Alzheimer's disease

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• February 9, 2012 7:40 p.m.

  my maternal-grandmother suffered from dementia and i was blessed to be able to take care of her so the question is should i be worried that i could get it also she never got real bad and she loved her crossword puzzles

  - estelle

• February 4, 2012 7:59 p.m.

  I am 43 years old and am a recovering addict. I have not used for 5 years. I have suffered major head trauma. My maternal grandfather died from complications after a long, tragic and painful decline brought about by Alzheimer's. He was an alcoholic and had also suffered major head trauma. Should I be concerned about the connections here? I have assumed that my memory challenges were brought about by so many years of drug abuse and physical repercussions from my injuries, and should be expected. The immediate, and ongoing for that matter, results of my head trauma include dysphasia — which seems very similar to Alzheimer's. Are there preventative steps that I can be taking? at what point should I get 'tested'? what does testing entail?

  - Christopher

• January 29, 2012 8:35 p.m.

  WIFE HAS ALZ SHAKING IS GETTING WORSE. ANYING THING TO HELP WITH THAT?. TKS

  - DAN

• January 27, 2012 10:11 p.m.

  Karen, my wife who is almost 80 had a hard time eating. In fact she would gag pretty often. The doctor put her on Remeron and said a lot of people wouldn't take it because It made them gain weight. She has been on it for about two weeks, she doesn't gag anymore and has gained 3 or 4 #'s. She went all the way down to 100.4 pounde and has started coming back. She even looks forward to eating.maybe that's what your father is on but if not maybe you could try it. By the way it is also an anti-depressent. LVdd

  - Bill

• January 24, 2012 3:33 p.m.

  My dad is not eating the way he should stating that the food just doesn't seem to be going down well. They have given him the maximum dosage of antidepressants to stimulate his appetite. They are now going to get him in for a GI consult. I have noticed that if it's a donut...he seems to swallow pretty well. :) Aside from my 87 yo mother who visits when she can...he is on his own at a nursing home. We are all over a 1000 miles away. I have read about the decrease in the sense of smell which could contribute to the lack of desire to eat. Without the calories he needs in a day...he rejects supplements...he is slowing down more etc etc. Any suggestions? I thiank you.

  - Karen

• January 23, 2012 1:12 a.m.

  Kim, if you aren't a user of facebook become one and send a friend request to Norm Mac, he too suffers from AD and has a fabulous network of links apart from his own incredible contributions. Good luck xx

  - Shug

• January 23, 2012 1:09 a.m.

  I AM A 46 YEAR OLD WOMEN LEAVING WITH LUPUS FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS .AFTER MY LAST FLARE APPROXOMENTLY 8 YEARS AGO, MY ABLITY TO REMEMBER THING ARE GETTING WORSE. PEOPLE ARE ALWAYS TELL ME "DONT YOU REMEMBER I TOLD YOU JUST YESTERDAY." I DONT REMEMBER IT AT ALL. DO YOU THINK I SHOULD GET TESTED TO SEE IF I HAVE ALZHEMEIMERS OR DEMENTIA? IF I CARRY THE GEN. MAYBE THERE ARE TIMES THAT I CAN DO TO BOOST MY BRAIN POWER. THEIR IS ONE IN MY FAMILY HISTORY AS FAR BACK AS I REMEMBER THAT WAS HAD ALZHEIMERS OR DEMENTIA.I FORGET IMPORTANT THING. NOT WHO I AM OR WHO MY FAMILY OR FRIENDS ARE. ITS VERY FRUSTRATING AND VERY IMBARISEN. PLEASE HELP!!! ANY AD VICE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECATED.

  - KRISTENA AKA TENA

• January 23, 2012 12:59 a.m.

  Arlie, I read your comments on Alz Coconut Oil and my heart skipped beats at the idea there was something to improve my mothers condition. I looked up the website and found only two testemonials and the contact address came up as invalid. From what you said it is a miracle oil but the website led me to wonder if it was just a quick money maker.

  - Shug

• January 22, 2012 3:54 p.m.

  I have an uncle with alzheimers(diagnosed 3 yrs ago) and is 56. My mother is forgetting things and may have it. My question to anyone is this.. I have heard of oxygen therapy and although it is not a cure I was wondering if anyone has a relative that has tried this?? Or any results good or bad that have come from this?? I realize this is some what new for alzheimers but to me it is another option to look into. Thanks.

  - jerry

• January 8, 2012 3:47 p.m.

  After reading some of the comments, I realize everyone here is exactly where I was. I take care of my mom. Lewy Body Dementia since 2002 or 2003. I used to crush her medications and hide them in her food. I started her on Alz Organics Coconut Oil Blend from alzorganics.com a couple of months ago and she takes her own medication now, and many of the symptoms are gone. She is more social, less agitated, does not wander at night, and does not hallucinate while she is on the oil. This oil has been a great relief for me and I hope that some of you will try it.

  - arlie

• January 3, 2012 8:58 a.m.

  Do you have any information on weight gain in Alzheimer's sufferers? My wife of 52 was diagnosed over two years ago with early-onset, and has gained weight over that period. I was advised that weight loss was typical. Await your advisement with interest. Kind Regards, Declan

  - Declan

• January 1, 2012 8:23 a.m.

  Hello... I am 48 years old in good health. I have experienced two incidents of forgetting things....things that i should have known. I forgot my PIN number for my ATM card...had to get a new card.. and never remembered it. About 2 weeks later, i read a text from my son to my husband...then 1 hour later...did not remember the conversation at all. I know this may sound trivial, but it is extremely uncommon for me to forget such menial things....want to call my doctor...but don't want to be a hypochondriac. Not sure what to do! Thanks.

  - Karen

• December 10, 2011 8:45 p.m.

  Keep these aitrcles coming as they've opened many new doors for me.

  - Quiana

• November 29, 2011 7:33 a.m.

  Hello, thanks for this opportunity, I only have some questions to the readers, the sister of my grandma has AD, well my mom has some symptoms of this disease so my mom can have Alzheimer

  - Felipe

• November 24, 2011 6:23 a.m.

  Why when researching Alzheimers on-line or in books does it always talk about the caregiver, like those of us with EOAD or AD all of a sudden can't read or write or type. Its like ppl talk over us, like were children. I wish others understood that we are not all "unable" with this disease. Learn to understand the disease instead of assuming we are all affected the same. Thank you-

  - Kim

• November 19, 2011 3:33 a.m.

  To Patricia: My husband has been on statins for a couple of years now, but his symptoms started before starting the drugs. He was a chronic alcoholic for many years and also has been smoking since junior high school. He is now 67 and I can tell he is losing ground.

  - Jeanne

• November 19, 2011 3:31 a.m.

  Is one of the early symptoms of Alzheimer's the frequent looking off while driving? My husband has been doing this for a while and finds it hard to focus on his driving. He is also very aloof at home and doesn't like to "discuss" important issues.....like family functions, etc. or paying the bills.

  - Jeanne

• November 8, 2011 11:49 a.m.

  I would like to know how many of your family or friends were taking Statin Drugs prior to, or during diagnosis of Dementia or Alzheimer Disease. Statins are like Crestor or Lipitor. Please leave information on here. Thanks.

  - patricia

• October 24, 2011 3:00 p.m.

  My husband was 49 when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He is now 51 and seems to be declining rapidly in some areas. It is very difficult to understand what he is trying to say most of the time. Most articles are about people who are 65 and older. What about those in my husbands age group??

  - Melanie

• October 16, 2011 7:16 p.m.

  Angela I couldn't agree with you more that "millions more are affected through the gradual loss of their spouse, partner, friend, confidant, and loved one." My son recorded a song that he dedicated to his grandfather (my dad) who has Alzheimer's and to all those affected by this disease, especially the loved ones who care for them. I find it to be very comforting for caregivers in particular. It can be found and downloaded for free at: http://chrismathieu.bandcamp.com/track/fading-memories It's there to be shared. I hope you and your fellow bloggers give it a listen.

  - Polo

• October 12, 2011 3:06 p.m.

  My mom made her transition 2 1/2 years ago from this horrible disease. She started having symptoms at 56 years old young.she passed away at 72. For years I was looking for anything any kind of methods to help her. I did have a great doctor. We even came to mayo clinic to see if there was something they have to slow the process down. She was an amazing woman. Only towards the end did she started degressing. Even towards the end she had spunk, loved music , tv, and food. Food was her passion. I kept her home with me. I just could not see myself putting her in an nursing home. The reason for my blog, is that she never taught to hate anything or anyone, but this disease I hate with a passion. there is no cure really no explanations to it at all. I have read that person or persons that have taking care of someone with this winds up with this disease. I am worried now. I am 43 years old. Wondering will they ever find a cure or even a vaccination to prevent things in the brain. Whenever I speak to someone that says they believe their parent is getting this. J just cry. I don't want for anyone to go through that. It's tough and highly emotional. At least for me it was and kind of still is. Please find a vaccine for this. A lot of people would love to pass on from normal age. I know I would Still missing mommie

  - monique

• September 23, 2011 8:05 p.m.

  nmy mother died last sept in holland of alzheimers she was 87 years old it started about 65 and slowly progressed she was stuborn but very happy she went to a group home with 9 people and was fantasticly taken care of also my brothers and sisters and i took good care of her it was a honor and plasure to take care of her i miss her a lot!

  - madzy

• September 19, 2011 7:28 p.m.

  My mother has advanced vascular dementia, and has begun to peel her fingernails and surrounding skin. She continues to communicate, typically with eye to eye contact. However, verbal requests to stop doing so and even directing her hands out of the way are unsuccessful. Does anyone have any suggestions to distract her from doing this and subsequently protect her fingers?

  - Diane

• September 11, 2011 1:02 p.m.

  My sister has looked after our 98-yr old mother for several years. She lives 10-min walking distance away (in Canada). I live in the US and cannot bring her to the US for care. Our mother was always tyrannical, but has now also become especially hateful and paranoid, mostly toward my sister but also towards anyone who has helped her. Her short term memory is gone, but she still has some faculties left. She hysterically refuses to change her ways or go to a nursing home. All she takes are blood pressure pills. Anti-psychotic and anti-depression drugs did not help much. It's extremely unpleasant to help her. Do we just wait for her to have some medical emergency so she can then be moved to a hospital and then to a nursing home?

  - Greta

• September 8, 2011 3:18 p.m.

  As primary caretaker for my wife I have experienced all of the problems that others have described.I have felt the anger at times but have kept this from my wife. One of the most difficult things to live with is the withdrawing and no talking for hours on end. The other is the refusal to take prescribed medications. I have tried the crushed pills,and everything else I can think of. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate hearing about it. I DO appreciate this blog that I just became aware of.

  - Earle pWe7ur