Cerebral Brain Atrophy: Anyone else out there?

Posted by howardjames @howardjames, Jun 5, 2016

My husband has been diagnosed with cerebral atrophy. Is there anyone with similar diagnosis? In January of 1915 he was given 3 to 4 years to live.

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@pec2884

Yes Noreen I am Liz/ pec2884 in South Africa. I was diagnosed locally in Port Elizabeth. I see the neurologist every 6 months. I have many more questions to ask him now as at first I was in complete meltdown and denial. Now I have read up various articles and now I realize just how difficult it is to make a probable diagnosis. It comes after many visits and as different symptoms develop. In MSA the categories are possible, probable and definite. The latter only at postmortem. The timeline I am expecting is 5 -9 years. I sometimes wonder is being on anti-depressants gives one the feeling of living in a happy bubble. I suppose it is better than being morbid. I have not had a decent cry yet and my family don't ever speak of the MSA so I get very lonely at times with no one to talk to.
Liz

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@pec2884 Hi Liz: I was so touched by your story. You express your feelings so well. Are there grief support groups in your locale where you could share your feelings? Perhaps a church? Your loneliness could be lifted a little if you had a place to talk. Best wishes to you for this new year. Teresa

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@hopeful33250. Hi Teresa. Thank you for the wishes. I am a member of a church but I have not told anyone of my MSA. It is a step I must take but then it would be real. I have not quite accepted the diagnosis. I have one special social worker that I speak to. I cant get to see her that often as she is in our nearest city which is about 130 kms. I seem to be waiting until it becomes more obvious to those in the village and I can't hide it anymore. I know this a problem I must come to grips with. Hopefully soon this year.
Regards
Liz

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@pec2884

Yes Noreen I am Liz/ pec2884 in South Africa. I was diagnosed locally in Port Elizabeth. I see the neurologist every 6 months. I have many more questions to ask him now as at first I was in complete meltdown and denial. Now I have read up various articles and now I realize just how difficult it is to make a probable diagnosis. It comes after many visits and as different symptoms develop. In MSA the categories are possible, probable and definite. The latter only at postmortem. The timeline I am expecting is 5 -9 years. I sometimes wonder is being on anti-depressants gives one the feeling of living in a happy bubble. I suppose it is better than being morbid. I have not had a decent cry yet and my family don't ever speak of the MSA so I get very lonely at times with no one to talk to.
Liz

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@howardjames. Hi Noreen. It seems I am on a similar course to your husband. I was diagnosed 2 years ago at the age of 72. So I am lagging a little behind him.
I live in a coastal village, St Francis Bay in the Eastern Province of South Africa. A real paradise. Try and google St Francis Tourism and have a look.My daughter married a South African doctor and they have live in Saskatchewan for 25 years. They have one daughter now 20 years old. A true Canadian. I have been to visit them at least 7 times but it is now very expensive for a South African to travel with the poor state of our Rand to Dollar..
How interesting that your husband was part of a group Habitat Humanity Build. I often see news bulletins of groups like that. Do enjoy Alaska. We went on an Inside Passage cruise some years ago in winter. Loved it as we never see snow unless we travel to our highest mountain areas.
I have been investigating rollators for future use and have come across Active Access which allows one to walk on rough terrain and even snow!
Best wishes
Liz

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@pec2884

@hopeful33250. Hi Teresa. Thank you for the wishes. I am a member of a church but I have not told anyone of my MSA. It is a step I must take but then it would be real. I have not quite accepted the diagnosis. I have one special social worker that I speak to. I cant get to see her that often as she is in our nearest city which is about 130 kms. I seem to be waiting until it becomes more obvious to those in the village and I can't hide it anymore. I know this a problem I must come to grips with. Hopefully soon this year.
Regards
Liz

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@pec2884 Bless you Liz! Thanks for sharing your circumstances. I trust that you will find a way to share your burdens with others.

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Hi Noreen, here is some information about Corticobasal Degeneration https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/corticobasal-degeneration/, the syndrome that Tony has.

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I was recently diagnosed with cerebellum atrophy with no known cause. I am 49 yrs old. I refuse to use a cane at this point but I fall frequently, without warning. I don't know what my prognosis is and I am not sure I want to know. I don't see activity since January, so I am hoping I get a response.

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@ldrake101

I was recently diagnosed with cerebellum atrophy with no known cause. I am 49 yrs old. I refuse to use a cane at this point but I fall frequently, without warning. I don't know what my prognosis is and I am not sure I want to know. I don't see activity since January, so I am hoping I get a response.

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@ldrake101, Welcome to Connect. While I am not informed about your condition, I can identify with your fear of a new diagnosis and questions about the future. (Mine was transplant related) You have come to the right place to seek some answers from the experiences of others who share your diagnosis.
While you are waiting for their responses, I want to encourage you to use that cane. You do not need to fall and cause yourself any avoidable injuries. I had to use a walker and a wheel chair, and although a blow to my ego - it did protect me from falling and tripping.
Rosemary

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Hello @ldrake101,

I can only imagine your worries with such a diagnosis, but I'm so glad you've joined the Connect community.
@howardjames, @pec2884 @dmkmom04, @menville, @lindal, @tonyc @tonyc55, @godisnumber1, would you share your experience and insights with @ldrake101?

While we wait for members to join in, you might also wish to to view this Mayo Clinic news article about autoimmune cerebellar ataxia: http://mayocl.in/2mX9Off

@ldrake101, what questions do you have?

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@ldrake101

I was recently diagnosed with cerebellum atrophy with no known cause. I am 49 yrs old. I refuse to use a cane at this point but I fall frequently, without warning. I don't know what my prognosis is and I am not sure I want to know. I don't see activity since January, so I am hoping I get a response.

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Rosemary,
I don't have a cane at this point. I am not sure it will prevent falls but could be a greater hazard in a fall.

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I don't know what questions I have at this time. I am trying to make sense of it and accept it on some level. I was doing some research on my diagnosis when I came across this chat, decided it might help me.

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