# of doc's seen before diagnosed as LBD?

February 23, 2003

Hi,

My name is Russ . I run a research study on LBD and AD, in

the Division of Medical Psychology (mostly a Neuropsychological

oriented division within the Dept. of Psychiatry) at s Hopkins

Hospital. Also, I recently graduated from Loyola College (

Street, Balto, MD) with a M.A. in Clinical Psychology. At the moment

I am trying to publish my Master's thesis data on " Pathways to Mental

Health. " My initial research had more of an emphasis on how

depressed adolescents' find their way to mental health services, but

this quote from another thread got me thinking about how LBD families

find care for their loved-ones:

" I hope I'm not expecting too much. But really a Dr. who has heard of

LBD. "

So, this comment begs the question in my mind... (and perhaps it

would be a good poll, if it hasn't been done already [i'm not sure

how to go about that]):

HOW MANY PHYSICIANS DID YOU SEE BEFORE SOMEONE MENTIONED THE

POSSIBILITY OF LEWY BODY DEMENTIA TO YOU???

I'm very curious... It seems to me, since the consensus conference

differential diagnosis came out in 1996, that general doctors should

be able to more-readily recognize LBD and the need for a specialist

to manage the patient's case. I'm curious if this is, in fact, the

case... or did your primary care physician just say, " Oh it's memory

problems, s/he has Alzheimer's disease! " Perhaps, a lot depends on

whether the doctor is following the medical literature? I'm just

curious about what you're experience's have been. Also, if you do

not have a dementia specialist managing you're loved-one's case,

please feel free to contact me (rjenkins@...), as I have

connections in Baltimore, New York City, Boston, and Atlanta... and,

I'd be willing to direct you to someone who know's what's what when

it comes to LBD. Very truly, -Russ (rjenkins@...)

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