Repetitive questions

Posted by suzy123 @suzy123, Dec 2 9:43am

My husband has MCI but carries two alzheimers genes so we know where we're headed. He's mostly normal, intelligent and engaged except for his short term memory retention. He seems to have taken another step down the stairway to memory loss and is slightly worse in the last few days.
I was hoping he'd just level off and we'd stay where we are. Makes me sad and nervous about the future. No solution I know, just sharing my experience.

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"I want to show you something......" And my wife goes to her 20-pound purse and pulls out $20 dollars of quarter and 20 Susan B Anthony coins. "I think we should see what these are worth."

Everyday. Sometimes twice a day. I say, "We will go to a coin dealer tomorrow and see what they are worth, ok?" She says, "That sounds like a good idea." Part of the frustration is that I have forgotten how to raise a child since I haven't done it for 35-years.

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Hugs back to you. My guy is still pretty normal (you know, the 'sorta' normal we all experience when this starts. ) You are having a lot of tough challenges. Wish we weren't headed there but in time we will be. We as the observers and caregivers have to grit our teeth and dance with the devil. I've had to do a lot of changing as I face this down. Sarcasm? Can't use that any more.

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@elliottw

"I want to show you something......" And my wife goes to her 20-pound purse and pulls out $20 dollars of quarter and 20 Susan B Anthony coins. "I think we should see what these are worth."

Everyday. Sometimes twice a day. I say, "We will go to a coin dealer tomorrow and see what they are worth, ok?" She says, "That sounds like a good idea." Part of the frustration is that I have forgotten how to raise a child since I haven't done it for 35-years.

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We don't have kids but you're right, I've got one now.

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@suzy123

The visual perception thing goes with MCI (I discovered). It's called posterior cortical atrophy. I first noticed my husband getting confused and dropping things about seven years ago. Now, he can often look right at the item he's looking for and not see it. Can't see small things like toast crumbs or coffee grounds, which drove me crazy until I figured out (Dr. Google) it went with the disease. His eyes are fine, his brain, not so much. He has difficulty with technical things and can't learn anything new anymore. Used to be an avid reader, but he can't keep track of the characters now and has to keep starting over. I'm a writer; he can't read my books because he can't stick with the plot. (Disheartening, but it is what it is.) Our doctor suspected a brain tumor, but he won't go into an MRI machine, so following that up is out. He has a heart condition, so there is only one of the Alzheimers drugs he can take. It made him itch all over. So much for that. Having fun yet? I'm not.

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As I continue to read your posts, I say “wow! That’s us”. Shame on me for not realizing locating or noticing things was a part of this disease. For years, I joked I had “job security” because my husband couldn’t find things…but lately it is things that are RIGHT THERE! It isn’t funny anymore. Bless you.

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@suzy123

Hugs back to you. My guy is still pretty normal (you know, the 'sorta' normal we all experience when this starts. ) You are having a lot of tough challenges. Wish we weren't headed there but in time we will be. We as the observers and caregivers have to grit our teeth and dance with the devil. I've had to do a lot of changing as I face this down. Sarcasm? Can't use that any more.

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Exactly! My husband and I have been married 51 years this month. We always traded sarcasm. Not any more. As your husband is, he is still “mostly himself” until he isn’t. And then he will say something like “I’m sorry I offended you…” so I need to keep that first and foremost in my mind before opening my mouth. I also find I don’t need to share details or he gets fixated on something that doesn’t really matter. But thankfully, still “mostly himself”. Right now, he’s off to pick up our grandchild to take her somewhere. Thankfully, my son will ride along to be sure she gets where she is supposed to. He’s an excellent driver and is happy to help. The day he can’t drive for getting lost etc, he will be truly devastated.

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My husband is iixated in upcoming appointments or get together with friends. I make up a calendar and stick it on the fridge and email him a copy. It helps but doesn't stop the repetitive questions about what we're doing next. He's also become a mansplainer. I can no longer drop a comment about something. He then launches into telling me everything he knows about the minor comment I made. He can't be stopped. It's like a cork has popped. Tiresome but probably makes him feel better about his grasp on things.

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To all, my heart goes out to you all. I have learned from each.
Re: repetitive questions - I try to answer patiently. While driving it's difficult. Just recently I asked my husband with Alzheimers to say a prayer, then another. We arrived at our destination, both less frustrated. Will try this at home, not only while driving. I know it's hard for him, trying to understand, to please, but feeling inadequate. Knowing this doesn't always help me to be the compassionate person I'd like to be.

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@suzy123

My husband is iixated in upcoming appointments or get together with friends. I make up a calendar and stick it on the fridge and email him a copy. It helps but doesn't stop the repetitive questions about what we're doing next. He's also become a mansplainer. I can no longer drop a comment about something. He then launches into telling me everything he knows about the minor comment I made. He can't be stopped. It's like a cork has popped. Tiresome but probably makes him feel better about his grasp on things.

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Re: fixation with upcoming appointments, events , etc :
I make a big calendar ( weekly planner sheets from $ store )
He checks this many, many times a day, but still asks "What time do we leave ? " "How will we get there ? " " Why are we going to that doctor ? "
I answer each time but I pray for patience .
This site makes me feel better, knowing I’m not alone.

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@elliottw

"I want to show you something......" And my wife goes to her 20-pound purse and pulls out $20 dollars of quarter and 20 Susan B Anthony coins. "I think we should see what these are worth."

Everyday. Sometimes twice a day. I say, "We will go to a coin dealer tomorrow and see what they are worth, ok?" She says, "That sounds like a good idea." Part of the frustration is that I have forgotten how to raise a child since I haven't done it for 35-years.

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Right there with you. I'm trying to channel the patience I had with our children.

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@suzy123

My husband is iixated in upcoming appointments or get together with friends. I make up a calendar and stick it on the fridge and email him a copy. It helps but doesn't stop the repetitive questions about what we're doing next. He's also become a mansplainer. I can no longer drop a comment about something. He then launches into telling me everything he knows about the minor comment I made. He can't be stopped. It's like a cork has popped. Tiresome but probably makes him feel better about his grasp on things.

Jump to this post

Same here. I use a very large white board and write each day's date and year and any appointments, and include what time we are leaving the house (since he'll ask about that several times). I use different colors to differentiate dates and times from activities to help him focus and not get distracted by too much info. I am using the tricks I learned as a teacher.

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