I have Alzheimer's .

Prue

Registered User
Apr 29, 2022
11
0
I have just been told yesterday that I have quite advanced Alzheimer's after a lumber punch procedure at my local hospital. If I am lucky I could live another five to ten years... I am just 65 yrs old. I knew I have a problem ie confusion and forgetfulness but I am shocked by the early death diagnosis. I had asked to be assessed by the NHS memory clinic two year ago as my husband and I believed that something had changed and I had a memory problem, the memory clinic did a face to face question and answer type assessment and told us my memory was in a normal range, and there was nothing to worry about, memory naturally declines as you get older.
I was assessed ( a paper question and answer form and a short interview by two specialist nurses .After their assessment I was told I have a very slight cognitive impairment which was normal at my age.
Both me and my husband and eventually my GP believed it was more than that. My GP eventually referred me to the to hospital to see a specialist . He listened carefully to us and organised a urgent lumber punch ,which confirmed i did indeed have quite advanced Alzheimer's.
If I had been diagnosed earlier could they have slowed down the Alzheimer's in any way or would it have made no difference ?
I would be interested to year your responses, thank you.
 

Raest

Registered User
Jan 15, 2022
44
0
My husband was diagnosed at 56 in January this year and we were both in total shock. I am fairly new to learning about this disease but for me no one knows the speed of the progression which is one of the worst bits. I am sure someone will come along with a lot more knowledge than me but I didn’t want to read and not respond
 

Shedrech

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
12,649
0
UK
Hello @Prue
A warm welcome to DTP, though sorry for the reason that brought you here

There are meds (eg donepezil) that can help with some symptoms but nothing that 'slows down' so not having an earlier diagnosis has most probably not made any difference

Take some time for all this new information to settle .... and keep posting with anything that's on your mind as folk here understand and will offer useful suggestions and sympathy
 

DanielleMau

New member
Apr 29, 2022
1
0
My husband was diagnosed at 56 in January this year and we were both in total shock. I am fairly new to learning about this disease but for me no one knows the speed of the progression which is one of the worst bits. I am sure someone will come along with a lot more knowledge than me but I didn’t want to read and not respond
Raest, I'm sad too - OK please ensure you keep up fresh fruit & vegetables, lots of water & lemon juice. Lots of K2 & vitamin D - sun & capsules.