Well, dh got tested by neuropsychologist, after first seeing a neuro. This was all ordered following his threatening to shoot me and the cops. The neuropsyc doctor said he didn't do badly enough on the memory tests to say he has anything more than mci. The neuro doctor agreed with him. I had given them both backup info on his behavioral issues illustrating how he's treated me for 23 years. That was not taken into account in the dx. Only his memory tests.
Sorry you did not get any help from the doctor. For him to dismiss you with what is going on is not very professional. But, as others here have found it may take more than one doctor. You may need to try and get him to a neurologist that specializes in dementia of all types.
Hanging on, unfortunately it's not uncommon for drs to minimize your DH's symptoms. DH's neuro famously advised me to buy pepper spray should he threaten me again. No change in meds. Also told us he didn't see anything unusual on DH's CT scan. Find another dr if you can who specializes in dementia. I know it's burdensome, but keep trying until you find one who takes you seriously. That might be a good geriatrician.
Thank you Charlotte and LFL. I appreciate your comments. DH said he doesn't want anymore testing. He said at his age, he just wants to live his life. He's right. I feel the right way to go is to keep his meds working, adjusting them when necessary, with doctors input. He clearly is progressing downward. Regular incontinence am and pm. Very weak in the mornings, unsteady on his feet. I'm going to sit back and let this FTD dx of mine, and I'm sure that is what he has, continue to rear it's head until the doctor sees it for himself. I don't think that is too far in the future, when he'll be re-dxed. I'm tracking his events on a calendar, and when we go back to the doctor for his 6 month checkujp (the neurologist is what I'm talking about in this msg), he'll be able to see the progression. Thanks much to the person on this site for the suggestion of tracking on a calendar. It is much easier than journaling.
So, thanks again for your helpful comments. I'll keep you all posted as time goes by.
It's not uncommon for people with FTD to not have memory problems at the beginning of the disease. It is difficult to find a doctor who even knows much about FTD. My husband was diagnosed with FTD in 2008 and it was due to the fact that there were behavior problems first that the doctor leaned toward that diagnosis. When he had his first MRI done, the report came back as normal for his age. When the neurologist looked at it, he disagreed and showed me where there was atrophy in the frontal lobes. I know that we are lucky that the neurologist was knowledgeable about FTD. Most doctors will put it off to depression or some other mental illness.
Yes, Deb! The docs wanted to dx that H had stess, anxiety, depression; almost anything that was not an actual problem that could be documented in his brain.
They (the docs) even disagreed with what the MRI showed. I don't blame them for this. H got a lot of attention and I think that due to his age, primarily, as well as other variables, the docs were genuinely confused.
Your husband, if my memory is correct from your posts, is almost ten years older than mine, but their FTD dx was within a year of each other. There was a significant memory problem in 2008 but that followed years of behavioral issues.
My husband is now 62 and was diagnosed at 58. I'm 9 years younger than him. He has a history of depression and post traumatic stress disorder (he was in Viet Nam). So when his behaviors started, the doctors just raised his antidepressants because he had no family history of any type of dementia. It wasn't until his work sent him home due to confusion and them insisting he be seen by their psychologist, that the doctors started to take my opinions seriously. That was when I was told he had lost all of his abstract thought processes.
I have read articles lately where they are finding veterans with PTSD have a higher rate of dementia. That is why I believe there are many factors causing it but they all end up in the same place - death.
It would not surprise me if down the road the VA recognizes ALZ as a result of AO along with the host of other diseases associated with it. My DH had two tours in Viet Nam flying through AO..just wonderful..
Wish it would be sooner than later. My DH was on the USS Forrestal when it caught on fire in Vietnam & he fought the fire for 24 hours & you can't tell me that that didn't do some damage to him some where!
There is a new study that is saying that verterans with PTSD and have dementia have to have had a head injuy ie.. a concussion to cause it. I am now fighting this with veterans affairs in Canada. Even though he is on their VIP program they are refusing to cover any cost related to his dementia. Please let me know what is going on in the states regarding this and I let you know what they decide up here. It could help us along this journey.
DH brought up the subject today that if I need/want to go out of town, we can get someone to come in and stay with him. He agreed that he can't stay alone now, although he thought he could be alone at night, since he only sleeps. I told him I wouldn't be comfortable with him not having someone here at night also, in case something happens. He agreed. He also said whomever is here could also take care of the four dogs, and we wouldn't have to hire someone to come in for that.
How about that!! He has always fought anything that I wanted to change, and now he brought this up. I am so relieved.
Yes, Abby. He sees that he's declining, ie, getting more frail. I think he's coming more and more around to this whole idea. But yes, he did for a long time think I was the problem, not him. I'm sure there's some of that still in there. But at least this was some progress.
We're plugging along I think I'm in the rocking chair stage. What will be will be. Mind you it was quite a rough ride getting here. I am very anoyed with VAC not supporting him with his meds especially since their representitive said all his costs were covered. I don't know what it cost for a 30 day perscription of Aricept in the states but up here in Canada it $162. I was able to get him on my benefit plan at work and now it's covered. Thank goodness we have a cadilac plan, most plans don't cover it.
His last mmse was 14, around stage 5 and I had him tested for driving and he passed! It's a good thing we live out in the wilderness, very little traffic. His world is getting smaller and he is more forgetful but physically his is like someone 20 years younger. He is turning 77. Go figure.
Charlotte and Mimi. Keep us posted on anything you read about AO and dementia.
My dh also was in Nam and I have talked with his doctors about this. Within one year he was dx with COPD, Heart Attack and Alz. Can't tell me it isn't all related in a man only 56 years old. He was approved for the 60% for the heart condition because of Agent Orange and he was already getting 10% for finger amputation. He applied for 100% with a super letter for his heart doctor who said he couldn't work with the heart condition he has...of course, he couldn't work with the Alz either. We are still waiting for them to make a decision.
Amber, it will soon be a year since my husband died at age 91. It is still not all done with yet. I had hoped that I would return to person I was before Alzheimer's came to stay, but not yet, anyway. I'm stronger, more compassionate and patient than I was, but - I hate to admit this - I'm more cynical, sadder and more wounded than I thought I would be.
JudithKb...I have the papers to apply for Agent Orange possibility. This is because if he was passed for that, they would give him a better class of medical. however, his neurologist said he has not symptoms of Parkinsons, sounding like it would be dismissed.
I guess I should try anyway. He would be moved from the bottom of the VA ladder to the top if it passed. (He was in Vietnam, two tours)
Hi mary75*! Wow that was quite an update you gave me on the snow! yuck I bet you are glad it is gone.