Hello I have PPA

zmnla63

Diagnosed 3 years ago. I stayed in denial for a very long time, mostly because I have awareness of things I'm doing. I thought if I had a form of Dementia I wouldn't know. Apparently being aware is normal. I knew something was up. I was getting lost in familiar places, misunderstanding conversations, forgetting relatively new stuff. I couldn't remember policies and procedures at work.....that I created...that scared me but I just put shortcuts on my desktop and fumbled along. Once my husband and I were both home all day, he sat me down to tell me things he was noticing which had actually started 2 years prior to my diagnosis. Some well most of what he told me I didn't remember. Honestly I thought he was trying to drive me crazy or to think I was crazy. And then the neurologist....I kept telling him this can't be, even after the MRI. So anyways, that's how it started and I am still aware of somethings, but apparently I repeat myself, put items in weird places and don't know I did. Talking I used to talk so much loved conversations, I'm quiet now because too often what's in my brain I struggle to get out of my mouth. Just as much as I tend to struggle understanding conversations. So that's me in a nutshell. I stay in the shadows now.

Iris L.

Welcome zmnla. I'm sorry that you have received that diagnosis. It will help you to learn about your diagnosis and to make accommodations.

It is true that the majority of persons with dementia (PWDs) have anosognosia, meaning that they are unaware of having dementia. But there are a number of PWDs who remain aware. Being aware can help you in making plans for your future and in caring for yourself.

It seems like your husband is supportive of you.

Are you still working? If your job offers disability benefits, you might want to think about applying for them now.

Please post again if you have more questions.

Iris

zmnla63

Thank you Iris. I am no longer working and my husband retired to be home with me. He is very support and wonderful. I continue to research this as much as possible. I did try speech therapy for awhile but the anxiety on my bad days when I just couldn't get things right. So I now try to use music to help with my speech. It seems a lot easier to my surprise.

Thank you for your kind words and I hope you are having a good day.

Sincerely

Zena

Iris L.

Zena, you might call your local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association (1-800-272-3900) and ask if they offer a Memory Club for early stage PWDs. These groups meet monthly or weekly and provide socialization. If you like to sing, there are groups that offer a chorus for PWDs. You will have to search for these.

Music is great! I'm glad you have found that music helps with your speech. We have to be creative because there is not much for us. I hope you continue to have success.

Iris

zmnla63

Learning curve for sure! I will take a look for those groups.

Thanks

Zena