Doesn’t anyone else feel …… ?

Posted by sunnygardens @sunnygardens, 1 day ago

Everyone seems so calm and reasonable on here. Am I the only one who gets fed up and irritable?
This evening two things are driving me nuts: one is the constant contrariness, increased from his normal contrariness. (My daughter once said he’s the most contrary person she’s ever met. That was three years ago. Before these unexplained symptoms began.) The other irritation (aaarrrghh!!!) is the nearly always saying “Oh, I know.” When clearly, until it was explained, he did NOT know. (This too is an increase from his normal level of knowing everything.)
It truly seems that all the incompatible characteristics are greatly exaggerated now.
As is my level of irritation, which certainly does not help.

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

Profile picture for Traci @tracidw

@judimahoney It's called Goodbye Stress made by Olly. 🙂

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@tracidw
Thanks, I'll check it out. 😊

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Profile picture for judimahoney @judimahoney

@sunnygardens
You say we all seem so calm and reasonable and I bet you know that is NOT the case because we are in the same boat as you are. By the time we take to blogging here, some of the wind has been knocked out of our sails, so we may just seem calm. We are all ducks paddling furiously under the water, and looking serene on the surface; ha!
My husband also says 'I know' all the time, and sometimes when I'm in a mood I reply, 'If you know then how come.. ' While I'm saying this I know it's childish and cruel, but I find it bursting from my lips anyway. Guess it's my way of letting off steam or trying to cope.
I asked my husband for help with the dog yesterday while I was busy with some exhausting physical work here at home, and he didn't help, so I of course end up doing everything myself and try not to feel resentful but do anyway.
Since my husband is physically high-functioning he's capable of doing so much around here, but he just doesn't.
When I finally get my long-awaited appointment with a new therapist, I fear the dam will burst and I'll spend my entire session crying.
Fed up and irritable is now my middle name. You are not alone!
Bye for now. 🫂 🌺

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@judimahoney oh my gosh, Judi, this is so frustrating and disappointing for you! But rather a relief for me, to know there are others getting impatient at times. I blurt out the same sentence you do at times.
But why doesn’t your husband do these tasks that he is capable of doing?? Did he refuse to do them even when you ask?
Part of the resentment for me is that we are only housemates here, albeit good friends. I boomerang between believing it’s right for me to become his caregiver and no way do I want to be his caregiver.
Even before all this began, I was trying to find a way to move out or get him to move out. That’s been going on for about three years.
This part year these MCI symptoms began, and are increasing.
Financially, we are stuck here together.
I believe people should be born, live, and die in their own homes if that’s what they want. So how can I say he can’t do that here just because I live here, too? I feel like a hypocrite.
I sure hope you can get in to a counselor soon! It is a great help to talk without an objective person.

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Profile picture for normalinda57 @normalinda57

Your husband is a contrarian and my mother is a negative person: she has a glass half empty outlook. Very depressing to be around. Feels very disheartening to anyone who thinks or feels positively. The constant repetition of your husband's contrarian and my mom's negative outlooks can be very depressive to us, the caregivers.
My siblings tell me to ignore my mom's negative comments and to let it go in one ear and out the other but it doesn't work that way.
I hope you are able to step away from your caregiver role at least once or twice a week because your husband's contrarian outlook does affect your well-being and mood. I have been trying to protect my own outlook by leaving the house for a couple of hours or even taking a short walk around the block. Is there anyone who can relieve you so you can take in the fresh air and get away for just a little while?
Another thing I'm trying is to go in and out of her room often and for different reasons so our interactions are short, giving her less time to complain. I go in and take her blood pressure and then leave the room and tell her I'll be back soon. Next time I go in I ask, would you like a bowl of fruit? Then I leave the room and come back 15-20 minutes later with her snack and then say, I'm going to walk the dog and I'll be right back. All these shorter entries into her room prevent long conversations but keep me connected with her and lessens her negative comments although I still get them but at least I don't have to hear her comments at nauseum. Good luck and God bless you!

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@normalinda57 , your short visit method is a great idea! My housemate and friend (he is not my husband) is usually very busy and likes to do things outside. One of our initial attractions to each other was the long conversations about many topics we enjoyed together. That is rare now because either he doesn’t seem to comprehend, or I have to slow down my sentences to snail’s pace until he catches up, or his contrariness is just too frustrating. Sometimes he even contradicts himself!
We are very isolated where we live. He’s still going to his club in the city and he likes shopping so I get those hours at home with my pets, gardens, tv, etc. Phone calls with friends on the other side of the country because I have none here.
Also, we live in a tiny house so separating indoors is difficult.
Having this forum is more and more helpful as I realize I can say things here and not be patronized, and folks here really do understand.

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Profile picture for Traci @tracidw

You're definitely not alone. They say Lewy Body dementia can be a rollercoaster, well, so can being a caregiver. It does help when I'm able to find humor. But I get crazy cranky and irritable, then feel heavy with grief. The other week I was so moody while out of town, I found a store with the intent of finding a supplement to help. Ended up finding something for calming and stress relief. The stuff actually worked and I just ordered more.

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@tracidw that’s great you found these supplements!!
I take some, too, recommended by a naturopathic doctor when all my own knowledge was used up. He said I have adrenal fatigue, which medical doctors usually discount unless you actually develop adrenal FAILURE and either die or are prostate. (Doesn’t it make sense that the adrenal system would be fatigued before it actually fails??) Perhaps you could look into adrenal fatigue and get supplements for that if necessary.
Thanks for admitting you get crazy and cranky and irritable. It relieves my guilt over thinking I’m the only one.

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Profile picture for sivad @sivad

My wife has developed an annoying habit of constantly repeating dates of appointments this happens several times a day. She also does the same with news reports from her mobile phone. I have recently had to pay out thousands of pounds (I live in the UK) for debts she ran up but had not paid. I have now frozen all her credit and debit cards. It’s very annoying but she can not help it because of this illness so I put up with it. We have been married 60 years the last few have been somewhat trying but she is my wife. Sivad

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@sivad you’re a good person. I’m sure sorry for the financial disaster. My mom did the same to my stepdad. I’d warned him the year before to cancel her credit cards and access to the joint chequing account but he didn’t want to “rock the boat”. He regretted it when she maxed out their gold card.
Now, thankfully, he controls the farm income and she complains about having to pay for things from her old age pension.
You did the right thing.
In my case, my friend and housemate is not my husband or romantic partner so I have no control over anything. But so far, financially, he’s stable with the joint bills. Although he’s not so stable with his own money, but I can’t prevent that.
Best of luck and blessings to you!
🌻 Sunny

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Profile picture for kjc48 @kjc48

Sunny gardens, it's easy to get frustrated, fed up and annoyed daily over what they are doing and or not doing and are saying. So even with our reasonable posts, we feel what you feel. However, with that said, at the end of the day, start of a new one, it is what it is. So, with love, understanding and compassion at the forefront of this dreaded disease, we rise to the occasion, each and every day. We can't control what's happening, but I do think we can take the rein on how we feel. Intentionally push the anger and annoyance aside to a much better place mentally obviously more for us than them. I think we have to remember that they didn't ask for this to happen. I think over time the irritation gets outweighed by the sheer desire to just make a difference in their life. Even when they can be contrary and/or difficult. Best, Karla

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@kjc48 I’m trying. But it’s just such reasonable explanation that makes me think I’m failing if I’m not perfectly patient all of the time.
I’m grateful for those who tell their stores and admit their feelings on here, which helps me realize I’m not failing any more than anyone else, in my duty.

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Profile picture for grandmajoan @grandmajoan

You are not alone. Irritable, angry, sad, grateful. I usually have a jumble of emotions.

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@grandmajoan thank you so much for that.

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Profile picture for sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@sivad you’re a good person. I’m sure sorry for the financial disaster. My mom did the same to my stepdad. I’d warned him the year before to cancel her credit cards and access to the joint chequing account but he didn’t want to “rock the boat”. He regretted it when she maxed out their gold card.
Now, thankfully, he controls the farm income and she complains about having to pay for things from her old age pension.
You did the right thing.
In my case, my friend and housemate is not my husband or romantic partner so I have no control over anything. But so far, financially, he’s stable with the joint bills. Although he’s not so stable with his own money, but I can’t prevent that.
Best of luck and blessings to you!
🌻 Sunny

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@sunnygardens Thank you for your reply I do not often place comments on this site but I do read many of them. The similarities in people’s experiences are remarkable and makes me realise I am not the only one with a problem. Take care and be safe.
Sivad

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sunnygardens, As everyone has noted - we have all gone through the same emotions as you. What you need is maybe some counselling or relief, in the form of someone to take over for you now and then. If you don't have close friends or family because of your isolated location, find an agency that can provide assistance - contact your local county office of ageing, they will be able to guide you. Please do not let yourself become overwhelmed. That would do neither you, nor your partner any good.

Believe me, I spent 22 years in the military, and caring for my wife for six years was the hardest work I was ever faced with - but now that she's gone, I would trade anything to be able to do it for as many more years, rather than what I'm going through now, without her.

Stay strong, be positive - find alternative means of dealing with his nasty mannerisms - take care of yourself, so that you can continue to take care of him. All the best to you.

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Profile picture for sivad @sivad

@sunnygardens Thank you for your reply I do not often place comments on this site but I do read many of them. The similarities in people’s experiences are remarkable and makes me realise I am not the only one with a problem. Take care and be safe.
Sivad

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@sivad knowing you comment infrequently, your shared experience is even more appreciated.
🌻

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