Confused about a "mild" Alzheimer's diagnosis.

I’ve been amazed at the almost normal behavior my dad could exhibit at the doctor’s office, when his behavior at home was quite different. I’ve read that it’s quite common. When it concerned me was when we were exploring long term care facilities. We knew he was more affected than the office visits revealed, so I started going with him to every visit, reporting the situation. (He never did go to a facility.). It was years before it became very significant. By then, he was in a wheelchair and quite impacted. He still would manage a little joke though most of the time. He somehow managed to keep a sense of humor and awareness of the situation.

Oh, yes, my husband would amaze me when he was at the doctor's office. I called it "showtime"! I even told the doctor.

@trishaanderson Based on these two comments I assume the neurologists know this. I did put some notes on the patient portal for the doctor but he had not read them before our appointment!

So similar to my experience. I sit behind him in the doc’s office and grin or shake my head when he says he never falls, etc. Dr. looks for my responses without my having to argue with hubs.

My husband was also diagnosed with Mild (MCI). SOme of what you described my own husband does, but I haven't had issues wtih him not remembering where we live. I do notice he goes up and down on certain days. This morning was a bad day. Difficulty in paying bills on time, argumentative when I try to take them over, which I need and am going to do. You think you have time with this disease only to realize you don't as you don't know where they are in their mindset. I don't have the issues with my husband following me yet, or him worried there are people in our home, etc. so I agree with you, his tests my show mild, but it sounds like it might be more than mild. I think the best you can do is be as honest as you can with the doctor, so you can determine, how you proceed. I don't know if your husband is doing any infusions. Mine started lequembe, only in the 4th infusion, and I don't know if I see any results yet, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

My husband is also 81 and he has the exact same symptoms as your husband. I have been told he is in the last stages of dementia/Alzheimer's. He had a pet scan two years ago that was suppose to tell if he had Alzheimer’s but it was inconclusive. I’m not willing to put him thru another scan cause what difference does it make at this point. I figure my husband has had dementia for 9-10 years. I am to the point I don’t feel I can continue to deal with him much longer. I am going crazy myself. We have been married 59 years and my heart is broken

@msbjean53 , I hope you can get some help. Late stage can be totally exhausting and intense. My dad got home hospice at the end and that was exhausting too. We were seeking placement but he passed away before we were able to find placement.

@pierwell I always have my husband between the doctor and me so that the doctor can see me agree or disagree.

Mine is 72 and we just went to the doctor yesterday. He was brilliant, but it didn’t get past me; once the appointment got conversational, he did the deep dive into a story he has told a thousand times. Old high school football injuries.

Our doctor has this figured out. I have resolved that there is no point in rehashing for a magic cure. The doctors are far more patient and they know what’s coming.

Some days it just aggravates me to no end. But the truth is, aren’t we all just waiting for the next event that turns our world upside down?

I feel so bad for all of us…

@msbjean53
If you are feeling as if you are "going crazy" yourself please take steps to help yourself. It is time to do so; call it "transitioning" to the next phase before the stress of caregiving causes your immune system to falter.

Good luck, God bless you and you are in my thoughts and prayers. You are not alone.