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Experience with Donanemab and Lecanemab
Caregivers: Dementia | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (31)Comment receiving replies
My wife is 70 and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her specialist has recommended Kisunla infusions and the first one is scheduled for May 13, so in about 2 weeks. Her only symptom right now is really bad short term memory. She is fine and her usual wonderful self in all other ways. We just got back from a two week trip to Portugal and had a wonderful time. So I am really torn about the infusion treatments. She seems to want to do it, and I am generally in favor of it also--as in anything that will give her more time before more serious symptoms develop. But the risks really trouble me, as well as articles (some very recent) questioning whether the infusion treatments really help. I would appreciate any and all viewpoints and experiences, positive and negative, about this. Thank you.
Replies to "My wife is 70 and was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Her specialist has recommended Kisunla..."
@paul55 Paul, sounds like we are in similar situations..the more I read about the infusion therapy the more concerns I have…my wife has a real anxiety problem now and I question if the cons of the therapy outweigh the pros. I try to keep her active socially which has a positive effect.. would appreciate your input after your wife’s first session
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@paul55
Hello, Paul!
Similar situation with my husband at 73. First, congratulations on getting to Portugal! We signed up two years ago, but with all going on with tests last fall, I almost canceled it; however, daughter urged us to go, and it was so worth it with wonderful memories!
Now we are focusing on the Kisunla infusions, required MRIs, and communication with the neurologist. Our life seems built around those things. There are good friends and activities at church that I can engage in, but my world is a little smaller as we focus on calm and not running around. I go to a support group and am still processing after the first year of observing memory lapses and bad judgment. My husband is also taking Aricept and feels that he is much better than the humongous step down he took last year. I think it is helping to some extent, but I have taken over driving and we do any computer decisions and bill paying together. He thinks he is doing so much better that he is back to normal.
As far as the infusions, he has had two, with the only real concern an unusual-for-him headache the day after the second one. Doctor ordered an additional MRI that showed no ARIA, so we are preparing for the third infusion. Maybe ???? the infusion treatment is helping, or maybe it is the Aricept, but he definitely is better than the foggy moments we had months ago.
I am grateful that he started treatment early on, as tests have indicated Alzheimers in his future. Of course, there is no predictability. We just tried to get financial and legal things in place and put in motion some plans to relocate— in my mind sooner than later to be nearer to family, but of course we are tied into the treatments just now. As I am sure everyone on this thread knows, it’s looking for some joy to be had one day at a time, and some days are easier than others. A friend who has had experience with her husband’s disease told me to treasure the frustrating moments: for instance, I think I park the car perfectly well, but my husband gives me a detailed analysis of how I could do it better EVERY TIME we go out and tells me that we need to go to an empty parking lot to practice (that had not happened yet). I am just trying to remember to treasure that for the days that may be ahead.
God bless you as you make your way through the decisions at this time.