My husband was finally diagnosed in 2005 - but prior to this time, his personality/memory/emotional problems were attributed to stroke history, or...severe shock following two bad intestinal bleeds that almost killed him...and last, but not east, Parkinsons. He did not have Parkinson's..but it's suspected that the other events fast forwarded his progression. Looking back, the earliest signs might have been in the late 90's. Mild, but quite apparent and disrupting long time relationships with friends (and his erratic behavior was making my life miserable!!) I was told my his Clinical Psychologist that most cases AD victims have been sick for a long time before diagnosis. The trick is to take away the stigma of mental illness, going to the doctor and getting early diagnosis....and then the medicine will truly delay the progression of the disease. That is the purpose of Aracept. IF our LO's are already in Stage 5 or early 6 when diagnosed, the medication really doesn't do what we want it to do. Who wants to hang on in Stage 5c or 6 a for years.
That's only my honest opinion.... having been there...walked the walk...I know what I KNOW.... not what applies to your lives.
NancyB, I agree with what you said about early DX. We got the DX VERY VERY early - as soon as I became aware of 1-2 symptoms. I do believe the Aricept has slowed his progression. He was DX'd in 2003 - almost 7 years ago, and he has not declined very much at all - just more short term memory loss. Can still do everything for himself.
What I am interested in knowing, is how long do they live once diagnosed. If Diagnosed late then I would think they would live a shorter time than those who were diagnosed early on, I would think.
I agree, - I've been told the time between Moderately Severe to Death (Say late 5 early 6) is rarely more than 2 years. Not all are the same...as we well know, but it seems to have been like that with Lois, TJ and us. Perhaps, you can rephrase the question: Once they are moderately severe, how long did they live. In our case, that answer is 2 years.
Thanks, Joan, I had no idea...23 spouses. So much pain and sadness to be borne. You can close this thread if you want. The months don't really matter. God bless all the caregivers that still have this to face.
moorsb, actually a lot believe the EOAD goes faster than later in life. Too, at an older age usually other medical conditions take them first. My FIL was diagnosed about age 64 and will turn 89 in March. He has been in the severe for over 8 years now. He never had any meds until he went into the VA in 2001. Since going into there they put him on Namenda and he has slowly declined. He still doesn't know anyone or talk, rarely can feed himself, is incontinent and walks the hallways but not like he use to. He is an exception to the norm. I think you can only by the norm they say which is 8-10 years after the onset of symptoms with some quicker and some longer - If it were me, i would choose the quicker.
We must remember that it seems the symptoms have appeared 2 years or loner before diagnosis. . You can google 'life expectancy for Alzheimer's Disease and get pretty much the same reply: they can only generalize, each case is different.
I wish we could say my hb would progress at 'this rate' so will die in x number of years. Unfortunately we can't.
I guess that is what I am wanting to know, I know each one is different but I was wondering if the progression is the same. My wife has EOAD and was diagnosed 2 yrs ago. I think she is moving faster than most. I would say she is in the mid stage now.
Bob, you must also take into account that most victims of this disease are already into stage 4/5 when diagnosed, which means the disease has already been active for 2 or more years before diagnosis. Art was diagnosed in 2008 but I can see changes back to 2003 and definite memory problems in 2005, so that could mean he is definitely 4 or more years into the disease. Same is probably true for your wife, more than the 2 years.
I know, I too wish they could be definite about how long the journey will take, but they can't. I so wish the doctor would say 'he has 4 years to live'; or that in 6 months he will progress to stage 5, X more months stage 6, X more months to stage 7, etc. but they can't. I hate that. Forgive me who this applies to, but a part of me envies those whose journey went fast. But, I in no way envy them for loosing their loved one. I hurt for them and wish there was a way we could make their pain go away quickly.
My DH was Dx'd as mild but when I think back he had problems way before 2 years. He was 79 when Dx'd and is now 81. We see the neuro on Wednesday so I am curious to see if he is still in the mild stage. I think I would prefer the neuro to use the numbers rather than mild, moderate etc.
My husband was diagnosed in 1997 but I certainly saw "things" that were not quite right as early as 1994. He went into an AD facility in 2002 when I couldn't physically or emotionally care for him any longer at home. He was into Stage 7 by the end of 2003 and I brought him home in January of 2005. He lived at home for over three years and died in March of 2008. So, his journey was at least 14 years. I believe he lasted as long as he did because he was an active and healthy 50 year when diagnosed and never did develop another disease during all that time. If he hadn't contracted pneumonia he would probably still be alive.
Charlotte, I don't think you are horrible to wish for a swift ending for your husband. I got to witness and experience the whole process and it "ain't" pretty. In some ways, though, maybe it is easier to accept the inevitable when the time period is so long....who knows?
We first started noticing memory problems and cognitive reasoning also in 1996. By 2001 some TIA type episodes began to show up and by 2004, we discovered her heart "pausing" and she got a pacemaker. Heart and TIA problems went away but memory shifted into high gear. She is now in stage #7 and we are considering an AD nursing home. I guess that's 13 years. bill
Claude had a stroke in 1999 and we began noticing changes afterward. He had a TIA in 2003 and was formally diagnosed in early 2005. He was put on Exelon and Namenda and was probably in late 4/early 5.
That stage was the worst I think we went through, mainly behavior and anger issues. Med changes didn't seen to help. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would have placed him then. We suffered thru it and moved on.
The last four years as he progressed to stage 7, were relatively calm. The behavior/anger issues stopped and he just started on the downward spiral.
It probably was about 10 years before God decided he needed another angel in heaven.
I don't remember the year DH was diagnosed. We caught it early because his mother also had AD and I recognized the symptoms. GP started him on aricept right away and the neuro started him on namenda as soon as it was available in the US. By 1999 the disease was very noticeable to neighbors. The stages seemed to move slowly for him. He passed away Feb 21, 09 at the age of 79 after about 12 years of suffering.
My husband died Oct. 3rd 09. Age 47. Diagnosed 05 and when I look back he started symptoms in 2000. Both of us were in denial. We seen his mother go through this. He's whole memeriol is a blurr. One week later was going to be his 48th B-day that he share with our daughter who turned 17. Our whole family went to Uncle Johns Cider Mill and spent the day there as we have done in years past. I know this probably sounds horrible but I don't miss him it's hard to remeber who he use to be. We were married for 28yrs. We grew up together basically. I did love him but he became so mean and hurtful. Which brought me to this website in the first place. It really did help me out seeing what ideas or helpful tips others used, for things like anger, rage, shadowing,bed wetting, meds,money issuses and on and on. Or even just reading everyones comments. I thank you ALL for being there for me!!!! My husband, when first diagnosed said he didn't mind doing the first half of this disease but did not want to do the rest! Since we took of his mother we knew sort of what to expect. He was saved in 2000 by the grace of God, so I have no problem knowing where he is and his mind is fully restored. Our youngest however showed a bit of concern with that knowledge, saying she told him EVERTHING thinking he would forget :) I praise God that he did take my husband when he was about half way through this aweful disease for his sake and for my families. I just pray I wont ever never ever half to come back as 3x around!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am grateful that my website was able to provide you with the help you needed. As noted by other widows and widowers on this site, there can be another life after AD. It will be different, but it can be a good one.
Sue, I stand with you that there will not be a 3x. Do not feel guilty if you are not reacting the way society or others say you should. We are each unique and react in our way. As you said, his anger and other behaviors had a negative effect on your relationship and feelings for him. Plus, when we know they are in a much better place and healed, I believe it can make the process totally different. I miss my mom who died in 2002, but she is whole again. In no way would I want her to come back and suffer just for my benefit. I agree - it is a blessing that he went early in the disease = blessing for him, you and the kids.