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• July 18, 2010 5:44 p.m.

  4 S.Baker- I just read your blog, and almost cried 4 u. I went thru almost the same thing with my mom. It became so difficult 2 take care of her, I tried bout 3 different n.homes. And when I would go back 2 c her the next day, she would cry 4 me 2 take her home.I already had my husband of 42 yrs. at hme with dementia, stroke, amputated leg,totally bed-ridden,and totally incontinent. Who, was easier 2 take care of, than she was. She thought the nurses were plotting 2 murder her and put her in a body bag.So of course, I had 2 take her back home each time,and try again.because I felt so guilty. The last nursing home I took her 2, she developed pnuemonia, and was put in intensive care. Of course, me being the only child interested, and the only one with power of atty, I also had 2 make the decision on life support.Eventually, after almost 3 weeks, I had it removed, and my sweet mother passed away in approx. 15 mins. I'm just writing this 2 let u know, that even tho it seemed impossible then, if I had 2 do it over, I would keep her home with me,and put up with it all, if I could just have her back. And 4 all the ppl on here who's blogs I've read about them 4getting who u R, I want 2 say I also had a lot of that. She told her doctor I had stolen all her money, and that my son threatened 2 kill her, if she didn't shut- up. Which he would never have done."Also that I was just a little b*tch, who will be in a lot of trouble when her daughter gets here".I wish u the best of l

  - sandi

• July 16, 2010 4:37 p.m.

  My dad, 93 with Alzheimer's for the past 10 years is a former airline pilot. I live 3 hours away from him and have visited him almost once a week since my mom passed 5 years ago. I have a blog, pattykj.wordpress.com where I recount some of my visits with him. I find that each time I visit with him I must again come to terms with his disease. I've learned to be grateful for the moments I have with him and also my memories of him as an amazing father. I hope that you will find a companion in my blog and that it will help you come to the terms of your circumstances as well.

  - Patty

• July 15, 2010 2:30 p.m.

  My husband, 68, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's last week. We are still in shock. We have no idea what the future holds, and what causes Alzheimer's. I hope I can find comfort from this blog, because right now fear is overwhelming. Can someone give me a time frame from point of diagnosis to incapacity...5 years, less? I would really appreciate any answers and any support. Thank you.

  - Carolyn

• July 8, 2010 8:59 p.m.

  I've been noticing a pattern among people destined to develop Alzheimer's Disease: They are insomniacs. In researching this I found an article in "The Scientist" that cited a University of Washington study: "Our results are preliminary evidence that sleep abnormalities midlife could put people at risk of Alzheimer's disease later," said David Holtzman, a coauthor of the study and a neurologist at the Washington University School of Medicine. The group found that the concentration of amyloid-beta, a peptide whose build-up is linked to the onset of the disease, significantly increases during periods of sleep deprivation." My thought is that early Alzheimer's may be the PRECIPITATOR as well as the result of sleeplessness. I wonder if lesions in the brain effect the sleep center causing insomnia and then, with too little sleep, the brain suffers for lack of "re-charging". I hope both aspects -- that Alzheimer's may be the cause and the result -- will be investigated.

  - Alzheimer's and Insomnia

• July 1, 2010 8:58 p.m.

  My mother was formaly diagnosed with vascular and Alzhemier's dementia this year but has had signs for about 5 years. Her diagnosis was confirmed with a t CT. MRI and MRA of her brain. She is happy in the assisted living place where she moved last September. It is really hard for me to deal with a diagnosis that no one can tell me anything about how to plan for her future, how fast this disease progresses, what are significant events - i.e she has had miagrains about 20 out of the last 30 days. There is nothing else neurologically seen. It is so hard to deal with her asking me the same questions 4 times in a conversation that last about 6 minutes. I feel so guilty when I find that at that point I cut my conversation short. It is difficult to identify the stage she is in. I am thankful that she is happy and usually pleasant but am so lost and frustated that this is a medial condition that I cannot get much factual information on - if anyone has any suggestions I would so much appreciate it. Thanks

  - becky

• June 24, 2010 2:41 p.m.

  My mother has been diagnosed this year, but has been having problems for the last couple. She has gotten in the habit of spending the night at my brother or my house. She doesn't want to us to stay with her; it has to be her staying with us. She won't move into assistance living. I don't think that moving from house to house is good for her memory, but I'm at a lost. She won't listen.

  - Carol

• June 16, 2010 12:14 a.m.

  My dad was officially diagnosed last year. We moved him to be closer to me in Princeton, NJ. This disease breaks my heart a little more every time we see him. It's my personal mission to make him smile or laugh every time we are together. It's too easy to go the serious, we're screwed route. My main issue is the place he's in. The Alzheimer's wing is like the island of forgotten souls. There is no life there. People sit in a circle, staring into space. We bring him to our house every weekend for family time and good food, but I feel like he's slipping away a little more with every visit. anyone else experiencing this?

  - Ashley

• June 12, 2010 4:09 p.m.

  I am facing a dilemma. My husband is completely dependant on me. This week my eye doctor told me I needed to get my cataracts removed. I know it it day surgery - twice - but that also for a week after each surgery you cannot lift heavy things or bend over, etc. I do not want to put my husband at risk, as his doctor said that we need to keep everything as routine and without changes as possible. He isn't even allowed to travel. He is is a wheelchair and needs help with dressing, toileting etc. I plan to put off my surgery as long as possible, as I have nobody that I can ask to take my place as his caregiver. I really don't know what to do. I can't afford to hire caregivers for two separate weeks. Ruth

  - Ruth

• June 6, 2010 10:31 p.m.

  I want to know how any of your parents were formally diagnosed. My mother's visit to a neurologist as a result of shaking/tremors led me to ask about Dementia/Alzheimer's. This neurologist told me that the disease is only diagnosed once the patient is deceased. I am now inquiring about in-home, adult day care, and memory care facilities to pre-plan future care. One of the social workers at one of these facilities mentioned a PET scan -- have any of you any experience/information to share with me about this diagnosis procedure?

  - April

• June 1, 2010 4:50 p.m.

  I forgot to mention in my last post that my mom is only 69 years old, a hospice nurse and very active in her community. That's why I am so very concerned. Thanks.

  - Denise

• June 1, 2010 4:47 p.m.

  Hello, I am hoping someone out there can give me some direction regarding my mom. This past weekend we were having a discussion about our families past medical history and I talked about my grandmother's(my mothers mom) stroke to my mom. She adamently denied that my grandmother ever had a stroke (this was about 15 years ago) and claimed the reason grandma was in the nursing home was because of severe osteoperosis. She also does not remember my grandmother not being able to speak or feed herself. I am not sure what to do. My mom is fairly healthy, a little over weight and has high blood pressure and cholesteral, but nothing else notable. I know that short term memory loss is one of the symptoms, but I don't think you would call this "short term" since it happened so many years ago. She does struggle at times with word finding also, but so do I and it doesn't alarm me as much as this latest development. If anyone has any thoughts or could help me to find out more of what I need to do next I would really appreciate it. Thanks!

  - Denise

• May 31, 2010 7:31 p.m.

  Sonya, I can't believe this is happening to you! I'ts ridiculous. I believe my mom had alzheimers {mlild } for about 10 years. She didn't see well, and I lived next door to help. We didn't notice as much. A couple times, she imagined simething totally bizarre! Yes, symptoms are HALLUCINATIONS. she said someone came in the house and stole the grandkids valentines. To top it off she SAW their footprints in the snow! She would say she had a bleeding disorder, so refused to take her pills. I have a friend whose Father used to call the police on his mother.not sure what he said. Once my mom thought my son was in an accident, and was hanging around on the porch and wouldn't go in. would not believe he was ok {couldn't get ahold of him} and SAW the wrecked car in the yard. I know you will find your stories out there good luck

  - jan

• May 25, 2010 3:12 p.m.

  I am sorry for all of the things you all are going through with your families. I am looking for experiences involving exaggerated stories and Alzheimer's. I went to a therapist to vent. What I am now facing is felony charges because, she said I threatened to kill her. I was shocked when I found that I was being charged for this. I am not a violent person and never threatened her. I have been thinking that she perhaps has Alzheimer's and, for my freedom's sake, am looking for stories of great exaggeration to show my attorney. If you can help me with this I would greatly appreciate it. Again, I am so sorry for you struggles. May God be with you.

  - Sonja

• May 24, 2010 6:33 p.m.

  My Mom was formally diagnosed about a year ago. She originally resisted medication, but eventually agreed to try Aricept and another med issued through a dermal patch (sorry I'm not sure of the name, my Dad is her primary care giver). I went to visit them on Sunday - a long (5 hour) and pretty pleasant visit. My brother got a call from her today when my Dad stepped briefly to run an errand (she doesn't like to leave the house much any more). She told my brother she really didn't understand how to use the phone and that she thought she was in the kitchen, but wasn't sure. It really alarmed me that she seemed so well yesterday and so unwell today. I've received several strange phone calls from her as well. One last week saying she hadn't seen or heard from me for weeks (I had in fact been there 2 days before). I told her I would visit on Saturday and called on Thursday to remind her that I would be there on Saturday. I got a call at work on Friday morning. She told me that she and my Dad were in disagreement about when I was coming. I reiterated that I would be there tomorrow (Saturday) and she was completely surprised. Unfortunately while I was on route my daughter called and told me she had to go to the emergency room and needed me to come and watch my grandchildren for her. I went to visit the folks on Sunday instead. Anyway my questions are - Is this typical and what can I do to help my Dad? I live an hour away and work full time.

  - Susan

• May 23, 2010 1:20 p.m.

  Seroquel is the target of successful lawsuits by trial lawyers who are making a mint as they have somehow related it to the cause of death with people with dementia who are dying anyway. To these lawyers it is of no concern that the end result of their actions are people who will now have to die miserably instead of groggy. It's the money. I am surprised that there are some still able to get Seroquel for the elderly. It may have it's drawbacks but for some it is definitely worth the risk. That doesn't matter anymore with my Mom and either there is nothing or they are afraid to give her anything to replace it. Between her and her sister, I've been dealing with this since at least 1980. How much longer I couldn't say. It is very different when the brain goes first. It's the part that tells you if somethings wrong with your body but it can only give out the brief hints when somethings wrong with it. Then they're quickly gone.

  - Bob

• May 2, 2010 9:23 p.m.

  Thanks for the advice Kathy. My husband had the test on an outpatient basis. Both my family doctor and the urologist thought it was necessary. So far no results. My question was : What will you do about it if you think it is necessary to treat him? From everything I know whatever treatment they would use would be catastrophic - but if the cancer goes into the bone he would suffer greatly. I felt with the two doctors that if I refused the scan they would say that he wasn''t getting the care he needed.

  - Ruth

• May 1, 2010 5:59 p.m.

  We have just 5 days ago put our father into a complex care unit within a care home. We researched and this facility came highly recommended. However, they are telling us that Dad will settle much better if we do not visit him for a while. The option is ours, and we of course want to do what is best for him (which is not necessarily what is best for us...we would be there every day). We have been visiting Dad and taking him out, and Dad has been very distressed for the past 2 days. The nursing team at the care home has reassured us that if we stop going for a while it will help him. Has anyone else heard of this? We are feeling so guilty if we don't go to to see him, but don't want to set him back or him worse either. We just do not know what is best. Also, how long have you found it takes for your loved one to settle into a new home? Thank you to anyone who can offer advise or comments on their own experience.

  - Jody

• April 28, 2010 10:27 a.m.

  To Eileen - Your mom is acting the way she is because of the disease. This is the disease talking, not your mom. Try adding some humor to the situation. When she insults you, say agreeing with her.....like "your right mom, I never could cook eggs as well as you" (or whatever is appropriate for the conversation). She's frustrated; she knows something is wrong with her and she needs to feel comfort and love. Smile at her more, give her loving touches/hugs. Also, try distrations. Change the subject to something she likes (or use to like).

  - Kathy

• April 28, 2010 10:19 a.m.

  To Ruth: How important is it to you to know where your husband is with his Prostate cancer. Is the scan done as an outpatient procedure or is he admitted to a hospital and anesthesia administered? If the latter, then I tend to think there will be a downturn.

  - Kathy

• April 20, 2010 4:21 p.m.

  Why do doctors prescribe Seroquel for dementia patients when the maker of the drug itself says it is not recommended for elderly dementia patiens? My mother has dementia and was prescribed Seroquel for hallucinations. She is now in assisted living/memory care. The nurse there called her doctor (without consulting me) and had the dose lowered because she was falling asleep in her dinner. If there are other medications that can help with hallucinations, why Seroquel when the manufacturer warns against it?

  - Peg

• April 18, 2010 10:18 p.m.

  My 84yr.old mother is in the moderate-severe stage of Alzheimers, we have to move her from assisted living to a memory care unit. She lives in the metro Washington DC area..does anyone know of a blog site or a web site where family members rate and talk about quality of care in specific care facilities? We are trying to be very careful about quality and would love some guidance and advice..thanks, Carol

  - carol

• April 16, 2010 10:06 p.m.

  My husband was diagnosed with AD about two years ago. He also has peripheral neuropathy and prostate cancer. I find that none of my family understand how much stress there is in caregiving. It is not only physical stress, but worse is the emotional stress of seeing your loved one go down under these diseases. I find that when I go to bed at night I am exhausted but as soon as I lay my head on the pillow my mind starts working about what is going on, what the future will mean. I do not want to put him in long term care but at the age of 77 myself I wonder if I will be able to handle it. About three weeks ago he had a cold and suddenly lost his ability to walk. Now he is in a wheelchair which I find very tiring. I am so worried now as his urologist wants to do a scan using radioactive material to see where he is at with his prostate cancer. Will this trigger another downturn in his general physical state? Does anyone have an answer?

  - Ruth

• April 16, 2010 6:50 a.m.

  to JC. The way I finally got my husband to go after trying for two years is that I told him I wanted to go to the neurologist to be tested for Alzheimer's because I thought I had it and I wished he would go to so we could finally say he doesn't have it. Of course when we went he was diagnosed with it and I was told I was fine. I don't necessarily agree that I am fine but the stress and lack of sleep I experience explains most of my dementia.

  - Janet

• April 14, 2010 12:53 p.m.

  Is there any significant Alz work done in SouthAmerica anyone would know? Im curious,cant find much

  - Marilyn

• April 13, 2010 5:40 p.m.

  Today April 13, 2010 in the online open access Journal of Neuroinflammation, a milestone was passed when the Number 1 most accessed article passed the 80,000 threshold, namely: Case report Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease following perispinal etanercept administration Edward L Tobinick, Hyman Gross Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:2 (9 January 2008) This has to go down as a day of infamy in the annals of Alzheimer's research, when a dermatologist claims 80,000 accesses for a spurious article. Journal of Neuroinflammation Top 10 most accessed articles for last 30 days / past year / all time 1. Accesses 80007 Case report Rapid cognitive improvement in Alzheimer's disease following perispinal etanercept administration Edward L Tobinick, Hyman Gross Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:2 (9 January 2008) [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [PubMed] [Related articles] [F1000 Biology] [Cited on BioMed Central] 2. Accesses 36494 Commentary Perispinal etanercept: Potential as an Alzheimer therapeutic W Sue T Griffin Journal of Neuroinflammation 2008, 5:3 (10 January 2008) [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] [PubMed] [Related articles] [Cited on BioMed Central]

  - Zuppy