I've been trying to find this topic here at Joan's because I'm sure it's been discussed before but I can't find it quickly and don't have time to hunt around today. My dh has begun to cry over the least thing. I have seen this man cry only once in our 60 years and that when his best friend age 47 died of a heart attack. And then he quickly recovered his composure. He is tender hearted but just doesn't cry. This started yesterday when we were watching Memorial Day programs and talk of servicemen and their families really touched him. Then most anything he talked about would start the tears. But today there aren't any Memorial programs on - he is watching baseball - but he still starts telling me how much I mean to him and he begins to cry. This has happened several times today. He tells me how much he loves me all the time lately but the crying is new. The only az med he is on is donepezil and he has been on it for several months so wonder if this could be the cause. Maybe this is just another progression of this awful disease.
My guess is yes, progression of disease. We know that as their brains are affected in new ways that inhibitions are diminished, gentle people become aggressive...I'm sure that increased emotional volatility can take the shape of crying also. I guess if it persists then you can find out about whether antidepressants or something could be useful.
This happens with my DH occasionally. If I can connect it with something he's talking about or sees in a picture or on TV, I don't comment. if I can't connect it, I have asked. His answer usually has been, "I don't know." His episodes don't usually, last long. I am sure it's progression.
flo39, Gord cried a lot. One time, he cried for 5 hours. I was ready to slit my wrists. I tried everything I could think of. It was one of the parts of the disease that I found so hard.
flo, my DH started crying and would tell me he didn't know what to do. The doctor prescribed a very low dose of Cymbalta. It worked wonders. Haven't had any more problems with crying......yet.
Flo, I think it's part of the disease. I believe it's called "pseudobulbar affect". My husband doesn't cry but will laugh and laugh. It is not a normal laughing but sounds crazy and sometimes like he is screaming...it can be very loud.
Depression is often part of our horrible journey...!! I can only imagine the pain of knowing you are losing your mind and its effect on relationships. We found a low dose of Lexapro for both of us...(one for you ...two for me...just kidding!!! ) did help with crying. Talk to your doctor about medication. I also found as we are in the later stages, crying occurs again but more childlike associated with perceived hurts.
Thanks for your replies. Last night he began to talk about where we will be buried and that no one else should be buried with us. Good gosh I sometimes think I'm having a nightmare that I can't awaken from!! He then began to cry about that. I told him what arrangements we have already made and he seemed to understand. He sees our pcp next week - altho this doctor isn't specifically for elders he has lots of old folks and is very knowledgeable. Also, he has been our pcp for more than 20 years. I'll tell him about the crying incidents.
flo39, I just remembered the term the psychogeriatrician used for Gord's crying. She said that he would think there had been a catastrophic event . She said there was nothing that could be done. We went to a different psychogeriatrician and he was horrified that she had done nothing. He added another anti-depressant to Gord's already heavy load. It did help but never stopped it completely. He was on the maximum dose of Effexor and 45mg of Remeron.
My husband will do that sometimes. I will be here at the computer and he will be watching TV and I hear him sniffing and wiping his eyes. I quit asking cause it was always 'I don't know'.
Flo, there are varying opinions about the crying. Lloyd cried at his birthday party and his family reunion. I think it was the large groups of people all of whom he knew and was close to. Then on occasion he will just cry for what is no apparent reason. I am still convinced that he realizes his situation at times and the desperation of it.
I did not mention the crying to our PCP at last visit because it isn't an everyday thing. I probably should have but there has been such a down turn in his condition that I was taken up with that and just didn't get to the crying. He mostly cries when he says he loves me and how much I mean to him. I wonder sometimes if he is afraid and I always tell him I love him too and that I'll always see that he is taken care of. Who knows what really is going on in his confused mind. Thanks for everyone's input.
flo39, my Dh also cries when he tells me he loves me or when I do things for him. I do the same thing, I tell him I love him &B that I will take care of him. It's so sad.
Brought up this thread as I needed to talk about this. deb112958 my guy sounds like yours, he does that very weird crazy laughter. It kind of makes me shudder, but the crying is over the top.
Today when I was trying to put his shorts on he could not lift one leg, not unusual. But he just kinds of gasps and cries like a child momentarily, in sheer frustration and it is like he realizes how messed up he is.
When he falls it is the same thing. It is the single most difficult thing that I, with a capital I, have to face. Reading this thread makes me able to accept it more.
Coco, I can't imagine anything more heartbreaking. I know the few times Lynn was in tears it broke my damn heart. If he is aware enough to feel frustration you can't help but wonder if he on some levels is aware of what is happening to him.... I would cry too. My heart aches for you both.
There was a period of time, early after DX, that dh almost obsessed about dying. We'd have frank discussions about it until he got tired of it. I told him we all had to die of something, his something was AD. I don't think he has ever truly accepted he has the disease, but he has gotten over talking about dying. Lately he has had a very hard time communicating his thoughts - just can't find the words. And, if I have any idea of what he might be wanting to say, I help him. But, I can tell that he is aware of this disability now. So far, he laughs it off, with no big emotional outbursts PTL. Oh dear, I am rambling. Thanks for listening.
Ramble away dear mothert, we all at times need someone to just listen to us. What a wonderful family we have here ♥
We are late stage now and there are two things that remain the most horrific... the first being the period of time when Lynn was aware that something was drastically wrong with him. I remember clearly the look of stark terror reflected in his eyes... how he feared he was going mad... how he begged me to help him end his life...how my strong brave hero would tremble in fear ..
This disease is beyond cruel. If there can be a blessing it is that eventually they will become unaware of what is happening to them. And if they are as lucky as my Lynn, their little world will be a happy, peaceful place.
oh dearest friends, thank you for sharing pain with me. Only you here can.
mothert I send warm thoughts to you and your dh, my heart overflows with grief for you all.
Nikki that is so so sad Lynn asking you to help end his life. I cannot even imagine Dado saying that, though it is something I think about. No of course not, I would never harm either of us. But I have occasional visions of us going out to sea together, and going under.
Oh God I hope this phase moves faster, so that he can forget everything. I am savoring what last communication we have for now, it is not much, and I will readily give it up to stop his suffering.
There are 2 Canadian friends coming to visit in a couple of weeks, they are staying at the house next door. They want to cruise the island and said, we will just take Dado with us. I fear it is too late for that, he is not going to be happy, and neither will I. We will simply have to enjoy their company when they are home.
My dh was a pilot and talks often and fondly about his flying days. One of my best friends and her hubby, who also fly and dh really likes and always has because they have this common bond, invited us to go up in their glider with them. Dh said yes, and the day is coming up. He told me today that he didn't want to go. I think he is afraid. So sad. We've been gliding with them in the past and he so enjoyed it all. But, that was before all this. He's still aware enough of his diminishing abilities that I believe he feels he will feel inadequate and be embarrassed by his lack of ability to fly the glider anymore. I'm actually glad he made the decision because I was a bit worried about what might happen up in the air without me being there to calm him if there was a problem. Another door closing for him, I'm afraid. His world continues to shrink.