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Home > Archive > Alzheimers support > October 2005 > so it begins
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| LindaJean 2005-10-01, 8:33 am |
| The doctors have taken John of work due to "cognitive loss" and have pulled
his drivers license. Next they are going to test him for mad cow disease.
The neurologist said he doesn't want to officially say it is Alz yet because
of John's age (56)
My husband was annoyed about not being able to drive but that faded away in
10 minutes. He doesn't seem to care much about all this. But I admit I am
afraid of the future
Linda
| |
| Evelyn Ruut 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| "LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:h_v%e.1810$4h2.133@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> The doctors have taken John of work due to "cognitive loss" and have
> pulled his drivers license. Next they are going to test him for mad cow
> disease. The neurologist said he doesn't want to officially say it is Alz
> yet because of John's age (56)
> My husband was annoyed about not being able to drive but that faded away
> in 10 minutes. He doesn't seem to care much about all this. But I admit I
> am afraid of the future
>
> Linda
Oh Linda, I am so sorry to hear that things have moved in this scary
direction. There's not much I can say, but I wanted to let you know that I
feel for you, and I wish you courage.
--
Best Regards,
Evelyn
(to reply to me personally, remove 'sox')
>
>
| |
| LindaJean 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| thanks
being able to read and learn from all of you is a help to me. Makes me feel
less alone
Linda
"Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:fHw%e.4408$wf6.896737@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> "LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:h_v%e.1810$4h2.133@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Oh Linda, I am so sorry to hear that things have moved in this scary
> direction. There's not much I can say, but I wanted to let you know that
> I feel for you, and I wish you courage.
>
> --
>
>
> Best Regards,
> Evelyn
>
> (to reply to me personally, remove 'sox')
>
>
>
| |
| Evelyn Ruut 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| "LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:z8x%e.5353$zQ3.1000@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> thanks
> being able to read and learn from all of you is a help to me. Makes me
> feel less alone
Hi LindaJean,
When my mother in law started showing signs of impairment, it was very scary
for me. We never were really close, and she lived two hours away from us,
and was very independent. There was no other person to help her, it was us
or nobody.
And how does one help someone who doesn't want help, or understand that they
even needed help? It was little by little and a slow process. This
newsgroup kept me sane and got me through an awful lot right up until she
died last April. It was 5 years ago or so that I found this group and it
was a lifesaver for me.
LindaJean, if I found the courage to work with the situation, as unwilling
as I was originally, you are going to be just fine. Plus because it is
your husband, that fact will make it a more natural situation for you to be
there for him and you may get more cooperation than some of us who weren't
so close to our loved ones. There is a trust factor with a spouse that is
often not there with other relationships.
It is true that 56 just seems so young to have this awful illness, but the
scary truth is that we have heard of younger ones in rare cases. Keep
your courage up and stay in touch.
--
Best Regards,
Evelyn
(to reply to me personally, remove 'sox')
| |
| Songbird 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| (((((((((((((((Linda))))))))))))))))))))))))
(((((((((((((((John)))))))))))))))))))))))))
No, you are not alone. There are too many of us out here! Make sure you do
what you can to build off-line support too -- friends, family, a caregivers
support group. Their hugs don't look like parentheses. <G>
I'm glad the doc is taking your concerns seriously and making sure to screen
out anything else that could be causing the cognitive loss. However, there
is Early Onset Alzheimers as well.
I'm glad he has accepted not driving. That's a tough one for men in
particular, but the risk of hurting someone (himself or an innocent party)
is just too high.
Hang in there and keep us posted. We care.
Songbird
"LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:z8x%e.5353$zQ3.1000@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> thanks
> being able to read and learn from all of you is a help to me. Makes me
> feel less alone
>
> Linda
> "Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:fHw%e.4408$wf6.896737@twister.nyc.rr.com...
>
>
| |
| LindaJean 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| it is unfortunate that John has no family at all and the only friends he has
are thru work. My family has very young children and live 3 hours away so I
am going to have to find help in some other way. I went to my first consult
at the AD office and our GP told me very firmly to make sure I find a group
to keep attending. The Neuro may have to be changed but our GP is very
supportive and helpful. We all figure it is EOAD but the GP told me it is
better to rule out any chance it is something fixable before we face AD and
I guess he is right. The Neuro just kept stalling things so I went and sat
down with the GP and he pushed the other doctor. Thank God for that help
Untitled Normal Page
"Songbird" <carolinasongbird@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:7Sx%e.14107$eB3.12321@bignews3.bellsouth.net...
> (((((((((((((((Linda))))))))))))))))))))))))
> (((((((((((((((John)))))))))))))))))))))))))
>
> No, you are not alone. There are too many of us out here! Make sure you do
> what you can to build off-line support too -- friends, family, a
> caregivers support group. Their hugs don't look like parentheses. <G>
>
> I'm glad the doc is taking your concerns seriously and making sure to
> screen out anything else that could be causing the cognitive loss.
> However, there is Early Onset Alzheimers as well.
>
> I'm glad he has accepted not driving. That's a tough one for men in
> particular, but the risk of hurting someone (himself or an innocent party)
> is just too high.
>
> Hang in there and keep us posted. We care.
>
> Songbird
| |
| LindaJean 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| It is hard to deal with this as we have only just celebrated our first
wedding anniversary the day they did the EEG last week. Since we have no
info on John's relative's it makes it more possible for AD they say. I feel
like Alice down the rabbit hole hahaha I know I can do this I just have to
learn fast :-)
LindaJean
"Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote in message
news:DTx%e.3988$Fc4.2855@twister.nyc.rr.com...
> Hi LindaJean,
>
> When my mother in law started showing signs of impairment, it was very
> scary for me. We never were really close, and she lived two hours away
> from us, and was very independent. There was no other person to help
> her, it was us or nobody.
>
> And how does one help someone who doesn't want help, or understand that
> they even needed help? It was little by little and a slow process.
> This newsgroup kept me sane and got me through an awful lot right up until
> she died last April. It was 5 years ago or so that I found this group
> and it was a lifesaver for me.
>
> LindaJean, if I found the courage to work with the situation, as unwilling
> as I was originally, you are going to be just fine. Plus because it is
> your husband, that fact will make it a more natural situation for you to
> be there for him and you may get more cooperation than some of us who
> weren't so close to our loved ones. There is a trust factor with a
> spouse that is often not there with other relationships.
>
> It is true that 56 just seems so young to have this awful illness, but the
> scary truth is that we have heard of younger ones in rare cases. Keep
> your courage up and stay in touch.
| |
| Glenfiddich 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 13:15:57 GMT, "LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote:
>The doctors have taken John of work due to "cognitive loss" and have pulled
>his drivers license. Next they are going to test him for mad cow disease.
>The neurologist said he doesn't want to officially say it is Alz yet because
>of John's age (56)
>My husband was annoyed about not being able to drive but that faded away in
>10 minutes. He doesn't seem to care much about all this. But I admit I am
>afraid of the future
Linda, I'm so sorry - my wife was about that age when we first realised
there was a problem.
Please make sure they do the tests for *all* the other possible causes - some of
the other conditions are curable.
It's no comfort at all, but it's important to know that EOAD tends to progress
faster than 'regular' AD, and you should take that into account when planning
for the future.
| |
| A R Pickett 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| Linda - what sad news! I echo what everyone else has said. I don't have
very much one on one experience with my Dad, my sister lives much much
closer and handles just about everything. But I have a little peek at what
things can be like -
All the other advice is good advice and this is a good group to lean on.
I'll be thinking of you and of John and wishing you the best possible
circumstances to deal with.
--
A R Pickett aka Woodstock
"Sometimes the facts threaten the truth"
Amos Oz, prize winning Israeli author
Read my book reviews at:
http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/...all_byauth.html
Remove lower case "e" to respond
| |
| Pat Stewart 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| Linda Jean,
I'm so sorry you're going through this. This group is a great place to vent,
and most of us try not to be judgemental. We're all part of a group that
nobody wants to join.
I echo others ideas about getting into a support group asap and letting them
help you with their own suggestions. Sometimes a local group has more
resources available, and they can help you get through the maze you've
entered with your husband.
We're hear for you if you need us. Bless you and your husband.
Patty
"LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:h_v%e.1810$4h2.133@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> The doctors have taken John of work due to "cognitive loss" and have
pulled
> his drivers license. Next they are going to test him for mad cow disease.
> The neurologist said he doesn't want to officially say it is Alz yet
because
> of John's age (56)
> My husband was annoyed about not being able to drive but that faded away
in
> 10 minutes. He doesn't seem to care much about all this. But I admit I am
> afraid of the future
>
> Linda
>
>
| |
| Dennis P. Harris 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 15:25:23 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers,
"Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote:
> It is true that 56 just seems so young to have this awful illness, but the
> scary truth is that we have heard of younger ones in rare cases. Keep
> your courage up and stay in touch.
>
An old school friend was caregiver for a fellow that was a year
younger than us. He was diagnosed at 46 and died at 50.
From the cases that I've seen, it appears that the decline with
EOAD is more rapid, at least in the early stages.
| |
|
| thank you for the info. John has been tested for everything any of the
doctors can think of. The ct scan and the mri show an enlarged ventricle and
very tiny strokes in the frontal lobe. That is all they find that is not
normal with him. They will do the lumbar and the neuro-phsy tests in a week
or two. They are not expecting to find anything but feel we need to try
everything.
This last 6 months he has changed so much. Before that I had noticed he had
odd "moods" from time to time and sometimes repeated conversations over and
over but just didn't dawn on me until it started getting so bad. I have a
referral to an "elder attorney" and I think that should come next
Linda
"Glenfiddich" <atsila@nyc.RoadRunner.com> wrote in message
news:mq4uj15b05ksnaosrg6b4e61u4an4v0iat@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 13:15:57 GMT, "LindaJean" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Linda, I'm so sorry - my wife was about that age when we first realised
> there was a problem.
>
> Please make sure they do the tests for *all* the other possible causes -
some of
> the other conditions are curable.
>
> It's no comfort at all, but it's important to know that EOAD tends to
progress
> faster than 'regular' AD, and you should take that into account when
planning
> for the future.
| |
|
| thanks
I have gotten some good tips in here.
Linda
"A R Pickett" <WOODeSTOCK_AP@PReODIGeY.NET> wrote in message
news:%aF%e.3355$DY.441@newssvr33.news.prodigy.com...
> Linda - what sad news! I echo what everyone else has said. I don't have
> very much one on one experience with my Dad, my sister lives much much
> closer and handles just about everything. But I have a little peek at
what
> things can be like -
>
> All the other advice is good advice and this is a good group to lean on.
>
> I'll be thinking of you and of John and wishing you the best possible
> circumstances to deal with.
>
> --
> A R Pickett aka Woodstock
>
> "Sometimes the facts threaten the truth"
>
> Amos Oz, prize winning Israeli author
>
> Read my book reviews at:
> http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/...all_byauth.html
>
> Remove lower case "e" to respond
>
>
| |
|
| It helps to read in here what y'all are dealing with. It gives me pointers
for what I know is coming down the road at us.
Linda
"Pat Stewart" <stewartpat@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:41K%e.7887$q1.7309@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> Linda Jean,
>
> I'm so sorry you're going through this. This group is a great place to
vent,
> and most of us try not to be judgemental. We're all part of a group that
> nobody wants to join.
>
> I echo others ideas about getting into a support group asap and letting
them
> help you with their own suggestions. Sometimes a local group has more
> resources available, and they can help you get through the maze you've
> entered with your husband.
>
> We're hear for you if you need us. Bless you and your husband.
>
> Patty
>
| |
|
| that is what I have been reading. Most web info states average of 4.2 years
for males. Right now trying to switch our lives around is more than I can
deal with. We will have to let go of the apt near his work and move full
time to our retire to house. I am torn between I want the 20 years that can
be possible with AD and then again I hate watching what my husband is
already going thru and don't want him to suffer any more than he needs to. I
guess God will decide and I will follow <s>
Linda
"Dennis P. Harris" <NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net> wrote in message
news:8l1uj1lacjj64eoobudg572882d2363532@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 01 Oct 2005 15:25:23 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers,
> "Evelyn Ruut" <mama-lionsox@hvc.rr.com> wrote:
>
the[vbcol=seagreen]
> An old school friend was caregiver for a fellow that was a year
> younger than us. He was diagnosed at 46 and died at 50.
>
> From the cases that I've seen, it appears that the decline with
> EOAD is more rapid, at least in the early stages.
>
| |
| Evelyn Ruut 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| "LJ" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hKR%e.5628$zQ3.1827@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> thank you for the info. John has been tested for everything any of the
> doctors can think of. The ct scan and the mri show an enlarged ventricle
> and
> very tiny strokes in the frontal lobe. That is all they find that is not
> normal with him. They will do the lumbar and the neuro-phsy tests in a
> week
> or two. They are not expecting to find anything but feel we need to try
> everything.
> This last 6 months he has changed so much. Before that I had noticed he
> had
> odd "moods" from time to time and sometimes repeated conversations over
> and
> over but just didn't dawn on me until it started getting so bad. I have a
> referral to an "elder attorney" and I think that should come next
> Linda
YES! That is so important. There are some things you are going to need
and an elder law specialist is the only one to help in this case.
--
Best Regards,
Evelyn
(to reply to me personally, remove 'sox')
| |
| Gwen Love 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| Linda, I can't really help you but can offer my support and prayers. My
husband died in March 2001.
Gwen
"LJ" <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:7MR%e.5630$zQ3.5542@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> It helps to read in here what y'all are dealing with. It gives me pointers
> for what I know is coming down the road at us.
> Linda
> "Pat Stewart" <stewartpat@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:41K%e.7887$q1.7309@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net...
> vent,
> them
>
>
| |
| Dennis P. Harris 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| On Sun, 02 Oct 2005 14:00:45 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers, "LJ"
<lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote:
> The ct scan and the mri show an enlarged ventricle and
> very tiny strokes in the frontal lobe.
that sounds like possible multi-infarct dementia (memory loss due
to stroke damage), not EOAD. i presume that his blood pressure
is being monitored more carefully now than in the past?
| |
| LindaJean 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| God Bless you and prayers are of great help to us all
Linda
"Gwen Love" <cglghl@knology.net> wrote in message
news:9e86e$43402fad$45491df5$8389@KNOLOGY.NET...
> Linda, I can't really help you but can offer my support and prayers. My
> husband died in March 2001.
> Gwen
>
| |
| LindaJean 2005-10-06, 10:26 pm |
| his BP is always normal and yes it is being watched thanks
Linda
"Dennis P. Harris" <NO_SPAM_TO_dpharris@gci.net> wrote in message
news:5th0k1dq79o4kpefub9evrddangf9jd3tk@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 02 Oct 2005 14:00:45 GMT in alt.support.alzheimers, "LJ"
> <lppnp@xyahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> that sounds like possible multi-infarct dementia (memory loss due
> to stroke damage), not EOAD. i presume that his blood pressure
> is being monitored more carefully now than in the past?
>
>
|
| |
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