Memory & Cognitive Problems

@Former-Member

Wish you all the best:)

The other thing I would suggest is to try to get the PET scan done at a place or hospital that has someone that is knowledgable about PET scans in brain related disorders/cognitive decline because if it is read by someone who is just knowledgable about PET scans in Cancer (this can happen) then theres a possibilty that they may write on your report that the findings are "not significant" .

This in turn can be interepreted by your Neurologist/GP/other that there are no abnormal finding but thats not the case.

@ivana

Thanks for your advice & well wishes !!

I had been researching about PET scan, and I did think it would be best to find a place that specializes in brain disorders and cognitive decline- like what you said too.

Do you know a place that specializes in this area?

I did see a place yesterday in Melbourne but I live in Queensland. I would be happy if the medical care & expertise in this area is down south from me.

Unfortuntely im not able to state any place as Sane moderators will remove this.

They consider nameing or suggesting places or doctors as against their forum rules

@ivana

Thanks for your message!!

I'll do some more reasearch this week about the different places and print them off for my specialist, and then we can discuss this & my concerns about my current symtoms (cognitive & memory problems).

And she may able to sugget or confirm my research as to what to do next, and were might be the better place to go to have the tests done.

Wish you all the best Oceangirl73!

@ivana

thanks for your support and advice- I really appreciate it. It made a lot of sense. I'll let u know how I get on with the specilaist. Take Care

@ivana

went to see specialist today and she was not happy to do the pet scan because it costs money- what do you think of that? i'm not terribly happy, for a number of reasons because everything costs money and also admitting someone into a private hospital for weeks or months on end- I would think, the cost of that would be much higher then my pet scan.

she wants me to having cognitive testing which may not pick up a problem, and any case if a person as learning difficulties it may also suggest cognitive problems, and their no problem and visa versa.

what are you thoughts?

Hi @Former-Member,

Really disappointing that your doctor didn't want to do the PET scan

test.

The problem with cognitive testing(Neuropsychometric testing) is that while it may pick up cognitive difficulties, it may not always be possible to distinguish whether these deficits are temporary (due to Depression etc) or permanent (due to a neurodegenerative process etc).

So you may get some insight by doing these tests but at the same time you also run the risk of doctors still dismissing it as Depression/temporary even if you down the track state it's not remissing/getting worse.

With a PET scan showing abnormalities, it's harder for a doctor to dismiss it, especially if consecutive pet scans are performed over the following years showing consistently abnormalities such as hypo or hyper metabolism in a certain brain regions.

Could you perhaps offer to pay for the scan yourself, even if it would require saving up financially?

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@ivana wrote:

Hi @Former-Member,

Really disappointing that your doctor didn't want to do the PET scan

test.

The problem with cognitive testing(Neuropsychometric testing) is that while it may pick up cognitive difficulties, it may not always be possible to distinguish whether these deficits are temporary (due to Depression etc) or permanent (due to a neurodegenerative process etc).

So you may get some insight by doing these tests but at the same time you also run the risk of doctors still dismissing it as Depression/temporary even if you down the track state it's not remissing/getting worse.

With a PET scan showing abnormalities, it's harder for a doctor to dismiss it, especially if consecutive pet scans are performed over the following years showing consistently abnormalities such as hypo or hyper metabolism in a certain brain regions.

Could you perhaps offer to pay for the scan yourself, even if it would require saving up financially?

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@ivana

Thanks for your message!!

I'm really struggling atm. I phoned a local x-ray company and they said that it was 500 dollars because their was no rebate. I would be happy if its only 500 dollars but I can't see it being that cheap.

I'm not feeling well atm so I am going into hospital on Monday and I will ask her again about the scan.