My husband is bipolar and was diagnosed with early Alzheimer's or dementia 6 months ago. How fast does it start to appear?

The early symptoms of Alzheimer's are subtle - forgetfullness and loss of concentration - which is why the disease often goes undiagnosed. AD begins slowly and the speed of its increase varies by the person affected. On average, a person with Alzheimer's lives from 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed, but that number is an average, and it can vary a lot. Unfortunately, there's no way to know for sure how quickly the disease will progress in your husband. Enjoy the good times with your husband and work closely with his doctor to treat symptoms as they appear.