Early Onset Diagnosis

dm6263 · April 15

Hello, I am new here! I have been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimers last year after many tests. I am honestly still struggling with the diagnosis on most days. I find myself making excuses to stay alone. I have been making these excuses long before my diagnoses and have been having memory problems for awhile too. I feel happy to be in this group to get to know others that have the same worries and anxieties as I have and just to talk and have some good conversation. I am having many memory lapses lately. I feel like I really have nobody to talk to about this other than my physicians. I really do not leave my house for anything social at this point. I have had medical complications and have been unable to work. I have not been around anyone but I am quite dizzy with balance issues so it's hard for me to go places. I had brain surgery last August which I developed some serious complications from the surgery. The surgery was successful for the reason I had to have it for but there were risks. There are always risks but they say the risks are worth the benefit. I hope that makes sense. I am still alive. That is worth it for me, for my children, and my beautiful dogs and family. I am struggling with several of those complications on top of a recent heart attack and of course the early onset Alzheimers. I would love to get to know all of you better and if I can help anyone with anything it would be my pleasure. I would love to ask advice from time to time as well. Thank you for having me!

Iris L. · April 15

Welcome dm. You have come to the right place to learn about your illness and to give and get support. Receiving a dementia diagnosis is very hard to process!

Since you had brain surgery, was your diagnosis of early onset AD based on a brain biopsy?

If you have had a heart attack, this means you have cardiovascular disease, which may cause you to develop vascular dementia. Was this discussed? Close monitoring of cardiovascular factors may have an impact on your brain health.

You have found that your socialization style has changed, but you do not have to isolate. In fact, maintaining socialization is part of Best Practices. Best Practices are lifestyle habits that may help to prolong the early stages. We have found that socializing one-on-one or in small groups is better for us.

Although as yet there is no cure for dementia, there are ways to make your life easier. Please keep posting, we can learn from each other.

I have a diagnosis of cognitive impairment not otherwise specified, and I use Exelon patch and memantine.

Iris

JazzyJ5 · April 21

suggestions:

Hello
There are so many other options for you. Please consider seeking help with ALZ association.

My husband was diagnosed moderate Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease last year October 2023. I have found a lot of mind relief here. Will pray 🙏 for you and your family, you will be okay.

michflo34 · May 6

Bonjour ! si vous êtes prêt d'une grande ville voyez avec l'Association France Alzheimer ! il sont formidable, et j'en profite pour dire que demain toute la journée nous vivrons ensemble notre repas annuel, les malades et leur aidant ! un petite participation financière est demandée, mais très abordable pour tous, et avec animation par les bénévoles et un petit orchestre pour ceux qui veulent et peuvent danser ! et cela dans un château avec un grand parc, nous serons 130 environ ! malheureusement il y a plus de malades que ça dans le département, mais viennent ce qui peuvent ! et de plus c'est convivial ! Amicalement.

dm6263 · May 30

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/205768#Comment_205768

Hi Iris,

Sorry, I have not been on here in quite awhile. My brain surgery was unrelated to my Alzheimer's diagnosis. My heart-related issues are that I had a heart attack at some point with no heart damage. I have some narrowing in my LAD but there is a tortuous path that is sort of "in the way" they are keeping an eye on it. I am on some meds my blood pressure was high but I gained some weight (losing it now), from not moving too much after my brain surgery. Since my brain surgery, I developed complications (some I was aware could happen such as balance problems and I have hyperacusis and nerve damage). My memory issues began approx 2 years before last Spring. I was slowly noticing things and my coworkers and friends and family. I always was one to remember everything important such as birthdays, anniversaries, party dates, my work procedures that I would perform on a daily basis was causing me to stop and think like I would go absolutely blank. I am on the generic Exelon patch. It is helping. I would love to stay in touch with you Iris. Thank you for responding I am just really sorry it took me this long to reply.

Early Onset Diagnosis

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