Connect
Terrified of what's coming
Hello,
I'm 67 yrs old my husband is 82, yesterday the neurologist gave us his diagnosis after a series of test my husband took last month: MCD
Although I can't say it was a surprise for me, I had been noticing the signs for the last 3 years, I feel overwhelmed and terrified of the future.
We don't have any children together, he has 2 sons who live far from us so basically I'm the sole caregiver.
From what I've been reading on the Internet all those pills the doctors prescribe "to slow it down" do next to nothing to help. And the possible side effects sound almost as bad as the disease!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.
Connect
Hi
I’m 68 my hubby is 79. Married 30 years no kids. He has daughter married but she’s not part of the team. Anyway. It’s been 2 years since he was diagnosed with MCI and just started meds which do not seem to be helping but who knows. He has no side effects. He takes the meds at night. I am just retired this year and his repeating is wearing me down but I go to gym and join Zumba classes online to keep myself physically fit. I’m terrified of what’s coming. And this all sucks.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsHi Johnna,
I so understand what you are going through, my husband has just been taking the meds for 2 months and maybe I'm expecting too much too soon but I don't see any improvements. To be honest I don't think they will do much but I guess if they don't cause him negative effects there is nothing to loose right?
He is not at the stage of repeating things or asking the same questions constantly yet, only once in a while.
I, like you, try to find activities that would give a respite out of the house, because he is completely a recluse, no friends, no social life at all.
I also exercise regularly but then I ask myself: what kind of exercise will protect me from the constant stress of living with him?
Anyway, I hear you and yes it sucks big time !!!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsNice to hear from you. They say the meds slow it down but I think sometimes I don’t know how much more if this I can do. He isn’t ready for a nursing home. I try to stay positive and go to church. That really helps me too. Keep exercising and take care of you. I don’t dwell on this but not knowing what might come is very scary.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi, @mariana739 I read your post with interest. I'm not sure what drugs your husband is on, but I know with my MIL, her doctors told us the meds tend to help her stay on her current plateau and slow some decline for a while. At least the ones she was on were not supposed to 'make her better' or improve her situation, just help retard the inevitable declines.
I agree with you that caregiving is a tough job for sure! Realizing my wife was unable to do the things for herself that she asked of me helped me on those tougher days. It is so difficult to see this darn disease steal so much from our loved ones.
Strength, Courage, & Peace
Hardest thing I’ve ever done. But we just do one day at the time. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. Today has worries enough of its own. We׳ve gone from asking the same question repeatedly to being pretty much incoherent. He asked again because every time was like the first time to him, so I learned to just answer again as if it were my first time too.
After a recent fall, fracturing his pelvis, he is confined to bed and Hospice has started coming in. With family, friends and our church family, & local support group on Zoom, we are blessed, but I also have a paid sitter who comes twice a week for a few hours while I get out. I encourage you to make some time for yourself to run errands, have lunch with a friend or alone, get a haircut , whatever makes you feel better. When i feel better, I’m a better care partner.