Amazing what AD can do to the caregiver. My hair has been falling out for about 6 months. I have about half as much hair as I had 1 year ago. Finally went to the Dermatologist, no biological reason for the loss. He asked if I had any traumatic experiences about 1 year ago, and there it was, the stress of my DH's diagnosis last fall. The shock and stress caused my hair to go right from the "growing stage" to the "shedding stage>" Normally it would be "growing" "resting" and then "shedding." He said it will grow back but with the ongoing stress I'm not going to hold my breath. Wig shop here I come ! Anyone else loosing their hair?
Texannie-sorry for your hair loss. You might want to try Biotin-very cheap and you can get it at WalMart. Google it for more info. All my friends are using it and noticing a difference. It's also good for nails.
My hair started thinning and I started using Nioxin products. They ARE expensive, but don't cost as much as AD drugs, and it is one of my luxuries. I really don't know if it helps or not.
AD can cause more than hair loss to a caregiver, especially a spousal caregiver. The stress is unrelenting, and it has an extremely negative effect on all aspects of our bodies.
When I look in the mirror, I see stress all over my face - and yes, thin hair too.
I see stress on my face when I look in the mirror but I thought it was that I looked like my mother. However, she was under a lot of stress. So, maybe???
Texannie, I've had two specialists put me on over the counter stuff they weren't selling. The fish oil got me off the heavy pain killers I'd been taking for arthritis and so far the magnesium seems to be working. Either no foot cramps at night, or extremely minor ones during the first few days I was on it.
What does Biotin do?
I ended up with an allergy to the Nioxin products so I had to give those up. Loved the stuff until everything started itching madly. <grin>
I'm glad to hear "how much" of the tonic water...i have wanted to try since I've "heard all about it" and "recommended it myself", but never tried it! LOL! Thanks, Mawzy!! I too can "see signs" of stress on my face...the circles that never go away under my eyes from endless nights of not enough sleep -- and worry -- today was just a very trying day...still isn't over...
My hair thinned & was in the sink when I combed it. Went to a hair specialist - whatever that's called, had several treatments, seemed to lessen the falling out and eventually it stopped altogether. Other medical problems the doc says were from stress, have to watch myself, but I'll be OK. I saw photos of myself during my CG yrs and could not believe the strain on my face. People noticed a difference and I've been getting better all along.
I always tell CG's to take care of themselves--really didn't follow my own advice--it's all but impossible to do and the stress & strain is just there, always, 24/7.
It is really important to take care of yourself in the early years. To get into the habit of doing nice things for yourself on a regular basis. We all tend to go into emergency mode very early on, and you can't stay in emergency mode for years and years and decades. And most things aren't an emergency.
I'm trying hard to take my own advice. Don't always succeed, but I keep trying. I try to notice when I've had a treat. A visit to the bookstore like I did this week. The supermarket ALONE. The library (yes, books are that important! <grin>). Something new to wear. A talk with someone face to face, especially if we are not talking dementia.
THE FORGETTING is haunting me. The fact that BOTH of the caregivers who were featured died before their LOs is haunting me. I'm going to survive this. I'm committed to surviving this.
Starling, i also was surprised the Ad also took the caregivers in the forgetting. but unfortunate for them they had a small support group but not info and joans place to come and seek refuge from the dayin/stress. it was very sad. it was an eyeopener. i also see pics of myself and can see the ravage done by AD and lack of interest in my own body now. sad, divvi
The good news is, it is never too late to start taking care of you! I am doing it now, this past month has been Heaven!!! Everyone is commenting how positive I sound and how rested I look. Isn't it amazing what NOT staying up all night dealing with severe sundowning can do for your soul :)
Starling, Divvi - I too saw that the care-givers had both died b4 the patients in the forgetting...i saw that documentary 4 years ago, right after my husb's diagnosis...i feel like 4 years have really taken a toll on me too...i want to survive this & most days I do well to be upbeat, etc. It's those "few days" that really take you down...does anyone else feel like that??? Does just the "one" day seem to just take the wind right out of your sails??? I'm also experiencing the "change of life" in the midst of this AD CHANGE OF LIFE...anyone else in that boat???
I agree with everyone, we must take care of ourselves. Of course easier said than done, but just being "aware" and stopping to take a deep breath is helpful.Meditation helps me but 5 to 10 minutes is about as long as I can clear my mind before all the troubles creep back in. Guess that's better than nothing. Hope everyone has a good weekend and a few minutes of relaxation.
My hair is falling out in patches, my fingernails are breaking vertically, I'm on meds for high BP.
I just returned from taking DH across country to his daughter . The plan is that she and her husband will look after him. He thinks he's there for a few weeks. I'm mentally, physically,emotionally exhausted. I've been sleeping till 10am.Sometimes awaken during the night but can turn on lights, read ot whatever as I am alone. Finally a rest.
I expect the problems will begin in a few weeks when he wants to come home.
Anna, i am glad you are getting some needed rest. just the drive alone with AD in the car is a huge feat for that long a trip. let the daughter care for him now, you need to get rest and see your own drs now and some much needed down time for yourself. when you are ready, get out and have a day out for yourself!my best to you, divvi
Oh Anna, bless your heart. You really need this rest. So good that his daughter is willing to help. It won't take long for her to see what you've been dealing with. Will she be taking care of him permanently?
I too was at the end of my rope, when DH went through sundowng. The bad part was, that I had no one to come and give me an hour or two to take a nap. After a couple of months I said to myself that if he didn't snap out of it soon, I would have to take the Doctors advice and place him. I finally heard from the agency on aging and they came and did an evaluation. I got a caregiver come every Wednesday for four hours. What a god send. And my DH is still here in the house with me were he belongs.
When I was staying at the hospital nursing my first husband, I looked in the mirror one day and saw that a lock of hair had turned gray, literally overnight.
My hair stayed the same color for the next twenty years, but now more of it is starting to go gray. Of course, now I'm old enough that it could just be due to aging (nasty word.)
Anna, sleep. If you wake up in the night allow yourself the comfort of lights. In the 90s I spent too much time in hospitals and at home on disability trying to get well enough to go back to work. And I ended up NEEDING those night lights. They comfort me.
And in the daytime, when you are awake, allow yourself to smell the flowers, go to the mall and people watch, go to the pond and duck watch. Store up all the little beauties in life. (I did manage to do that this spring and it did help.)
And if he does end up coming home to you, let THEM do the driving.
Carma, I am glad you are getting some help. Good for you!!! I have cared for Lynn alone all these years, and did the severe sundowning for the past 3 years. I kept having TIA's strokes and it came to the point of it being either him or me, sadly. In desperation I called my neurologist, who knows Lynn well too and has seen him free of charge over the years. He put Lynn on Seroquel last month and it has been the miracle I was praying for! Now I too can keep him home where we both want him to stay.
It will never be like it was before Alzheimer's robbed us of our marriage. But, I have been given back a part of Lynn I thought to never see again. His loving personality! It is a gift I plan to enjoy every waking moment of every day! My sister will now look after him for a few hours, it is the first break I have ever had. And I am taking FULL advantage of it and loving every minute of it. The little things, now mean sooo much! Keep getting your breaks in, they help tremendously and allow us to be better care givers. Blessings ~Nikki