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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Cancer / December 2006A Question for You All
Rob was diagnosed as being in the early stages of dementia by his neurologist at his check up this month. All I know about the illness is that it is terrifying. To be honest I don't even know how to research this one. Any experience with dementia and how to handle it? Rob is already acting a little strange, is more willing to argue, and throws hissy fits. How much worse is this going to get? Could use some advice here beyond what I've already done by telling the crew no weapons of human destruction will be allowed into the house. Pam S. already having to get rid of the sword collection > Rob was diagnosed as being in the early stages of dementia by his > neurologist at his check up this month. All I know about the illness is [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Pam S. already having to get rid of the sword collection Oh Pam, I'm so sorry to read your message and you have my heartfelt sympathy after all you've been through already. Hopefully someone will be able to offer some practical advice to help you through this next rollercoaster ride. Warm Hugs (and plenty more when you need them) Alayne > Oh Pam, I'm so sorry to read your message and you have my heartfelt > sympathy after all you've been through already. Hopefully someone will be > able to offer some practical advice to help you through this next > rollercoaster ride. > > Warm Hugs (and plenty more when you need them) Thanks Alayne, it's not too bad right now. We just roll with the punches and hope that we can keep things at an even keel. I'm just preparing for what is to come before it happens. I hate surprises and was actually a little relieved that I wasn't the only one who'd noticed that Rob's behavior was getting a little bit out there. Pam S. >> Oh Pam, I'm so sorry to read your message and you have my heartfelt >> sympathy after all you've been through already. Hopefully someone will [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Pam S. I get where your coming from Pam in wanting to know what maybe ahead of you so that you're prepared and can understand your relief having a reason for his behaviour. Do take some take some time out for you honey though, the odd hour here and there just for some "me" time, when you can try and switch off from all that is going on and enjoy a bit of "normality". Stress can creep up behind you and then finally overwhelm sometimes. Warm Hugs Alayne > Rob was diagnosed as being in the early stages of dementia by his > neurologist at his check up this month. All I know about the illness is [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > Pam S. already having to get rid of the sword collection Hello Pam, Storing sharp objects elsewhere or under lock and key is probably a good idea, but fists can sure pack a punch as well. Watch for other replies, because I don't want to discuss personal experiences here. However, I seem to recall that last year, around this same time (just before Christmas) you were telling us of similar problems. Any chance that something related to Christmas gets him riled? Finances?, change of routine? Someone there, who normally isn't who interferes with his normal routine. A few weeks ago, I was reading that a caregiver had to trouble-shoot the situation herself and discovered that a certain type of music triggered events. Actually it wasn't a type, but a tone, that also applied to voices that flared him up. I'm an advocate of taping for at least 2 or 3 days (while you're there or not) and replay to see if there's any triggers that you can discern. tbts.org mentions seeing a neuropsycologist. I think such tapes might help same as well. But for a male, I would try (having him see) a male neuropsycologist first. Enough times to see if Rob will open up to some things that are bothering him or flare his temper, whichever comes first. Although that's a fake environment, with less "incoming" sensory "excitement", might be the best for testing mentioned below (might not hurt to have it redone). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dementia "Snoezelen rooms that provide patients with a soothing and stimulating environment of light, color, music and scent have been used in the therapy of dementia patients." Another reason to do some trouble-shooting and taping yourself, before making modificiations to a room? tbts.org also has a list of support by area ***. I realize that you probably will not want to be attending support meetings a lot; due to needing to be there at home, but a meeting or two, might get you in touch with others and tips as to coping with Rob's variation or a list of resources for your area, for an "on needed basis"? *** under Support Services, then "Support Groups". J- wishing you success in coping and please stay safe. Top Posting for length. Thanks J. I was hoping that you'd have something for me. Rob isn't bad. He tells me no when I ask him to do something, so I say "ok" and ignore him. Then he usually does what I asked originally. The hissy fits are when one of us makes a comment that he doesn't want to deal with and are all words. Actually, he's kinder than he was before the cancer. When I was ill earlier this year, he actually took care of me. Us removing swords from the walls is more of a precaution for the future than a thing of current need. Rob is doing pretty well at the moment. Though I am thinking about putting sleeping pills in his soda so that he doesn't stay up until 5 am again. Pam S. > Hello Pam, > Storing sharp objects elsewhere or under lock and key is probably a good [quoted text clipped - 50 lines] > *** under Support Services, then "Support Groups". > J- wishing you success in coping and please stay safe. > Rob was diagnosed as being in the early stages of dementia by his > neurologist at his check up this month. So sorry to learn about the dementia. What is he basing this diagnosis on ? Has there been a change in your husband's condition? Here are some articles on Dementia http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3830/is_n1_v43/ai_15162652 http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/481616_2 Is the dementia caused by age or diagnosis. Sometimes caregivers ( if they have to work) use daycare and or home. Assuming it is related to the Brain Cancer, the course of dementia is related to the progression of the cancer unlike old age dementia. Do you have access to a face to face support system? Alex > So sorry to learn about the dementia. What is he basing this diagnosis on > ? Has there been a change in your husband's condition? [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > > Do you have access to a face to face support system? About the diagnoses, it is related to Rob's medical condition (the brain cancer) rather than age. Rob is only 44. the diagnoses was after a neurological exam and eight hours with a neurological speech and behavior specialist at Chapel Hill's University Of North Carolina medical center. Most of his medical is being transferred there so that he gets the latest in cutting edge therapy. The army is doing all they can for him. Rob's condition has been slowly going downhill for a year or so, and I've been worried for some time. This was just confirmation of what I was afraid of. We're lucky in that there are enough here that we can take shifts in being with him. So far the worst we've had happen is an increased tendency for him to burn food on the stove, and the need for someone to make sure that he doesn't go on long walks alone. The worst part for me is never having time alone. Either I'm in school, running errands, or home with Rob. It is hard to explain Rob's condition to someone who hasn't known him for a log time. Most people just think he's weird. I just have to make sure that he doesn't go walking around outside in his pajama bottoms, Russian hat, and a sweater (he did that last week), that someone cooks his food as he tends to forget that he has food on the stove or in the microwave, and that he understands what he reads or is being said to him. So far no big problems. Pam S. > About the diagnoses, it is related to Rob's medical condition (the brain > cancer) rather than age. Rob is only 44. the diagnoses was after a [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > to forget that he has food on the stove or in the microwave, and that he > understands what he reads or is being said to him. So far no big problems. Hello Pam, Well, I'm glad to read that it's not as bad as first seemed. It's not unlike Alzheimer's. There's 2 websites for N. Carolina, but I think this is the one for the N. Chapel area. http://www.alznc.org They mention adult care programs, day care programs. (in case something there could sometimes give you some time to yourself). Locations for support meetings and much more. There's links to 3 "store" websites - products that may help. (I couldn't access them because of my cookie settings, so don't know if there's anything of value there or not). Home Safe Program, which seems to be bracelets or something to wear around the neck or tagging clothing, but could be problematic if he doesn't wear them at all times. I was thinking about chip in the ear, like they do with pets, but the scanners would have to be compatible with a vets..and who would think to look for a chip for a human. Then there's tattooing - the hand? arm? with his name and (a) phone number (might work, as long as someone thinks to look in one of those places). I don't know what to do about the stove or his being up and wandering indoors during the night. Apparently there's an estimated 132,000 people, in N. Carolina alone, with alzheimer's, (and actually some of them might even be living alone) so surely one or more has come up with ideas about that. Poke around there, Pam and see if there's anything (that might be) useful for you. j Thanks I'll see if there is any ideas that I can use. Pam S. >> About the diagnoses, it is related to Rob's medical condition (the brain >> cancer) rather than age. Rob is only 44. the diagnoses was after a [quoted text clipped - 66 lines] > you. > j My local police have a registration process for people at risk, if your husband got lost it makes it easier to find them. I believe they take pictures and fingerprints. Army ( I am assuming VA) should have a brain injury program and be able to set your husband in a safe setting at home. Also a web site from your home state. Alex |
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