Some people test negative for HD but never get any symptoms. The symptoms come at any time but it is always different for every individual.

I meant to say, “some people test positive” for HD and never get any symptoms

Thank you @suzie2017 and @windwalker. Thanks for your kind words. I first thought she was having mini strokes and having hearing issues . The hearing aids helped alots but there was still something wrong. Moms has been in a nursing home about 6 years and on hospice since January. Me and my step dad took care of her for a year before she went to the home. My anxiety is winning the battle most of the time with fidgeting and hand clenching and pill rolling (where my forefinger and thumb keep making a motion like there is something beween them that I'm rolling into a ball) not being able to complete a task. ( I am unable to make or answer the phone calls and its hard to explain it because I don't understand it myself) . My slow speech and stutter are apparent signs. Now my fingers and toes are twiching and have a mind of their own all day and at night too. Recently i have been tripping over nothing and falling into walls and furniture. Mom had hulusinations and she only told me about them after her diagnosis.
She said she knew they weren't real. I thought HD was a rare disease, but just like ntm, people dont talk about them enough. Sights like these can do wonders so people dont feel alone even with an isolating disease. Well thanks to everyone for keeping the conversation going. Katemn would be proud and is always looking out for us.
Becky

I will keep you and your Mother in my prayers. I don’t know where you live but I do know that my sister in law goes to a very good HD clinic in Rochester, NY. So far, she is the oldest HD patient that have ever had. She is 83 and doing fairly well with HD.

@chinasmom Gosh, Becky, it just doesn't seem fair for you to have NTM and worry about HD coming on. We are here for you. !! You mentioned Katemn being proud of us.....I feel that she is. It makes me happy when I sign onto this site and her face is the first thing that I see. I hope they never take that down. She put her heart and soul into us. SHE helped forge the bonds that we have now. It is up to us to carry that forward.

@chinasmom, Hi, Just wanted to add that they usually make you wait 24 months before the Medicare kicks in if you are under age 65. And as far applying for Disability; build a strong case with medical records. I was approved on the first go at it because they did a spirometric breathing test and I fell within the range. Filing for disability is difficult for illnesses that are hard to provide hard evidence that you qualify. Some of the hardest to prove are mental illness, back issues, pain, autoimmune, etc. Breathing is measurable. They have a scale they use that is black & white. You either have low lung function or you don't. I got my disability in 2007. At that time, my measured lung function was right on the cusp of being eligible. Over the years it has since dropped, but I am sure I have lasted longer by being on disability. I know that you don't need this info personally. I am only adding this for others who may need it.

Terri, Do you remember what the eligible function scale was? Linda

@windwalker good info Terri!

@lindam272 No, Linda, I do not. I am sorry, but that was too many years ago.

You always have great answers. I feel guilty for my depression when I see how positive others can be. Jane Brown