Newly diagnosed with Fahr’s Dementia

THOMASIAN

Hello all, I (59 female) am very happy to have found this group and hope to gain and give support. I was diagnosed with Fahr’s Dementia following a mental health crisis. My once stable anxiety and depression symptoms increased terribly which were accompanied by continued difficulty with my work (Speech Pathologist) and driving. I was falling, dropping things, getting lost, having trouble dressing and was having issues with memory and confusion. I learned that I have a calcium buildup on my basil ganglia causing trouble with motor skills, cognition and mental health. What once defined me, my work, my intelligence and my sense of humor is leaving me. This is devastating. Because I am the primary breadwinner, we must sell our home….our lives are quickly changing and it is sad.

With this, how can I learn to live happily with this ever changing new normal? How do I stop crying?

Nancy

Iris L.

Welcome to our online support group, Nancy. It is always devastating to receive a diagnosis of a dementia. But there are ways to soften the journey. There is much to learn. Fahr's Dementia is new to me, but the approach to dealing with it will be basically the same as for dealing with the other dementias.

Please don't sell your home or take major steps without consulting with people experienced in living with the dementias. You can learn a lot from the members here and from the Alzheimer's Association. I don't know if you have made contact with Fahrbeyond.org.

If you are still working, can you make use of work accommodations? Or have you already begun to apply for disability benefits? There are steps to take that can help you.

Iris