Follow
Share

Is this early dementia type symptoms?

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Is she seeing bugs? If it is a sudden thing, you may want to have her doctor check for a urinary tract infection. If she is feeling them, it could be many things. My mother thought her room had cracks in the floor that were letting bugs in. She could feel them. It may have had to do with a bladder infection that was developing with her. It didn't last too long. Let her doctor know about the bugs and he can check into the possibilities.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

So many doctors will gloss this over, but it is something to look at. People who feel like bugs are crawling on them will often damage their own skin, scratching and picking. If your mother has some marks on her, a good dermatologist can frequently tell if the cause is anxiety, obsession, or attention-seeking behavior. (Sometimes the person may not be aware it is attention seeking.) Doctors can check for UTIs, liver function, and do a skin scrape if needed. It doesn't sound like your mother is psychotic, so it may be something that can be handled simply.

Could there be some dementia? Maybe. I am beginning to believe that dementia is very common in people over 80, but many are still able to function fairly well. I guess what we can hope for older people is that their minds last as long as their bodies do.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Hi,
My mother suffers from delusional parisitosis, and picks herself raw. It is a sign
of dementia and I have her in assisted living finally,where she is being given medication.They do believe this is real and have the itching crawling sensation. Very sad and destuctive. My advice get her on meds, wish I had not waited but she did refuse.
Zyprexa to help her leave it alone.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Yes Jennyc....that's when things started with my mom. She would claim there were ants all over her dining room table or climbing on the walls....I would have her evaluated by her doctor. They can slow things down with medications. If she is young and still able to move around on her own. Keeping her busy will help. Don't argue with her....just changed the subject or distract her. Because arguing with someone that has dementia is more frustrating. In her mind that's how things look...and trying to convince her otherwise will only escalate things. I lost my sweet mom this last January...she was 91 and had a progressive dementia. The journey was horrible and went downward fast. I hope you learn as much as possible about the disease and find ways to deal with it. Good Luck and God bless.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Thank you all. To daizy yes she moves around fine. daily activities are helping fold laundry, watering plants, feeding cat and dog, yesterday went out for a walk around the yard, reads a lot, puts around her inlaw but latley spraying rubbing alcohol everywhere including on herself!. Noticed today my plant she has been nurturing daily no water for days, its the little things like that I am noticing too. Called doc today and left msg concerning bugs-aksed for call back. Told mom we will go see her to see about "rash" that really is not there any more than dry skin she has had for years. Hoping doc will talk to her about her fears etc. Thank you so much. I like these forums for the REAL sense of peoples feedback. Know you are going to get a few strange ones but for the most part all very helpful.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

If your mom has dementia, this is very common. Between giving her some meds to combat this, I suggest you tell her that you have it under control and the problem is taken care of. Sometimes this works unless her delusion causes her problems such as anxiety then you may need to add some medication.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Thank you. This is sudden This is an 85 year old woman who did her own income taxes a month ago but about 2 years ago had a similar obessession with bed bugs. NO she has NOT seen any bugs--both times. And with the bed bugs scare we had exterminators come in 3 X, threw out mattress which was brand new, etc. I am trying to figure out is this the beginning of some dementia or is it just her own personal phobia. Nothing else has changed much in her personality.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Oops I hit report the post by mistake--sorry! If it comes up I will be sure to say my error. Thank you so much for your answer. The more I think of it the more I think she has some anxiety. Although we have a house full of teens here she seems to be isolating herself more. I asked her it she would like to go out tomorrow and she said the drive to the store too long (about 25 min) which surprised me. I am going to make her a Dr appt and speak to the Dr prior about the situation.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Thank you. Yes that is the other thing I have noticed lately that she has an issue with something, I address it, she agrees then the next day decides she disagrees. The new thing is we have been thru life line, life alert and its all unsubstanciated objections. The other day she went out to cross the street to get the mail which I have asked her to not do in general but she did not have her lifeline on--I was driving up the street and saw her--she is wobbly with a cane. Her reasoning? I just don't like it. UGHHHHHH. I know many have it a lot worse. Thank you for the input Nancy. Setting up Dr appt today.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Jennyc These are great posts by from experienced people who honestly know better about this subject than most Dr's. do about this sort of stuff, unless they have lived it themselves. You should be writing this stuff down. After a while believe me it's hard to recall some things yourself because it almost becomes normal to you. Or shall I say your skin gets tougher. You may not notice changes that are slight but relevant to medication, treatment, etc
I would like to add, my boss a healthy mid 60's man, eats well, exercises regularly and has no memory issues at all... opened up to a coworker about seeing things like fly's, she caught him swatting at nothing one day. So Eyesight was his issue. I am not saying this is your Mom's entire problem but it just may be a part of it.
I knew my Mom had Dementia and she kept telling me she heard knocking at the door every morning for a week. I assumed it was audio psychosis, hearing things because of dementia, or from medication. I didn't hear it... then one day,,, I heard it she didn't... LOL it was a woodpecker. Mom said I told you I wasn't crazy. I never called her crazy but she was right she wasn't. That's when I realized I needed to listen to complaints and try to understand why she was reacting to things and assess the cause. Settings, time of day, after meals, before meals, sugar levels, blood pressure, sleeping enough not sleeping enough, stress, etc. all are factors in behaviors in all of us. It sounds like your Mom needs to be under very close watch for sure though. Hope you accomplished some answers at the Dr today.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

See All Answers
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter