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Joined: 6/29/2012
Posts: 75
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Hello to all. I finally got in here and I am grateful to and for you all. Earlier all i could do was read your posts and I sure did. Many of them I'm not sure I didn't write, because they sure describe what I experience. I'm using a 7" tablet, don't know how to type, and slow as hell to boot, so please bear with me.
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Joined: 4/29/2012
Posts: 76
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No problem and happy to have you aboard in this forum. I also have a tablet that I sometimes use... but it is easier with a computer and understand how much slower it is to type on a tablet.
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Joined: 12/9/2011
Posts: 13681
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Hello Hi.Phi.High and a very warm welcome to you. So glad you were able to get onto the board.
This Message Board is a wonderfully supportive place just chock full of great input and suggestions and shoulders to lean on as need be.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself so we get to know you better? And of course, is there anything outstanding right now that we can be of assistance with?
No matter what, it is good to have you here as part of this terrific "family" and it's all about being having a place where you will be totally understood. Don't worry about being a bit slow, no one is in a hurry.
Looking forward to having you amongst the group,
Johanna C.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18692
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Welcome, glad you are able to log on and post. Please tell us about your self? Do you have a diagnosis? How can we help you?
Iris L.
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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Hi, Hi.Phi.High! Welcome aboard.
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Joined: 6/29/2012
Posts: 75
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I have ahard time doing this so please bear with me. I'm 56 yoa and no dx, doctors scared me off. I am a cab driver and it is difficult. Quitting is not all that far off. I have been hiding and compensating for 2 years since. Realities are setting in. It is probably easier for me if you all just ask me questions and i'll try and answer for now.
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Joined: 12/6/2011
Posts: 3326
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Oh, Hi.Phi.High! It's so important to get a diagnosis and get on medications. The medications don't cure or stop the progression of the disease, but they will improve you memory.
Please call the Alzheimer's Association Hot Line at 1-800-272-3900. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Talk to them about:
1. How to get a diagnosis where you live. Let them know if you don't have health insurance and what are your options for paying to get the diagnosis.
2. Getting a recommendation on doctors who specialize in dementia near where you live.
3. What other resources are available in your community, for example an Area Office on Aging.
4. If there is a support group near where you live where you can speak with others who are in the same situation.
A diagnosis is important because your symptoms may be caused by something other than Alzheimer's. It may be something that can be treated.
When you call the Hot Line ask them to help you find a doctor who will help you get a diagnosis. Once you are diagnosed, you will qualify for Social Security Disability.
If you are younger than 65 years old, here is a site to go to get Social Security Disability:
http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_social_security_disability.asp
After 24 months, you will become eligible for Medicare coverage.
If you are near or older than 65, file for Social Security and Medicare.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18692
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Welcome back, Hi Phi. Since you have been reading these boards you know that many diseases mimic dementia. You might have something that is easily treated. One of our men with memory loss discovered he had low testosterone. After hormone treatment his cognition returned to normal.
Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or another condition? Medications? History of head injury? All of these impact cognition.
What symptoms are you having? How have you dealt with these symptoms so far? What did the doctors say that scared you off?
You are too young for Social Security retirement. How do you intend to support yourself once you quit driving a cab? If you indeed have Alzhemer's disease, driving a cab is definitely out.
Please write back soon.
Iris L.
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Joined: 12/9/2011
Posts: 13681
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Hello there Hi Phi -
Would it make it easier if you had paper and pen by the computer so you could jot down thoughts you want to share before they are forgotten?
I too want to tell you that if you can do so, it would be very good to see a primary care doctor and get a full exam and workup including blood tests for all body systems.
This is important because there are many physical conditions that mimic (pretend) they are dementia, but are not.
Thyroid problems, lack of B12 (more than pills can replace), hormone deficiency and much more can make it look like there is dementia when it is not.
Such problems are easily corrected and will restore one's memory issues.
However, if you do find out for sure that there is a dementia such as Alzheimer's Disease, there are now excellent medications to help make things much better.
Some of these medications for many people can restore them to a much higher level of functioning and even restore some of the memory loss.
They also can greatly slow down future memory loss.
If you do find out there is Alzheimer's Disease, you will want to see an expert in dementia for your care.
The best expert for this, would be to see a Neurologist that routinely sees dementia patients as part of his practice. Specialists such as this are better able to manage care and symptoms than a family doctor.
I wish you the very best and we do want to be helpful to you.
Johanna C.
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Joined: 12/9/2011
Posts: 13681
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Dear Hi Phi:
You have shared that you are a cab driver, so we know that about you.
Do you have family?
Who helps you the most?
Do you have health insurance?
Have you seen any doctors about this problem?
What are your biggest problems to deal with?
Are there any questions you want to ask us?
IMPORTANT:
The Alzheimer's Association has a 24 hour helpline, it is all free of cost. You can reach the Alzheimer's Association at:
(800) 272-3900
When the phone answers, ask to speak to -
A Care Consultant
Consultants are very educated Social Workers, they specialize in dementia.
They can help with all sorts of things including referrals where you can find help.
And then we are here to be of support to you,
Johanna C.
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Joined: 8/19/2012
Posts: 2333
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Well I drove a School Bus and had to quick due to a Back injury...and I did get
Social Sec Disability at age 56yrs....So do not worry...If you have something Wrong and you cannot work..You can apply and you will get your Disability, no matter how old you are...It is just important that you go and find out what is the matter..BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.. Yourself, or Someone else. you do not want that to happen.. So please go and get checked out..Than come back and let us know...we will give you this kind of SUPPORT.. But you need to get CHECKED OUT...do it... Bridget..ps.. My husband is 63yrs.. He was just told 3 weeks ago he has early Alzheimer's...Please get checked...Biddie12
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Joined: 6/21/2012
Posts: 439
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hi Phil! welcome and nice to meet you. I know this is hard but this place rocks! everyone is so supportive and nice. We are hear for you. I do agree with everyone about getting a specialist, getting all the tests done to determine what is really going on, and esp. driving. and getting SSDI going asap.
good luck- looking foward to hearing from you
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Joined: 8/23/2012
Posts: 8
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HI hi.phi,high! One thing that I would do BEFORE going to doctor is to check into getting long term care insurance. I wish I knew that before I had been checked out. Once you have a diagnosis of memory problems, you cannot get long term care insurance. And we have enough to worry about without worrying about the financial burden left to our loved ones.
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Joined: 6/29/2012
Posts: 75
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Sorry it has taken me so long to get back. Must say that the last time i read this page, it was somehat an overload for me. To answer a few questions, no insurance, outside state of residence, legally married to lady but separated 10 yrs, no family within 300 miles. Be back soon.
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Joined: 6/29/2012
Posts: 75
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First noticed somrthings were not right about 4.5 yrs ago. I spent a1.5 yrs with a dr to be told we need to look at posibble dementias. I got pissed, took a walk and have not seen a dr since. Know i need to becahuse it surely isn't getting better..
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Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 7027
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Phil,
Please call 1-800-272-3900 and talk with the person who answers.
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Joined: 12/9/2011
Posts: 13681
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HELLO AND I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN. I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT SO IT IS NOT CONFUSING.
1. YOU TRULY DO NEED TO SEE A NEUROLOGIST IF YOU CAN.
YOU CAN BE REFERRED TO ONE FROM SOME OF THE CLINICS AND COUNTY HOSPITALS.
THERE IS MEDICATION THAT CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY AND THINKING AND CAN SLOW DOWN THE DEMENTIA. THE DOCTOR CAN PRESCRIBE THIS FOR YOU.
2. PLEASE DO CALL THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION HELPLINE NUMBER AT (800) 272-3900.
WHEN YOU CALL, ASK TO SPEAK TO A CARE CONSULTANT. THIS IS IMPORTANT. THE PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE IS NOT A CONSULTANT, SO ASK FOR THIS.
CARE CONSULTANTS ARE HIGHLY SKILLED SOCIAL WORKERS THAT CAN HELP YOU IN MULTIPLE WAYS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FEE FOR THIS.
.JOHANNA C.
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Joined: 12/9/2011
Posts: 13681
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HELLO AND I AM SO GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU AGAIN. I WILL MAKE THIS SHORT SO IT IS NOT CONFUSING.
1. YOU TRULY DO NEED TO SEE A NEUROLOGIST IF YOU CAN.
YOU CAN BE REFERRED TO ONE FROM SOME OF THE CLINICS AND COUNTY HOSPITALS.
THERE IS MEDICATION THAT CAN HELP IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY AND THINKING AND CAN SLOW DOWN THE DEMENTIA. THE DOCTOR CAN PRESCRIBE THIS FOR YOU.
2. PLEASE DO CALL THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION HELPLINE NUMBER AT (800) 272-3900.
WHEN YOU CALL, ASK TO SPEAK TO A CARE CONSULTANT. THIS IS IMPORTANT. THE PERSON ANSWERING THE PHONE IS NOT A CONSULTANT, SO ASK FOR THIS.
CARE CONSULTANTS ARE HIGHLY SKILLED SOCIAL WORKERS THAT CAN HELP YOU IN MULTIPLE WAYS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FEE FOR THIS.
.JOHANNA C.
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Joined: 8/24/2012
Posts: 3
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HI,
Great advice! I wish I had known to get LTC insuranace before getting the diagnois.Now it has been impossible to get the insurance. I was diagnoised with cognitive impairment at age 59 and dementia the day i turned 60.
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Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18692
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Welcome to our online support group, Pjay. I'm sorry you have that diagnosis. My own diagnosis is cognitive impairment nos (not otherwise specified). I've been on Exelon patch and Namenda for three years with good results. Im also in a Brain Fitness program at the local adult school
Did your doctor tell you what type of dementia you have? As you probably know, many medical diseases and drugs can cause a type of dementia that is treatable.
Are you on any medication? Are you still working? What are your plans? Please write back and let know how we can help you. Feel free to start your own thread by clicking on "Add Topic" at the Younger Onset Alzheimer's main page.
Iris L.
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Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 514
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Pjay, I want to welcome you and hope we can be of support to you after your diagnosis. Please let us know more about you and if you are on meds.
L ike Iris said, try to start your own thread so we can answer you directly and you dont get lost in this topic. Post here if you need more help on how to do it & someone can walk you through it. welcome
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