Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia

Posted by SusanEllen66 @SusanEllen66, Sep 18, 2023

I know there is a Dementia Caregiver Support Group.

I would like to have a group for people like me. I am entering the Mild Dementia phase from Mild Cognitive Impairment.
It’s frightening to think about my future.

Could a group for Dementia Patients be started?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aging Well Support Group.

@janieohrn76

Is anyone on here getting the new Alzheimer’s infusion? The risks do seem greater than the benefits to me. How do others feel about this? Seemed like my Neurologist was pushing it, but I’m suspect! She said I tested at MCI with Beta amyloid positive blood test.

Jump to this post

@janieohrn76 I was approved and all set to start the infusions. Two days before my first scheduled one, I decided to look up the warnings on this Lequembi. When I read them, I immediately canceled and told the doctor no way.
I have mild dementia. The doctor’s PA was actually smiling and almost giddy when he realized that I could qualify for the drug.
There was no discussion other than, let’s hurry up and get you on this drug.

It’s brand new, fast-tracked through the FDA approval process, and Medicare quickly decided to pay 80% of the annual cost of $26,500.00!
Frankly, I am VERY SUSPICIOUS when the doctor acts like a kid in a candy store when a patient with mild dementia appears in their office, and they qualify for Lequembi.
Lequembi is only 27% effective, for slowing the disease while you take it. At that rate, I am not willing to take the risks.

REPLY

I have recently been diagnosed in the early stage of progressive Alzheimer's. Forgetting names and words that I should know - sometimes they come to me later. I find myself doing routine things out of my usual order. Sometimes just feeling a bit "off." It's scary to think about how this will progress. I am doing everything I can to stay active physically and mentally. My biggest concern is how this will affect my family. The last thing I want to do is be a burden to them. My faith in God is what keeps me from being completely overwhelmed. I know God will be with me and He will watch over my family, too. God bless all of you who are dealing with this. Miss Patty

REPLY
@SusanEllen66

@janieohrn76 I was approved and all set to start the infusions. Two days before my first scheduled one, I decided to look up the warnings on this Lequembi. When I read them, I immediately canceled and told the doctor no way.
I have mild dementia. The doctor’s PA was actually smiling and almost giddy when he realized that I could qualify for the drug.
There was no discussion other than, let’s hurry up and get you on this drug.

It’s brand new, fast-tracked through the FDA approval process, and Medicare quickly decided to pay 80% of the annual cost of $26,500.00!
Frankly, I am VERY SUSPICIOUS when the doctor acts like a kid in a candy store when a patient with mild dementia appears in their office, and they qualify for Lequembi.
Lequembi is only 27% effective, for slowing the disease while you take it. At that rate, I am not willing to take the risks.

Jump to this post

I had the same experience - here you are having received devastating news and trying to process that you have a condition that has no cure and will only get worse. And the PA and the Neurologist can't wait to get you on a drug that has poor success rates and serious adverse effects. I know those of us diagnosed with Alzheimer's are feeling rather desperate to do anything that might buy us some "sound mind" time - but at what risk?
I have decided not to even try the Lequembi. I felt pressured and think they were seeing me as a guinea pig and not a person. I pray that there will be break throughs for new effective treatments that don't have such serious risks.

REPLY
@misspatty

I had the same experience - here you are having received devastating news and trying to process that you have a condition that has no cure and will only get worse. And the PA and the Neurologist can't wait to get you on a drug that has poor success rates and serious adverse effects. I know those of us diagnosed with Alzheimer's are feeling rather desperate to do anything that might buy us some "sound mind" time - but at what risk?
I have decided not to even try the Lequembi. I felt pressured and think they were seeing me as a guinea pig and not a person. I pray that there will be break throughs for new effective treatments that don't have such serious risks.

Jump to this post

I agree with you!

REPLY
In reply to @janieohrn76 "I agree with you!" + (show)
@janieohrn76

I agree with you!

Jump to this post

I definitely felt the same way from my experience with the Neurologist! I will not be a guinea pig and spend my remaining time in an infusion room and getting more scans!

REPLY
@janieohrn76

I agree. It is scary! I’m trying to eat healthy and exercise, but need support somewhere! Getting some from Alzheimer’s Society!

Jump to this post

May I ask what support You receive from Alzheimer’s Society?

REPLY
@misspatty

I had the same experience - here you are having received devastating news and trying to process that you have a condition that has no cure and will only get worse. And the PA and the Neurologist can't wait to get you on a drug that has poor success rates and serious adverse effects. I know those of us diagnosed with Alzheimer's are feeling rather desperate to do anything that might buy us some "sound mind" time - but at what risk?
I have decided not to even try the Lequembi. I felt pressured and think they were seeing me as a guinea pig and not a person. I pray that there will be break throughs for new effective treatments that don't have such serious risks.

Jump to this post

My neurologist and NeuroPsychologist also diagnosed me with Mild Neurocognitive Disorder. But they opened the discussion with a statement that although I would meet the criteria for the drug, they believe that - for me - the risks of brain bleeds outweighs the benefits. I agreed. We will get together in a year and see how I have progressed.

REPLY

Hello everyone. PLEASE HELP ME!

When typing a reply or question to a specific person, you MUST ADDRESS your Comment to them. If not your Comment goes to me because I started this thread and my inbox is over flowing!

Please use their @name. FOR EXAMPLE @pb50 or @misspatty

If you have questions, let me know. But address your Comment to me. @SusanEllen66

REPLY
@misspatty

I had the same experience - here you are having received devastating news and trying to process that you have a condition that has no cure and will only get worse. And the PA and the Neurologist can't wait to get you on a drug that has poor success rates and serious adverse effects. I know those of us diagnosed with Alzheimer's are feeling rather desperate to do anything that might buy us some "sound mind" time - but at what risk?
I have decided not to even try the Lequembi. I felt pressured and think they were seeing me as a guinea pig and not a person. I pray that there will be break throughs for new effective treatments that don't have such serious risks.

Jump to this post

Did anyone get a pet scan? I also in early stage have a voice difficulty problem which caused me to see the Neurologist actually, so she did a Beta Amyloid blood test and said because of that I have dementia along with MCI, then had another cognitive test at just age related dementia. Anyone else have similar symptom? Also wanted me to get on infusion, which I’m against.

REPLY
@SusanEllen66

Hello everyone. PLEASE HELP ME!

When typing a reply or question to a specific person, you MUST ADDRESS your Comment to them. If not your Comment goes to me because I started this thread and my inbox is over flowing!

Please use their @name. FOR EXAMPLE @pb50 or @misspatty

If you have questions, let me know. But address your Comment to me. @SusanEllen66

Jump to this post

@SusanEllen66, that is a good tip. It helps when people use the @username of the person they are addressing.

To help spare your inbox, you also have control to change your settings on this thread. Here's how:
1. Go to the original post of discussion you're interested in.
2. Click the bell icon in the bottom right of the first message.
3. Select the setting you wish from the 4 options:
- Send me an email and on-site notifications.
- On-site notification only.
- Notify me only if someone @mentions me or replies to one of my comments.
- Mute this discussion. Do not notify me.
4. Click Save Setting.

Currently, I think you may have selected the first option. You may wish to change it to option 2 or 3.

See this article that explains in more details and with pictures
- How to customize your notifications and settings https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/newsfeed-post/how-to-customize-your-notifications-and-settings/

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.