Follow-up appointment with my neurologist

Today I went to my follow-up appointment with my neurologist. I let him know that six months ago I had a very bad fall, which occurred after I saw him in April. I told him that I suffered several injuries including a concussion and that the concussion was all healed.

He said that he hadn't received a formal report but he did receive some notes from the neuropsychologist. My neurologist explained these things to me. He said that the testing showed that my auditory memory is much better than my visual memory. He said that if I had Alzheimer's, I would have progressed so much more in nine years since my first and second diagnosis. The doctor also said that since the tests confirmed that I have been dealing with MCI, rather than Alzheimer's, since the beginning and if it was going to progress to Alzheimer's, that it most likely would have happened within five years. He said that the tests did show some problems with my memory and that is a concern, but at this time, he agreed with the neuropsychologist and he would not consider it Alzheimer's.

He said that I should continue doing everything that I've been doing. I need to continue taking the Galantamine to help me with clarity and he would like to see me once a year.

I am so thrilled with these results! I don't think that anything will change for me because I am still living with a memory impairment, but for now, things aren't as serious as they could be. I will still continue to do things to keep my brain active and engaged.

When I went to this appointment, I had some notes that I had written down. I told my neurologist this, "since having my bad fall in April, I have noticed something." When my shoulder or knee are in pain, my boyfriend will hear me moan and say ouch etc. He will ask me if I need the ice pack and I will say okay. What I asked him was this, "Is my memory preventing me from just getting off the couch and getting the ice pack myself or is there a connection missing in my brain, that would tell me to do something about the pain?" My doctor said that this was a problem with executive functioning. I'm not really sure that I have heard of that before.

A diagnosis of MCI increases the risk of later developing dementia, but some people with MCI never get worse. I'm still hoping that I'm one of those who will not progress to dementia, but I'm always going to be prepared for the worst. It means that I choose to accept what is meant to be, but to not be in denial. I will choose to live my life with a positive attitude and continue to do things to help keep my brain working at its best.

I am not really sure if this good news has really set in yet. I guess that I'm cautiously optimistic. That is probably because doctors often make mistakes in the diagnosis process.

I don't feel like my life will change that much with this good news. I will hope for the best, but I will always be prepared for the worst. I will continue to be an advocate.