Does this "symptom" ring a bell for anyone?

[Aimeedyan]

I'm having a hard time figuring out what exactly to Google for.

My granddad has recently started doing this odd thing. Examples:

- While at a 4 way stop, he sees a car come out of a cul de sac and roll through a stop sign to turn right. He asks his girlfriend "Did you see that?! That woman has done that the last three times we came this way!" Girlfriend can't remember the last time someone was coming out of that cul de sac, much less the same car, same woman, same rolling through the stop sign.

- While watching the news, he turns to girlfriend and says 'Can you believe that! They are showing the same story they played three times last week! I can't believe they are repeating..." goes on and on. She knows this news story is new - the event just happened that day.

- While driving, he sees a man on his bicycle. Again, says 'Can you believe that man has been on this same street the last three times we've been going to Walmart?'

Girlfriend says it's been happening so frequently she's been trying to keep track of all the scenerios - these were the ones she gave me the other night. It is always in 3s, and correcting him does no good so she leaves it alone. He is diabetic, has heart issues, and in his 80s. I am not sure on his current medications but I know they gave him something fairly recently to help with low blood pressure.

Could it be medication related? Does it ring a bell with anyone here? Is it something worth calling his PCP about (he sees him again in 3 months)? Or just part of aging? We are all stumped. Obviously, granddad doesn't realize he's wrong and will not seek help for himself on it.

 

[Evil Genius]

He could have dementia. You might want to call his doctor and tell him what's going on,and possibly make an appointment a little closer timewise.

 

[C.Ann]

Could be dementia - or a side effect of medications..

Everything being in "3"'s kind of sounds like an OCD thing..

It probably wouldn't hurt to mention it to his PCP.. Meanwhile google dementia and see if it talks about anything similar..

 

[Carl]

My mother does that and she has dementia.

 

[bumbershoot]

Definitely worth an appointment for.

If it started since his blood pressure medication changed/started, I would make sure they looked heavily at that.

Actually, check it out at drugs.com. They have all the negative effects listed there, and since so few people keep, let alone read, the package inserts for drugs they take, it might be eye opening.

You could also talk to a pharmacist about it; they are absolutely terrific at answering questions like that, and when you have a general question like that there are no privacy laws to interfere with the receiving of info.


I was also thinking "stroke", by the way. Something causing the brain to re-remember something that is currently happening could very well be a stroke. My grandmother had a series of "mini strokes" as she was going into Alzheimers, and it was hard to determine which problem was due to what.

 

[antmaril]

I don't know what it is, but I really don't think he should be driving.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I don't know what it is, but I really don't think he should be driving.

He shouldn't - family hasn't figured out how to handle that yet (and I'm trying to stay far far away because he will flip out).

I thought maybe dementia, too.

 

[Angelhalo]

I used to be the director of an Alzheimers and Dementia unit. I would have him checked out for both. Many of our patients did the exact same thing on a daily basis.

 

[cabmom]

He shouldn't - family hasn't figured out how to handle that yet (and I'm trying to stay far far away because he will flip out).

I thought maybe dementia, too.

If you tell his Dr. and he doesn't pull his license, the Dr. can be charged if he has any accidents. It's the law in our province.

I can relate!

 

[The Mystery Machine]

If it coincides with a med change that is front and center as a issue. I would focus on that.

 

[a1tinkfans]

OH MY!

I agree that a call to his doctor is warranted and see if they think he should come in now rather than later.

The driving issue is so difficult for our elderly citizens. It is that "last freedom" and taking it away is very difficult.
Good Luck on ALL fronts!!!





DEMOCRATS FOR MCCAIN

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I agree, it sounds neurological, dementia-like. The correllation to the low BP could be related to "low flow", ie insufficient cerebral perfusion, which could have precipitated the episodes (as could neurovascular changes from hypertension which presumably is why he is on BP meds). Is his BP now being monitored? If it were my relative I'd probably start with his primary care, with an eye toward neurological/cognitive testing (and a big awareness for his safety). Good luck.

ETA one other thing I thought of was something neurological we saw happen with my aunt who had Alzheimer's - she developed "Parkinsonian"-like symptoms (not the actual disease itself) from the changes in her brain, which caused her also to repeat things not unlike what you're describing. Not sure I'll be able to find it in the literature, maybe someone else will know?

Here are some links that may be helpful:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mild-cognitive-impairment/DS00553

http://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/alzheimers-dementia

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_alzheimers_disease.asp

http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_related_diseases.asp

http://www.alz.org/professionals_and_researchers_behavioral_symptoms_pr.asp

http://www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers/Publications/adfact.htm

 

[KristiKelly]

My Grandmother had Alzheimers and did this. I would have him checked as well. Unfortunately, with the car it might have to be a "tough love" type situation.

Good luck!