Okay, this might be a bit long. I haven't written anything about my situation in quite a while as things were pretty stable. The last few weeks have been trying with new behaviors popping up. He now has pretty bad utilization behaviors. Can't go by anything without touching or moving it. He has been screaming, clapping, pounding on his legs, head and chest. Still pacing almost constantly.
He has also gotten hyper-oral. He will put anything he thinks looks like food into his mouth. He drank some Dawn dishwashing soap and we had a bout of diarrhea after that. Thank goodness it's not toxic. Everything is now under lock and key. He has also had some incontinence isssues, so I have placed him in pull-ups. Thank goodness he didn't object to them.
Saw his doctor last week and she upped his meds in the hope it would calm some of these things down. A few take a week or so to kick in, so I'm hopeful. It's exhausting listening to all of this everyday and sometimes through the night.
On top of all that, we are in the process of filing bankruptcy and moving to a different home. I dread moving after living in our home for the last 20 years, but the home we are moving to was my grandmother's so my husband is familiar with it. Have to downsize a great deal as her home is only a 1 bedroom. On the bright side, this move will have us closer to my family who do help me with my husband.
My daughter has helped me as much as she is able. My husband (her dad) can be quite obstinate with her. She is a little thing and he just bulldozes over her. Our son is still out of the country working in China and I have no idea when he will be returning for a visit. Bruce listens to his son. The adult day care he attends does give me some respite during the week or I think I would be crazy by now.
I know others have it much worse, but I just needed to get it off my chest. Thanks for listening.
We all have to get things off our chests,then they usually they don't seem so big.My husband has neen having new behaviors popping up also, sometimes I am afraid to go to sleep,don't know what I'll wake up to.At least,he is mostly cooperative and not disagreeable.Deb,I do not envy you having to move at this time,it is a big job,I found out last year when we moved,still can't find things.
Not a little update at all, Deb they are enormous changes for you to deal with, a house move and a decline in your DH's health. Wishing you strength for the days ahead.Hope that the increased medication helps.I think that your DH is on Lexapro? (for OC) Mine went to 60mg a day with no ill effects.
My husband is on cymbalta, ativian and serquel which were all raised. He also takes namenda and aricept. I'm not sure those are still working, but I'm afraid to take him off of them. He has been diagnosed with probable FTD, so I am lucky that he is overall pretty cooperative. Not all FTD patients become violent/aggressive.
deb, I'm so sorry for the way things are going. I hope the move will give you some wiggle-room - and that your DH will settle in ok. Lots of hugs - thinking of you.
Maybe they should lower the medication rather than increase? I think that it is Divvi who says that over time the medication can have the opposite effect? It is all so difficult for you as who really knows. It is bad timing when you have to endure a house move. My DH had ALS/FTD and he was not aggressive or violent either, more of the OC behaviours thus the Lexapro.
deb, thanks for the update-sorry to hear he's exhibiting new behaviors, but a geriatrician advised me that dh's behaviors would only get worse as he progresses until he is in the final stages. Losing your home and moving are so difficult emotionally and physically-I know you'll make it through okay. What I wouldn't give to have my FTD spouse be non-aggressive.
Deb - I am so sorry, it sounds really hard and scary, please know that I am thinking of you and anyone that has to go through this, moving is a major step and I know that I will be there at some point, its hard to leave your home where you have raised your family. I am glad your daughter is able to help a little, my children also help as much as possible, I know it really scares my son, he thinks he will also get this dreadful disease.
deb, I hope that things settle down soon. You have a lot going on and it sounds very overwhelming. \Good luck on your move and glad to hear that you will be closer for family support. My hudband has FTD also and his behavioral problems are horrible. I have noticed that since the doctor upped his medicine and added sequel things are somewhat better, however still dealing with his hypersexuality....have to watch him like a hawk!