New Alzheimer’s diagnosis

shelley13

Found out today I have early stage Alzheimer’s today. I’m been having symptoms for 2 years and went to 3 different neurologists before I found one who went forward with tests. When I was introduced to Alzheimer’s I was 10 with my grandmother. Ever since I have been afraid of having the same thing. I am scared and worried about my future but I refuse to give up.

jaycey

You don't need to give up! Yes, it's scary - I was terrified when I got my diagnosis, and started making plans for the end of life. I didn't know if I could tell anybody (and I only told a tiny number of people, and was vague about it). But I also upped my cardio exercise, made sure I got 8 hours of sleep, forced myself to continue my social interactions, and that I ate healthy foods. And life went on. I'm still working, traveling, seeing friends. And I started a course of Donanemab as soon as I could, because the earlier you start, the more effective it is (same with Liqembi). And now I've found out that the Amyloid plaques have been removed from my brain thanks to the drugs, and I feel like I can make future plans again.

We have so many preconceptions of what Alzheimer's is but, as they say, results will vary, and you can make a difference if you don't give up.

drock57

I here you Shelly, my mom had alzhiemers and it was really a downer to find out I have it. However, I decided to push for solutions and am starting to see them and understand the them and have enough hope and confidence in the various medical paths that may be available that I now also feel hope. Reading on this web site has been invaluable and I am discovering a lot of helpful info pounding the internet. Hang in there and keep moving forward!

Sue1408

I was diagnosed this week and having difficulty adjusting. Not a surprise diagnoses as there is family history In the process of setting up infusion on Kisunla. Trying to fully understand the test results and figure out what is important to follow or learn about. I haven’t had memory issues (yet) but have “lost words” occasionally.

Struggling with negative thinking of what the future looks like but know that it’s early and there is treatment available that my father and sister didn’t have. Haven’t told my adult children yet, it will be difficult to know they too will also go through the negative thinking stages.

Neurologist is a generalist and I wonder if I should find a specialist and/or look for clinical trails and studies.

Thanks for reading, I know I am not alone with all these thoughts.

eaglemom

I nope neither one of you gives up. So much information is available and knowledge. Share what your comfortable sharing and maybe we can help you along this journey.

eagle

DaphneR

I was diagnosed about 6 weeks ago. I am currently on Aricept. I am vacillating between being frightened of the future (my mom died with Alzheimer's). My husband has been wonderfully accepting and willing to adjust his and our schedules so that I can get plenty of sleep (which we found to be critical). I still interact with our friends and attend church. My pastor knows as do several of the members I'm friends with. I am a writer. That is the part that scares me. How much longer will I be capable of putting a sentence together that makes sense? Ufdah. (My favorite Swedish word of emotional outburst.) Also, I was diagnosed via blood work by my neurologist that I had begun seeing a couple of years ago following a concussion.

GEH

Hi DaphneR,

Welcome to the club no one wants to belong to...but here we all are. An Alzheimer's diagnosis today is not the same as when your mother, or my mother was diagnosed. Sounds like you are already doing a lot of "right" things .. keeping socially active , keeping your mind challenged. Aricept (Donepezil) is only one drug that only helps with symptoms... there are several symptoms drugs that I am aware of most of which I am taking. Memantine, Glalantamine are two that come to mind. Additionally, there are two infusion drugs Leqembi and Kinsula which are intervention type drugs. I am currently taking Leqembi now for about 20+ infusions which are given every two weeks. It helps to removed the plaque from the brain caused by Alzheimer's in addition to the protofibril or the little mini plaque that turn into plaque. It has worked very well for me so far. Others in the group can share experiences with Kinsula. Looking forward to hearing from you again. GEH

SilverVoyager

I'm 72, all the women and half of my male relatives have died of Alzheimer's. I have started eating a Keto diet and taking MCT (a kind of coconut oil) and my brain is working 80% better right away. It's only been 2 weeks and I've cheated a few times by bingeing on ice cream but it has really helped me so much.

I wonder what Keto PLUS medications would do???!!!