I love my mom but she is driving me crazy. For many years she has felt the need to be the center of attention. SHe gets sick or almost faints something at every gathering. Mom is in poor health but it is so hard to tell when she is faking. She has actually been known to not eat and let her bs drop to dangerous levels when she isn't getting the attention she thinks she needs. She has been a diabetic for 40 years and still trys to pull this stuff. To day I took her to the store for quick groceries. The store is only 6 blocks from home. She starts grunting after every breath in the store and staggering. The she starts saying im sick im sick over and over. I try to get her to tell me what is wrong. do we need to find a bathroom is she short of breath. NO NO NO Finally I said why are you grunting like that She stands up straight as can be yells "I can't help it" and marches to the front of the store ( no longer grunting) and pays for her stuff Then she gave me the silent treatment home. I told her I don't mind helping in any way but I have to know what is wrong and I'm sick dosen't tell me anything. GRRRRRRRRRR she is going to drive me batty

Mom dosen't have alzeheimers. Dad does. She does have lots wrong but I just can't play into it anymore. We all decided several years ago about 10 I guess that no one was going to let her steal the attention at every occasion. She was pulling silly stuff at my nephews wedding. She suddenly went blind. go figure. Oh well I know that is her but I just had to vent. Come to think of it I have no idea why I took her to the store. Dad was there and he can drive her to the store he still functions well enough for that.

momof

Are you sure you're not talking about my Mom? lol

I feel your "pain" on this one...Mom's famous statement is "I don't feel well". It happens when company comes over or when I'm busy doing something other than giving her attention. I respond with "I know you don't". That usually is enough for her.

In the beginning I thought Mom was faking it too. How can she be completely fine one moment and WHAM enter drama queen?

IMHO-I know Mom like attention BUT I also realize that "things feel different to her" because of the AD. Just like forgetting how to put on her shoes, she has forgotten how to really communicate or tell me "what doesn't feel good".

Boy do I know this one! lol! My MIL and your mom should get together! But seriously...you said it in a nutshell "center of attention" As a nurse you already know the magic of detatch, detatch, detatch. Perhaps you are detatched with her a little more than she can handle? Did I say that right? (Hmmm Monday...only 2 cups today... yup thats it!) She is looking for sympathy and your not going down that road with her good for you. But maybe instead just say to her "Im sorry your not feeling well Mom, would you like me to take you home now. or maybe you would like to go sit in the car and rest a bit?" Ok theres a method to that madness, if she is lonely she might straighten up and "fly right" for you...Know what I mean? Try it and see what happens