Looking forward to learning from others in this group. My wife was diagnosed 3 years ago with early-Onset at 53 years of age. She is still very active, but changes seem to show up and disappear?...she of course doesn't recognize any changes. She is very adamant she doesn't have Alzheimer's, but then on some days she talks about having an Alzheimer's day! She doesn't work and more and doesn't drive; of course big changes for her.
Welcome ozarkhiker, I am so glad you found this website as it will prove to be a life line as your progress this journey. All that you describe sounds very "normal" and you will find that many people outside or even family members will think there is nothing wrong either.
Welcome, ozarkhiker. I think you'll find that people who post here are very supportive, both in terms of emotional support and of being able to help with the practicalities of dealing with Alzheimers. Everybody "gets it" in a way that most outsiders don't.
Ozarkhiker...... I can only imagine what you and your wife are going through at such a young age for this. My dear wife was diagnosed with vascular dementia at the age of 81 and we had already enjoyed the best happy years of our lives but at our ages I found that it didn't take much to make us happy. We took what we could get. I'm hoping you can find a little happiness in spite of this sad time.
Welcome Ozarkhiker...not only will you find a wealth of helpful information via the discussions boards, but you will find the members here are awesome, supportive and they don't get scared off easily :)
Welcome ozarkhiker & keep checking in. This group has been a lifeline for me the past 9 years. Be sure to check the links on the home page, and you can also search through past posts to find info on whatever the latest issue or behavior is that you might need some help with. My partner was diagnosed in his late 50's with Early Onset. I am sorry you and your wife have this terrible disease to deal with. My partner never could recognize that he had any deficit, which was not denial, but a complete lack of insight that many with the disease have. A couple of times he asked me why he couldn't do something (like ride a motorcycle) and I explained the Dr. said he couldn't with Alzheimer's. He said, I have AD? Thats terrible - and he was upset a while. Then he forgot all about it. It came up one other time, and then I realized there was no point of mentioning it to him, since all it did was make him feel bad (for a day).
Mariposa...Thanks for your information. It seems I am dealing with the at least one issue that is similar, Teresa has decided that she doesn't have Alz. at all and is still upset that she can't drive or work. She has wanted a bike and I have always steered her clear because of my fear of her balance. Well, the type A personality she always was came out and she bought one while in town with our daughter...so now I am getting a good helmet for her. What I see most now 3 years after diag. is a very pronounced OCD personality without any buffering from common sense. Memory really has not been an issue, except for very short-term. It appears to me as affecting her emotions, judgement, mood and energy. Her gate, balance and physical abilities are still good. She has developed repetitive finger movements in both hands that are ever present unless she is using them. Sometimes I feel the diagnosis is so subjective it is even hard to disagree with her that she is fine, just getting older.
ozarkhiker, it sure sounds to me like your dear wife (DW) has FTD rather than AZ. (Google Picks and/or FTD and you will find information about it.) This is what my DH is dealing with, however, undiagnosed. It really does take away their common sense and it makes their mood swings quite hard to live with. We are at 17 years right now since I noticed the first symptoms. In the beginning, I thought that he was just being a real "*******" . After I found Joan's site, I realized that it was something different. What you described is exactly what I have found with my DH. I think the worst part is that they loose all sensitivity for us. Vary rarely does he notice/understand how his actions and words hurt me. It is all our fault and there is nothing wrong with them. It is never their fault.
I had mentioned FTD to ozarkhiker in another thread, so I agree to explore that possibility.
The dementia itself will make your wife not see that she has a problem. It isn't denial but an inability to perceive that she is sick.
The bigger danger of the bike is executive function than falling. My wife suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from riding a bicycle which we now think was caused by poor judgement caused by FTD. She swerved in the path of another cyclist who was coming in at a high speed, thankfully he wasn't hurt and she agreed to wear a helmet after refusing to earlier in the day. She should never ride her bicycle by herself.
At age 56, same age as my wife, this is definitely not signs of old age.
My wife shows signs of OCD and once she has an idea she will not let it go until she has her way. Or she was that way, she is more mellow now but that is from her FTD.
Paulc...your comments are greatly appreciated. I have a lot of trust in the medical group she is seeing. It is 2 neurologists, 1 dr. with a specialty in senior care and of course the social worker. The dr. we see primarily did state, that as we proceed based on testing and interviews the type may change. It is rather refreshing to hear a doctor state that it is not a prefect science or diagnosis. I will make sure we discuss the points you have brought up. Thanks