My mother is 61. She has started falling for no reason and has what I call a shuffel when she walks, or she will be walking and it will turn into an incontrollable run and then she will fall. She recently has told us she is hearing people talking that aren't there when she is lying in bed coming from another room. Drs here in Nova Scotia, Canada are few and far between and no one has done anything. We don't even know what's causing all this. Does it perhaps sound like Lewy Body dementia to anyone? I have no idea what to do.
However, there is no one test for LBD. Dx LBD is difficult, it is highly based on the Dr experience. Sorry to have to tell you that. I hope you are able to find some answers.
Good Luck & God bless you.
I think it is very important to get mom in to a doctor, even if you have to travel some distance.
It may be difficult to get your mother to a doctor's office or an ER, but you're on the 'phone aren't you? Pick it up and get advice from a qualified medical practitioner. I gather that the correct number to call is 811; or you can check this out at https://811.novascotia.ca
PS - I hope you find Jeanne's advice reassuring; it also occurs to me that an ear infection needs to be ruled out. Your mother's symptoms are alarming, but the cause might be very easy to treat.
I’m sorry you are having to deal with the possibility of Lewey Body dementia. It was one of my mother’s initial diagnoses, but we have since gotten a more accurate diagnosis by working with a geriatric psychiatrist who patiently catalogues all of her symptoms and medical history.
We also live live on an island, and I empathize with your situation of being isolated from resources.
I recommend that you try to find a geriatrician or neurologist who works through tele-health/tele-medicine.
You can start with your health insurance (national health service) by looking at the list of these specialists and asking if they can consult by phone or web-conferencing.
You can contact the nearest medical school - speak to someone in the departments of neurology, geriatrics or family medicine and ask if they know of tele-medicine resources.
You can contact the nearest or largest medical centers/hospitals and ask if they provide tele-health services.
Ideally, you will want her PCP to work closely with a specialist. But, you may need to do the research to find a specialist on your own.
Getting a good consulting physician will be helpful to you and her PCP. If it is Lewey Body dementia, you will want someone knowledgeable to advise on managing the symptoms as the disease progresses.
Very best of luck to you.
I'm so sorry to hear of the difficulty your mother is having.... Especially so young. My mom is 72 and was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia 2 years ago but I suspected it a few years before the diagnosis. The reason I felt compelled to write to you is just to give you advice that I am so glad I received early on. Wherever you go to have your mother evaluated..... Please don't allow them to give her Haldol. It's more than common for this drug and many other similar antipsychotics to be given and it is detrimental to someone with dementia.... Especially LBD! I have heard more stories of this happening, and a person's loved one passing away shortly thereafter, than I care to count. I pray your mother has something treatable and not dementia. Should you find otherwise and need someone to talk to I would be glad to help any way I can. Take care.
Have her checked for early Parkinson's.
Or other disorders that effect dopamine levels.