As Dennis just mentioned in another reply, it is imperative that you have
her thoroughly tested because there are TREATABLE causes of some memory
loss.   Not all, of course, but you owe it to yourself and your mom to find
out just exactly what is the cause.   It can be something as simple as an
adjustment to her thyroid meds or as simple as taking a certain B vitamin.
There is also a problem called NPH, which is short for Normal Pressure
Hydrocephalus, also reversible.   Alzheimers and mini strokes are other
causes, and they are not reversible, sadly.   In any case, a complete
gerontological workup is needed to discover what the problem is.

If your mother is developing alzheimers, you will need to get certain legal
matters in order so you can make decisions on her behalf.

I sympathize with your tears.   We have all been through it around here.   I
truly hope you find some answers and that with those answers comes some
help.

Greg, oh my goodness

If you think even for a nanosecond that she is developing Alzheimer's,
get her to a doctor for a proper examination. How do you think AD
starts? With vague slight symptoms, exactly as you describe.

She needs proper assessment. There are many causes of cognitive
impairment. There are medications that can genuinely help slow down the
progess of many dementias, and there are some that are treatable (i.e.
reversable) although AD is not among them. You have to know what you
are dealing first, before you can figure out what you might be able to
do to help.

Don't mess with ibuprofen, see the doctor!!!

Mary G.

Greg,

Given that poorly-controlled hypothyroidism can cause signs similar to
dementia and NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can suppress thyroid function, I'd
suggest you take your mum to a doctor first.

Jack

Hello Greg,

I'm sorry to hear of your mother's problem.

I will second the advice everyone has given you about having
your mom diagnosed by a competent specialist.  Finding
really competent, caring, open minded doctors can be very
difficult everywhere (it's difficult in the States too), but I
hope that the memory clinic you were referred to has some.

As for ibuprofen, it is my understanding that various types
of anti-inflammatory agents have shown some effect in
delaying the onset of Alzheimer's Disease.

Ibuprofen is one such agent.  Curcumin (curry powder) is
another which may have fewer side effects.  The effects
have been seen in test tubes, in mice, and in humans, but
I have not seen any hard data on how large the effect is
or what dose is required.  Some say very small doses
are adequate to get all the benefit you can get from these
agents.

If you want to research these things, try going to Pubmed
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?DB=pubmed)
and searching for (alzheimer's disease ibuprofen) or
(alzheimer's disease nsaid), etc.

One thing I think I can say for certain is that if your Mom
has Alzheimer's, ibuprofen won't cure her and won't keep
her from getting worse.  My Mom, Dad, and Mother-in-Law
all suffered from dementia and all took lots of ibuprofen.

   Alan