DH was diagnosed at 53 with either AD or FTD, doctors still not totally sure but leaning toward AD. First signs? Between 50-51, mostly behaviorial, not memory.
DH was diagnosed in 1985 (age 38) with 'attachment disorder", seemed to have got on with life after some counseling.Then in 2004 (age56) he was fired from his job doing stuff he knew was against company policy but didn't think much of it at the time. In 2006 (age 58) started noticing repeating and odd behavior. Was diagnosed spring last year at age 59 with aMCI. In July this year progressed to dementia of the Alzheimer type.
Siem was 65 at dx, symptoms starting subtly about 3 years previous, now 66. Healthy except for diabetes, takes meds for blood pressure. Still rides bike several hours a day. (As many as he can get me to go with him).
DH retired at age 53 in1991, without discussing it with me. He said it was an opportunity. Never worked again. Problems with memory bothered him enough to see a neurologist in 98. He was diagnosed in 2005. He is probably in stage 5, perfect health, except for arthritis and AD.
Noticed differences in 2000..DH was nearly 60. Tests and more tests..negative. ended up with diag. of MCI because DH was so angry and hostile he wouldn't finish the neuro testing. FINALLY, a PET scan result in 2005..confirmed a pattern consistent with AD. He's 70 and fully stage 5 with some early stage 6. Physically healthy otherwise.
Learning Disabilities and Mental Illness masked symptoms, until need for med. change necessitated hospitalization in 2006. Testing to determine exactly what they were treating provided Dx. Vascular Dementia, already starting stage 5. Stroke History I had no clue of, showed 2 major stroke scars,at least one of which had to have occurred prior to our marriage in 1974, because a small tremor in his hands was present then, but in '76 we were told it was familial tremor when the Dr. noticed it. Dx'd about 1 1/2 months prior to 64th Birthday. He'll be 67 in October. Now well into stage 6.
My DH was diagnosed at 57, but had many symptoms a few years earlier. Originally the DX was MCI, now changed to early part of moderate? Alzheimers. I do not understand the stage thing quite yet, guess I need to read more.
DW was 62 when they started testing her for brainor vessel damage and first verbal questions. AD was always expected and every thing else was ruled out til nothing was left but AD. PCP still hesitated on calling it AD. But Carol was on Namenda, Aricept and Plavix. Now in Stage 6>>>7.
I am not good at Statistics, as you could tell on the "car count" on another thread. What I wish someone could do is put together a list of ages + years suffering with A.D. to determine if there is a "average maximum time" the disease holds on. Is there a member who can keep that record? I'm interested in knowing if the average AD patient lives 8 years, 10 years or longer after actual diagnosis.
The Hospice Doctor told me that seven years from dx to death is the average length. Claude was between six and seven years when he passed on. That is just an average, just like if you meet one alzheimer's patient, you meet "one" alzheimer patient.
DH was diagnosed at age 58 ( two weeks before his 59th birthday) but probably had it for 2-3 years before. He is in stage 4 but show some signs in moderate stage. He will be 60 in two weeks.
Looking back behavorial problems started about 10 years ago...also, loosing our Son, was something he coiuld not handle...thats when he started taking anit depressant pills...some side effects on those meds are memory loss..also had Prostate Cancer at that time... a lot at one time that he could not deal with...Now he is 87, in good health, and late stage 6.
My husband was diagnosed in 2007 at age 52. I would say he is in stage 3 and still does all the household chores without my asking. His short term memory is impaired but sometimes he will suprise me with remembering something I wanted him to forget : )!
Why is it that they remember things you don't want them to but forget the stuff you want them to remember? My husband can't remember what he did an hour ago but doesn't forget at 8pm he wants his little bag of m&ms.
my husband had 2 trucks fall on him one in 1994 and one in 1998 he started showing signs of AD shortly after 98we went to a dr but when sent to a phyiciatrist dh walked out he kept hidden how bad he was doing until this year when he started having trouble doing simple things at work he was doing maintenance so he would have been about 46 and was diagnosed feb at 55
The first symptom I noticed was in April, 2008. DH was 60. He was diagnosed in June 08 with MCI and within 3 months, the neurologist upgraded the diagnosis to AD. I believe he is in Stage 4. His mother died from AD.
first noticed obvious memory issues with Kevin at age 44... diagnosed with AD at age 46... he is now 47 in late stage 4 with some beginnings of early stage 5.
Oh, jlj, that's heartbreakingly young. It's one thing for spouses in their 70's and 80's to have AD, but not even 50 yet? So sad. Please come here often and let us offer what support we can.
DH was diagnosed at 43 is now 53 and in stage 6. His father died at 46 with dementia but never diagnosed back then. Has two sisters with EOAD also one is 58 and in stage 7 and the other is 51 and in stage 5-6 was just diagnosed 2 years ago.
DH turned 58 this year. After thinking hard, I would have to guess that things started changing following an illness in 1996 or 1997. then a major surgery in 1999. Through the early part of the 2000s, his personality started to change. Prob in 2007 or 2008, I found this site as things were so bad with DH. The anger, etc. So, he was in his mid-40s when I first started noticing changes. 53 to 54 when the changes were so apparent that I started looking for answers. We are still not diagnosed but I think it is FTD and doctor says that all the signs point to Picks. Doctor still has not seen the changes in DH. He is only going by what I tell him. Still no major memory loss which is usual for FTD. The very short term memory problems are becomming more and more apparent. mood, personality, behavior, executive functions, reasoning are the major indicators.
Hubs was diagnosed at age 46. He is now 47 prob stage 3-4...depends on the day! :) But we can trace problems back to 3-4 years ago at age 42-43. So crazy! No family history, his parents are healthy as can be both in their 80's
Son says he noticed changes about 2 yrs. ago with his memory of sporting events not being the same as what his dad remembered. DH had several TIAs in early 2010 then on July 4 I took him to the ER when his speech became really garbled. After 8 hours waiting he was finally put in a room and I went home. The nurse called me at 12:30 p.m. to say he was out of bed, dressed and coming home because he was sure I had left him at the homeless shelter! I never have convinced him I didn't. He has had a least one more TIA since. He had a MRA which showed a blockage in the right temple area and an attempt was made to put in a stint which was not successful. The surgeon told me it would not have made any difference. DX with vascular dementia in late 2010. He was 77 years old. He has declined rapidly in memory but still takes care of personal needs. I give him all meds and he doesn't drive at all.
DH will be 88 in December. He was diagnosed about 5 1/2 years ago. Like most of you I can look back and see changes about 10 years ago. I failed to see the changes at the time. He does not take care of his personal needs. And he has never ask "what's wrong with me". You can discuss his condition in the doctor's office and he will sit there smiling without understanding the conversation.
my dh is 85, diagnosed about 3 yrs. ago but I saw changes about 7 yrs. ago. He can take care of his personal needs for which I am very grateful but I know that can change anytime. Never questions me as to "what is wrong with him". Maybe he doesn't see anything wrong with himself. Can't follow conversations or tv shows but smiles at a funny. Right now he sleeps off and on all day and is up most of the night. I plan to ask our pcp for a sleep med.