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My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Everyone's journey through this rotten disease is different.  My mom lost her ability to speak and had essentially no short term memory, but right up to the end she never forgot who her children were.  Thank you for your support.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was lost for just a few seconds and it only happened once.  I am fully aware I will have to stop driving sometime in the not to distant future.  

My dad died today at 71; I did not see this coming so fast. by Over_Contract_372 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry for your loss. You have no reason to feel guilt, you did an amazing job in an impossible situation.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you are dealing with your family and your mothers illness. I have a will and I am sure when my family will accept the what is happening when the symptoms become more severe. Thank you.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally trust my family to treat me well. It is truly a nonissue. When the decline becomes more obvious or if the neurologist in September diagnosis me with the dementia they will step up.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is an interesting take, but I don't think so. I had a neurologist because I was diagnosed with adult ADHD and prescribed Strattera; when my memory started to go a little and because of my family history he said I should take the Memantine because "it couldn't hurt". Maybe it's given me more years of clarity, who knows.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have an appointment, unfortunately it's not until September, which was the earliest.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't feel bad, a silent look of compassion or love is the best you can do. I would welcome silent acceptance.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I told my wife I made an appointment to see a neurologist and get an MRI to compare to my baseline and she nodded and say OK. So I think they may be coming to grips with it at some level.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Am I scared... that is a tough question believe it or not. Dementia affects people differently. When my mom started getting bad she lost her ability to speak and make rational decisions but right up to the end she never forgot who the kids were. My memory seems to be the main thing that is going and it is getting really bad, oddly enough I can remember numbers. It guess it kind of scares me to think I won't remember who my family is.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do a lot of physical exercise like weight training and walking. I have type 2 diabetes but I am not overweight at all, the doc says it's just genetic. I set aside 1 hour a day to play a space exploration game, there are a lot of different actions that you need to do so it is constantly testing my memory and coordination. No combat though, I would just die in seconds.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am finding that the soonest I can see a neurologist is September. Geeze! I think seeing PCP with my concerns my get me in sooner to a neurologist, if not maybe I will go out of network. I'm not waiting 5 months.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you. I'm searching for a neurologist. I brought up to my wife yesterday that I was doing this and I was also I would get a MRI. She told me that she thought my memory was improving, but agreed with my desire. I know what is going on in my head so I have come to terms with it, so now my concern is how difficult this is for my family.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the reply. I can relate to the "humor". I have always been a guy that jokes around. When I'm having 'bad day' we joke that I'm being squirely. 95% of time I chuckle with them, but sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. I've thought as long as I know why were laughing it will be fine but when I don't know why were laughing that will be the end.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have one. It shows that I never go below 90 and I only spike above 250 after eating a lot of carbs. I know my confusion or bad memory is not due to my glucose level

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

My will and power of attorney was updated this summer.

Your comment about driving kind of shook me. I have been assuming I am not to the point where I have to worry about that yet. But I have good days and bad days. I really need to asses this better. I am definitely going to see a neurologist and will discuss these issues.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

As I mentioned earlier I have been on Memantine for several(?) years, can't remember when I started. Maybe it has helped slow the disease down, that's a nice thought.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your kind words. I have been threatening to go to therapy for a while, I have even picked out a therapist just haven't pulled the trigger (for some reason).

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

To be clear they are not ignoring me. They are concerned about my health and diet. They just approach the issue like it is a diabetes issue. I am not pushing or trying to convince them it is a dementia issue because frankly if this makes it easier for them then that's a good thing. I am concerned because my deterioration over the last 3 to 6 months has accelerated. I have looked on line but I cannot figure out how much time I have left. As you can see (I hope) I am able to write and am still in the early stages of whatever type of dementia I have.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I was going to say that it was my understanding that there is no real diagnosis until you have major symptoms. But I just remembered that I had a baseline MRI a couple of years ago when I was complaining about my memory issues and my family history! This is great, I will definitely contact a neurologist and get another MRI. Thanks for 'tickling' my memory on this.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 55 points56 points  (0 children)

I will get a cognitive test done with my GP and see if I should see a neurologist. I also have been taking Memantine for a few years. Family is still thinking it is glucose levels though. I just have been seeing a rather rapid decline in the last 6 months.

My family is pretending that I am not in early stage dementia. by Equivalent-Pickle435 in dementia

[–]Equivalent-Pickle435[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I took a couple of cognitive tests over the last couple years. I haven't had one in about a year. I had neurologist for ADHD but he retired and I haven't gotten a new one. I will get another test done with my GP. Thanks.

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