My husband was sent home from work two weeks ago as they felt he was not working safely. He started having memory problems about 7-8 months ago and then his personality/behavor changed. He is much more childlike and emotional. He has been seen by a psychologist, neurologist and psychiatrist. The psychologist did some testing and it showed he had abstract thinking deficits. the neurologist did a CT scan and MRI and said they were both normal, but his last MMSE was only 18, and he had a folate blood test that was low--they are going to retest it. I am so anxious I can't even eat. My doctor put me on anti-depressants but they haven't helped. He is only 59.
I'm worried about him, his job, our finances, everything under the sun. Now we are having to look into getting him on short term disability from work and without any firm diagnosis I don't know if they will approve it. Sorry for rambling on but I'm so frightened for him. I don't know if its AD or something else. Thanks for listening.
1st, you don't have to be sorry for rambling, that's what this site is for. Seems like if his work place sent him home, because he wasn't working safely, that even without a firm diagnosis, a note from either of the 2 doctors would suffice, I don't know. You didn't say what type of work your husband does. Maybe in that framework, the doctors will document that based on their findings, he shouldn't be doing that job.
You also didn't say what type of antidepressant you are taking & how long you have been taking it. Many of them take several weeks to kick in.
Hang in there, someone else will be along shortly to assist better than I.
Welcome, Deb, sorry you are having to deal with all this. its never easy regardless if its AD or something else causing his issues. the drs will do a full workup and then maybe be more knowledgeable how to diagnose it, in the meantime try to get him on the ST diasability just in case.do make sure regardless of what the outcome is, get your 'legal papers' in order wth a trusted atty. i sincerely hope it is something that is treatable and not AD. any dementia related issue is welcomed here so continue to visit and inform yourself. divvi
Deb, So sorry to hear of your husband’s problems. A lot of us here have been through something similar, some at about the same age, some younger, some older. The important thing is that he is seeing doctors and they are doing testing. We’ll help hold your hand through the process.
You mentioned he had seen a psychologist and psychiatrist, and neurologist. That’s great-that’s what you want. Did they mention the kind of testing they did? Was it 4 hours or so long, or a shorter appointment?
It’s hard, worrying about your DH, the finance, the future. Just take it one day at a time. I’m so glad you found this site. Joan has created a great forum and there are lots of people here who understand.
Please know you have some new friends here to help.
The psychologist did a shorter appointment. It was about 1 hour long and it showed the abstract thinking deficits. At his last visit he gave him some drawing tests which he did fine on--the clock test and other figures. He has had one EEG and is scheduled for a second next week to rule out any type of seizures. The hard part of this is that the neuro said not to have him drive until we rule out seizures--he keeps asking for his keys just to go to the mall. So far he doesn't have a problem getting lost. His problems are mostly short term memory and personality/behavorial changes.
I have been trying to take it one day at a time, but I'm a worrier naturally and all this has been so hard. I can barely eat and have lost about 15 pounds in the last two weeks--I could use to lose it but not this way.
deb112958 - It surely is extremely hard to have so much on your plate - worrying about your DH, finances, the future. Hopefully you will have a diagnosis soon and maybe if you need extra money you can sell your 'how to lose 15 pounds in two weeks' diet - though you might not have many takers on this one. Hang in there.
deb112958- Welcome, we are all here anytime you need to talk. You have been thrust into a maelstrom with little or no warning; no wonder you are losing weight. (Wish I could lose 15 pounds in 2 wks). The beginning of this journey is so difficult, because it takes so long to get answers. Meanwhile you are living the problem day in and day out. Try and relax, you have a bumpy ride ahead, but know you have found a site with lots of caring people and tremendous site for information. This information you can read and question the docs and try to get to the bottom of the problem. Research and knowledge help you navigate the journey and Joan has provided a great site for support and knowledge. Good luck
Deb, Since you already have some doctors in place, please ask for a neuropsych exam. It should take about 4-6 hours and be more detailed than some of the tests he has already had.
Please give your husband a big hug, tell him how much you love him, and tell him it will be alright (and say it like you mean that last part!). Go for a walk, sit on the porch and try to "relax".
Don't drive yourself crazy looking up stuff on the web or reading all the things on this site, they will just drive you crazy. Just "postpone" the driving for now. Tell him he needs to wait till the doctor says its ok and just keep repeating that. Don't try going into explanations or details. If his short term memory is impaired, he might have difficulty dealing with construction signs and changes, sudden traffic issues, etc. If it will help, just tell him your car insurance won't cover him till the dr. says its ok., tell him you'll drive him (if possible).
Basically get one, or both, of the doctors to put him on short term disability. They will know what to put on the paperwork so the state, or the insurance company, will accept the fact that in their opinion he can't work at the present time.
In the past both my husband and I have been on short term disability in two different states, and in every case the only person who had to explain WHY was the doctor or doctors. It is their problem to figure out what to put on the paperwork.
Thanks for all your input. When my husband was sent home from his job -- he works in a papermill -- it wasn't because he wasn't doing his job properly but that he didn't seem to be paying attention to the safety concerns around him like the bails of paper and the trucks. The company asked that he be evaulated and we were assigned a psychologist through the company's EAP (Employment Assistance Program). This psychologist found that he had abstract thinking deficits--so we then went to our neurologist and he is now is the process of EEGs, had an MRI - normal, and showing memory problems. Originally the psychologist was going to fill out the STD papers (through his job) but now says it would be better for the neuro to do it. I'm trying to get these two professionals to consult with each other so they both know what the other is doing. I'm going to ask the neuro about the neuropsych testing.
I work at home a few hours a week doing HR work for a friend who is an HR consultant. It used be more but with the economy not much hiring is going on therefore less work for me.
I have two kids not at home. A daughter who is 26 and not taking this all very well. My son is 21 and in his last year of college, hoping to go to law school. He is more accepting. He tells me to just worry about his dad and that we have plenty of people who love us and will help all they can. My sister has been a big help too. She is a nurse and lost her husband to brain cancer 4 years ago when he was just 42.
Deb
I haven't said anything to my husband's brothers and sister yet. He doesn't want me to but I told him that once all the tests are run I'm going to have to let them know.
Deb, I am so sorry for all you are going through. I remember the fear you are expressing well. I am glad you have the support of your family, keep them close. Keep posting, we are hear to listen. Thinking of you, Nikki
My husband was 55 when we began all the testing...and I have to say, keep pushing for answers! We went 3 1/2 years without a diagnosis...eventually I insisted he be referred to specialists in early onset. The neuropsych tests were an important component, along with a PET scan. They of course have to check on all other possibilities that could also cause these types of symptoms. I think the fear of the unknown is almost worse than eventually getting an answer.
Has anyone suggested putting your husband on vitamin B12 and folate supplements (methyltetrahydrofolate)? Research findings have been somewhat inconsistent, but there is some reason to believe that vitamin B12 and folate (vitamin B9) deficiencies may increase the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, and that folate supplements may be effective in treating the problem, especially if the homocysteine levels are high. See, e.g.:
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2001 Jun;16(6):609-14. Improvement of cognitive functions after cobalamin/folate supplementation in elderly patients with dementia and elevated plasma homocysteine. Nilsson K, Gustafson L, Hultberg B. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of cobalamin/folate supplementation on cognitive function in elderly patients with dementia. METHOD: The cobalamin/folate status of the patients was evaluated by measuring plasma homocysteine, serum methylmalonic acid, serum cobalamin and blood folate. Thirty-three patients were studied and repeatedly assessed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and 'A short cognitive performance test for assessing memory and attention' (SKT) during vitamin substitution. RESULTS: Patients with mild-moderate dementia and elevated plasma homocysteine levels improved clinically with increased test scores after vitamin substitution, while severely demented patients and patients with normal plasma homocysteine levels did not improve clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma homocysteine may be the best marker for detecting treatable cobalamin/folate deficiency in patients with dementia.
Also, from a 2008 article:
Homocysteine (Hcy) is an amino acid derived from methionine catabolism. Hcy plasma levels rise with age. High plasma Hcy levels have been associated with poor cognition and dementia. It has been related to neurodegenerative disease in a number of human studies with evidence indicating that cell redox potential is altered, leading to the protein accumu- lation and apoptosis.
Hcy and its primary metabolite have been shown to act as agonists at N-methyl D- aspartate (NMDA) receptors which, in turn, are implicated in neurotoxicity via various proposed biochemical changes. Hcy metabolism depends on the presence of B vitamins (B12 and B6 and folate [B9]) and it is unclear whether hyperhomocysteinaemia causes neurotoxicity or B vitamin deficiency is the primary cause of neurodegeneration.
The neurotoxic effects of hyperhomocysteinaemia can be ameliorated by folate, NMDA receptor antagonists (e.g. memantine) and various antioxidants (e.g., Vitamins C and E).
I haven't posted anything in awhile, but I just wanted to update and let you know that my husband has been diagnosed with probable FTD. He had neuropsych testing -- all day -- and it showed that he had moderate to severe impairments pretty much across the board. The only thing not affected was his motor skills. This was all explained to us but due to the FTD my husband doesn't seem to understand that he has a problem. His MRI also showed he had atrophy of his left lobe. He did have a low folate and he now takes B12 complex daily, but I haven't noticed a difference. Thanks for listening
deb, I am sorry that you are going through this...we are always here to listen. One thing I know about B12 is that some people have a hard time digesting it, so they get shots. That way you know 100% goes into the bloodstream.