Early onset Alzheimer's
Discussion
I wonder if anyone has any experience of early onset Alzheimer's? My wife's behaviour started to become a bit strange, roughly over the last six months or so - more forgetful, odd obsessions about small things, inability to plan ahead, confused about what time of day it is. We discussed all this and I made notes which I gave to the GP when we arranged a meeting, and he had no hesitation about referring us to a specialist psychiatrist. My wife managed a basic set of tests pretty well, but will be referred for a CT scan. She has a number of preconditions too - she has had liver cancer for over 20 years now - a long way past her expiry date (she retains a mordant sense of humour). She also had a minor stroke some years ago which did affect vocabulary and mobility, but recovered well. Added to that, she's a bit overweight and has type 2 diabetes. As if that's not enough, last year she had a partially detached retina. Two operations later, it's fixed as good as it's going to get and in theory she is OK to drive but has lost confidence - just as well I quite like driving.
Anyhow, she remains very cheerful, and I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts - she's 65, by the way.
Anyhow, she remains very cheerful, and I just wondered if anyone had any thoughts - she's 65, by the way.
Any history of excessive alcohol use? You mentioned liver cancer, type 2 diabetes mellitus?
I am only thinking it may be related to a thiamine deficiency? Please ask your GP or the psychiatrist about it.
Admiral nurses will be valuable to you. The earlier the better. Ask your GP to refer if you need a professional referral.
https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/what-is-an-...
I am only thinking it may be related to a thiamine deficiency? Please ask your GP or the psychiatrist about it.
Admiral nurses will be valuable to you. The earlier the better. Ask your GP to refer if you need a professional referral.
https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/what-is-an-...
My mother was diagnosed around the same age, 65 or thereabouts. She also had diabetes (this is a risk factor I believe) but also had other pre-conditions in her medical history that I believe may of contributed.
I think you are already taking the right steps in that you have reached out to the GP. Definately make use of online resources from the likes of the Alzheimer's society, lot of helpful info and tips.
One area that is challenging to plan for is future care needs, it will vary between people as the condition progresses at different rates and there are multiple forms of the condition and how it manifests in terms of symptoms. For example my mother's memory and recognition of family was fine, even her navigation etc It was the self-care that deteriorated first hence I needed help from carers to manage whilst juggling with full-time work.
If you need additional care support, really push the GP to help raise with social services if/when the time comes as it can take a while to get from the point of starting the assessment of your wife's needs to the point where care support commences. Good luck but it sounds like you are already on the right path which helps.
I think you are already taking the right steps in that you have reached out to the GP. Definately make use of online resources from the likes of the Alzheimer's society, lot of helpful info and tips.
One area that is challenging to plan for is future care needs, it will vary between people as the condition progresses at different rates and there are multiple forms of the condition and how it manifests in terms of symptoms. For example my mother's memory and recognition of family was fine, even her navigation etc It was the self-care that deteriorated first hence I needed help from carers to manage whilst juggling with full-time work.
If you need additional care support, really push the GP to help raise with social services if/when the time comes as it can take a while to get from the point of starting the assessment of your wife's needs to the point where care support commences. Good luck but it sounds like you are already on the right path which helps.
Edited by VR99 on Wednesday 6th July 11:30
OP you have my full 100% simpathy if it is Early Onset, my wife was diagnosed in Sept 2014 and i/we have been through the worst times in my life (sorry to paint a bad picture but im being truthful here), we have a family too, three boys and they were totaly devastated as was I.
I could go into so much here but it brings back so many memories for me and the room is getting dusty as i type.
She passed away just 7 weeks ago and although you think you can prepare yourself for the inevitable, you really cannot and it hits you like a f
king brick when they go.
Email me if you like and i can give you a kind of timeline of how we worked through the last years.
Good luck.
I could go into so much here but it brings back so many memories for me and the room is getting dusty as i type.
She passed away just 7 weeks ago and although you think you can prepare yourself for the inevitable, you really cannot and it hits you like a f
king brick when they go.Email me if you like and i can give you a kind of timeline of how we worked through the last years.
Good luck.
Thank you all for your comments and kind words. We don't have a diagnosis as yet, and some of the symptoms could be down to problems with diabetic control. As regards the liver cancer, it's not alcohol related, but caused by neuro endocrine tumours - quite an unusual problem. Originally this was categorised as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome, but currently is something a bit different which doesn't sound so fancy.
Once again, thank you, and I'll keep up with any developments.
Once again, thank you, and I'll keep up with any developments.
My mum was diagnosed with ( what they called then) early on-set dementia, she was 62/63 this was back around 1999/2000 - she died in 2003 due to it.
She'd been going downhill a bit but they started investigating it as a form of depression, took a while to get the dementia diagnosis firmed up as they were convinced it wasn't due to her age. I twas really a case of ruling out everything else first.
Some of the things you described about your wife struck a chord with me as I remember my mum being the same.
Good luck to you, things medically and support wise are a damn site better now than they were then, if it is dementia that is
Please keep us informed on you and your wife's progress, don't forget to also look after yourself and more importantly take any help going, for your own health too.
She'd been going downhill a bit but they started investigating it as a form of depression, took a while to get the dementia diagnosis firmed up as they were convinced it wasn't due to her age. I twas really a case of ruling out everything else first.
Some of the things you described about your wife struck a chord with me as I remember my mum being the same.
Good luck to you, things medically and support wise are a damn site better now than they were then, if it is dementia that is
Please keep us informed on you and your wife's progress, don't forget to also look after yourself and more importantly take any help going, for your own health too.
OP, Forgive me if I’m being too straightforward. It’s just how it is with me at the moment. It sounds exactly like the situation with my Mother last year. Push for the CT scan. They found spotting in the brain that explained exactly the symptoms you described and over the same timeline. too late. Stage 4 had metastasised from lungs and kidneys.
I just thought it was from getting older but I knew something wasn’t right.
I just thought it was from getting older but I knew something wasn’t right.
My wife has this week been formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s early stage. Tablet medication is going to be prescribed which we are advised will slow the decease trajectory down, but no cure is available. CT a brain scan is being organised.
Wife has short term memory loss which has become more severe over the past 12 months.
We are both 71 years of age, devastated.
Our daughter and son have had a st year what with their mums diagnosis and my prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
Condolences to phumy and all those in similar situations.
Wife has short term memory loss which has become more severe over the past 12 months.
We are both 71 years of age, devastated.
Our daughter and son have had a s
t year what with their mums diagnosis and my prostate cancer diagnosis earlier this year. Condolences to phumy and all those in similar situations.
Edited by crankedup5 on Thursday 21st July 10:52
Condolences to all. Like many, my mother suffers from it and likewise her mother had it.
It may be of use to know that Dr Bredesen has done a great deal of research into Alzheimer's and has had success in reversing the cognitive decline:
Bredesen, D. E., Amos, E. C., Canick, J., Ackerley, M., Raji, C., Fiala, M., & Ahdidan, J. (2016). Reversal of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Aging, 8(6), 1250–1258. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100981
The role of nutrition should definitely not be overlooked. I see that diabetes has already been mentioned as a risk factor.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2010.12.017
As a top man in the field of nutritional influence in neurological disorders, it's worth reading Dr Perlmutter's books/blog.
As for my mother? With the rest of the family having disregarded all of this, her cognitive decline continues. You can lead a horse to water... It's a tad frustrating.
It may be of use to know that Dr Bredesen has done a great deal of research into Alzheimer's and has had success in reversing the cognitive decline:
Bredesen, D. E., Amos, E. C., Canick, J., Ackerley, M., Raji, C., Fiala, M., & Ahdidan, J. (2016). Reversal of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Aging, 8(6), 1250–1258. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100981
The role of nutrition should definitely not be overlooked. I see that diabetes has already been mentioned as a risk factor.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejim.2010.12.017
As a top man in the field of nutritional influence in neurological disorders, it's worth reading Dr Perlmutter's books/blog.
As for my mother? With the rest of the family having disregarded all of this, her cognitive decline continues. You can lead a horse to water... It's a tad frustrating.
Thanks to all who have responded and the information. I'm going to apply for attendance allowance and see how that goes. None of it is very cheerful, but that's the way of it. An amusing little hitch was when I went to put out some stuff for the birds and found about £2 in change on the table - some scam run by magpies? No, there was a kind of explanation - my wife had a sandwich in the car but didn't eat the crusts which ended up in a mess in her bag. Having taken out things like purses, she emptied the lot on the bird table and forgot to pick up the money....and I don't know how much might have been stolen.
My wife’s normal everyday activities are steadily declining, she is now not only extreme short term memory loss but also developing confusion. Mentioned previously medication is prescribed to try and slow down the illness. For me I find that I am unfortunately finding I have a very short temper and angry, not my usual traits at all. Frustration of the realisation of prognosis.
Golden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
Golden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
crankedup5 said:
My wife’s normal everyday activities are steadily declining, she is now not only extreme short term memory loss but also developing confusion. Mentioned previously medication is prescribed to try and slow down the illness. For me I find that I am unfortunately finding I have a very short temper and angry, not my usual traits at all. Frustration of the realisation of prognosis.
Golden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
Crankedup, I know exactly what youre going through, you need to change your thinking of how life will go on and just take one day at a time, im not being a doom-monger but things will get worse as time goes on, however, you must adapt to her changes and not try to change your wife, she will change in her own way. You will see that she will be ok for a few months then almost over night there will be a step change in her moods, her attitudes and her emotions, then it will plateau again, then maybe 3 or 6 months later you`ll see another one. Each of these changes i put down to another cavity in her brain opening and the electrical connections being "lost" and this causes more damage to her normal ways of life. Im really sorry but i cant make it sound any better than that, its a bGolden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
d and a real nasty bd too. Children get hit very hard by it initially but will come to some kind of terms with it in their own way but you will see the hurt in them and that will hurt you, you feel for them as theyre losing their mum.Its bringing back bad memories for me and im not sure this meassage will do you any good either, so ill not carry on but im thinking of you, you have my heartfelt sympathy, good luck and just keep soldiering on, you have a future for you and your childen, never forget that even though you might think it, you are special to your kids now even more so than before.
phumy said:
Crankedup, I know exactly what youre going through, you need to change your thinking of how life will go on and just take one day at a time, im not being a doom-monger but things will get worse as time goes on, however, you must adapt to her changes and not try to change your wife, she will change in her own way. You will see that she will be ok for a few months then almost over night there will be a step change in her moods, her attitudes and her emotions, then it will plateau again, then maybe 3 or 6 months later you`ll see another one. Each of these changes i put down to another cavity in her brain opening and the electrical connections being "lost" and this causes more damage to her normal ways of life. Im really sorry but i cant make it sound any better than that, its a bd and a real nasty bd too.
I am truly sorry for both of your experiences. d and a real nasty bd too.Phumy, from your explanation it sounds like vascular dementia to me. The rapid change most commonly caused by a stroke/TIA , managing, maybe some improvement as the neurons reconnect around the damaged areas. Then another mini stroke/trans ischaemic attack (lack of blood flow to the brain) more neurons affected and it continues.
CrankedUp - if you havent already please ask your GP for a referral to the admiral nursing team. They will be invaluable to you.
https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/what-is-an-...
We're off for a CT scan tomorrow, which may well confirm Alzheimer's. I'm currently preparing applications for a "blue badge" and for PIP. When my wife gets her state pension later this year, I can apply for attendance allowance, which isn't means tested, so we'll see how things go. Strange times, and once again thanks to all those who have posted.
On a marginally happier note, we have a new greenhouse which my wife loves to sit in and read or snooze as her sleep pattern is all over the shop, and of course the cat likes it too!
On a marginally happier note, we have a new greenhouse which my wife loves to sit in and read or snooze as her sleep pattern is all over the shop, and of course the cat likes it too!
Perseverant said:
We're off for a CT scan tomorrow, which may well confirm Alzheimer's. I'm currently preparing applications for a "blue badge" and for PIP. When my wife gets her state pension later this year, I can apply for attendance allowance, which isn't means tested, so we'll see how things go. Strange times, and once again thanks to all those who have posted.
On a marginally happier note, we have a new greenhouse which my wife loves to sit in and read or snooze as her sleep pattern is all over the shop, and of course the cat likes it too!
Hi, good luck with the future and im thinking of you, It took nearly six months from the CT scan to get a conclusive diagnosis for my wife, that was in 2014, i hope that things have sped up by now with new technologies. There were some memory testing that had to be done and analysed and a different, more in depth scan was required before we got the letter telling us the bad news, so dont hold you breath after the CT scan.On a marginally happier note, we have a new greenhouse which my wife loves to sit in and read or snooze as her sleep pattern is all over the shop, and of course the cat likes it too!
Good luck.
CinnamonFan said:
phumy said:
Crankedup, I know exactly what youre going through, you need to change your thinking of how life will go on and just take one day at a time, im not being a doom-monger but things will get worse as time goes on, however, you must adapt to her changes and not try to change your wife, she will change in her own way. You will see that she will be ok for a few months then almost over night there will be a step change in her moods, her attitudes and her emotions, then it will plateau again, then maybe 3 or 6 months later you`ll see another one. Each of these changes i put down to another cavity in her brain opening and the electrical connections being "lost" and this causes more damage to her normal ways of life. Im really sorry but i cant make it sound any better than that, its a bd and a real nasty bd too.
I am truly sorry for both of your experiences. d and a real nasty bd too.Phumy, from your explanation it sounds like vascular dementia to me. The rapid change most commonly caused by a stroke/TIA , managing, maybe some improvement as the neurons reconnect around the damaged areas. Then another mini stroke/trans ischaemic attack (lack of blood flow to the brain) more neurons affected and it continues.
CrankedUp - if you havent already please ask your GP for a referral to the admiral nursing team. They will be invaluable to you.
https://www.dementiauk.org/get-support/what-is-an-...
phumy said:
crankedup5 said:
My wife’s normal everyday activities are steadily declining, she is now not only extreme short term memory loss but also developing confusion. Mentioned previously medication is prescribed to try and slow down the illness. For me I find that I am unfortunately finding I have a very short temper and angry, not my usual traits at all. Frustration of the realisation of prognosis.
Golden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
Crankedup, I know exactly what youre going through, you need to change your thinking of how life will go on and just take one day at a time, im not being a doom-monger but things will get worse as time goes on, however, you must adapt to her changes and not try to change your wife, she will change in her own way. You will see that she will be ok for a few months then almost over night there will be a step change in her moods, her attitudes and her emotions, then it will plateau again, then maybe 3 or 6 months later you`ll see another one. Each of these changes i put down to another cavity in her brain opening and the electrical connections being "lost" and this causes more damage to her normal ways of life. Im really sorry but i cant make it sound any better than that, its a bGolden Wedding Annivesary next week so we will make the best of it.
I have been advised to arrange Power of Attorney for financial and health implications.
My wife is aware atm of situation and told me that if it gets to much then ‘go fishing for the day’ .
This illness is apparently extremely common.
d and a real nasty bd too. Children get hit very hard by it initially but will come to some kind of terms with it in their own way but you will see the hurt in them and that will hurt you, you feel for them as theyre losing their mum.Its bringing back bad memories for me and im not sure this meassage will do you any good either, so ill not carry on but im thinking of you, you have my heartfelt sympathy, good luck and just keep soldiering on, you have a future for you and your childen, never forget that even though you might think it, you are special to your kids now even more so than before.
I should have made it clear, when I get angry and frustrated I never let those emotions show to my wife. I take it it out elsewhere and I find it releases some tension in me. As to reacting to my wife, I treat her every question to me as first time of hearing it, even though it may well be the tenth within a couple of hours.
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