news about MIL's alhemizers

My MIL has been acting, well, for lack of another term, crazy for about a year now. She shops for groceries one day, forgets they're in the car, leaves them there and then goes back to the store two days later and buys the same groceries again. Spends $300 at Costco on toilet paper and a case of Glade, ice cream bars for the kids (yep, left those in the car too),  She's been very forgetful, talks about the past ALL THE TIME, and doesn't know what day of the week/month it is. All of the family has suspected that she has Alzheimer's, even her PCP has sent her on to a neurologist for an MRI and confirmation.

Her follow up appointment was yesterday and the neurologist confirmed what I had thought.....she has a SEVERE and prolonged Vitamin B-12 deficiency!!!  Her level was 180 for heaven's sake. He put her on monthly doses of B12 shots, but I just don't think that's enough. She has a terrible time remembering to take her regular medication, so giving herself  injections is out of the question, and I'm not even sure that sublinguals would happen either, even though I think it would help. Gotta work on that one!

Any way, here's some solid evidence that we MUST keep up our levels and be sure to get our supplements in. My SIL is going out to by multivitamins and B complexes for herself today. Guess I got through to her, anyway!

EDIT TO CORRECT:  she doesn't have alzheimer's at all....the b-12 issue has caused all her problems.

Susan,
Thank you for posting this. I am always happy to see what I preach being creditable....not sure if that's a word but hope you get the meaning....

Does she live close enough to you that you can do her injections? I am surprised they didn't push for heavy B12's to start her off then cut back as they got better.

Searching for words is one of the flags that I tell people about when their levels are low, it's one of the many things that happens to me, like I can tell right now my levels must be low.....

Again, thanks for this.

I thought you'd be interested in this!  Actually, you live closer to her than I do,..LOL .
Anyway, I also thought it strange that they wouldn't ramp up the dosages if it's so low.  I'm going to have another, longer chat with my SILS this weekend.

Hope you're doing well!!

I didn't realize that searching for words can mean you B12 is low.  There have been times when I have had that problem and i was afraid it was a sign of early alsheimers!

Jeane

Susan, I'm sorry to hear about your MIL, but I thank you for the reminder of how devastating low B-12 (or other vitamin) levels can be.  Hope it get worked out.
Debbie

Susan, thanks for posting this. It just so happens that the searching for words is happening to me right now too. I know what I want to say but the word just won't come. I will describe it and then hope that someone knows what I am talking about. I have been worried about the B12 and my pcp said that she can't do the injections since I could become toxic and she won't listen that you can't become toxic on B vitamins. She is pretty useless. I get the blood work for the wl doctor and see him next week and so that is going to be a good thing. Darlene sent me a chart to keep track of the blood work and so I am going to start doing that too.

My mom had Alzheimer's and it is a devastating disease. We knew that there was something wrong when my aunt died and my cousin walked up to mom and said hi and she asked who he was. He was her godson too and was at our house all the time through all the years. I knew that there was something to this and sure enough it was. Most of the time the people who have it become great actors and actresses. They know that something is wrong and they don't want others to see it. It is so sad. I will keep you and your mil and family in special prayers.

Susan.... thank you for posting this...wow what a wake up call!!

I will be remembering this and passing it on to others as well.

Hugs, connie d

(((susan))) all i can say here is i am so sorry she has it...its a horrible desease to get and i wish you all the best to make it through this ordeal!! my prayers will also include her and your family...

hugs and prayers

susan...i am so happy to read that there is an answer - and i do believe the B12 thing--however; i am confused...do they also think she has alzheimers or simply the B12???

i am sorry that your family is going thru this horrible thing...

thanks for the reminder for us tho as many of us do not absorb the way she should.
hugs

Sorry I wasn't too clear. That's what I get for posting so early in the a.m.!!

No, she does not have alzheimers, just the B-12 issue. Which, I guess is a blessing, but the neurologist did say the dificiency was so advanced that nothing could be done to reverse it. I still think there shouldn't be a reason to at least TRY.  Wouldn't you?