← Return to Husband with early Alzheimers: Question about medications

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@talie

Your message struck a cord with me. My husband is 74 and was diagnosed with MCI three years and a half years ago. It has progressed quickly to moderate Alzheimer's and like your husband his days are much better than his evenings and some days are better than others days. Often he sleeps in his chair most of the evening. I did some internet research to see if I could find out if this was one of the symptoms of the disease but it didn't show up. His neurologist said perhaps it was partially a side effect of the medication he was taking. It bothered me so much because his sleep is so deep that he seems lost to me--not the short nodding off he might do in better days. Another symptom that seems to be getting much worse is the ability to communicate. Word retrieval and the ability to narrate even a short story are a huge struggle. I happened across this site and read several of the posts where people mentioned many of these problems and it gave me a great sense of community and comfort--knowing others were experiencing the same things. My husband has worked with a speech therapist and, unfortunately, it was not a particularly successful experience. He's aware of the fact that the words he's using and what he's trying to say are not clear and it's so hard for him. It breaks my heart. He used to be a wonderful conversationalist and very quick-witted. It seems impossible that this could be lost. This is my first time writing on this site and I'm pretty sure I'm starting to ramble so I'll sign off and just say thank you to all the people who have shared their own experiences. If anyone has found strategies that were helpful when communicating with those suffering from Alzheimer's, I'd appreciate hearing about them. We often end up irritated with each other and then I feel guilty. I want, above all, to be kind and patient and get irritated with myself when I'm not.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Your message struck a cord with me. My husband is 74 and was diagnosed with MCI..."

My husband clams up around other people. He says that he has a hard time following the conversation so it is easier for him to remain quiet. At home he opens up more but at times he slurs his words or uses an odd word or can't think of the right word he is looking for. This is very hard for both of us because he was an English teacher and always used perfect grammar. I am wondering if being on Namenda since 01/2016 has dulled him and helped to reduce his energy. He has other health problems such as severe COPD with current infections, heart disease and is mildly diabetic. He takes 16 prescription drugs so it is hard for anyone to tell if his balance or loss of energy is coming from the drugs or alzheimers. He also hides his aches and pains from me such as chest pains when we are out for a short walk.

Hello @suzie2017 Nice to e-meet you here. I am Scott and my MIL had dementia for over 20 years. Early on during her illness she too became increasingly uncomfortable communicating in the company of anyone outside the immediate family.

In her case her doctors said it was a defense mechanism as she declined. She became increasingly uncomfortable in any setting that was not her normal setting of routine and people so she would not communicate in those situations where and when others were around. It was a way for her to avoid making 'mistakes', which embarrassed her and importantly didn't require the use of loads of her energy which was required from her to function in any non-normal situations.

Dementia is so unique in each person I only bring this up as an example.

Peace & Strength

Thank you Indiana Scott. You explained my husband's situation perfectly. It gives me some form of comfort to know that others are similar to my husband.