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The Journey
Ttom
Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:23 PM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


Mine has all been positive since the diagnosis. Before that I was progressing downward with no end in site. After 2 1/2 years of testing I was finally diagnosed and started out on the drug theropy. Aricept and and anti-depressant were my first drugs.

 

Three years later and several adjustments and new drugs added I seem better than the day I was diagnosed.

.

Please tell us all about your own Journey if you would.

 

Thanx, Tom


Ttom
Posted: Wednesday, November 30, 2011 12:32 PM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


I'm really pleased with this new format. Hope to see many other people with Younger On-Set AD come to the site. We have many additional issues to face beyond what the Older On-Set group faces. We usually are still provideing for children and have full time employment. Driving is and Important issue for us.
younghope1
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 6:32 AM
Joined: 12/5/2011
Posts: 127


Don't know that I like this new format. Just isn't the same, don't like change.

 

Tracy


Ttom
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 7:01 AM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


younghope1 wrote:

Don't know that I like this new format. Just isn't the same, don't like change.

 

Tracy

Change is almost never easy Tracy. But it is inevitable, without change nothing would ever improve. I look at as a small test of my ability to fend of the disease. So I welcome it!

.

Can you just imagine life if they never developed a better toilet! 

.

I wish you the best at adjusting and please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

 

Tom

 



Jan / Mina
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 11:15 AM
Joined: 12/5/2011
Posts: 2


I've just joined Tracy, nice to find an old friend! I hope I have found an active group of people for continued support, I am quite isolated now in my living conditions. I heartily agree with you that we are care'partners' as opposed to 'caregiver' which leaves me as the 'taker' !
Ttom
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 12:11 PM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


Jan / Mina wrote:
I heartily agree with you that we are care'partners' as opposed to 'caregiver' which leaves me as the 'taker' !
What an interesting an thought provokong point of view. I like it!
 

My disclaimer:
I'm not a professional in this area, only a person with AD that cares about others and can express myself yet. Diagnosed at age 58 in Stage 5, now appear firmly in Stage 4 for now- wonderful meds! I 'm 62 now..

We encourage you to call the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline1-800-272-3900 .

Ask for a Care Consultant who will be available
 

LATER... Tom

 


File Attachment(s):
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kgcarlso1
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 5:09 PM
Joined: 12/5/2011
Posts: 1


Hello - a new member, here.  I am the spouse of the most wonderful husband and father who was diagnosed a year ago at the age of 53.  We are still adjusting, is the best I can say.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Right now, struggling with what to do about the progression.
Ttom
Posted: Monday, December 5, 2011 6:34 PM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


kgcarlso1 wrote:
Hello - a new member, here.  I am the spouse of the most wonderful husband and father who was diagnosed a year ago at the age of 53.  We are still adjusting, is the best I can say.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Right now, struggling with what to do about the progression.
 

 Hello kgcarlso1 and welcome! Sorry for what brings you here but glad you found us. There are a few good ideas that we need to follow to slow the progression. They go like this.

1) Early detection

2) Take the suggested medications per your Neurologist and Medical team

3) Mediterranean diet

4) Exercise (mentally and physically)

5) Keep a positive attitude

My disclaimer:
I'm not a professional in this area, only a person with AD that cares about others and can express myself yet. Diagnosed at age 58 in Stage 5, now appear firmly in Stage 4 for now- wonderful meds! I 'm 62 now.....................................................
We encourage you to call the Alzheimer's Association's 24/7 Helpline1-800-272-3900 . ...........................................................................................................

Ask for a Care Consultant who will be available
 

LATER... Tom

 


JAB
Posted: Saturday, December 10, 2011 12:27 PM
Joined: 11/30/2011
Posts: 740


kgcarlso1 wrote:
Hello - a new member, here.  I am the spouse of the most wonderful husband and father who was diagnosed a year ago at the age of 53.  We are still adjusting, is the best I can say.  Any suggestions are welcome.  Right now, struggling with what to do about the progression.

Hi, kgcarlso, welcome to the message boards.

 

Definitely use the tips Ttom gave you.  In addition, do whatever you can to minimize stress for your husband -- it can really exacerbate the symptoms.  And no smoking!

 

While all of our members are free to read and post on any of the forums, this particular forum is primarily for our members who have early-onset dementia themselves.  (Which, as you can see, doesn't stop me from adding my two cents' worth.)  Please also join us on the Spouse/Partner Caregiver Forum (in which we discuss issues unique to spouses, and we have many caring for early-onset loved ones), and the Caregiver Forum (which is / will be the largest and most active by far).

 

We're currently in beta test mode here.  Most of our members haven't been brave enough to give it a try.  So you might also want to sign up for the "old" boards and talk to us there, too, until this site is fully operational.

 

http://alzheimers.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x

 

And ... could you please explain what you mean by "struggling with what to do about the progression"?

 



Iris L.
Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:21 AM
Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704


Jan / Mina wrote:
which leaves me as the 'taker' !

 

 

 

 

I refuse to be a "taker".

 

Iris L.


Iris L.
Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011 2:31 AM
Joined: 12/15/2011
Posts: 18704


JAB wrote:
 

 

 

 

Most of our members haven't been brave enough to give it a try.  


 

It's  not about lack of bravery.  Dealing with losing one's mind is in itself an act of BRAVERY.  It's more about trying to learn something new when you already have trouble learning something new.   And people don't seem to understand and talk badly about you because you have difficulty learning something new.

 

Iris L.


Ttom
Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011 10:32 AM
Joined: 11/29/2011
Posts: 182


Iris L. wrote:
JAB wrote:
Most of our members haven't been brave enough to give it a try.  

It's  not about lack of bravery.  Dealing with losing one's mind is in itself an act of BRAVERY.  It's more about trying to learn something new when you already have trouble learning something new.   And people don't seem to understand and talk badly about you because you have difficulty learning something new.

 

Iris L.

Oh Iris, I turely don't think anybody has made light of the fact that us people with the crud are have a hard time learning new things. Honest to God, if I thought that was the case I would stay away myself. JAB called it BRAVE and I'm sure she was meaning something different like adventuresome 
Tom


JAB
Posted: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 2:58 PM
Joined: 11/30/2011
Posts: 740


Actually, I was talking about most of the caregivers not being brave enough to come on over here until forced.  I was posting specifically to a Spouse Caregiver, as you can see.
 

  

I more than understand how incredibly difficult all of these changes must be for our members who have dementia.  They're very upsetting to many of our members who don't have dementia.


hopeful30
Posted: Saturday, December 31, 2011 12:02 PM
Joined: 12/31/2011
Posts: 64


tracy, i also cant handle change but once i had help finding this new place as long as i have contact with these wonderful people, its all goood!!!,i could not imagine not having a place to go to interact with my friends!!! it will get beter, if i can get used to it, i promise so can you girl!!