Hi @Countryboy thank you for the information. Do you suffer with mobility at all? I feel my legs are getting quite bad & not sure if it’s related or how I go about finding out if it is? Thanks for your time 
Re: FTD Dementia and MND
- Thread starter Chebs
- Start date
Hi @Countryboy thank you for the information. Do you suffer with mobility at all? I feel my legs are getting quite bad & not sure if it’s related or how I go about finding out if it is? Thanks for your time
Hi PJ sorry your having mobility problems you referred to your legs not sure if its related to the FTD , I also have a problem at times with the right knee and leg also lower back but I don’t accioate any of this with my FTD I think its arthritis owing to 52 years working outside damp Cornish weather and my old age 76 so I just keep taking the Ibuprofen and visits to Chiropractor when necessary only not as often as would like at £35 per visit
Hi @PJ are you still in contact with the memory clinic or a neurologist?
Mobility problems are quite common with FTD - usually either Parkinsonism (not Parkinsons) or MND - but would need a specialist to make the diagnosis. My OH has symptoms of FTD and mobility problems and the neurologist ordered a DATscan to see if it was Parkinsonism.
Mobility problems are quite common with FTD - usually either Parkinsonism (not Parkinsons) or MND - but would need a specialist to make the diagnosis. My OH has symptoms of FTD and mobility problems and the neurologist ordered a DATscan to see if it was Parkinsonism.
Hi @canary thank you I will speak to the memory clinic & find out when Im next due to see the neurologist. I hope you’re OH gets some answers from the scan I’ve not heard of that one.
Hi @Countryboy I found the chiropractor really helped with back pain but agree costs a packet
Hi @Countryboy I found the chiropractor really helped with back pain but agree costs a packet
Very useful information there @Countryboy , thank you.
@PJ, it is always good to question the status quo anyway and good to hear that you have really good days. x
@PJ, it is always good to question the status quo anyway and good to hear that you have really good days. x
Have a look at this Site
AFTD is here to help
Don’t face an FTD journey alone. AFTD offers information, resources and ways to connect to others who understand.
If you have questions that it would be easier to discuss, please contact our HelpLine at 866-507-7222, or by email at info@theaftd.org. Find out more by subscribing to email updates. Both in-person and online support groups for people with FTD and their care partners, and a variety of resources and publications can also offer crucial help for every stage of the FTD journey.
What is FTD?
Short for frontotemporal degeneration, FTD is the most common form of dementia for people under age 60.
FTD represents a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. It is also frequently referred to as frontotemporal dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), or Pick’s disease.
How does FTD differ from Alzheimer’s disease?
Different symptoms. FTD brings a gradual, progressive decline in behavior, language or movement, with memory usually relatively preserved.
It typically strikes younger. Although age of onset ranges from 21 to 80, the majority of FTD cases occur between 45 and 64. Therefore, FTD has a substantially greater impact on work, family, and the economic burden faced by families than Alzheimer’s.
It is less common and still far less known. FTD’s estimated U.S. prevalence is around 60,000 cases (Knopman 2011, CurePSP), and many in the medical community remain unfamiliar with it. FTD is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s, depression, Parkinson’s disease, or a psychiatric condition. On average, it currently takes 3.6 years to get an accurate diagnosis.
How does FTD progress?The progression of symptoms – in behavior, language, and/or movement – varies by individual, but FTD brings an inevitable decline in functioning. The length of progression varies from 2 to over 20 years.
As the disease progresses, the person affected may experience increasing difficulty in planning or organizing activities; behaving appropriately in social or work settings, communicating with others, or relating to loved ones.
Over time, FTD predisposes an individual to physical complications such as pneumonia, infection, or injury from a fall. Average life expectancy is 7 to 13 years after the start of symptoms (Onyike and Diehl-Schmid, 2013). The most common cause of death is pneumonia.
Are there options for treatment?Today, there is no cure for FTD. Unfortunately, no current treatments slow or stop the progression of the disease. However, if you or a family member or loved one are affected, there are important steps that you can take to preserve and maximize quality of life. A growing number of interventions– not limited to medication – can help with managing FTD symptoms.
It is important for you and your care partner to identify a team of experts who can help with coordinating care and with the legal, financial and emotional challenges brought on by this disease.
