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Dealing with a Spouse with a “Mild Cognitive Impairment”
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 17 hours ago | Replies (405)Comment receiving replies
@lkbous I am having a bad day with my spouse today and came across your post. Thanks for your honesty. The hardest part of losing my friend and partner of 48 years is trying not to lose myself. I used to be really witty and fun to be around and now I have no sense of humor. One day I am in acceptance of his memory loss and behavior and the next I am sad and lonely. I did laugh out loud the other day when he dressed for the day in a print bathing suit! He hadn't even had his coffee yet!
I go to therapy every other week and sometimes it helps, but I wonder if I would be more level if I was on an antidepressant or something. I am not sleeping well and crying a lot. It's tough to be the only one who does all paperwork such as bill paying and house repairs etc. We are in a support group every other week and it's just more work for me. Ugh! He does the dishes and makes the bed though so that is something. Sorry for sounding so negative and thanks again for your post Linda.
Replies to "@lkbous I am having a bad day with my spouse today and came across your post...."
@moea I went to my doctor the other day and he prescribed an anti depressant that I can take along with my anxiety medication that I've had for years. I'm only on day 3 but will post the medication and if it's helping in a couple of weeks.
@moea I'm sorry that you're having a rough day.
Therapy helps, I think just because it's another place where one has the freedom to spill all of your thoughts without obvious judgement, but you do get some coping skills out of it, too.
It is sad and lonely. It takes a lot to try to learn to live alone with someone else, what kind of conundrum is that??!
I don't know where you live, if you live in a legal state, you should try edible gummies with a little thc, they help so much with sleep, but don't take away your sense of goings on around you if you need to get up in the middle of the night.
Don't ever be sorry for negativity, how can we not be negative ?!? We're not robots.
You should find a support group for caregivers only. There are groups online, too. It would be better for you, and sometimes you find others to talk to in between meetings.
It's all such a complicated process, even just finding a little respite.
Just go on here any time you can. It definitely helps.
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@lkbous
In my case antidepressants made a huge difference in my ability to accept what is happening to my husband and to our life together. Not sleeping well is not good for your overall mental and physical health. I would encourage you to speak with your doctor about the possibility of antidepressants. If you do try one, remember that they take time to reach the full effect maybe a week or so before you can feel the effects. I too do all the bills and house repairs but the way I look at it is that at least I know that it is being done on time and correctly. I don't have to worry that he didn't pay the taxes or something else. It is actually a relief for me.