I am starting this discussion in large part to document my thoughts and feelings. Feel free to chime in, ignore or add.
Back on November 2020 (I was a VERY cranky COVID isolator), I noticed that DH seemed to be having a jolly old time reading something on his tablet. I am one of thise folks who can take in the gist of a written page at a glance; he was having a convo with someone who was clearly a scammer ("I am from [fill in name of African country] and need to meet someone..."). Told him he was being scammed which he hotly denied. Next day he told me about an email purportedly from Microsoft (clearly a phish).
This is someone who has spent his life and career in tech.
I emailed his doc who said "the man has more risk factors for dementia than any 3 people I know, please have him evaluated".
We had an intake appointment on Friday with a really smart and well-qualified young doc from NYU who recommended MRI, neuropsych testing and an additional blood test (Vitamin B12). When we got home, I sat down with DH and went over who was going to arrange for what. He had the MRI the next day and has the order for the blood work. He can do a walk in at local lab. He sent prior reports to his PCP and cardio.
I sent an email to one of the neuropsych clinicians today and told him that he would be hearing from her. He said "what are you looking for with this testing?" (I'm a reitired school psychologist, so maybe not a totally off the wall question?).
I reminded him about the doc appointment we'd had on Friday. He claimed that he's forgotten the details.
Oy. Ok. Here we go, folks. I just turned 68, and he will do so in a couple of weeks.
If anyone has any wisdom, please share. Love to you all. B
Just like the full moon, my husband's cognitive decline waxes and wanes.
It is those moments when he is more himself that I understand his diagnosis does not make him who he is now.
I hope the best for you both.
I am determined to
A. Simplify what am saying (I am frequently discursive)
B. Speak more slowly.
C. Get his attention before I speak.
D. Get us both to hearing professionals.
Signing off for now.
"In some individuals, MCI reverts to normal cognition or remains stable. In other cases, such as when a medication causes cognitive impairment, MCI is mistakenly diagnosed. It is important that people experiencing cognitive changes seek help as soon as possible for diagnosis and possible treatment."
Since your DH's CT scan was clear that is good. I imagine you have been very on top of this, but have they looked at his meds, or any other possible conditions that could be contributing to this? I remember you saying your doc of 35 years said he has a bunch of risk factors(?) -- can any of those be addressed or treated?
Also I think your plan- A to D, is all good. Also stepping back and letting him figure things out, also good.
How are YOU feeling, emotionally? I'm glad you got back into therapy, and we are also all here to help and support you.
I know one thing, your DH is certainly in good hands with you, and I'm sure he will thrive much better because of it. I will be keeping you in my prayers that your DH is one of those case the Alz.org talked about that reverts to normal or remains stable.
Huge hug to you Barb
Iggie, DH has had an interesting medical hx.
When I met him, he had been divorced for 15 years, living a not very healthy life from a dietary perspective.
Had lots of headaches which he thought were migraines. Took OTC meds by the handful (literally). Got him to my doc and as I suspected, he had uncontrolled high blood pressure, which was quickly brought under control, but who knows what the vascular damage was from years of that not being addressed.
Discovered to have a leaking aortic valve and about-to-dissect aortic aneurysm; that got fixed, but not sure how much hypoxia there was before it was dxed and the 6 hours of surgery (they basically lower your body temperture to close to freezing to slow everything down) certainly didn't do him any good--except that the surgery saved his life, of course.
He's on blood thinners, bp meds, seroquel for sleep, a couple of heart meds. He's got a wonderful PCP who acts as the "orchestra conductor" and monitors all. I've known our doc for almost 40 years; he is a terrific diagnostician who knows when to refer out
His mom had dementia. No one seems to know what kind. His dad died at 40 from a heart attack and we know nothing about that part of the family.
Right now, we are just keeping on keeping on. Will update as needed.
Thank you all so much for your support!!
I think your attitude is good- just keeping on!
Still going to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Hugs!
You know, I don't monitor his many meds. Fell into that trap with my first husband; whenever I got sick or had a baby, he'd have seizures because I wasn't around to remind him--and this was a perfectly competent young person!
I am backing away and letting DH figure things out for himself right now. It seems to be working.
Stay tuned!!