FTD Young Onset Dementia: Anyone else with this?

@kristic I am sorry for your diagnosis. Are you certain not to need a secondary medical opinion? I am assuming this is new. Is there a history in your family with this disorder? Does this doctor know the cause?

Thanks. I am getting a second opinion thru Mayo. I have a consultation soon with them. There is no history so I am very surprised. I have anxiety, migraines and have had a ton of stress from work that have led to me becoming very depressed in itself. I took a test because I was forgetting words and names and this was the prelim diagnosis. I don't know if it is due to stress (I am hoping) or if it is real.....

@kristic A second opinion may help. Were the test results decisive? Perhaps test results with the Mayo physician will be more conclusive. Stress, anxiety, and depression can certainly lead to forgetfulness and may be the culprit. Remain positive until there is conclusive evidence. Since you got migraines too is there a possibility you were introduced to new medications during this time for consideration? Did you become ill lately? Be proactive. Be ready for any questions the Mayo physician may present to help him determine a possible cause. Hang in there. One opinion for a diagnosis does not mean it is definite. See what this doctor’s assessment will be.

@kristic hello and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. It is very understanding to feel the way you are upon experiencing your symptoms and receiving the diagnosis.

@avmcbellar has joined this discussion and shared some things that may be helpful in considering as you proceed. Something else you may want to consider is examining your diet and researching candida and its effects on memory loss. I mention this because of

- Candida infection can reach brain and impair memory:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324106#
Did you and your doctors talk about lifestyle during your appointment at all?

Thanks. I am also going through menopause and my hormones have been off the charts for the past year. I just started new hormone replacement therapy one month ago - prior to that my whole system was a mess.

No. We haven’t gone here yet. I am getting an MRI next week to look further.

@kristic Anytime I want to start a new supplement regardless of what it may be I always do research online first. Review the medication by searching for benefits and side effects. Read many articles to get a good understanding. Other than word forgetfulness do you present with other symptoms in line with the diagnosis? Gaining more knowledge about the neurological disorder will allow you to ask educated questions for your upcoming medical appointment. Were you by chance exposed to the covid virus? Try to think of any changes in your life that may have contributed to your symptoms. These are some of the things I would consider. Hope this helps.

I am living with dementia since 57 (I am 63 now) and found attending seminars is a positive way to learn how to live with dementia. I will not take anymore psychology test; all they prove is I am getting worse. I hate when you tell a doctor of a new problem the doctor tells yes we knew you would do that.
Get a good counselor since doctors don’t help with life changes or living. You also need a person to be your voice; I can not speak well anymore this has taken me 30 minutes to write. I now in testing for ALS and when you can’t speak well it is awful to deal with all the medical test doctors, non-dementia doctors, find it difficult to test you for other medical problems. Always live your life and find good coping skills to solve daily living problems and take lots of pictures now as they will be your memories.

Regarding your previous question, I have been doing all kinds of new drugs. For my migraines and for anxiety and for hormone replacement. It’s been a bunch of tests. I feel like it’s anxiety...not sure but hope. Plus combined with everything else it’s a bad mix.

Thanks for your viewpoint and sorry for your diagnosis. I am glad that you have a plan - to live life. I am still not sure this is were I am at. Hopefully not. But if I am, I am seeing the world. Covid or not.