Talking with others in early stage dementia

nanetteshapiro

Talking with others in early stage dementia

David1946

I've diagnosed last fall and I'm still adjusting. No driving, weird dreams,a few nightmares

dlubritz

dlubritz

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/70188/talking-with-others-in-early-stage-dementia

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2021 with amnestic mci then dementia . I am in the early stages of dementia and it’s moving slowly. Thank G-D!!!!!

I am on Aricept. I have been doing the neurocognitive testing yearly since that time.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions, if I remember!!

Welcome Nanette!!

Deborah

James Middleton

Dagnosed early this year with vascular dementia. On Aricept and Namenda for brain health. Zoloft, Remeron and rispartane for depression related to the dementia (so the Dr says). It's all a journey.

tlmead

This is my first time on here. I was diagnosed with Vascular Dementia Three months ago.
I'm scared to death, confused, worried all day f the time, s cond guessing EVERYTHING, and I cry all of the time. The one thing I do know is I can't just sit here and watch my 🧬 fe go away. My precious memori s, my beautiful family.... I just don't know how to fight back. Or try to make the transition easier on my kids...
What do I do?

David1946

I was diagnosed last fall with ALZHEIMERS and it scared the hell out of me a d still does. I too worry about my wife and family. I was afraid to tell my kids but they understand what I am Going through.

if you have not told your kids tell them they will understand and be there for you. If you just want to talk I will listen.

You are going through everything I've gone through and still going through. I still have days when I cry alone and get down in the dumps. So just remember that you are not alone.

Iris L.

Welcome to this online support group, tlmead. It is scary to get a dementia diagnosis. You feel alone. But there are steps you can take to ease your journey. Being proactive can help. Please keep posting and communicating with the members.

Iris

avballester67

I was recently diagnosed with EOA, Aug. 16,2023, but have had symptoms for 2-3 years. I'm wondering if you know of therapist specially for patients with ALZ?

Iris L.

Welcome avballester. You are on our online support group. I believe that peer support is vital for PWDs. The Alzheimer's Association provides free counseling from a Care Consultant, who can answer questions and give guidance. They are skilled in family dynamics.

Some local chapters offer a Memory Club, which is an in-person support group for PWD.

You might be directed towards a local therapist. But be certain of what you are asking of a therapist. Most of them are unaware of the nuances of a dementia diagnosis.

Please feel free to post often, and to keep us updated on how you are doing.

Iris

ricardo

I’m doing fine. Memory good as is where with all

ricardo

Any suggestions?

Iris L.

Suggestions about what, Richard?

Iris

llkahl

So yesterday I got my diagnosis of mild to moderate Alzheimers. (M72) with underlying conditions, HBP, high cholesterol, history of heart problems. The diagnosis was made upon the results of a PET scan, read by a highly acclaimed radiologist. My next step is to take the cognitive test, written and verbal, which I took 2 years ago. Based on those results I may have several more options.
My wife and adult children have been informed and are absorbing the news. They were all aware of my condition. I am taking Memantine and Donepezil which are both helping me. We are meeting with our estate attorney and financial advisor in September. I’m not going to become a financial or emotional burden to anyone. When I begin to lose my memories I will cease to be me, and will not continue on that journey. The only unknown is the fact that there’s no timeline for my progression of my loss of memory. Some I may go 10 years without getting demonstrably worse, others have the door shut on them within mere months. While I hope for the former I dread the latter.
I am hopeful that some of you that are experiencing this same situation will have some insight and help to guide me through this process. I have done all the testing over the past several years, and am recognizing this disease. I have open and honest with not only my family but also friends. My first thoughts are to begin hand written journal to document my experiences. Have any of you done that? If so, what are the positive and negatives. If not, why not? We, my wife and I have been slowly declutter Ing our house. We have been here 22 years and will remain until it becomes untenable. Anyway, I look forward to making new friends to share this with, god bless.

avballester67

I was just diagnosed 16Aug24, I’ve had symptoms for a least a year and a half maybe longer, and just starting my journey. I’ve not been prescribed any meds yet, I’ll be going to Vanderbilt for more testing next month. I’m 56 years young and I’m fully aware of the end game, mom had “Alz” as well. I’m looking interested to hearing how your meds are working for you long term.

I’ve started cleaning our house as well and revisiting my insurance policies. I’ve no idea how long I’ve got but I do know I want peace of mind, knowing I won’t be a burden my family.

AVB

leahbird

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/219690#Comment_219690

Hello-it is early and you definitely need to take time to mourn the loss of what you thought your life was going to be. Be gentle with yourself and feel your feelings. Then make sure that you do whatever you can to be as healthy as possible. The disease may be slowed with new healthy habits. Think about what you enjoy and can still do and love yourself by doing something that feeds your mind, body and soul. It has been a year and a half since my diagnosis of young onset Alzheimer’s. I have an amazing support group and that helps too. Sending hugs and good energy.

Watson1

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/70188/talking-with-others-in-early-stage-dementia

Nanetteshapiro welcome to the new world of adaption like you never would have conceived of. i was diagnosed with aheimers last year.. i continue, strict,routene so that the coffee is ready for my wife in the morning. oh yes the forgetting in mid stream, note s, lots of notes. just go and do. i have learned to try to teach people about my ad . am working on a series of art work to explain ad visually. i paint every day and adapt every day because that's what the alzheimers world is. like an old friend waiting every morning