alone can mimic dementia symptoms. Your GP may conduct a mini-cog test or even an MMSE, if time allows, which is used to evaluate mental skills. If dementia is suspected, you may be referred to a neurologist, gerontologist or neuropsychologist for further testing. Your GP can also perform certain blood tests to confirm or eliminate any treatable conditions that mimic dementia. If your GP suspects dementia, he/she is not trained to follow up with neurological tests. Make sure you're referred to one of the specialist above. Good luck.
"...perform certain blood tests to confirm or eliminate any treatable conditions that mimic dementia."
AND a urine culture too. Best to rule out any treatable condition that might seem like dementia. UTIs, infections, imbalances in the blood can all cause conditions that might seem to be dementia, to others, but are treatable!
If all is ruled out, then proceed with memory testing. It would be scary to find out it is some form of dementia, but it's scarier if we ignore it!
Sorry, I did it again. I don't think well anymore. I saw my GP with my 20 yr old son who insisted I go. He took me. I "flunked" the test the GP gave me, which surprised me. The GP gave me referrals. I have an apt. Sept 15th, She is a PsyD. I would am trying to get someone sooner. I have a family and a business depending on me meaning I have to balance lots of things and am failing. I was athletic but now my balance is messed-up fall easily...sorry complain.
Hang in there! There are several conditions that can seem like dementia but are not. You are wise to get things checked out. And if it turns out this is the beginning of dementia you are lucky to be catching it early.
Cricket - so sorry this is happening to you. It must be frightening to be facing this given all the responsibilities you're handling.
I recommend you see an attorney specializes in Elder care. You need to appoint someone(s) you trust to be your Power of Attorney to handle you finance and make medical decisions for you if/when you can't do those for yourself.
If you don't already have these done, you urgently need to make arrangements on who will step in/take over for you regarding your business, assets, etc. You also need to have your wishes written down as to what you want regarding your health such as DNR, feeding tubes, life support, etc.
Do these while you still can think and make decisions for yourself. Otherwise, someone else will, when time comes, decide for you and they may not make the choices that you would want.
Cricket, you mentioned a business & employees. Do you have an employee you can delegate tasks to if needed? Someone trustworthy if you need to take time off for medical appointments?
Do you have a spouse or adult child you could delegate things at home to if needed as well?
I'm thinking it would be good to have a few trusted helpers on standby.
So if you wanted to reduce stress - work less hours or do different duties - you could.
Get off antidepressants slowly & then make dr appointment. If you’re ok to write this posting, you’re fine! Probably combination of the meds & stress…Hugs 🤗
Keep an open mind and determine to make the most of skills you have and retain to keep your life as full and active as possible to slow the progression of the disease if you have it and maintain feeling useful in life.
Be honest. With your doctor and yourself. If your friends, doctor have noticed things, and you have as well there may be cause for concern BUT you now get to plan what you will do, what you want done and how you will decide what your next steps will be. Schedule an appointment with an Elder Care Attorney no matter what the results of any testing are. The same paperwork is important no matter what the outcome. Discuss with the doctor the probability that any medications you are on might be contributing to problems you might be having ((hugs)) and 🤞🙏 Hope all goes well and keep us posted.
Good advice. After watching several family and friends go through dementia it’s scary how little preparation they had done for this eventuality. Yes, no one wants to think about losing their faculties but the reality is a large percentage of us will.
Please, CaregiverL, we cannot make recommendations for people to cut off medications. We are not their doctor.
Any medication discontinuance should be made under a doctor’s care, especially in the case of an antidepressant. We must not, nor are we qualified here, make any determinations about someone’s mental health.
I was thinking this, too. And to my knowledge, anti-depressants do not usually cause cognitive impairment. In fact, depression can cause cognitive changes that may be helped by anti-depressant meds and therapy. Thanks for saying this!
Get tested by a neurologist, please. Before your appointment, make sure to get a full night's sleep and eat a good meal - then you should be at your best. Answer questions honestly.
The doctor is trying to discover what is causing your problems. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and early medication can "sharpen" your memory considerably. Early diagnosis and early medication can help with Parkinson's disease. Evaluation and treatment of micro strokes caused by clots with mild blood thinning medication can halt further insults. This will only happen with evaluation by a qualified doctor - the sooner, the better.
Dear Cricket6901, I write from the perspective of one who is now in Moderate to Severe level of ALZ. I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago with Early onset ALZ. The first mistake I made was not having a family member with me when the Neuropsych Exam was given. I wasn't told, I should have someone with me. I also got the follow up appointment and really wish I had someone with me. The Doctor said to me he was uncomfortable with me driving. My Neuro Doctor, told me when she saw the report that I still wasn't at the point where I shouldn't drive. Neurologically I was fine, and that we'd keep having the talk at each follow up appointment. Last year just as the lockdown for COVID 19 was happening, I came home from doing my errands, and I said to my DW it was time to hang up the keys. I wasn't able to surrender my license until August because it took 5 mos to get an appointment with the DMV to surrender it. Now, I haven't been behind the wheel in 17 mos., and I have never said, I wish I could drive since. When I had my most recent Neuropsych exam my DW was with me for both appointments. When you are making bad decisions by driving it is time to hang up the keys. I would suggest you have a have a Neuropsych Exam and after you have the results, if you are diagnosed with ALZ or another Dementia start having a discussions with your family about, what you want for treatment and don't want. We all walk on a different journey, everyone is not the same. I was 57 when I was diagnosed, I was 61 when I turned in the keys and have no idea where they are. I would engage with your Doctor and put together a Care Plan focusing on your needs. We all walk along the same trail, but have a different journey. I would get in touch with the ALZ Association and check in to a Local Caregivers Program for your family. Where I live, there is a group called the Forgetful Friends, Our group is unusual in that they allow Patients to be a part of the group and all Caregivers and Patients discuss their particular journey. I also began reading about Dementia on Agingcare and then after a month or so, I began replying to questions posed. I hope you find my comments of benefit to you. I'll remember you in my prayers. God Bless you.
When you go for testing, be sure you have someone with you to take notes and let the PsyD know everything at intake: Your current meds, your balance issues, and all the responsibilities you are juggling. It sounds like you're under a lot of stress, and worrying may even be adding to your memory problem. There is a lot of good advice on this forum, but you need the professionals to guide you - step by step - through the process. You can do it!
I have been thinking about this post, your question and I am wondering if your exam should not be with a Neuropsychologist or a Neurologist rather than your GP. I am not saying a GP would not give a good exam but I think a Neuropsychologist or Neurologist would be better and they can order more advanced test if they think it is called for. The worst thing would be for your GP to give you an exam and say, "come back in 6 months and we will repeat this and compare the two tests" . then you have to wait 6 months then possibly go for further testing. I think that is a waste of time and can cause increased anxiety. If it is not to late ask your doctor for the name of a Neuropsychologist or neurologist that he/she works with and set up an appointment with them.
I am so impressed with people who recognize dementia or the possibility and deal with it directly. It shows how good judgment and reasoning ability can affect its sad course. They enable you to enjoy the rest of your life and the people in it so much more. I hope I am as fortunate.
My Mom died of Alzheimer’s in 1987. She was 72. I was her Caregiver for the last 13 years of her life, myself and my kids. She was a legally blind, hearing impaired diabetic. <~ (background). It was hard. We were very poor. WE SURVIVED. I am now 76. I requested a more comprehensive test. I forget things, a lot now. I passed with flying colors but the professional doing the test said she felt I had “a major depressive disorder”. And wanted to prescribe meds. I refused. I refused because she hadn’t asked a lot of pertinent questions. Before I went to see her I had several deaths close to me. I told her I had just lost my best friend, husband and son, as well as several close friends, and while I knew I had some depression they were as far as I was concerned more “situational” than the symptoms of a disorder. I feel rather strongly about these meds being prescribed when we are older: seen it. Docs are too quick to put us on meds that make us worse. Black box warnings about cognitive changes in the elderly are common. I am glad I took the test. I am a cancer survivor and knew some of my issues are related to the cancer treatment. Read: chemo brain. Fatigue. Etc. Best of luck. But be your own advocate. Research everything.
Please get the tests done, since you clearly have something going on that is not good. Should it be dementia, you want to start making some preparations and "get your ducks in a row."
Ignoring the situation will NOT make it go away. Surely, you want to know "what you are dealing with" - yes?
BTW - I am a former psychiatric nurse. Please do NOT stop your anti-depressive medication(S) unless your GP advises it; doing so might make things much worse.
I would suggest to be honest. While I'm sure you're scared, be honest with your answers so that the best assessment can be made and you can get the best help if/when needed.
Hi, I care for my mom she's 90 now, but when she was 80, we the family bought puzzle books, quizzes, coloring books and crayons to keep mom's cognitive abilities strong. You have to strengthen yours to get it back strong. Till this day she is still sharp in her thinking. Tc
While true NOT to stop meds without Dr. on board. Any medicine can cause Any reaction in different. Anti depressants can make you slow witted (even younger people - we all know who are the Prozac folks at work). May help in some areas and cause problems in others. Husband was given Arricept (evil as far as we are concerned). After 2 weeks of pure hell and having DR say it couldn't do that - (started day after beginning medication). took him off of it, quick scared Wake-up moment and he came out of crazed state. Turned out he had Normal Pressure Hydrocephelus(Spelling). After shunt surgery he was much improved. Get with your Dr. Be sure to note when symptoms started, when drugs started, etc. Also, good advice - arrange for possible care needs now (financial and physical).While you can make your own decisions.
Cricket6901 - I am sending you my prayers. I am inspired by the way you are facing this question. Hoping you get helpful answers, and are sent everything that is needed to support you moving forward. One good thing already is I think you have found a great online community and we will continue to be here for you.
I worked as a Social Worker at a memory care center and was part of the team that performed testing and provided recommendations based on the outcome of the tests. I highly recommend that you go to a memory care center for testing if there is one in your area. If not, I would make certain that you engage a practitioner that will strongly consider your psychosocial state. Medication, emotional turmoil (grief, moving, depression, anxiety), illness, and vitamin deficiency can all render cognitive impairment and memory loss that mimics types of dementia. We would require that the person undergo a physical to determine things such as absence of UTI or low B12 in particular. We would ask questions that reveal state of mind and hardships. I now work as an independent caregiver/companion and had a client that was misdiagnosed with Alzheimers. It turns out it was a medically induced dementia! Best of luck to you in finding a caring and competent practitioner.
CHEAT!!! Okay, only kidding. If so many have concerns about you, better to do it sooner than later I would guess, if you have a good working relationship and like your GP. Trouble spellling is not a sign of dementia necessarily. Depression and medications can play a role, possibly negative....but if you get lost when driving, you are at risk and that's scary. When I first saw the signs in my mom, her family mediciine doc listened to me and then advised me to not come on the next routine visit and he'd check things out. He did one of the basic exams and was stunned at her poor results. That led to my getting her in to see a well-regarded expert in the are who is a neurologist. He confirmed the diagnosist of dementia, mixed type. I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes...I might want to set up an appt with someone who specializes and skip the GP to get a more accurate diagnosis from the start. What if it was simply a matter of switching or changing doses of the drug you are on? Sometimes it can even be caused by a nutritional issue. And don't overlook that stress re testiing can be a factor too. Wishing you all the best and good news and good friends.
In rare instances undiagnosed Lyme's disease can mimic dementia https://www.lymedisease.org/members/lyme-times/2016-fall-news/kris-kristofferson-lyme-disease and also if you are on thyroid meds and you lose weight and your meds were not adjusted for the loss, this could also cause dementia-like symptoms (happened to my 68-yr old cousin just recently). Also I concur that you should still see a neurologist. Wishing you all the best and peace in your heart!
It's impossible to not "answer questions honestly" on a cognitive exam! They're memory questions and questions designed to test your brain's ability to grasp and retain information...you can't "lie", in other words. I've sat thru 10 MoCa exams with my mother and she can either draw a clock on a piece of paper or she can't. There's no fudging it!
Now that many of our resident "medical experts" have demonized antidepressants for the millionth time, I'd like to say they're a LIFE SAVER for those in need of them. Antidepressants are a game changer and not some new age LSD that's going to dissolve your brains into fried grits. Continuing to attach stigmas to mental health issues, as we constantly see here, creates fear about asking for and getting help when we truly need it. Fear of developing dementia or Alzheimer's, fear of being called Crazy or being laughed at or ridiculed by our peers. Suggesting you wean yourself off of your medication because it's causing your dementia like symptoms is a horrible and dangerous thing to say! Please ignore such advice and only follow your DOCTOR'S orders with everything you do moving forward. The internet is rife with differing opinions and you know what they say about opinions.
Wishing you the best of luck with your testing and a good outcome with the results.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
If you go ahead with this go to a Neurologist. He/she should run tests to determine it isn't anything physical happening. Thyroid, low potassium and other factors can cause Dementia type symptoms. There is no cure but in the early stage there are medications to help with cognitively. Stress can cause problems too.
I'm not sure a GP's testing will be as thorough as a neurologist's or an actual Memory assessment place, but it's better than nothing. Best wishes.
AND a urine culture too. Best to rule out any treatable condition that might seem like dementia. UTIs, infections, imbalances in the blood can all cause conditions that might seem to be dementia, to others, but are treatable!
If all is ruled out, then proceed with memory testing. It would be scary to find out it is some form of dementia, but it's scarier if we ignore it!
I would am trying to get someone sooner. I have a family and a business depending on me meaning I have to balance lots of things and am failing. I was athletic but now my balance is messed-up fall easily...sorry complain.
I recommend you see an attorney specializes in Elder care. You need to appoint someone(s) you trust to be your Power of Attorney to handle you finance and make medical decisions for you if/when you can't do those for yourself.
If you don't already have these done, you urgently need to make arrangements on who will step in/take over for you regarding your business, assets, etc. You also need to have your wishes written down as to what you want regarding your health such as DNR, feeding tubes, life support, etc.
Do these while you still can think and make decisions for yourself. Otherwise, someone else will, when time comes, decide for you and they may not make the choices that you would want.
Again, I am so sorry you're facing this.
Do you have a spouse or adult child you could delegate things at home to if needed as well?
I'm thinking it would be good to have a few trusted helpers on standby.
So if you wanted to reduce stress - work less hours or do different duties - you could.
Until you work this thing out.
Best thoughts to you.
If your friends, doctor have noticed things, and you have as well there may be cause for concern BUT you now get to plan what you will do, what you want done and how you will decide what your next steps will be.
Schedule an appointment with an Elder Care Attorney no matter what the results of any testing are. The same paperwork is important no matter what the outcome.
Discuss with the doctor the probability that any medications you are on might be contributing to problems you might be having
((hugs)) and 🤞🙏
Hope all goes well and keep us posted.
We are not their doctor.
Any medication discontinuance should be made under a doctor’s care, especially in the case of an antidepressant. We must not, nor are we qualified here, make any determinations about someone’s mental health.
The doctor is trying to discover what is causing your problems. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and early medication can "sharpen" your memory considerably. Early diagnosis and early medication can help with Parkinson's disease. Evaluation and treatment of micro strokes caused by clots with mild blood thinning medication can halt further insults. This will only happen with evaluation by a qualified doctor - the sooner, the better.
I write from the perspective of one who is now in Moderate to Severe level of ALZ. I was diagnosed 5 yrs ago with Early onset ALZ. The first mistake I made was not having a family member with me when the Neuropsych Exam was given. I wasn't told, I should have someone with me. I also got the follow up appointment and really wish I had someone with me. The Doctor said to me he was uncomfortable with me driving. My Neuro Doctor, told me when she saw the report that I still wasn't at the point where I shouldn't drive. Neurologically I was fine, and that we'd keep having the talk at each follow up appointment. Last year just as the lockdown for COVID 19 was happening, I came home from doing my errands, and I said to my DW it was time to hang up the keys. I wasn't able to surrender my license until August because it took 5 mos to get an appointment with the DMV to surrender it. Now, I haven't been behind the wheel in 17 mos., and I have never said, I wish I could drive since. When I had my most recent Neuropsych exam my DW was with me for both appointments.
When you are making bad decisions by driving it is time to hang up the keys.
I would suggest you have a have a Neuropsych Exam and after you have the results, if you are diagnosed with ALZ or another Dementia start having a discussions with your family about, what you want for treatment and don't want.
We all walk on a different journey, everyone is not the same. I was 57 when I was diagnosed, I was 61 when I turned in the keys and have no idea where they are.
I would engage with your Doctor and put together a Care Plan focusing on your needs. We all walk along the same trail, but have a different journey. I would get in touch with the ALZ Association and check in to a Local Caregivers Program for your family. Where I live, there is a group called the Forgetful Friends, Our group is unusual in that they allow Patients to be a part of the group and all Caregivers and Patients discuss their particular journey. I also began reading about Dementia on Agingcare and then after a month or so, I began replying to questions posed. I hope you find my comments of benefit to you. I'll remember you in my prayers. God Bless you.
I think that is a waste of time and can cause increased anxiety.
If it is not to late ask your doctor for the name of a Neuropsychologist or neurologist that he/she works with and set up an appointment with them.
I am now 76. I requested a more comprehensive test. I forget things, a lot now. I passed with flying colors but the professional doing the test said she felt I had “a major depressive disorder”. And wanted to prescribe meds. I refused.
I refused because she hadn’t asked a lot of pertinent questions.
Before I went to see her I had several deaths close to me. I told her I had just lost my best friend, husband and son, as well as several close friends, and while I knew I had some depression they were as far as I was concerned more “situational” than the symptoms of a disorder.
I feel rather strongly about these meds being prescribed when we are older: seen it. Docs are too quick to put us on meds that make us worse. Black box warnings about
cognitive changes in the elderly are common.
I am glad I took the test. I am a cancer survivor and knew some of my issues are related to the cancer treatment. Read: chemo brain. Fatigue. Etc.
Best of luck. But be your own advocate. Research everything.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6079596/
Doctors will never blame the meds. They will put you on more meds which can cause more complications.
Ignoring the situation will NOT make it go away. Surely, you want to know "what you are dealing with" - yes?
BTW - I am a former psychiatric nurse. Please do NOT stop your anti-depressive medication(S) unless your GP advises it; doing so might make things much worse.
Husband was given Arricept (evil as far as we are concerned). After 2 weeks of pure hell and having DR say it couldn't do that - (started day after beginning medication). took him off of it, quick scared Wake-up moment and he came out of crazed state. Turned out he had Normal Pressure Hydrocephelus(Spelling). After shunt surgery he was much improved.
Get with your Dr. Be sure to note when symptoms started, when drugs started, etc.
Also, good advice - arrange for possible care needs now (financial and physical).While you can make your own decisions.
Now that many of our resident "medical experts" have demonized antidepressants for the millionth time, I'd like to say they're a LIFE SAVER for those in need of them. Antidepressants are a game changer and not some new age LSD that's going to dissolve your brains into fried grits. Continuing to attach stigmas to mental health issues, as we constantly see here, creates fear about asking for and getting help when we truly need it. Fear of developing dementia or Alzheimer's, fear of being called Crazy or being laughed at or ridiculed by our peers. Suggesting you wean yourself off of your medication because it's causing your dementia like symptoms is a horrible and dangerous thing to say! Please ignore such advice and only follow your DOCTOR'S orders with everything you do moving forward. The internet is rife with differing opinions and you know what they say about opinions.
Wishing you the best of luck with your testing and a good outcome with the results.