Rapid Decline(5)

ElCy

DH went from driving and cooking to incontinent and nonsensical speech in less than 3 months. We are still in the hospital as they try to figure out what is happening. Treatment for UTI has not changed his behavior. He has regressed so much. Watches cartoons now. Can’t speak a sentence that makes any sense. On top of it, his knee has swollen up and he is in a lot of pain. MRI today. This morning was so difficult. He was shaking in frustration and pain. Drugs helped.

mrahope

So, so sorry to hear this.  I can't begin to imagine the frustration and worry you have both been through.  I hope you are able to care for yourself at least to some extent.  This is just heartbreaking.

M1

ElCy how heartbreaking, I can only imagine you're at wit's end.  Please keep us posted when you can.

Michael Ellenbogen

I hope you have a top neurologist looking at him.

Ed1937

ElCy, I'm sorry. Please keep us updated.

Joydean

EiCy I know you’re going through hell right now. Glad the meds helped with his pain.  Hope the doctors can help him soon! Take care of yourself too!

Sligo177

EICy,

I'm sorry, what a hard time for you and him.  Hoping things ease up and you find out what's going on.  I will just pass on to you that my DH had an episode of knee swelling and terrible pain, and was finally diagnosed with gout, which he had experienced in the past,but not in the knee.  Probably not what your LO has, but one never knows.  God bless you both and give you some peace. 

ElaineD

Dear ElCy:

You DH went from driving to incontinence and nonsensical speech in 3 months.....terrifying.  My heart goes out to you and to your DH.

May I ask what your DH's diagnosis is?  I ask because my DH is driving and cooking now.....and I have the illusion that there are many years of slow decline, not this shocking speed of deterioration.

Each time my DH adds to his 'memory losses' and this upsets me, my son, a doctor, keeps telling me, "Mom, this is only going in one direction".  I hear him, but I'm still in denial, I can tell.

You are exhausted now, so much to do, so many unanswered questions.  Also in shock.....I hope you can get some help so you have some time to rest.

Love, Elaine

ElCy

Thanks everyone, still in hospital. His IV line won’t draw blood so when they need blood they have to poke him and he just freaks out, becomes violent. When they give an IV and have to flush it, same behavior. I think the cold in his veins hurts him. MRI has to be done again as he moved too much but they did say he had a stroke in the past. And they said his behaviors will just continue to decline. He’s been soaked in urine since last night and won’t let anyone change him or the linens.

Elaine, he was diagnosed with MCI late 2019. Slowly became early onset Alzheimer’s. I thought we were at the very beginning. They now think he also might have Frontal Temporal. But who knows?

ElCy

Docs confirmed he now has severe dementia. Just skipped stage 5 completely. He started fidgeting for the first time yesterday. Tried to eat milk with a fork. Hasn’t sat up or walked in 3 days. Wouldn’t let anyone change him and was urine drenched from 2 a.m. - 5 p.m. Docs also said he’s had a stroke in the past. That was mews to me.

White Crane

Dear ELCy, You have been through so much in such a short time. My heart goes out to you. Holding you close in prayer and sending hugs.

dhyink

ElCy,

I am so sorry to hear about your husband's decline. The unpredictable nature of dementia progression is so frustrating.  I can relate to your DH refusing to have his incontinence briefs changed.  My DH will sometimes sit in a pool of urine for hours before he will let me change him.   We are trying out condom catheters to reduce the number of times we need to change him.  (they work, but he sometimes take them off).   I also coat him thoroughly with barrier cream (back and front) every time I change him to help prevent skin breakdown and use the highly absorbent adult underwear to reduce issues.  

So far it is working.  The open sores on his rear have healed.  

Katie Roo

EICy, I am so sorry.  Please keep us updated and know we are here for you.

toolbeltexpert

Elcy so sorry this hasn't been resolved, I can't imagine, you must be frazzled.

I hope you've been finding time to take care of you.

Belldream

I'm so very sorry to hear this EICy. This disease is so unpredictable. We had a similar experience where DH declined rapidly in a 3 month period. He went from (I estimate) a 7 out of 10 to a 3 out of 10 in mental decline and also just woke up unable to walk or stand. It was like all his strength disappeared overnight.  He did relearn to walk while in rehab at a SNF but it's not great. He's still very unsteady. And his mental state hasn't improved much. He was cooking but now I turn off the circuit breaker to the stove each night and unplug the toaster. I close off the pantry where all the pots and pans are and hide the knives. He's too confused and on another planet to do anything safely alone. He doesn't even seem to remember his car he drove just before this all happened. So strange. I hope he improves and please take care of yourself.

saltom

Oh ElCy, I'm so very sorry you are going through all this.  I do hope you get some respite for yourself and can keep yourself  healthy.  It's all so debilitating for everyone.