1. < Caregivers: Dementia

What were the first dementia signs you noticed?

Posted by bclane @bclane, Dec 22, 2024

My husband has vascular dementia as a result of at least 7 TIAs and 1 larger stroke as shown on an MRI. The only one we were aware of was a TIA in 2016. I'm guessing that some or all of the others may have happened in his sleep because there were no obvious signs like there were with the 2016 one.

Anyway, I've been thinking back to things that seemed "off" well before I started suspecting a problem. One thing was that he started mixing up pronouns. He'd refer to a female pet as "he" and vice-versa. He still does and he mostly does it with animals. He'll also tell a male pet that's he's a "good girl" and vice-versa.

When it first happened, it became a joke, but now I wonder if that was one of the first signs that something wasn't functioning the way it should. I'm curious if others can think of things that seemed "off" before the problem became obvious.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

babsjg1194 | @babsjg1194 | 1 day ago
In reply to @mablesmith "I had a fall. Had a MRI to insure there was no bled in the brain...." + (show)
@mablesmith

I had a fall. Had a MRI to insure there was no bled in the brain. Detected an amyloid, had no clue what that was. Referred to a neurologist. More test found I have MCI. I had no idea that I may/may not have been repeating myself and said or done other things, I didn't ask. I too am 80. A proud octogenarian who feels great, eats generally well and enjoys a healthy somewhat Godly life. I have a great neurologist that I see every 6 months that can track what is my normal. I intend to continue to enjoy the remaining life God has for me and not be concerned with dementia. Rest assure there will be much advise for you to take meds for the brain to delay dementia and that will be up to you to decide but listen to your doctor. My doctor advises that the over the counter ones do NOTHING to delay dementia. It's best to eat a healthy diet for the brain. My best to you as you begin a new path in this journey of life.

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DEAR MABLESMITH
THANK YOU SO! MUCH !!! YOUR'S IS THE BEST ENCOURAGEMENT I'VE GOTTEN SO FAR. LIVE EACH DAY! EAT HEALTHY!

I'M GOING TO CONTINUE WRITING A NOVEL I'VE BEEN WORKING ON FOREVER!!! MY PRIMARY DOCTOR HAS GIVEN ME A PRESCRIPTION FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND I'M GOING TO STOP BEING FEARFUL AND GO!!! ALL THE BEST BACK TO YOU AS WEL!!!

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labrown | @labrown | 1 day ago
In reply to @mablesmith "I had a fall. Had a MRI to insure there was no bled in the brain...." + (show)
@mablesmith

I had a fall. Had a MRI to insure there was no bled in the brain. Detected an amyloid, had no clue what that was. Referred to a neurologist. More test found I have MCI. I had no idea that I may/may not have been repeating myself and said or done other things, I didn't ask. I too am 80. A proud octogenarian who feels great, eats generally well and enjoys a healthy somewhat Godly life. I have a great neurologist that I see every 6 months that can track what is my normal. I intend to continue to enjoy the remaining life God has for me and not be concerned with dementia. Rest assure there will be much advise for you to take meds for the brain to delay dementia and that will be up to you to decide but listen to your doctor. My doctor advises that the over the counter ones do NOTHING to delay dementia. It's best to eat a healthy diet for the brain. My best to you as you begin a new path in this journey of life.

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Do you mind if I ask if you are taking the prescription drugs for the MCI? My husband is on two, one being a patch, and I honestly believe he has progressed more in the disease in the last 6 months since being on it. I really am considering stopping the meds. I ask my pharmacist his opinion since he sees so many in the similar situation and he said in some there is the hopeful delay in symptoms, in others not so much. I don’t have a lot of confidence in the doctors we are working with it’s all about the meds. This is a hard journey, but I want it to be the best for him that we can make it.

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mablesmith | @mablesmith | 18 hours ago

I take only one medicine for pain which is not for MCI it's for occipital neuralgia. After testing my neurologist thought I should begin meds to slow the progression so I began taking the following in this order: Memantine for memory - mind felt fuzzy; Amitriptyline - anti-depression & pain, I was neither, it made me fell out-of-it; Donepezil - this was the worse, I had nightmares & woke hollering for my husband. I never took more than one prescription at once. We tried them separately. Since there is no cure for dementia and I've been at this for less than 2 years I'm taking it a day at a time. Most would say I don't see any difference in you. I just say you don't live with me. You wouldn't believe how many times I've had to use spell check! I can't spell any more! Of course every situation is different. I have trouble with what I call "tracking". Keeping up with conversations when everyone's together or when subjects change. Even when my husband and I discuss every day things. I tell him to don't be so detailed. I could just go on and on. I won't worry as to whether this will progress. My children can see small changes in their mom but I am 80 so that's what I say. The doctors see a lot of patients and we want what's best for us and they can't always give that when we want it. My best to you. Of course I don't know if you folks are people of faith but I'll remember you in prayer. Best wishes to you. I would like to hear from you again. I won't be so detailed next time!

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dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | 2 hours ago
In reply to @elisabv2u "I saw many of these early signs everyone is mentioning but didn’t realize until more time..." + (show)
@elisabv2u

I saw many of these early signs everyone is mentioning but didn’t realize until more time passed. My husband has always been decisive and started having slower thought processes and less focus. Always a voracious reader then just stopped. Known for his lasagna, then overwhelmed following recipes or sequential tasks.

I saw this dementia “mask face” as they call it, episodically years before we knew my husband was having silent strokes. Now after 7 strokes, including 2 bilateral last week, he has the blunted flat affect, apathy, disengagement, and void look, like nobody’s home, much more first thing in the morning and then later now with some sundowning. He has Vascular Parkinsonism. Like others mentioned, had always been meticulous with self care and extremely neat, so leaving drawers, closets open and the toilet seat up were clear signs as his short-term memory has declined. Always a math wiz and suddenly couldn’t figure a tip. His morning shave and evening shower started taking twice as long, and with these 2 strokes, he can’t do self-care, remember how to use his phone, other tasks. Looks at light switches like he has some sense of an old habit then leaves it on. Now becomes glass eyed and anxious as the sun goes down, afraid of the dark, childlike. He was a 3rd degree black belt, instrument rated pilot, and computer wizard. So tragic to see this happening.

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@elisabv2u
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s significant decline. How old is he? I really feel for you and his loved ones having to watch the person you once knew slip away. It is like having to grieve the loss at each stage of decline.

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