Comments on: Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease or Common Forgetfulness? How Can You Tell?

By: Lynn Temte

Lynn Temte — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:09:39 +0000

Alzheimer’s is a disease that is often mis-understood and often folks are said to have it without having the definitive tests, already mentioned. I have watched my husband’s father and now his mother suffer a loss of cognitive function. In the case of my husband’s father…he was accurately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but in the case of my husband’s mother, whose family tree is filled with individuals who suffered from senile dementia and stroke damage as she has, is labeled to have Alzheimer’s as well. I am unsure for without the definitive neurological tests that she is an Alzheimer’s statistic or not. I do know this: it is a devastating diesase for the one who has it; the family of the one who is diagnosed; and it is a long, frustrating journey for the patient and the families. I call it a “wicked” diease but I also call cancer and certain psychiatritic disorders the same as well for this reason: it drains the patient and the family and always leaves the question…Will I have what they have had when I become older. I have been told by those who have the experience with Alzheimer’s patients that though the current thinking is that the earlies onset is genetic, mere forgetfulness is cause by other things than stroke, dementia or Alzheimers. Today the simple stress of daily living takes it toll on many individuals. If they are caretakers in particular, many times the associated stress expresses itself in a type of forgetfulness that is in fact a reflection of the burderns they carry. So…when in doubt…go to the Alzheimer’s Association for they will get you to the proper diagnostians to determine what is the truth of the matter. The worst thing a person can do is think about it – ruminate and agonize over it….find out and then proceed rather than suffer in your mind with all of the “what ifs”…

By: Kandy

Kandy — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 09:11:44 +0000

My mother, her father, and three of her siblings suffered from this sickness. She is 95 years old, and is still active, but sometimes even forget who I am.

I am very worried, that I will get it, I am 65 years old, and I noticed that lately I am misplacing a few things. I am a verya active person, and look way younger than my age. I read and work a lot on the computer, but I don’t think that all this activity will help, because of my family genes.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 02:31:15 +0000

I’m 67 now and my father died of Alzheimer’s ten years ago.

What chance do I have of Alzheimer’s from here on out? He was in early 80’s when we really noticed he was haveing trouble. But then it came on very fast and he was unable to care for himself a year later. He lived four more years in great pain? He didn’t know anyone.

By: Ronald M Podell MD

Ronald M Podell MD — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:25:49 +0000

One of the most reliable methods for determining the difference between age-related memory loss, minimum cognitive impairment (MCI) and true Alzheimer’s Disease is to have an extensive Neuro-Cognitive evaluation. This is done by a series of paper and pencil tests specifically designed to assess the functining of various intellectual and cognitive functions that are controlled by different areas of the brain.

The test is covered by Medicare and many insurances since it is so important to make this diagnosis early and to begin to slow down the process and follow the patient closely. Please go to our website and read about these disorders in detail and how you can get yourself or a loved one tested.

By: mary

mary — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 20:17:05 +0000

My mother died in 2001 starting out with Allzheimers in 1997 It was along process of loseing her a little a time. I felt mother less early on. She died at the age of 78I don’t know what is worse that or ALS my Dad died back in in 1982 at 61 from ALS My oldest brother died from ALS and Alzheimers he was 56 at the time of his death. He went very quickly. My other brother now 62 in a nursing home at 62 Has dementia brought on from over use of alcohol. So its very scary for my sister and me.

By: mjb

mjb — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:50:01 +0000

As one who has worked with Alzheimer patience, and also fears at times my own symptoms of early onset, I don’t think this article has given any information about symptoms of the difference between “just forgetfulness” and early onset of Alzheimer’s disease. I’m in my mid 40’s and have noticed my forgetfulness getting worse. I may be more aware of this because I’m around it, but at the same time I also know that although some forgetfulness is “normal” i.e. “what did I do with the keys?” Is it also “normal” to go upstairs and forget “why” you went up? Is it “normal” to go to the grocery store and forget to buy milk or go and buy “another” milk because you can’t “remember” whether or not you “remembered” the last time you went? Is it “normal” to take medication twice or not at all because you can’t “remember” whether or not you already took it? Is it “normal” to “forget” to pay a monthly bill because you have “too much” on your mind or because you just didn’t “remember” to pay it??? You see, these are the type of questions I need answered in articles such as this one leads people to think it’s about…Because these are the type situations I find myself in on a daily basis and people always say “Oh you’re too young to worry about Alzheimers”…OR AM I?? How ’bout you?? uuuuhhhhmmmmmm