Fear of Alzheimer's

Hi I am a 57 year old female and I am new here.  My Father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and passed away in 1990.  In 1996 my Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and passed away in 1999.  It is my understanding that my chances of getting the disease are greatly increased from the fact that both parents had it.  Has anyone here been tested for the gene that carries the disease?  Would anyone want to know that they were going to get the disease?  My sibblings and I have debated that question for a long time.  Thank you for listening.   

Being prepared helps.Don't fear it,face it.I did.Still doing great after 8 yrs...........

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SnowyLynne

Hi SnowyLynn and thanks for the reply.  Have you been tested for Alzheimers?  You said after 8 years you are still doing okay.   Are you taking medication or anything?  I'd love to hear more about your situation. 

Hello Ozzie,

Thank you HealthProblem for your reply and for posting the article.  I read it and it was helpful.  I used to go to Alzheimer's support group meetings when my Mom was in the nursing home.  I learned a lot from those,  but I am aware that a lot has been learned in these five years since she passed away. 

I was tested twice,have 2 MRI that show the Plaque & tangles.i have only been dx 6 yrs,but knew 2 yrs.before.........

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SnowyLynne

hello there,

my name is carrie and i've been taking care of my mother who has been sufferring from Alzheimers for about 4 years now. Following mild dementia, she now has no sense of personality. I am constantly by her side, looking after her, making sure that she is alrite.

After much searching, i was able to come across this site, and i must say that it has helped me greatly. [www.alzinfo.org] i must say that i like the articles and postings in regard to the current studies on alzheimers and those underway. Hope it is of great help.

take care,
carrie L.

I am a member of that site........

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SnowyLynne

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been back here for so long. I actually forgot I had a membership at this site till I was going thru my list of bookmarked sites and found you again. I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to return again soon.

Welcome back Ozzie!!!

Glad to here you are still with us. Kindof quiet around here lately, nice to hear a new voice!

I WOULD like to know if I am facing AD . . . my dad has it and he progressing again. He still lives at home with my mom and I try to get over there one or two days a week to give mom some time away (brothers and sisters help too) but it is sad to watch this disease progress. I'm sorry it took both of your parents.

I did read an interesting article which showed that one of the first clues of Alzheimers is the inability to detect different smells like citrus and natural gas. I have an excellant sense of smell so that was especially good news for me, as I suffer brain fog from an autoimmune illness.

Let us know what you have found out.

Blessings!

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In His Grip,

Thank you for your reply Rosie. I'm sorry about your Dad. It's really great that you are giving your Mom a break every week.

I haven't found out anything.......I've tried not to deal with my fears. I have some physical health problems and depression too. I'm glad your sense of smell is still good. I hadn't heard that before. I have so many allergies and sinus trouble that I don't smell much. ha!

Thanks again for replying to my post.

Ozzie............I havent met you before but am glad to see your post........ .as AR said its been very quiet around here lately............and always nice to meet new peeps and get some input as well as try and help others ............I am the caregiver for my Mom as well and I too worry that I may get this DD but I am trying not to let it get to me too much as I worry about everything lol............Hope to see you again real soon ...take care and God Bless.......Lyn

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Hi Lyn and thank you for your reply. I'll try to keep coming back. It's easier to stay in denial about things if I don't come here. lol I'm sorry for what you are going thru with your Mom. Seems we all have the worrying in common. Thanks again.

Denial can come back & bite you in the butt!The sooner you face it,the better everything CAN be..............I'm living proof that denial shouldn't be in your life.I have had AD 8 yrs,still doing it MY WAY,LOL...........

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SnowyLynne

I didn't know that an mri would show the plaques and tangles. I thought the only way to prove AD was an autopsy after death. I'm giving these replies a lot of thought!

Ozzie,

As far as I know, the MRI and other tests mostly rule out other things. You are right, there is not way to conclusively say Alz until autopsy . . . but they are getting much better at diagnoses each year.

People with alzheimers can be best helped the earlier they find it and start treatment. The treatment tends to hold ground . . . not so much reverse the effects.

I hope this helps.

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In His Grip,

It's definite,AD can be found in Spinal fluid now........

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SnowyLynne

Wow!  I hadn't heard that.  Did you have the spinal fluid test?  What stage of Alz are you in and what kinds of meds do you take?  Thank you so much for sharing with me.

I'm in the second stage of the 7 stage chart,even after 8 yrs.I had the Spinal tap done,thogh the testing is done now that wasn't available then in the spinal fluid.
Read the 36 hour day book.you can get it at your library,or if not ask then to order it,they will,even in large print...........

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SnowyLynne

Thanks Snowy! I have that book on hold at the library. I also found some Alzheimer activity books. I found that my dad is in stage 6 of the 7 stage chart.

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In His Grip,

AR......How ya doing sis and hows your Dad?...............Mom isnt doing too good lately relly still upset with the whole "home" thing and the other kids:it has me quite stressed as well...............But on a good note we went to Strathroy(howies mom lives there) and there is a 62 bed home for sale there and has 2 houses on property as well...........Went yesterday and met with the realtor and the place is beautiful (was a nursing home) comes fully equipped with all ya need to open and I still have contacts within the system for residents:I would open it as a retirement home and have some pysch patients as well(of course in different area though) and we could live in the big house and rent the smaller one out for income ............The Canadian gov has a great amount of monies availiable to start up businesses and will pay half of the employees wages for the first year.I am so excited about it all and I have that sparkle in my eye again ............I could take Mom and Dad with me there and the house is big enough for them to have their privacy and still be with me ..........This also solves the problem of the other kids sticking their noses in ...wish me luck will ya and lots of prayers sis ................Hope you are being well and taking care of self as well ...............God Bless......yak at ya soon ...........Lyn

Ozzie........am constantly trying not to worry about me getting this DD but it is hard not too.....That  book that SL recommended really is worth reading and I hope you are able to get ahold of it ..........Please take care and be well ....God Bless........Lyn

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SnowyLynn, if the title of the book, The 36 hour Day?

Yes,Ozzie.Look in your library for other books written by those with AD.Larry Rose is one.You can look him up on the nest.....

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SnowyLynne

Lyn!!!! That sounds fantastic!!! But, wow, what an undertaking!!! That would solve a lot of probs wouldn't it! You wouldn't have two houses to keep either. (I guess you would have three . . . LOL).

I see dad again tomorrow. He is slipping some more but I guess we knew it was coming . . . I just pray that God will smile on him and take him in his sleep one day before he loses his functions. I will enjoy every day I get to spend with him. Thanks for asking.

Blessings!

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In His Grip,

Am keeping you and your Dad (and Mom) in my thoughts and prayers sis ....give him a big hug for me .............It is my wish that Mom goes in her sleep as well w/o pain and suffering ,she too is slipping but not quickly ,and I pray that she just knows how much I love her and appreciate all she has done for me in my lifetime ............Take care and you be well too ..........Yes it will be a big undertaking but its something I love to do soooooo I am ready and maybe it will stop me from worrying about sickness all the time .............God Bless and Watch Over You and Your Family........Lyn

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