My husband was diagnosed mid May this year with 'early stage dementia - probable Az' He did not receive any correspondence from his consultant but managed to obtain a copy of the report from his GP during an appointment. I thought that written information would help, however, it has made no difference to his denial. He is pinning his future prospects on whether he will be able to continue driving. The consultant is taking an age to respond to DVLA, which my husband is using as 'proof' that there is no problem. He appears to have deteriorated in the last month- eg. walking to local shop and back for lottery and then within 1/2 hour saying 'we forgot the lottery tonight' then repeating the conversation 15 mins later. Today he insisted on painting the bathroom when I was out (having me time is rare - less than 1 once a month) when I came back the walls were painted but the ceiling clearly left untouched, albeit when he spoke to me on the phone, he insisted everything had one coat, I have also discovered that he is not administering his medication for BP and type 2 diabetes properly. There are many of the other more routine lapses, but these are three new ones this week.
He is not on any meds for it and, although I have suggested a GP appointment, he will not move forward and go. I have some understanding of how frightening it must all be...it is for me also, he has a personality type that naturally takes a parental approach, making the loss of control even more distressing. We seem to be going round and round in circles, with us both getting angry and resentful of each other - me of him because he wont look for support from GP/meds and I believe he feels like it because he sees me as confirming his memory lapses. Worse still is that he tells me that this whole situation is my fault (I went to the GP with my daughter to start the process, which came out in reports during our first meeting with the consultant) I believe I understand many of his thoughts and feelings but would welcome suggestions to break the evening daily cycle of anger, resentment and blame.
On another note I am curious about the stages but, having checked it out, cant decide where he fits - any any advice would be appreciated. I guess I am trying to make some kind of predictability...I have been a main carer since I was 24, now 50 and struggle with the not knowing.
I would also be interested to know what people's experiences are from diagnosis on as I think it sucks! I cant believe that a person with a diagnosis of dementia can walk in and out of a consultation with out anything to refer back to or an appointment with what comes next...he has an appointment with memory clinic during Oct - 5 months after diagnosis, which I arranged as there was nothing
He is not on any meds for it and, although I have suggested a GP appointment, he will not move forward and go. I have some understanding of how frightening it must all be...it is for me also, he has a personality type that naturally takes a parental approach, making the loss of control even more distressing. We seem to be going round and round in circles, with us both getting angry and resentful of each other - me of him because he wont look for support from GP/meds and I believe he feels like it because he sees me as confirming his memory lapses. Worse still is that he tells me that this whole situation is my fault (I went to the GP with my daughter to start the process, which came out in reports during our first meeting with the consultant) I believe I understand many of his thoughts and feelings but would welcome suggestions to break the evening daily cycle of anger, resentment and blame.
On another note I am curious about the stages but, having checked it out, cant decide where he fits - any any advice would be appreciated. I guess I am trying to make some kind of predictability...I have been a main carer since I was 24, now 50 and struggle with the not knowing.
I would also be interested to know what people's experiences are from diagnosis on as I think it sucks! I cant believe that a person with a diagnosis of dementia can walk in and out of a consultation with out anything to refer back to or an appointment with what comes next...he has an appointment with memory clinic during Oct - 5 months after diagnosis, which I arranged as there was nothing