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 sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@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.

Jump to this post

@sunnygardens I understand the adrenal fatigue, I also have it. Actually have Addison's disease - adrenal insufficiency from taking prednisone forever. It's the same effect. The supplement I found has ashwagandha in it which helps adrenals. I recently fractured spine again and the pain is keeping me down. And, sunnygardens, you are NOT alone. You're human. 🙂 I just don't tell people much these days because everything sounds negative but there are times when everything in life does seem negative. So, I'm running off on vacation soon and I might just lie around like a sofa spud, but that's ok.

REPLY
Profile picture for sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@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.

Jump to this post

@sunnygardens "Perfectly Patient" now that has a lyrical ring to it! I don't anyone of us that are perfectly patient. Admitting our feelings is a good thing because we're not in denial, we know what we're up against, we may not like it, but we do it out of love. Never think you're failing......that's not a good word in our caregiver vocabulary. We're trying, we're human, we make mistakes, but we show up every day. And someone who shows up is not a failure. Best, Karla

REPLY
Profile picture for sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@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.

Jump to this post

@sunnygardens
Excellent question: why doesn't he do more around here?
Many folks that meet him and only chat for a bit, may not know he has dementia. Physically he is doing well. We exercise together every morning and he strives to walk at least 9,000 steps/day.
It's hard to answer the question regarding why he doesn't do more. I just feel cheated.
The experts may say it's because his brain is working so hard to keep up with the requirements of daily living, that his body has given up most pursuits (except those he's used to doing daily because of our routine).
Here's an example: he has always been the one to operate the tractor with the field mower attachment. He can no longer drive on public roads, but is allowed to operate machinery on private property. Since historically he always mowed, I know next to nothing about this tractor and all its bells and whistles. I don't want to learn, at this stage of the game.
So, I showed him the price tag when I hired a crew to do some field mowing. I doubt this will encourage him to mow more often. I have to practically beg him to help with anything. When I see him outside mowing he seems happy, and doesn't seem anxious about operating machinery, so who knows what the hesitancy is. It's so hard doing probably 90% plus of everything around here. Especially making all the tough decisions by myself.
Well, I'm hanging in there, and appreciate your support! 🤗

REPLY
Profile picture for Traci @tracidw

@sunnygardens I understand the adrenal fatigue, I also have it. Actually have Addison's disease - adrenal insufficiency from taking prednisone forever. It's the same effect. The supplement I found has ashwagandha in it which helps adrenals. I recently fractured spine again and the pain is keeping me down. And, sunnygardens, you are NOT alone. You're human. 🙂 I just don't tell people much these days because everything sounds negative but there are times when everything in life does seem negative. So, I'm running off on vacation soon and I might just lie around like a sofa spud, but that's ok.

Jump to this post

@tracidw “sofa spud”. 😁 What a multicultural label! Sounds like you have plenty to complain about! That’s why it’s great to have a therapist. They’re paid to listen even when it all sounds negative.
Sometimes one does deliberately search for a positive.
I hope you’re vacation is restful and fun!
🌻

REPLY
Profile picture for sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@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.

Jump to this post

@sunnygardens
P.S., I realized I didn't answer one of your questions, regarding whether my husband just refuses to help when I ask him.
We had always done onerous chores as a team (like cleaning and cooking), pretty much 50/50, including raising our children.
When I ask him to do things around the house that I think he can handle (I may be deluding myself), he has a few different responses. It's equivalent to responses you'd get from a child, like, 'I don't want to', or, 'I'll do it later', or he just forgets that I just asked him to do something, like chop onions. Since I get so tired of repeating myself I usually just do it myself.
Also trying to balance out keeping him engaged, so he doesn't develop learned helplessness.
Just like being a parent, it usually takes more time/effort getting them to help (but it's worth it).
Bye for now. ☀️

REPLY

I totally get that. Every frustrating trait from"before" is exacerbated now...ugh! I am with you! This is also consistent with what I have read regarding dementia and cognitive decline.

REPLY
Profile picture for judimahoney @judimahoney

@sunnygardens
P.S., I realized I didn't answer one of your questions, regarding whether my husband just refuses to help when I ask him.
We had always done onerous chores as a team (like cleaning and cooking), pretty much 50/50, including raising our children.
When I ask him to do things around the house that I think he can handle (I may be deluding myself), he has a few different responses. It's equivalent to responses you'd get from a child, like, 'I don't want to', or, 'I'll do it later', or he just forgets that I just asked him to do something, like chop onions. Since I get so tired of repeating myself I usually just do it myself.
Also trying to balance out keeping him engaged, so he doesn't develop learned helplessness.
Just like being a parent, it usually takes more time/effort getting them to help (but it's worth it).
Bye for now. ☀️

Jump to this post

@judimahoney wow, that’s brutal.
Hopefully you’re finding the methods that work best for YOU.
Bye!

REPLY
Profile picture for judimahoney @judimahoney

@sunnygardens
Excellent question: why doesn't he do more around here?
Many folks that meet him and only chat for a bit, may not know he has dementia. Physically he is doing well. We exercise together every morning and he strives to walk at least 9,000 steps/day.
It's hard to answer the question regarding why he doesn't do more. I just feel cheated.
The experts may say it's because his brain is working so hard to keep up with the requirements of daily living, that his body has given up most pursuits (except those he's used to doing daily because of our routine).
Here's an example: he has always been the one to operate the tractor with the field mower attachment. He can no longer drive on public roads, but is allowed to operate machinery on private property. Since historically he always mowed, I know next to nothing about this tractor and all its bells and whistles. I don't want to learn, at this stage of the game.
So, I showed him the price tag when I hired a crew to do some field mowing. I doubt this will encourage him to mow more often. I have to practically beg him to help with anything. When I see him outside mowing he seems happy, and doesn't seem anxious about operating machinery, so who knows what the hesitancy is. It's so hard doing probably 90% plus of everything around here. Especially making all the tough decisions by myself.
Well, I'm hanging in there, and appreciate your support! 🤗

Jump to this post

@judimahoney I hear ya. We have a lot of gardens and mowing and pruning. It’s more difficult to keep it up even at this stage of my friend’s strangeness when he’s home.
Now he has this hernia, he can’t even do the heavy stuff.
He comes up with more and more ideas for projects (that cost money), but struggles to complete current projects.
For me, it’s less stressful to do everything myself. In my own time and my own way.
Luckily I learned how to use the tractor! Luckily it’ss pretty basic model!
Feel free to moan to me if you need a moan.
🌻

REPLY

I wish my husband could still be contrary. In the past he would often challenge anything that I wanted to spend money on that he did not think was necessary. Now, he can barely get out more than 5-6 words in a day. He sleeps all day and is only out of bed when I get him up to feed him or take him outside for some sunshine. This contrariness will end someday because the dementia will eventually take away his ability to speak. I know it is difficult to live with someone that has a contrary personality. I know that with this dementia caregiving journey that I am on, I have become more emotionally fragile. I am not able to tolerate any opposition by anybody not just him. I am trying my best, as I am sure you are, but somehow it seems like it is just not enough. I am tired of this whole thing but realize that I just have to be patient and take it one day at a time. Posting here has been an enormous help knowing that I am not alone in this and that out there in the big wide world there are also people who get what this is like. May God bless you and give you the courage and patience you need.

REPLY
Profile picture for sunnygardens @sunnygardens

@judimahoney I hear ya. We have a lot of gardens and mowing and pruning. It’s more difficult to keep it up even at this stage of my friend’s strangeness when he’s home.
Now he has this hernia, he can’t even do the heavy stuff.
He comes up with more and more ideas for projects (that cost money), but struggles to complete current projects.
For me, it’s less stressful to do everything myself. In my own time and my own way.
Luckily I learned how to use the tractor! Luckily it’ss pretty basic model!
Feel free to moan to me if you need a moan.
🌻

Jump to this post

@sunnygardens
My husband has a hernia too, and isn't supposed to do any heavy lifting. Sigh...

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.