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First Post. I’m living with 2 challenging men.
So very grateful that you all share your stories. I’m learning all I can. I’m truly frightened for our future. My DH, age 73 hasn’t been diagnosed with dementia yet. I suspect he’s in stage 3. Maybe 4? Of vascular dementia and ALZ. His neurology report states ‘probable mild cognitive impairment’. Dr prescribed aricept and…
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Hypersexuality
My DH has been driving me crazy for a few years with sexual comments all day. The other day at doctor's office he told the nurse she had sexy shoes. This is the first time such comments were made to others. Never before this disease would he say something like that. Several months I spoke with his geriatric doctor about…
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Memantine
Hi, I am new to this group. My DH was recently diagnosed with "Alzheimer's type dementia". On the 7-step scale, I would rate him between 3 and 4. We are waiting to meet with a neurologist. In the mean time, our PCP has prescribed a drug called Memantine. Are any of you willing to share your experience with this drug?
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Advice on next steps please
Hello All, I am looking for some advice from the experts here. My DH (62) does not have a diagnosis yet, but I suspect bvFTD (that is the behavioral variant of FTD. He has some memory issues, but his behavior changed dramatically in a very short period of time and I see him struggling with his executive functioning and…
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Not recognizing home
I am writing on behalf of my DB. His DW has had a very fast decline in the last 10 months and now not able to to do tasks around the house such as cooking or cleaning but still able to basically do her ADL’s. She all of a sudden is accusing him of moving them to a new place without her being consulted. This is a house they…
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The lack of help is wearing me out
I have a caregiver that comes for 4 hours a week and am supposed to have another for another 4 hours. It is not enough. I need a break. His family shows up once or twice a year for a few days. Still no break. Now I am hosting guests. My parents come and get him out of the house and make decisions for me like dinner etc.…
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Slowing progression of disease
I keep hearing that there are meds that can slow the progression of this disease but I wonder if that's only for those who are diagnosed early? At this point, I wouldn't want to have my DH stuck in this stage any longer than necessary. The anxiety, confusion, anger... if doctor recommends one of these new meds is it ok for…
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I Am Bringing Him Home
Update: I’m sitting here in his MC room waiting for the ambulance to come bring my DH home. He’s on day 26 of not eating, day 10 of refusing all of his meds (he has significant heart issues), and day 3 of less than 8 oz of fluids/day. He’s terrified about being left alone, even for just a few minutes, so I’ve been here…
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The most heartbreaking moment yesterday
My DW is stage 7, she hasn't been able to do anything for herself in years. She has to be hand fed, rolled over ever two hours, she's skin and bones and everything else that comes with it. She is in MC and I visit her everday to make sure she's comfortble, warm, hydrated. . . Because of the type of dementia she has, LBD,…
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Husband newly diagnosed (55yo) - treatment?
First post! We're waiting for an appt with a neurologist to pursue next steps (blood, MRI showed no issues, mental tests showed decline). I wanted to ask here how long it took for your loved one to start any sort of treatment. So far we've gotten the "see you in 6 months" talk, but no talk of starting any treatment, other…
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Just need my friends who understand
My DH spent two years in MC, and I was able to bring him home 3 months ago with relatively good success. He's on hospice now, which has also helped. I mentioned in an earlier post that he's suddenly taken a nosedive as far as behaviors and cognition. He shuffles around the house mumbling disconnected words. He's resistant…
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Time
About a year or so ago my neighbor referred to me as my husbands caregiver and I was very insulted. Now as I sit here looking at the man I have loved for 35 years, I wonder when exactly I crossed that line and why I am feeling that loss so strongly tonight.
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Med taking is a constant fight.
Hi y'all it has been a while since I have posted. As I write this post I am in tears. I am 40 yo taking care of my LO who has EOA and is 46 the Dr said he is stage 7b. I am on the struggle bus like no other today. A few weeks ago he had a siezure that I didn't know could happen at this stage for no reason and no history of…
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DH dashing through stage 6 benchmarks
DH, early stage six AD, has been home from memory care for about 2-1/2 months after a year-long stay. It's generally been going well until the last two or three weeks. He's started sundowning again after a long break, very agitated, 'hyper-oral' per Tam Cummings, hallucinating other people in the house/yard, starting fecal…
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Expected but still hurts
AD has its moments. The first time it tore a hole in my heart was when I realized my husband had no memory of how we met or our wedding. Today, another big hurt came. We sat down to dinner and my husband looked me in a confused fusion. “Where is my wife? ” he asked. So hard sometimes.
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Bad Doctor Experiences?
I’m sure, given our ages (my LO is 37, turning 38 in July), I probably have more than my fair share of these kinds of stories—and they are awful. I wouldn’t wish them on anyone. That said… misery sure does love company. We finally got in to see a neurologist—an appointment that was originally scheduled for January but I…
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DW Waking up 3 AM
First time on this Forum. Some background my wife was diagnosed with EO Alzheimer when she was 58. Now 6 years later she has lost her ability to communicate, self care, and starting to have trouble walking. I am her sole caregiver (married 38 yr) and basically have to do everything like feeding, bathing, dressing.and…
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New and need advice
My husband is 55. I am 56. He was a middle school Math teacher and then elementary school principal. I am a former high school History teacher. Before teaching, he served in the Navy and suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury as well as exposure to chemicals that brought on a rare form of Dercum's Disease (an auto-immune…
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Hates the caregiver
Hello, DH is 72 with vascular dementia (most likely). I work full time and don't want to retire. I have a companion with him all day while I am gone. This is 4 days per week with his brother and sister taking a day. He is very confused and thinks his brother is really a dead friend masquerading as his brother. He…
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Behavior changes
my 63 yo husband was diagnosed appx 1 year ago with early onset Alzheimer’s. Question…when I notice a change in his behavior should I point it out to him (when he acts in a different of aggressive way)? Also he has picked up a new habit…humming! Is that “normal”?
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FREE legal and financial tool
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DH with dementia keeps saying he is scared.....
My DH with dementia - I think late stage 5 or early stage 6, keeps telling me that he is scared. He will actually be shaking with fear sometimes, but he can't tell me what he is afraid of. I reassure him that I am gong to take care of him, but he is still frightened. It happens sometimes when we are walking down a hall and…
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What stage for MC?
I’d like some insight as to what stage your LO was in when they were moved to MC. Is it usually when they’re in Stage 6 or 7? I feel like it’s too early for me to think about (except for a plan B) but sometimes I wonder if he’d be happier there then just here with me. He’s not wandering and he’s not violent (although he…
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Day 10 of Memory Care
Hi everybody, I haven’t been on for a bit. I’m still struggling to adjust to DH in Memory Care, and it’s been the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Memory care hasn't been horrible, but there are definitely good care aides, and not so good care aides. I’m very glad I decided to go at different times of the day and just pop in…
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Introduction
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Why isn't the cavalry coming?
Warning: Rant coming When my dear sister had cancer she was seen immediately by an oncologist. The social worker introduced himself and explained to us both about the support available to her. Whenever she or I expressed an interest in any of their programs or had a question someone called us within a day or two to see…
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Do I s*ck at caregiving?
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Palliative Care
The geriatrician my DH sees has ordered palliative care and we've seen first a registered nurse and then a nurse practitioner. I wondered if anyone has experience with pallilative care and if it's helped. What are the benefits of palliative care. I was told they would be able to transition him to hospice if/when the time…
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Can anyone answer my question
My DH is in the late stages of AD and wets himself and his bed. I dont understand how someone who wont drink much fluid (less than 12oz a day) can wet through a pull up with a diaper over the top of it and the bed pads...its all soaked in the morning as if he drank a gallon of water. Can anyone explain this to me?
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Jury Duty
DH voted in the last election. The ballot was long, and he only voted for a few that he knew, but he voted. Our jury summons are pulled from the voting lists. Today’s mail had a notice for DH that his name was pulled for Grand Jury duty. No way can DH be on a jury. His short term memory is almost nil. There was a link…