You have an immensely difficult decision, neither of which will be totally satisfying in the long run.

When you say 59 1/2, are you saying you have a 401K? You can withdraw from a 401K for emergencies, and this may qualify. You may then want to look at taking a leave of absence, if any of this is possible but expect to pay taxes. (I'm assuming you are in the US)

No one will be able to tell you how long your husband has before today's memories disappear, so traveling may be made impossible for very long.

I retired this year at 58 to care for my mother (who refuses to see doctors). I also have no insurance, or SS, but do have a small pension. It is certainly not ideal...but then nothing about dementia is ideal. I simply could not do both. Either way created hardships...I selected the one that for today, I can live with. Tomorrow is....well...tomorrow. I will cross that proverbial bridge when I come to it.

You have an immensely difficult decision, neither of which will be totally satisfying in the long run.

When you say 59 1/2, are you saying you have a 401K? You can withdraw from a 401K for emergencies, and this may qualify. You may then want to look at taking a leave of absence, if any of this is possible but expect to pay taxes. (I'm assuming you are in the US)

No one will be able to tell you how long your husband has before today's memories disappear, so traveling may be made impossible for very long.

I retired this year at 58 to care for my mother (who refuses to see doctors). I also have no insurance, or SS, but do have a small pension. It is certainly not ideal...but then nothing about dementia is ideal. I simply could not do both. Either way created hardships...I selected the one that for today, I can live with. Tomorrow is....well...tomorrow. I will cross that proverbial bridge when I come to it.

Yes i am talking about 401K money, and i will certainly look into it. I am just afraid that if i retire, i will run out of money, medical and then lose everything, home, cars, ect. Im not trying to say that money is more important than my husband, but mearly saying that right now we can afford to get his medical help and his prescriptions. My company offers flex spending, which i normally put $2500.00 on per year, just for my husbands copays and prescriptions. I need to be more educated on the stages of dementia. We were thinking of asking him not to drive anymore because he had 3 (non injury) accidents right in a row, but then when we lowered his excelon and namanda medication he went back to being a safe driver with little difficulty. He himself said that he was more confused on the meds and he said he would rather not have a memory than to be sick and confused all the time. One thing i noticed is that when the doctors put him on the medication he seemed like he was getting worse, everything was magnified and his confusion seemed 50% higher than normal, when we backed his meds down to the lower dose, this all went away. He seems pretty stable right now with only memory issues. Not sure if this medication is worth it. Has anyone else had these results with excelon? Thanks frazzled for your comments.

Yes i am talking about 401K money, and i will certainly look into it. I am just afraid that if i retire, i will run out of money, medical and then lose everything, home, cars, ect. Im not trying to say that money is more important than my husband, but mearly saying that right now we can afford to get his medical help and his prescriptions. My company offers flex spending, which i normally put $2500.00 on per year, just for my husbands copays and prescriptions. I need to be more educated on the stages of dementia. We were thinking of asking him not to drive anymore because he had 3 (non injury) accidents right in a row, but then when we lowered his excelon and namanda medication he went back to being a safe driver with little difficulty. He himself said that he was more confused on the meds and he said he would rather not have a memory than to be sick and confused all the time. One thing i noticed is that when the doctors put him on the medication he seemed like he was getting worse, everything was magnified and his confusion seemed 50% higher than normal, when we backed his meds down to the lower dose, this all went away. He seems pretty stable right now with only memory issues. Not sure if this medication is worth it. Has anyone else had these results with excelon? Thanks frazzled for your comments.

Money is certainly not everything, but it plays a very important role in maintaining his and your health and well-being. Can your husband collect Social Security, or Social Security Disability? Then as a result get any form of medicare? If so you may want to look into being his 'paid' caregiver. Try the Benefits Finder on this site and also the paid caregiver...I don't have the links right on-hand. These, of course, will probably not be enough if you have outstanding loans (mortgage, car payment(s), credit cards), but look to see if you took out catastrophic illness insurance on any of these.

Money is certainly not everything, but it plays a very important role in maintaining his and your health and well-being. Can your husband collect Social Security, or Social Security Disability? Then as a result get any form of medicare? If so you may want to look into being his 'paid' caregiver. Try the Benefits Finder on this site and also the paid caregiver...I don't have the links right on-hand. These, of course, will probably not be enough if you have outstanding loans (mortgage, car payment(s), credit cards), but look to see if you took out catastrophic illness insurance on any of these.

Google the family leave act you may qualify.

Too take him to a qualified Neurologist. Is he a veteran.

Google the family leave act you may qualify.

Too take him to a qualified Neurologist. Is he a veteran.

I agree with Frazzled (hi Frazzled) and think that you really have to research everything before you make any financial decision. I dont know what you do for a living but I made a deal with my compamy to work from home for 10 years before I retired at 56 last year. It just became too much and I was doing a poor job at my work and at my other full time job of taking care of my mother and father. Maybe try daycare for your husband. He might resent it at first but he might enjoy the socialization and friends he makes there. That way you can continue working for a while getting your bills paid and extra money socked away. As far as I know medicaid is the one that provides pay for being a caregiver and in my state the spouse cannot have that job. I have no idea why. My sil has ms and her husband gets medicaid to pay for someone to stay with her (dil). Someone has to be there for 8 hours but Medicaid only pays for --- for feeding--- for pills --- for dressing --- for bathing so the caregiver only gets paid minimum wage for 4 hours. It is something but not really what they need. If your husband is a vet you might contact the administration. They determine what is needed, pay him and then he pays you. It is worth a try. I dont know much about flex spending but maybe you could have an amount deducted from your pay and put in a savings or money market account. At least that way you can get a piddly amount of interest on your money. You have to be disapplined but it is something. My flex pay disappeared if I did not use it within the year so I got out of that reaaaaaaal quick. About the meds my mom was put on aricept and got night terrors. She would run out of the house with her walker dragging behind her. She was on the lowest dose so they took her off that. My dad was on reminal and namenda and that did nothing for him at all. They finally took him off of it.

I agree with Frazzled (hi Frazzled) and think that you really have to research everything before you make any financial decision. I dont know what you do for a living but I made a deal with my compamy to work from home for 10 years before I retired at 56 last year. It just became too much and I was doing a poor job at my work and at my other full time job of taking care of my mother and father. Maybe try daycare for your husband. He might resent it at first but he might enjoy the socialization and friends he makes there. That way you can continue working for a while getting your bills paid and extra money socked away. As far as I know medicaid is the one that provides pay for being a caregiver and in my state the spouse cannot have that job. I have no idea why. My sil has ms and her husband gets medicaid to pay for someone to stay with her (dil). Someone has to be there for 8 hours but Medicaid only pays for --- for feeding--- for pills --- for dressing --- for bathing so the caregiver only gets paid minimum wage for 4 hours. It is something but not really what they need. If your husband is a vet you might contact the administration. They determine what is needed, pay him and then he pays you. It is worth a try. I dont know much about flex spending but maybe you could have an amount deducted from your pay and put in a savings or money market account. At least that way you can get a piddly amount of interest on your money. You have to be disapplined but it is something. My flex pay disappeared if I did not use it within the year so I got out of that reaaaaaaal quick. About the meds my mom was put on aricept and got night terrors. She would run out of the house with her walker dragging behind her. She was on the lowest dose so they took her off that. My dad was on reminal and namenda and that did nothing for him at all. They finally took him off of it.

Thanks for all the advice and for the support. We actually are going today for some more results from another brain scan. I will keep you posted. No my husband is not a vet and he does have disability for his back issues, maybe we need to turn in his Dementia issues so that we can get some care for him. I worry during the day when im at work. I ask him not to cook anymore, because he has left the stove on. I will write more when im back from the doctors. Just wanted to thank you, it helps to know that im not alone in all of this....

Thanks for all the advice and for the support. We actually are going today for some more results from another brain scan. I will keep you posted. No my husband is not a vet and he does have disability for his back issues, maybe we need to turn in his Dementia issues so that we can get some care for him. I worry during the day when im at work. I ask him not to cook anymore, because he has left the stove on. I will write more when im back from the doctors. Just wanted to thank you, it helps to know that im not alone in all of this....

It is a tough call but he is right. check out some of the senior services in your area, there is help out there. Talk to his doctor too there is things he can help you get help only a doctor can set up. I have note cards labeled with everything ready to go so when my mil gets worse I'm prepared. let him cook with supervision once in a while.

It is a tough call but he is right. check out some of the senior services in your area, there is help out there. Talk to his doctor too there is things he can help you get help only a doctor can set up. I have note cards labeled with everything ready to go so when my mil gets worse I'm prepared. let him cook with supervision once in a while.

Can you travel during your vacation time, or would your company agree to give you a little more time off? I'm 55 and my husband has been diagnosed for 2 years with Lewy Body Dementia. I want to continue to work both so I will have a good pension when he is gone (and our savings have been spent on his care) and for my own sanity.

Can you travel during your vacation time, or would your company agree to give you a little more time off? I'm 55 and my husband has been diagnosed for 2 years with Lewy Body Dementia. I want to continue to work both so I will have a good pension when he is gone (and our savings have been spent on his care) and for my own sanity.

Yes we can still travel and because i get so much time off, we do get in alot of vacation time together. We are going on a cruise in November for 8 nights, of course we are flying to CA. The doctor didn't have the results and was a little shocked that my husband was there for an appointment,so he either missed an appointment or got the wrong doctor etc. The brain scan results were not back yet so it may be another week or so. the doctor said that if my husband doesn't take at least 20 mgs of Namenda and 12 mgs of Excelon daily, the medication will not help. Anytime my husband ups his dose he gets really sick. The doctor said you have to do it or this high of a dose or the meds will not help you. He even told him either you do this or i will not be your doctor anymore. The worst part about the dementia is nothing is ever cut and dry. Everything is backwards, wrong etc, i feel like im running around in circles, with still no answers.

Yes we can still travel and because i get so much time off, we do get in alot of vacation time together. We are going on a cruise in November for 8 nights, of course we are flying to CA. The doctor didn't have the results and was a little shocked that my husband was there for an appointment,so he either missed an appointment or got the wrong doctor etc. The brain scan results were not back yet so it may be another week or so. the doctor said that if my husband doesn't take at least 20 mgs of Namenda and 12 mgs of Excelon daily, the medication will not help. Anytime my husband ups his dose he gets really sick. The doctor said you have to do it or this high of a dose or the meds will not help you. He even told him either you do this or i will not be your doctor anymore. The worst part about the dementia is nothing is ever cut and dry. Everything is backwards, wrong etc, i feel like im running around in circles, with still no answers.

Please, for your sake, see a different Dr. My father passed from early onset dementia and I k now it can make a huge difference for you. Good luck... Dan Hopp disdan50@yahoo.com

Please, for your sake, see a different Dr. My father passed from early onset dementia and I k now it can make a huge difference for you. Good luck... Dan Hopp disdan50@yahoo.com

Dan, yes i have 3 doctors now. It took me a while to understand that i needed the neurologist the most. The family doctor tried to treat this for years, then he developed a bump on the back of his head and we went to a neuro surgeon, which i thought he was doing the full brain scan, it turns out it was only on the bump and there's nothing to the bump. We have a neurologist who just completed a brain scan, and then we are seeing a physcologist, for some more testing. Dan, you probably know the stages of dementia, the family doctor says my husband is in stage one, i find that hard to believe. He couldn't even remember where his doctor's office was today.

Dan, yes i have 3 doctors now. It took me a while to understand that i needed the neurologist the most. The family doctor tried to treat this for years, then he developed a bump on the back of his head and we went to a neuro surgeon, which i thought he was doing the full brain scan, it turns out it was only on the bump and there's nothing to the bump. We have a neurologist who just completed a brain scan, and then we are seeing a physcologist, for some more testing. Dan, you probably know the stages of dementia, the family doctor says my husband is in stage one, i find that hard to believe. He couldn't even remember where his doctor's office was today.

Oh my you need a 2nd opinion.... My spouse cant take the namenda and excelon he gets worse and so sick... there is something in the two that has an effect on his diabetes and it produces a negitive result. Thank God his doctor said get rid of it we will work on other things.. there is a new study out of cambrige that said high doses of folic acid b6 b12 is proving more effective in slowing down the progression...I do plan to take that study in to the doctor and ask if thats something we can do ... good luck

Oh my you need a 2nd opinion.... My spouse cant take the namenda and excelon he gets worse and so sick... there is something in the two that has an effect on his diabetes and it produces a negitive result. Thank God his doctor said get rid of it we will work on other things.. there is a new study out of cambrige that said high doses of folic acid b6 b12 is proving more effective in slowing down the progression...I do plan to take that study in to the doctor and ask if thats something we can do ... good luck

I would definitely Try to go to the appts with you husband. It sounds like he is forgetting alot and you need to know what is going on. Something is wrong if your doctor is not expecting him in his office. If you have vacation days you can try to set up 2 or 3 doctors appointments every 2 weeks on the same day. That way you can go and you are not taking too much time off of work. During my last 3 years of work I did not take vacations. What I did was use the vacation 1 day at a time for appointments. You might have to do that too. That will help you work and still look after your husband. Also there are different scales for dementia and you need to know which one your gp is using. Sometimes there are 3 and sometimes there are 6 or 7 so it really depends.

I would definitely Try to go to the appts with you husband. It sounds like he is forgetting alot and you need to know what is going on. Something is wrong if your doctor is not expecting him in his office. If you have vacation days you can try to set up 2 or 3 doctors appointments every 2 weeks on the same day. That way you can go and you are not taking too much time off of work. During my last 3 years of work I did not take vacations. What I did was use the vacation 1 day at a time for appointments. You might have to do that too. That will help you work and still look after your husband. Also there are different scales for dementia and you need to know which one your gp is using. Sometimes there are 3 and sometimes there are 6 or 7 so it really depends.

Oh i am so glad to hear someone else say they couldn't take the meds together. I feel guilty that i should be forcing him to take the meds. the doctor told me it was my responsiblity. I just cant see him sick and sleeping all day. The poor guy was crying one day saying he just didn't want to take them. They give him really high anxiety. My husband is a man in every aspect and for him to cry and get confused was almost too much. I am going to see the neurologist (my daughter has been going with him to those appointments). we are in the family doctors office every month, sometimes two or three times. He also gets B12 shots monthly. Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to write to me, this is very difficult in every aspect. My husbands family doesn't believe he has dementia, so they don't understand when i tell them we are not driving 2 hours to see everybody. We are both exhausted at this point. But again thank you, i need this type of encouragement.

Oh i am so glad to hear someone else say they couldn't take the meds together. I feel guilty that i should be forcing him to take the meds. the doctor told me it was my responsiblity. I just cant see him sick and sleeping all day. The poor guy was crying one day saying he just didn't want to take them. They give him really high anxiety. My husband is a man in every aspect and for him to cry and get confused was almost too much. I am going to see the neurologist (my daughter has been going with him to those appointments). we are in the family doctors office every month, sometimes two or three times. He also gets B12 shots monthly. Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to write to me, this is very difficult in every aspect. My husbands family doesn't believe he has dementia, so they don't understand when i tell them we are not driving 2 hours to see everybody. We are both exhausted at this point. But again thank you, i need this type of encouragement.

I have a feeling your relatives dont know what dementia is. At 54 he is pretty young for this and I would think that they would be worried too because early onset alzheimers runs in families. Maybe they are frightened that they may have it. In my family the people that dont live with us dont realize how difficult it is and your husband is probably at his best when they see him. My dad would be very quiet when he visited people because he did not want them to know how confused he was.

I have a feeling your relatives dont know what dementia is. At 54 he is pretty young for this and I would think that they would be worried too because early onset alzheimers runs in families. Maybe they are frightened that they may have it. In my family the people that dont live with us dont realize how difficult it is and your husband is probably at his best when they see him. My dad would be very quiet when he visited people because he did not want them to know how confused he was.

Your right, he seems to be on his best behavior when hes with his family. We camped this summer for 10 days with his sisters and one sister didn't notice anything wrong, the other sister said well i did notice he has some memory issues, but i don't think he's that bad. My brother in law however said wow i can't believe Mike has lost so much memory and he is much worse than the last time i seen him. His mom told people that she didn't believe her son has dementia, that she thinks he takes too much medication and therefore forgets things.

Your right, he seems to be on his best behavior when hes with his family. We camped this summer for 10 days with his sisters and one sister didn't notice anything wrong, the other sister said well i did notice he has some memory issues, but i don't think he's that bad. My brother in law however said wow i can't believe Mike has lost so much memory and he is much worse than the last time i seen him. His mom told people that she didn't believe her son has dementia, that she thinks he takes too much medication and therefore forgets things.

It has to be hard. . . admitting my Dad really had a problem that I could no longer attribute to meds, proper diet, etc and even wondering "does Dad have a problem w/ alcohol???" was so tough. I work in the medical field, I truly believe I wanted it to be anything but Alzheimer's...it least the other things I still felt like their was something we could do or try to make things better.

Quilt Gran

It has to be hard. . . admitting my Dad really had a problem that I could no longer attribute to meds, proper diet, etc and even wondering "does Dad have a problem w/ alcohol???" was so tough. I work in the medical field, I truly believe I wanted it to be anything but Alzheimer's...it least the other things I still felt like their was something we could do or try to make things better.

Quilt Gran

Laurie,

I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma. I have not personally got this; however as a medical professional, I see it way more than I want to. You are in a really tough spot. . you need to be w/ your loved one but need financial income and most importantly insurance coverage. Do you have a loved one or trusted person to help you with getting info for these tough decisions???

Hang in there. . thinking of you.

Laurie,

I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma. I have not personally got this; however as a medical professional, I see it way more than I want to. You are in a really tough spot. . you need to be w/ your loved one but need financial income and most importantly insurance coverage. Do you have a loved one or trusted person to help you with getting info for these tough decisions???

Hang in there. . thinking of you.

how old is your husband?/ does he have insurance and retirement benefits from a previous job?

how old is your husband?/ does he have insurance and retirement benefits from a previous job?

Thank You for your wonderful words of wisdom!!!! You are so right. . . today is today; and tommorrow I don't know. I have to make the decision now that I can look in the mirror in the morning and say " with what I know right now; I am doing the best that I can." I say "this is my loved one, I will do whatever I need to to make them feel loved, secured, and cared for" you are right, I do not know how long this will be. . . one day, one week, one mth, one year. . . I lost a son tragically to a car accident; what I wouldn't give to just have one more day with him!!!!!! I vowed I would never feel like this again for my parents and in-laws if there was anything I could do.

Have a gd day. Quilt Gran

Thank You for your wonderful words of wisdom!!!! You are so right. . . today is today; and tommorrow I don't know. I have to make the decision now that I can look in the mirror in the morning and say " with what I know right now; I am doing the best that I can." I say "this is my loved one, I will do whatever I need to to make them feel loved, secured, and cared for" you are right, I do not know how long this will be. . . one day, one week, one mth, one year. . . I lost a son tragically to a car accident; what I wouldn't give to just have one more day with him!!!!!! I vowed I would never feel like this again for my parents and in-laws if there was anything I could do.

Have a gd day. Quilt Gran

He is getting disability from a back injury from 10 years ago. He does have a pension plan which kicks in at 55, he is 54 right now. For some reason though his medicare part A doesn't work, i think its set up only to pay for back injury problems. My blue cross takes care of most of his bills. The rest we pay out of pocket. I really have to work to keep all this medical stuff paid. Yesterday alone i had 3 differnt companies call for copay money....Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts they are very much appreciated. Its comforting to know that im not alone.

He is getting disability from a back injury from 10 years ago. He does have a pension plan which kicks in at 55, he is 54 right now. For some reason though his medicare part A doesn't work, i think its set up only to pay for back injury problems. My blue cross takes care of most of his bills. The rest we pay out of pocket. I really have to work to keep all this medical stuff paid. Yesterday alone i had 3 differnt companies call for copay money....Thanks again for all the prayers and thoughts they are very much appreciated. Its comforting to know that im not alone.

Frazzled,

again great advice to all of us. I know sometimes, I feel so overwhelmed, I do not know where to turn for help next.

Frazzled,

again great advice to all of us. I know sometimes, I feel so overwhelmed, I do not know where to turn for help next.

Get your husband a New MD!!!! There are plenty of good ones out there, you don't need to go to be put down. . . I can totally agree w/ your husband and you...what do I want to take high doses to just be sick and feel miserable all the time. . that is no quality of life either. Hang in there.

Get your husband a New MD!!!! There are plenty of good ones out there, you don't need to go to be put down. . . I can totally agree w/ your husband and you...what do I want to take high doses to just be sick and feel miserable all the time. . that is no quality of life either. Hang in there.

ldecker64,

I would like to suggest reading "the 36 hour day" a book on Alzheimer's disease There are times when it will be a very tough read, there were times I just bawled like a baby, I did not want to know anymore of what was going to happen ahead, iot was discouraging. I even skipped chapters, I couldn't read in order, it was more helpful for me to just read what I was doing in the moment.

I have since read the entire book 3 times, I still have the copy, almost like a daily Bible, to be there when I need it.

It was tough w/ Dad; easier when it came to both of my in-laws and then my dearly loved Grandmother.

I even found pieces of it helpful with dealing w/ family members and cancer. I myself have some great memory problems when doing chemo therapy. . . I was scared to death. .on no now I got Alzheimers too!!!!

Once I was done chemo for about 6 mths , the memory and all is back Thank God!!! how scary this has to be for our loved ones when things progress to worse and don't get better.

Quilt Gran

ldecker64,

I would like to suggest reading "the 36 hour day" a book on Alzheimer's disease There are times when it will be a very tough read, there were times I just bawled like a baby, I did not want to know anymore of what was going to happen ahead, iot was discouraging. I even skipped chapters, I couldn't read in order, it was more helpful for me to just read what I was doing in the moment.

I have since read the entire book 3 times, I still have the copy, almost like a daily Bible, to be there when I need it.

It was tough w/ Dad; easier when it came to both of my in-laws and then my dearly loved Grandmother.

I even found pieces of it helpful with dealing w/ family members and cancer. I myself have some great memory problems when doing chemo therapy. . . I was scared to death. .on no now I got Alzheimers too!!!!

Once I was done chemo for about 6 mths , the memory and all is back Thank God!!! how scary this has to be for our loved ones when things progress to worse and don't get better.

Quilt Gran

hey girl my spouse had a stroke at 60 and the damage left him with vasculal dementia so oh yea when they go from their former selves to this reality family will in fact close their eyes and think that his drugs drink not just the condition of alz or dementia..... M8ne hides his condition well and when he can't hide it he finds a reason to be mad and demands to go home so the fam just thinks he's nutty not sick .. I so get it my friend ....hugs to you

hey girl my spouse had a stroke at 60 and the damage left him with vasculal dementia so oh yea when they go from their former selves to this reality family will in fact close their eyes and think that his drugs drink not just the condition of alz or dementia..... M8ne hides his condition well and when he can't hide it he finds a reason to be mad and demands to go home so the fam just thinks he's nutty not sick .. I so get it my friend ....hugs to you

Another problem is people are forever bringing thing up that happened 20 years ago when they try to test my fathers memery. My dad can remember his uncle who died in 53 but cant remember if he put pants on that morning or the name of his children. How often do you really say peoples names unless you are talking about them or calling them?

Another problem is people are forever bringing thing up that happened 20 years ago when they try to test my fathers memery. My dad can remember his uncle who died in 53 but cant remember if he put pants on that morning or the name of his children. How often do you really say peoples names unless you are talking about them or calling them?

I can't offer anything practical but say I am grateful to be part of this group and whatever it takes, with some reasonable planning (maybe from an outside source, social agency, eldercare lawyer) you can enjoy your life with your husband and travel. He is right to grab the bull by the horns while he can. My mother is 88 with dementia and she is not able to do anything for any length of time. God bless you and may he carry you both in the palm of his hand.

I can't offer anything practical but say I am grateful to be part of this group and whatever it takes, with some reasonable planning (maybe from an outside source, social agency, eldercare lawyer) you can enjoy your life with your husband and travel. He is right to grab the bull by the horns while he can. My mother is 88 with dementia and she is not able to do anything for any length of time. God bless you and may he carry you both in the palm of his hand.

oh gosh i do know what you mean my friend.... it will not get any better with all the denial and soon friends/family will stop calling because they don't know what to say .. i dont blame them but i do not think its right of them. you do end up in the fight almost alone...sorry to say that but it is true. t is hard to explain it to anyone and when you say i spend days trying to find things he "put up" or get him to get dressed or not be angry a me because he cant remembe how to turn his tv ... i with you girl and try hard understand the fam and friends..because boy i just want to scream at them wake up and smell the coffee but ya cant . I read the BBC report from oxford and research is showing mega does of vit b6 b12 folic acid is showing progress in stopping the shrinkage of the brain that pushs them into AZ... I plan to talk to my doc because it has to be given in strength thats not over the counter. I know itws a straw in the wind but maybe worth talking about what counld it hurt huh nand if this is new for your guy maybe it can help who knows.... I dont trust reasearh at all but natural cures are always the best i think

oh gosh i do know what you mean my friend.... it will not get any better with all the denial and soon friends/family will stop calling because they don't know what to say .. i dont blame them but i do not think its right of them. you do end up in the fight almost alone...sorry to say that but it is true. t is hard to explain it to anyone and when you say i spend days trying to find things he "put up" or get him to get dressed or not be angry a me because he cant remembe how to turn his tv ... i with you girl and try hard understand the fam and friends..because boy i just want to scream at them wake up and smell the coffee but ya cant . I read the BBC report from oxford and research is showing mega does of vit b6 b12 folic acid is showing progress in stopping the shrinkage of the brain that pushs them into AZ... I plan to talk to my doc because it has to be given in strength thats not over the counter. I know itws a straw in the wind but maybe worth talking about what counld it hurt huh nand if this is new for your guy maybe it can help who knows.... I dont trust reasearh at all but natural cures are always the best i think

I totally understand where you are coming from. My husband, 56 years young, started with the same symptoms a couple of years ago. We went to several doctors and finally had a psych/neuro exam done. It was at that readout that they first used a diagnosis of 'Lewy Body Desease' (LBO). His symptoms are great confusion along with parkinson's like symptoms as well. It is so sad and so very hard to watch this man who was so independent to be unable to find the milk cuz he can't find the fridge. He is under the care of a neurologist and psychiatrist and on more meds than I can mention here. He continues to get worse, and I fear what the future holds for us as a family unit. Just know that you are not alone...

I totally understand where you are coming from. My husband, 56 years young, started with the same symptoms a couple of years ago. We went to several doctors and finally had a psych/neuro exam done. It was at that readout that they first used a diagnosis of 'Lewy Body Desease' (LBO). His symptoms are great confusion along with parkinson's like symptoms as well. It is so sad and so very hard to watch this man who was so independent to be unable to find the milk cuz he can't find the fridge. He is under the care of a neurologist and psychiatrist and on more meds than I can mention here. He continues to get worse, and I fear what the future holds for us as a family unit. Just know that you are not alone...

Reading all of this is so frightening to me. My husband, age 60 is having memory issues and issues with numbers and shapes. We have seen a Neurologist and she referred him for neuro-psych testing. We are currently waiting for the insurance to approve the testing. Every doctor we see has a different "Oh don't worry so much" opinion. I want to scream, I know what i see, I see the changes that are happening way too quickly, and I am terrified with the unknown. We have run our own business for 35 years and I wonder how we will continue. How do you all keep you sanity while you are in this process? I feel so bad so many of you are dealing with this, I am so frightened.

Reading all of this is so frightening to me. My husband, age 60 is having memory issues and issues with numbers and shapes. We have seen a Neurologist and she referred him for neuro-psych testing. We are currently waiting for the insurance to approve the testing. Every doctor we see has a different "Oh don't worry so much" opinion. I want to scream, I know what i see, I see the changes that are happening way too quickly, and I am terrified with the unknown. We have run our own business for 35 years and I wonder how we will continue. How do you all keep you sanity while you are in this process? I feel so bad so many of you are dealing with this, I am so frightened.

I had trouble getting my dad's gp to provide the referal to the neurologist until I kept a log of every weird thing he did. The doctor thought I was making too much of a fewwwww problems. When it was in black and white and he saw the volume of problems he realized that it was bad. By the way ycnan -- who says we have kept our sanity. Based on many of these postings we are all a little off in some one. I think that it is our way of coping with an unbearable situation. You have to be off to survive and that is what we are doing--surviving. We also use this site alot to vent and cry and to scream for help. We get it here because everyone basically knows what we are going through. It is all very well to read about it but it is something else to be going through it. My sister reads alot so she tells me she knows what I am going through-- not. She is not here in the trenches like we are.

I had trouble getting my dad's gp to provide the referal to the neurologist until I kept a log of every weird thing he did. The doctor thought I was making too much of a fewwwww problems. When it was in black and white and he saw the volume of problems he realized that it was bad. By the way ycnan -- who says we have kept our sanity. Based on many of these postings we are all a little off in some one. I think that it is our way of coping with an unbearable situation. You have to be off to survive and that is what we are doing--surviving. We also use this site alot to vent and cry and to scream for help. We get it here because everyone basically knows what we are going through. It is all very well to read about it but it is something else to be going through it. My sister reads alot so she tells me she knows what I am going through-- not. She is not here in the trenches like we are.

Every day, we seem to be more isolated. Friends were there for us when he first got his diagnosis... but slowly have pulled away because they just don't know what to say. Thank goodness I have two best girlfriends that I can talk, cry, and vent to. I also see a psyciatrist in the same group as my husband; they know from the charts what I am going through and it seems to help them help me. I would recommend you get under some care as well. I was ready to jump off the deep end last year, but seeing someone and some minor medication has gone a long way to help me cope with the horrible deck of cards we have been dealt. And no, no one knows what we are going thru... My philosophy: one day at a time, and the glass is half full. And keep being an advocate for your loved one, cuz no one else will!!

Every day, we seem to be more isolated. Friends were there for us when he first got his diagnosis... but slowly have pulled away because they just don't know what to say. Thank goodness I have two best girlfriends that I can talk, cry, and vent to. I also see a psyciatrist in the same group as my husband; they know from the charts what I am going through and it seems to help them help me. I would recommend you get under some care as well. I was ready to jump off the deep end last year, but seeing someone and some minor medication has gone a long way to help me cope with the horrible deck of cards we have been dealt. And no, no one knows what we are going thru... My philosophy: one day at a time, and the glass is half full. And keep being an advocate for your loved one, cuz no one else will!!

I would definitely get him off the Tramadol. It is a very powerful drug which could be affecting his memory. He cannot stop abruptly or he will go through withdrawal symptoms. If he has been having any alcohol along with the Tramadol, it could be the explaination for what is happening.

I would definitely get him off the Tramadol. It is a very powerful drug which could be affecting his memory. He cannot stop abruptly or he will go through withdrawal symptoms. If he has been having any alcohol along with the Tramadol, it could be the explaination for what is happening.

Hello, your situation sounds very familiar. Let me ask you this... is your husband a veteran? Did he serve in Vietnam? has he been exposed to "any" chemicals in his line of work? My husband suffers from the very same thing and it was caused from agent orange. he's 63 now but his memory problems started when he was 54. If he's a veteran (or not) check out watchdog.org.
I feel I can relate to you with this problem and please respond back. thanks, sue

Hello, your situation sounds very familiar. Let me ask you this... is your husband a veteran? Did he serve in Vietnam? has he been exposed to "any" chemicals in his line of work? My husband suffers from the very same thing and it was caused from agent orange. he's 63 now but his memory problems started when he was 54. If he's a veteran (or not) check out watchdog.org.
I feel I can relate to you with this problem and please respond back. thanks, sue

our days are sooooo long and so hard and we run in circles trying to find things to do to help this when the answer is...not enough research.. our note books of what happen that day go on read by the busy docs and an assumption is made that the text book symptions ally to everyone....NOT my mind, like yours is overwhelmed with the daily changes in his condition but one thing i know it seems all of these med's is indeed effecting memory and cognition and trust me heart, diabeates nuropothy mixed with the dementia meds has to effect my spouse.... my next step is a homeopathic doc.. i am so tired of these experts that just want to drug him and tell me thats just the way it is and its gonna get worse im not ready to give up yet .. Yes we must plan for the "worse" and we must keep giving the meds but we dang sure can keep searching for other things

our days are sooooo long and so hard and we run in circles trying to find things to do to help this when the answer is...not enough research.. our note books of what happen that day go on read by the busy docs and an assumption is made that the text book symptions ally to everyone....NOT my mind, like yours is overwhelmed with the daily changes in his condition but one thing i know it seems all of these med's is indeed effecting memory and cognition and trust me heart, diabeates nuropothy mixed with the dementia meds has to effect my spouse.... my next step is a homeopathic doc.. i am so tired of these experts that just want to drug him and tell me thats just the way it is and its gonna get worse im not ready to give up yet .. Yes we must plan for the "worse" and we must keep giving the meds but we dang sure can keep searching for other things

No, he is not a vet. All of his testing shows he is a very healthy 60 year old man.....that is except for the memory and cognitive issues. I just fear we will either NOT get the approval for the testing OR the tests won't show anything, and I will be left with no answers and a business partner who is forgetful, needs constant reminders and supervision and me doing the heavy lifting in terms of the business. Not that answers will change anything, but I feel like I see things and then doubt myself and wonder if I am imagining things, even though I know I am not. Thanks for listening.

No, he is not a vet. All of his testing shows he is a very healthy 60 year old man.....that is except for the memory and cognitive issues. I just fear we will either NOT get the approval for the testing OR the tests won't show anything, and I will be left with no answers and a business partner who is forgetful, needs constant reminders and supervision and me doing the heavy lifting in terms of the business. Not that answers will change anything, but I feel like I see things and then doubt myself and wonder if I am imagining things, even though I know I am not. Thanks for listening.

Ycana, we have went thru years of testing for my husband and still nothing has been determined. I was told that they cannot tell from the very first Scans whether a person has dementia. I did all this thru a regular medical doctor. I have since switched him to a neurologist. I want answers and the neurologist said my husband doesn't have to take the medication excelon and namenda if it makes him sick. We are waiting now for the 2nd set of brain scans. This should tell how much change between the first scan and the second scan. I think this is how they determine the dementia. Im still waiting on answers myself. Its kind of frustrating because we spend thousands of dollars on medication, MRI's, Scan's, doctor's visits, sleep disorders etc, and now finally the doctors are saying that what my husband has is consistant with dementia patients. My husband first started doing things backwards. He was laying tile and couldn't cut the square to fit against the wall because he kept doing it backwards. I would talk to him and he would acknowledge me, but i knew he wasn't comprehending what i was saying. I would ask him what are you thinking about and he would say nothing. It was like he was always preoccupied. Is this whats going on with your husband?

Ycana, we have went thru years of testing for my husband and still nothing has been determined. I was told that they cannot tell from the very first Scans whether a person has dementia. I did all this thru a regular medical doctor. I have since switched him to a neurologist. I want answers and the neurologist said my husband doesn't have to take the medication excelon and namenda if it makes him sick. We are waiting now for the 2nd set of brain scans. This should tell how much change between the first scan and the second scan. I think this is how they determine the dementia. Im still waiting on answers myself. Its kind of frustrating because we spend thousands of dollars on medication, MRI's, Scan's, doctor's visits, sleep disorders etc, and now finally the doctors are saying that what my husband has is consistant with dementia patients. My husband first started doing things backwards. He was laying tile and couldn't cut the square to fit against the wall because he kept doing it backwards. I would talk to him and he would acknowledge me, but i knew he wasn't comprehending what i was saying. I would ask him what are you thinking about and he would say nothing. It was like he was always preoccupied. Is this whats going on with your husband?

My husband is now 56, he was diagnosed with younger onset alzheimers at age 54. He was not able to take aricept or namenda because they made him sick. We tried the exalon patch, and he got hives. He is on a mild razadine (sp?), but not on the full strength. I have a daughter that just started college, and so I to am concerned with finances. If you can get a official diagnosis of alzheimers, you should be able to get disability for him. We went to a specialist at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to get an official reading of his MRI. They were very helpful.
I recently took time off under the family leave act to find a caregiver for the days while I am at work. I also just finished Jan,s Story, by Barry Peterson, great book about caregiving for early onset.
I have an attorney that is helping with some of the legal aspects. My mother has demintia also, so I just went through this for her about 4 years ago.

My husband is now 56, he was diagnosed with younger onset alzheimers at age 54. He was not able to take aricept or namenda because they made him sick. We tried the exalon patch, and he got hives. He is on a mild razadine (sp?), but not on the full strength. I have a daughter that just started college, and so I to am concerned with finances. If you can get a official diagnosis of alzheimers, you should be able to get disability for him. We went to a specialist at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore to get an official reading of his MRI. They were very helpful.
I recently took time off under the family leave act to find a caregiver for the days while I am at work. I also just finished Jan,s Story, by Barry Peterson, great book about caregiving for early onset.
I have an attorney that is helping with some of the legal aspects. My mother has demintia also, so I just went through this for her about 4 years ago.

LeahB, awe its just a shame that our guys are so young and going thru this. Some days its just hard to believe that my husband has this terrible problem. He just went off the medications 3 days ago. I am relieved and so is he. He hasn't been sick in 2 days and is full of energy. He's been pretty confused the last couple of days and when he talks to people on the phone, i just run because he calls people by the wrong name, wrong events etc. but im not correcting him anymore, its not worth the aggrevation. Praying for all of you and your loved ones.

LeahB, awe its just a shame that our guys are so young and going thru this. Some days its just hard to believe that my husband has this terrible problem. He just went off the medications 3 days ago. I am relieved and so is he. He hasn't been sick in 2 days and is full of energy. He's been pretty confused the last couple of days and when he talks to people on the phone, i just run because he calls people by the wrong name, wrong events etc. but im not correcting him anymore, its not worth the aggrevation. Praying for all of you and your loved ones.

I first noticed issues this past January, but I now realize there have been subtle changes for several years now. He has lots of trouble remembering things for our business, and uses all kinds of notes and reminders and is still confused. He cannot remember how to do certain things related to the business, we have lots of the same conversations over and over again and at times struggles with some really simple tasks. I try to remember just when he has issues related with the business, as that seems to get the dr.s attention more than me just talking about everyday things. ( It did not help that the first and so far only appt. with the Neurologist she actually said to me "Oh, my husband does not listen to me either". I almost got up and left right then, but when she asked his to do some of her tests, she could see there were issues.)At times he seems just fine, and then I begin to doubt myself and what I see. He has become very sensitive to his issues and tries to explain it all away and turns it on to me and my errors. It does not help that his PCP dr. thinks he is merely depressed and the neuro-psych dr. thinks it is attention deficit related. I do not buy either, as he is on anti-depressants and says he is feeling much better, and I have not seen any changes in his behavior or memory. I am trying hard not to get frustrated because I know there is a long hard road ahead if we are dealing with Alzheimer's.

I first noticed issues this past January, but I now realize there have been subtle changes for several years now. He has lots of trouble remembering things for our business, and uses all kinds of notes and reminders and is still confused. He cannot remember how to do certain things related to the business, we have lots of the same conversations over and over again and at times struggles with some really simple tasks. I try to remember just when he has issues related with the business, as that seems to get the dr.s attention more than me just talking about everyday things. ( It did not help that the first and so far only appt. with the Neurologist she actually said to me "Oh, my husband does not listen to me either". I almost got up and left right then, but when she asked his to do some of her tests, she could see there were issues.)At times he seems just fine, and then I begin to doubt myself and what I see. He has become very sensitive to his issues and tries to explain it all away and turns it on to me and my errors. It does not help that his PCP dr. thinks he is merely depressed and the neuro-psych dr. thinks it is attention deficit related. I do not buy either, as he is on anti-depressants and says he is feeling much better, and I have not seen any changes in his behavior or memory. I am trying hard not to get frustrated because I know there is a long hard road ahead if we are dealing with Alzheimer's.

Sounds like what i am going thru except after the intial couple of years of getting defensive, they start to shut down. My husband denied it up until a year or so ago. He was very sensitive,i think the difference today with the defensivness and not being so defensive, is my reaction to everything. I stopped correcting him. I just let him go now because after everything is all said and done, he's not upset with anything its me thats still upset. Its almost like i need the antidepressant. Another thing is my husband gets mean now, but my daughter who is an adult therapist said dad doesn't need antidepressants he needs a mood stablizer. He's on seriquil. My husband isn't depressed because in his mind he doesn't care, i think thats part of their shut down process.

Sounds like what i am going thru except after the intial couple of years of getting defensive, they start to shut down. My husband denied it up until a year or so ago. He was very sensitive,i think the difference today with the defensivness and not being so defensive, is my reaction to everything. I stopped correcting him. I just let him go now because after everything is all said and done, he's not upset with anything its me thats still upset. Its almost like i need the antidepressant. Another thing is my husband gets mean now, but my daughter who is an adult therapist said dad doesn't need antidepressants he needs a mood stablizer. He's on seriquil. My husband isn't depressed because in his mind he doesn't care, i think thats part of their shut down process.

Seven years ago my husband started getting angry and being mean to me. I told his doctor since he had colon cancer and I was afraid it had gone to his brain. They laughed. He ripped up a Father's Day card and told me it was insulting. I said it was a Hallmark. My doctor said I needed counseling and why did I stay with him? I knew it was something wrong. I was going crazy and he was mean. Finally, two years ago I found out his younger sister had AZ but didn't want anyone to know! Thanks a lot! He was put on Aricept and I noticed an improvement. That was two years ago. Today asks me how long have I worked here and have I seen Mom (passed 6 years ago). He has asked how to turn the tv off and what our dogs names are. This morning took his keys out of his pocket and told me he found them and were they mine? He asked if we have eaten yet (20 min. prior), several years ago he told me he couldn't work the sprinklers. Everything that happened always took me by surprise. It still does. He helped me plant flowers today and dug a little hole and put plant, pot and all in it. He says he has a family somewhere and should call his wife. When I tell him I am his wife, he says he means the other one. We do have our laughs. After talking with our daughter on the phone, he asked me how did she and I become such good friends. Last week we were going to our grandson's birthday party and he told me his wife would probably be there, too. When I tell him about a friend or family member, he says we know a lot of the same people. This is after 38 years of marriage. Forget anniversaries. He always wants to know how come no one remembers his birthday (February). I don't know what stage we are in, but I don't know if any doctor does, either. I will take care of him as long as I can. Traveling is too confusing and makes him anxious. He will check the mail 4 times a day. Thank goodness we have a 400' driveway so I think it satifies the wandering. Don't give up the job or health insurance. Travel locally. We had planned to travel, we just have a different life now. This is our life now, day by day. It is good to know we are not alone.

Seven years ago my husband started getting angry and being mean to me. I told his doctor since he had colon cancer and I was afraid it had gone to his brain. They laughed. He ripped up a Father's Day card and told me it was insulting. I said it was a Hallmark. My doctor said I needed counseling and why did I stay with him? I knew it was something wrong. I was going crazy and he was mean. Finally, two years ago I found out his younger sister had AZ but didn't want anyone to know! Thanks a lot! He was put on Aricept and I noticed an improvement. That was two years ago. Today asks me how long have I worked here and have I seen Mom (passed 6 years ago). He has asked how to turn the tv off and what our dogs names are. This morning took his keys out of his pocket and told me he found them and were they mine? He asked if we have eaten yet (20 min. prior), several years ago he told me he couldn't work the sprinklers. Everything that happened always took me by surprise. It still does. He helped me plant flowers today and dug a little hole and put plant, pot and all in it. He says he has a family somewhere and should call his wife. When I tell him I am his wife, he says he means the other one. We do have our laughs. After talking with our daughter on the phone, he asked me how did she and I become such good friends. Last week we were going to our grandson's birthday party and he told me his wife would probably be there, too. When I tell him about a friend or family member, he says we know a lot of the same people. This is after 38 years of marriage. Forget anniversaries. He always wants to know how come no one remembers his birthday (February). I don't know what stage we are in, but I don't know if any doctor does, either. I will take care of him as long as I can. Traveling is too confusing and makes him anxious. He will check the mail 4 times a day. Thank goodness we have a 400' driveway so I think it satifies the wandering. Don't give up the job or health insurance. Travel locally. We had planned to travel, we just have a different life now. This is our life now, day by day. It is good to know we are not alone.

I know what you are going through, my wife was diagnosed about 4 months ago with Early onset Alzhemers. She is 57 and has lost alot of what she was able to do. She was very clever doing design work on the computer, a great cook and organiser. She still thinks that there is not much wrong but we have both been through some tough sessions of grieving. It really tears me up to see little bits of her slowly changing. She gets panic attacks, mood swings and is suspicious of many things. She is scared to let me out of her sight.

I don't work apart from a couple of days a month. Even this has repacutions and I am made to feal like I am getting a treat, and made to feal guilty. Financially its a disaster, we are isolated as we get little help from family or friends but I still love my Dee as much as I have always done. People on this site have been very good. All I can says is it helps if you dont look to far ahead, plan the things that you have to, but make the best of each and every day. Even when a really good day ends up turning into a bad one. Me I am scared for the future to, but it is all we have so I am committed to making tthe most of it.

I know what you are going through, my wife was diagnosed about 4 months ago with Early onset Alzhemers. She is 57 and has lost alot of what she was able to do. She was very clever doing design work on the computer, a great cook and organiser. She still thinks that there is not much wrong but we have both been through some tough sessions of grieving. It really tears me up to see little bits of her slowly changing. She gets panic attacks, mood swings and is suspicious of many things. She is scared to let me out of her sight.

I don't work apart from a couple of days a month. Even this has repacutions and I am made to feal like I am getting a treat, and made to feal guilty. Financially its a disaster, we are isolated as we get little help from family or friends but I still love my Dee as much as I have always done. People on this site have been very good. All I can says is it helps if you dont look to far ahead, plan the things that you have to, but make the best of each and every day. Even when a really good day ends up turning into a bad one. Me I am scared for the future to, but it is all we have so I am committed to making tthe most of it.

Oh forgetmenot i so know what you mean. its for sure hard to accept and harder to ge through each day...my spouse had a stroke and woke up with out any short term memory and confusion, he has vascular dementia but before the stroke he had turned mean demanding and angry that i now know was the result of tiny strokes . Tears flow friends fall away because they dont know what to say, family with draws , they cant deal with it.. so yes isolation is part of this progression. I would look at the UK reports on treating early on set with high doses of folic acid b6 b12 they seem to be having good sucess with this . Do not stop traveling with her , yes its hard , and yes she may go thru confusion but keep her in the world as long as you can manage it. My spouse has no filter so i travel with a card that says please understand and forgive him he has dementia/ALZ and means no harm. He will yell at a clerk in a store and i step around and hand them the card.. the response has been very positive..they smile and i change the subject. On planes I tell the flight attendant in our section and they take really good care of him. I take him on disney cruises because they are so kid friendly and are so used to dealing with kids, and lets face it they are becoming kids again. I work but have cut down to 3 days a week and thats reallyt hard, he thinks i'm gone forever. The dog is such a help he loves to talk to him and they are best friends. YYou might think about a dog if you dont have one to keep her busy when you are not home. God bless you my friend and try to see the light every day.

Oh forgetmenot i so know what you mean. its for sure hard to accept and harder to ge through each day...my spouse had a stroke and woke up with out any short term memory and confusion, he has vascular dementia but before the stroke he had turned mean demanding and angry that i now know was the result of tiny strokes . Tears flow friends fall away because they dont know what to say, family with draws , they cant deal with it.. so yes isolation is part of this progression. I would look at the UK reports on treating early on set with high doses of folic acid b6 b12 they seem to be having good sucess with this . Do not stop traveling with her , yes its hard , and yes she may go thru confusion but keep her in the world as long as you can manage it. My spouse has no filter so i travel with a card that says please understand and forgive him he has dementia/ALZ and means no harm. He will yell at a clerk in a store and i step around and hand them the card.. the response has been very positive..they smile and i change the subject. On planes I tell the flight attendant in our section and they take really good care of him. I take him on disney cruises because they are so kid friendly and are so used to dealing with kids, and lets face it they are becoming kids again. I work but have cut down to 3 days a week and thats reallyt hard, he thinks i'm gone forever. The dog is such a help he loves to talk to him and they are best friends. YYou might think about a dog if you dont have one to keep her busy when you are not home. God bless you my friend and try to see the light every day.

I just read something in my German information paper about research in the USA and I am all excited..

The University of South Fl , my Alma Mater, has just found some exciting information about a protein, called Microliacells that
seem to attack the plaque in the brain that can lead to AD. . and so to speak eat it up or kill it.

There is a machine translation of the report, which I received in German...below the ------------ line..I would call the University of Fl to see what exactly they found and get in on the research...if I lived in Fl still.

But it does sound a bit exciting. This protein GM -CSF is already available in a form of medicine that is now used for people suffering from Cancer...so it is available and the researchers are wanting to try it this year, (2010?? or early next year, not sure) on Alzheimer's patients. Oh, I pray that this is something that can help our loved ones, and that it is very quickly available.....especially for you younger folks in the early stages.

Scientists at the University of South Florida have found that rheumatoid arthritis patients have a reduced risk of Alzheimer's with. The reason for this is a cycle occurring in their blood protein.It seems that the ]Mi This protein is called "GM-CSF" and is in the body as a result of the inflammatory process in the joints are released. It called to speak the body's "garbage" on the plan, ie, special cells, the microglia are called to be active through this form of inflammation and plaques in the brain to the access, Alzheimer's disease can lead to one.

The good news is that the protein GM-CSF exists in at a cancer drug has proven form. Thus, the researchers this year attempts to Alzheimer's patients still lead. They hope that the performance of the brains of Alzheimer's patients can be improved by protein transfer.

I just read something in my German information paper about research in the USA and I am all excited..

The University of South Fl , my Alma Mater, has just found some exciting information about a protein, called Microliacells that
seem to attack the plaque in the brain that can lead to AD. . and so to speak eat it up or kill it.

There is a machine translation of the report, which I received in German...below the ------------ line..I would call the University of Fl to see what exactly they found and get in on the research...if I lived in Fl still.

But it does sound a bit exciting. This protein GM -CSF is already available in a form of medicine that is now used for people suffering from Cancer...so it is available and the researchers are wanting to try it this year, (2010?? or early next year, not sure) on Alzheimer's patients. Oh, I pray that this is something that can help our loved ones, and that it is very quickly available.....especially for you younger folks in the early stages.

Scientists at the University of South Florida have found that rheumatoid arthritis patients have a reduced risk of Alzheimer's with. The reason for this is a cycle occurring in their blood protein.It seems that the ]Mi This protein is called "GM-CSF" and is in the body as a result of the inflammatory process in the joints are released. It called to speak the body's "garbage" on the plan, ie, special cells, the microglia are called to be active through this form of inflammation and plaques in the brain to the access, Alzheimer's disease can lead to one.

The good news is that the protein GM-CSF exists in at a cancer drug has proven form. Thus, the researchers this year attempts to Alzheimer's patients still lead. They hope that the performance of the brains of Alzheimer's patients can be improved by protein transfer.

Wow that sounds really interesting i will have to ask around about that. Thank you for finding that. It would be nice to find something that could help slow down or maybe even cure.....Take care Laurie

Wow that sounds really interesting i will have to ask around about that. Thank you for finding that. It would be nice to find something that could help slow down or maybe even cure.....Take care Laurie

Dear Laurie,

Keep in touch with your brother in law, people who notice what is really happening are rare. There is so much 'denial' out there. Or more likely, self centered people. And when things gets worse, you'll need someone you can confide in, whether you're the best of friends or not, at least he noticed.

When my father's alzheimers got really bad, he could fake it around my sisters, and they didn't believe me, but I was there 24/7 and they were only there one day a month, made a mockery of my nursing skills and observations, even when the doctors were the ones who diagnosed it. My dad had taken it as an insult, his intelligence, anyone's intelligence or college degrees are more impressive to him than anything else in the world.

I knew that and tried to minimize his effects and educate him about the stages and the medications that help decrease the progress of the disease, but my sisters listened to his cruel ramblings about me and swoop in, had him get rid of me, took over his will, began a hate 'me' campaign within our family which is now spreading to cousins and aunts and uncles. If you have one person that see's the truth, keep him updated on what is really going on, so if you're ever in a bad position, at least you'll have one person who understands reality.

I had no idea my family would become so fractured and even now, 3 years later, they aren't talking to me, one, I think dad said enough to hurt them that bad, or because once they realized what I'd been dealing with and the horrible hurt they put on me, they are too embarrassed to admit it now and just want to wait for everything to pass. I have no idea, but they have parties and say they invited me when I haven't heard from them in years, then tell everyone at the party that I just never come anymore, when I never even know about them.

I guess that's how they're proving themselves right and me wrong, who knows, but I had been caring for my mom for the last 10 years, had moved in when she had a stroke and three years later is when dad got so irritable and hateful, made up the worst stories about me, apparently I was stealing from them, gossipping, lying, never really helping, just having fun, (none of this is true by the way) but it's what they all chose to believe.

It doesn't matter to me anymore, when I read the bible, I see that these are just things that people do, all people, not that this particular situation is normal, but when I read scripture, it all makes sense, and I can only pray, I have nothing left, praying is all I can do. It is all in God's hands anyway, and I have found rest and peace in His words. I hope you can find a way to do the same. It's gonna be a long bumpy ride. God Bless you and you are in my prayers, always. Thanks for listening, I hope something helps, Cathy

Dear Laurie,

Keep in touch with your brother in law, people who notice what is really happening are rare. There is so much 'denial' out there. Or more likely, self centered people. And when things gets worse, you'll need someone you can confide in, whether you're the best of friends or not, at least he noticed.

When my father's alzheimers got really bad, he could fake it around my sisters, and they didn't believe me, but I was there 24/7 and they were only there one day a month, made a mockery of my nursing skills and observations, even when the doctors were the ones who diagnosed it. My dad had taken it as an insult, his intelligence, anyone's intelligence or college degrees are more impressive to him than anything else in the world.

I knew that and tried to minimize his effects and educate him about the stages and the medications that help decrease the progress of the disease, but my sisters listened to his cruel ramblings about me and swoop in, had him get rid of me, took over his will, began a hate 'me' campaign within our family which is now spreading to cousins and aunts and uncles. If you have one person that see's the truth, keep him updated on what is really going on, so if you're ever in a bad position, at least you'll have one person who understands reality.

I had no idea my family would become so fractured and even now, 3 years later, they aren't talking to me, one, I think dad said enough to hurt them that bad, or because once they realized what I'd been dealing with and the horrible hurt they put on me, they are too embarrassed to admit it now and just want to wait for everything to pass. I have no idea, but they have parties and say they invited me when I haven't heard from them in years, then tell everyone at the party that I just never come anymore, when I never even know about them.

I guess that's how they're proving themselves right and me wrong, who knows, but I had been caring for my mom for the last 10 years, had moved in when she had a stroke and three years later is when dad got so irritable and hateful, made up the worst stories about me, apparently I was stealing from them, gossipping, lying, never really helping, just having fun, (none of this is true by the way) but it's what they all chose to believe.

It doesn't matter to me anymore, when I read the bible, I see that these are just things that people do, all people, not that this particular situation is normal, but when I read scripture, it all makes sense, and I can only pray, I have nothing left, praying is all I can do. It is all in God's hands anyway, and I have found rest and peace in His words. I hope you can find a way to do the same. It's gonna be a long bumpy ride. God Bless you and you are in my prayers, always. Thanks for listening, I hope something helps, Cathy

Here are a few links for more info on that...re the protein that attacks the plaque in the brain... GM CSF .

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38956888/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901132144.htm http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=9434 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/health/research/02alzheimer.html

There are more if you do a Google search on the words: cancer drug protein alzheimer

I send thanks to Maryland Gal for the above info..

Here are a few links for more info on that...re the protein that attacks the plaque in the brain... GM CSF .

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38956888/ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/09/100901132144.htm http://insciences.org/article.php?article_id=9434 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/02/health/research/02alzheimer.html

There are more if you do a Google search on the words: cancer drug protein alzheimer

I send thanks to Maryland Gal for the above info..

Wow today is not a good day. I need some hugs or something. Its so frustrating that my husband is always in a bad mood. I can feel myself withdrawing from every situation that involves him and his mood swings, his denial and his losing things. How are others out there handling this. I am finding myself not wanting to help look for his missing items anymore. Is this wrong on my part? Help i really need some advice.

Wow today is not a good day. I need some hugs or something. Its so frustrating that my husband is always in a bad mood. I can feel myself withdrawing from every situation that involves him and his mood swings, his denial and his losing things. How are others out there handling this. I am finding myself not wanting to help look for his missing items anymore. Is this wrong on my part? Help i really need some advice.

Definite hugs going your way... my husband had his medications changed recently to help take the edge off the mood swings (diagnosed at age 56 with Lewy Body Disease 1 1/2 years ago). It is very frustrating for you but think about how frustrating it is for him, knowing that is he loosing things. My neurologist gave me this advise when I told her that he was loosing things: have him put things in one general location all the time, and then you put things where they need to be. If you leave it to him, things will get lost (and they have been!!). It's a little better now... he asks me where something is and generally I know cuz I put it there. Yes, it creates more stress for you, but it is something you need to start doing. The one thing that always triggers my husband's mood swings is the frustrating that he can't find something... take away the trigger (or minimize it), and hopefully the moods will stabilize.

Definite hugs going your way... my husband had his medications changed recently to help take the edge off the mood swings (diagnosed at age 56 with Lewy Body Disease 1 1/2 years ago). It is very frustrating for you but think about how frustrating it is for him, knowing that is he loosing things. My neurologist gave me this advise when I told her that he was loosing things: have him put things in one general location all the time, and then you put things where they need to be. If you leave it to him, things will get lost (and they have been!!). It's a little better now... he asks me where something is and generally I know cuz I put it there. Yes, it creates more stress for you, but it is something you need to start doing. The one thing that always triggers my husband's mood swings is the frustrating that he can't find something... take away the trigger (or minimize it), and hopefully the moods will stabilize.