Alzheimer's Disease Support Group
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and characterized by progressive cognitive deterioration with declining activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms or behavioral changes. An early symptom is memory loss (amnesia), usually manifesting as minor forgetfulness that becomes pronounced with illness progression, with relative...
I scanned down the list of warning signs for Alzheimer's Disease published by the National Alzheimer's Association and found at the age of 44 I am experiencing 50% of the symptoms. My grandmother had Alzheimer's. What I'd like to know is there anything I can do RIGHT NOW to slow the progress of this illness, if I have it? I called the National Alzheimer's Association and spoke with a lady there who then mailed me some materials regarding Alzheimer's. I'm concerned that this may get worse. My grandmother always denied she had it, but she slowly lost her memory. It's not stress related, though I seem to get confused and forgetful when in stressful situations. I noticed the same thing happened to my grandmother. I make comparisons between her and myself often, because we both ate the same diet, had the same diseases - hypoglycemia and hypothyroidism; though she had high blood pressure (hypertension) and I have low blood pressure (hypotension). Now, it's embarrassing to forget people's names and forget things so easy. At this point it is primarily affecting my short term memory, but both long and short term memory is damaged. The funny thing is on certain days I remember things and then on other days I can't remember and it's the exact information. It's frustrating and people get frustrated and think I'm faking, which hurts my feelings. I feel like people are making fun of me because of it. I take a lot of notes to help me remember. What else can I do?
I've heard the thought that 'what is good for heart health is good for brain health'. So this includes all sorts of measures of self care...strict diet/food intake (Mediteranian.Dash) is often recommended)...but you would of course work with your doctor...regular exercise, good sleep, stress reduction practices. To me, this is something each person should consider practicing, whatever risks we face.
One important question is...do you want to go to docs and be evaluated? What would you do if you were diagnosed?
There are some studies/ clinical trails...would you be in a position to look into them? I think the Alz Assoc could direct you to those.
Would you feel comfortable saying something like..'I am having some difficulties with my memory...'
Are you able to use an i phone to help you remember things?
Also, you need people who care about you and are willing to 'be there' for you. I hope you have such people in your life.
The Alz Assoc is a generally good source for available resources....Maybe they even have a group in your area that would be helpful to you.
Thinking of you ...
She was diagnosed in the later stages, because she refused to admit there was anything wrong. She became a danger to herself...leaving the gas stove on, etc. Though she never forgot to pray. I think she was in her late 70's or early 80's when she was diagnosed. The neighbors thought there was something wrong and called my mom. Mom spent 6 months living with her and then decided to move her into her house. In the end, only the smile on her face led me to know she knew who I was. She forgot our names. She remembered her own name and certain other things.
Support group - I don't have it; otherwise, I wouldn't be here. I want to know how to reverse it. I see a difference when I don't get adequate sleep. I have pancreatitis though and wake up in pain in the middle of the night though. Sometimes, I sleep all through the night and things are better for me the following day.
Maybe some of these other posts will give me insight. A lot of people talk about Alzheimer's, but it's like you get information; yet, you don't feel comforted or like it's really being addressed properly.
Also, I would make a list of the things that you are having problems with. that will help a lot.