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My 65 year old US Veteran husband was diagnosed with frontotemporal Dementia about five years ago. He has been prescribed Galantamine. For many years as a family my children and I didn't know what was going on with high temperament and anger. He suffered a concussion while in the Army in 1974 and he suffered amnesia whereas he has no memory of breaking his hand in the accident. We found that out by requesting his VA medical records last year. He has started to act out by dealing some pretty bad people. They have introduced him to drugs and alcohol which he has not partaken in for many many years. He is totally out of control but he does see a psychiatrist at his VA Clinic but lies to her. Are these symptoms of FRONTOTEMPORAL DEMENTIA? I am so afraid for him and myself as we live alone. I am his caretaker as he has several illnesses. How do I handle this? I do not want to leave my husband but I don't want to upset him either. Please help!
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Hello, @bczachery, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thanks for sharing about your husband and his diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia. You may notice that I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion on "Frontotemporal Dementia," as I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to other members who have discussed some of what you are experiencing.
If you click on VIEW & REPLY in your email notification, you will see the whole discussion and can join in, meet, and participate with other members talking about their or their loved ones' experiences.
I'm sorry to hear about the anger, acting out by dealing with some bad people, and participation with drugs and alcohol. Hoping that others here in this discussion, which has been quiet for a while, like @anncgrl @IndianaScott @jccr @wbuawxman might return and share their experiences with frontotemporal dementia and whether the behavior you have witnessed with you spouse seem to line up with the diagnosis. @hopeful33250 @dianajane @dj81 @ladycat @ilene1 @jennw may also have some input on what you have shared.
I think you might also be interested in the Caregivers group https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/.
It's understandable you feel afraid for you and your husband. Are there social workers you could contact at the VA for some help?