Monitoring & Treatment
Stage 1
A consultation is normally undertaken following a referral from your GP. The referral from your general practitioner should be addressed to Dr Christopher James, The Memory Clinic, Werndale Hospital, Bancyfelin, Carmarthen, SA33 5NE or to Dr Christopher James, The Memory Clinic, Cyncoed Consultation Rooms, 277 Cyncoed Road, Cardiff CF23 6PA.
However you can also contact the Memory Clinic Wales directly for a consultation.
Stage 2
The initial consultation will usually last one hour. You will be seen by Dr Chris James who will ask about details of your memory loss and general health. The assessment will involve a physical examination including an assessment of your memory. Depending on the first consultation you may require blood tests and a brain scan, possibly on another day.
Stage 3
The results of the initial consultation will be reviewed by Dr Chris James and if appropriate discussed with a consultant clinical psychologist.
Stage 4
The results of all the tests and assessments will be discussed with you (and your family if requested) where we will agree a treatment programme that is suited to your needs. This may be in the form of medication or cognitive retraining, memory strategies including psychological support or a combination of all of these. Your general practitioner will receive full and regular reports on your progress.
Stage 5
On going monitoring and treatment can continue for as long as it is required. This may require the prescribing and monitoring of acetyl cholinesterase Inhibitors for those with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia.
The acetyl cholinesterase Inhibitors are donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Reminyl), rivastigmine (Exelon). Current NICE guidelines (National Institute of Clinical Excellence) do not recommend the use of these drugs for early Alzheimer’s dementia within the national health service but they can be given to patients at the moderate stage of the disease.
In The Memory Clinic Wales treatment is available with Cholinesterase Inhibitors for patients with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Dementia even when the condition is in the early stages.
Treatment will also be in the form of a consultation of cognitive retraining, memory strategies including psychological support or a combination of all of these. Dr Chris James can refer you to a consultant psychologist who specialises in this area.
Monitoring of your treatment can continue in The Memory Clinic Wales, where it can be adjusted as necessary.