Hello, I have been reading and following this blog and message board for about 6 months. It has brought great comfort to know that I am not alone in my trials. I actually found the site while trying to research what is wrong with my husband of 15 years. He is only 44 years old. I wish he was too young for any of these problems, but I'm afraid my story is similar to many on here. I started noticing changes about 1 1/2 years ago. He can't remember names of schools, friends, or neighbors. He has become very mean to me and the kids. His speech has deteriorated. He makes up words, says things that don't make sense, but they flow out of mouth normally. He really doesn't talk all that much. I'm always surprised when I hear him talking to someone. The other day I asked him to stop by the store to pick up one item. He came home with one item, but it was the wrong one. I've asked him many times to go see a doctor, but he refuses. I feel like he's a teenager. He kind of thinks and acts like one most of the time. The strange thing is no one else we know seems to realize anything is different about him...
samantha-you have to figure out how to get your husband to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. His actions may be caused by something fixable like low thyroid function.
Welcome Samantha. This site is wonderful for spouses with AD. Great advice to those in need. I, also lurked her for about 6 months before I joined in. It is a wonderful group.
It seems your first project should to find a way to get him to the doctor. Not all memory problems are Alzheimer's. Many can be fixed. But you must get a doctors opinion. If it proves to be Alzheimer's they will start him on treatment.
Welcome to my website. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to get a proper diagnosis. You have already been reading here, so you probably know about EOAD (Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease - Now called YOUNG onset) that strikes those under 65. There are many resources on the left side of the home page -www.thealzheimerspouse.com - for EOAD. However, your husband could have any number of problems that are causing his symptoms. Some are treatable. It could be an undetected stroke; mini strokes; vitamin B deficiency; NPH (fluid on the brain - very treatable); Frontal Lobe Dementa; poor thyroid function (mentioned above); brain tumor (many are benign). Without knowing exactly what is wrong, it cannot be properly treated.
You cannot ASK him to go to a doctor. When the brain is not working properly, their reasoning button is broken. You have to figure a creative way to get him the testing he needs. I would suggest writing down everything that has occurred in the last year and a half, and keep a journal from now on. Make an apt. with his primary care doctor, and show him all of the documentation. If he dismisses you, and says it's nothing, find another doctor. If he is cooperative, he will help you "fib" your husband into his office, and he will then refer him to a specialist. Make sure it is a neurologist that specializes in memory disorders. On my home page, on the left side, there is a "Find a Memory Disorder Clinic in your area" section.
Oh My Sammmm.... What you just wrote...easily could have been me. There is absolutely NO easy answer...Please read, and you will find, soooo, much, Take care of you. Love, Robyn
Samantha, welcome to the family!!!! I agree with the others, a diagnosis is vital. We were just having this same discussion with another new member, if you haven't read it yet... here is the link. http://thealzheimerspouse.com/vanillaforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=5770&page=1#Item_34 A wealth of information. I am sorry for the reason you are here, but very glad you found us!
Thank you all for the welcome. I will work on getting him to a doctor. He's been "layed off" work twice in the last 1 1/2 years. He's curently working, but I don't think it will last long. I'm hoping the next time he loses his job, he'll agree to get medical help.
I am praying that your husband does not have AD as he is so young. I hope it is something that can be fixed with meds. Maybe MCI mild cognitive impairment. You and your family are in my prayers and please ask if you need help. Someone is always here. Let us know how you are doing.
It is good you have found us. Only here can you say what you are feeling, going through. Do your best to get your dh to the dr. Be prepared to go through a lot of trying hours. This is a difficult disease to pinpoint. Reasons for odd behavior are so varied from physical to mental.
Yes, it can be something else. Last week a woman posted in Memory People that her dementia and other symptoms were not from AD but a thyroid problem. She was so happy as were the others on the site. There are over a 100 disease/illnesses that can mimic AD that is why diagnosis or test to rule them out is so so important.
Welcome, Samantha. Glad you found this site as it's full of info, friendly support, advice and encouragement. You'll want to get your husband to a doctor as soon as possible. From what you've written that's no easy task. THEN you'll want to make sure all your legal papers are in order; so visit an elder care attorney. If you don't have them, you'll want durable power of attorney, health directives, wills, etc., etc.
There is a place, I believe on left side, down a bit, for kids who have a parent w/dementia.