Hi Gromit,
This is my first post so I'm a newbie too, although have been reading this forum for a while now. My dad was diagnosed with dementia in January 2005, aged just 55. His symptoms were exactly like the ones you describe for your dad, he always used to be so active, always doing something around the house when he wasn't at work. However, he has been forced to retire and had his driving license revoked and now he does nothing but sit in front of the tv and bark orders at me and my mum.
He is in the early stages - he seems to be able to modify his behaviour in front of anyone who isn't a close family member so that they would struggle to find anything wrong with him. This is probably why we had so much trouble getting his doctor to take us seriously. However, after several meetings between the doctor and my mum, we were able to get the relevant scans etc and a diagnosis of dementia, although AD is not actually confirmed (possibly picks?).
What I'm trying to say is try your hardest to get him to a doctor. You need a diagnosis so that you can plan ahead. Hopefully it will be something curable, thyroid, blood disorder etc but you need to know.
Good luck with everything, I've been where you are now and fully understand the frustration and upset you must be going through. My dad has a stubborn Italian streak in him!!
K
x
This is my first post so I'm a newbie too, although have been reading this forum for a while now. My dad was diagnosed with dementia in January 2005, aged just 55. His symptoms were exactly like the ones you describe for your dad, he always used to be so active, always doing something around the house when he wasn't at work. However, he has been forced to retire and had his driving license revoked and now he does nothing but sit in front of the tv and bark orders at me and my mum.
He is in the early stages - he seems to be able to modify his behaviour in front of anyone who isn't a close family member so that they would struggle to find anything wrong with him. This is probably why we had so much trouble getting his doctor to take us seriously. However, after several meetings between the doctor and my mum, we were able to get the relevant scans etc and a diagnosis of dementia, although AD is not actually confirmed (possibly picks?).
What I'm trying to say is try your hardest to get him to a doctor. You need a diagnosis so that you can plan ahead. Hopefully it will be something curable, thyroid, blood disorder etc but you need to know.
Good luck with everything, I've been where you are now and fully understand the frustration and upset you must be going through. My dad has a stubborn Italian streak in him!!
K
x