Fear of Alzheimer's

Hi I am a 57 year old female and I am new here.  My Father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and passed away in 1990.  In 1996 my Mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and passed away in 1999.  It is my understanding that my chances of getting the disease are greatly increased from the fact that both parents had it.  Has anyone here been tested for the gene that carries the disease?  Would anyone want to know that they were going to get the disease?  My sibblings and I have debated that question for a long time.  Thank you for listening.   

Hi SnowyLynn and thanks for the reply.  Have you been tested for Alzheimers?  You said after 8 years you are still doing okay.   Are you taking medication or anything?  I'd love to hear more about your situation. 

Thank you HealthProblem for your reply and for posting the article.  I read it and it was helpful.  I used to go to Alzheimer's support group meetings when my Mom was in the nursing home.  I learned a lot from those,  but I am aware that a lot has been learned in these five years since she passed away. 

hello there,

my name is carrie and i've been taking care of my mother who has been sufferring from Alzheimers for about 4 years now. Following mild dementia, she now has no sense of personality. I am constantly by her side, looking after her, making sure that she is alrite.

After much searching, i was able to come across this site, and i must say that it has helped me greatly. [www.alzinfo.org] i must say that i like the articles and postings in regard to the current studies on alzheimers and those underway. Hope it is of great help.

take care,
carrie L.

Hi everyone. I'm sorry I haven't been back here for so long. I actually forgot I had a membership at this site till I was going thru my list of bookmarked sites and found you again. I hope everyone is doing well and I hope to return again soon.

Thank you for your reply Rosie. I'm sorry about your Dad. It's really great that you are giving your Mom a break every week.

I haven't found out anything.......I've tried not to deal with my fears. I have some physical health problems and depression too. I'm glad your sense of smell is still good. I hadn't heard that before. I have so many allergies and sinus trouble that I don't smell much. ha!

Thanks again for replying to my post.

Hi Lyn and thank you for your reply. I'll try to keep coming back. It's easier to stay in denial about things if I don't come here. lol I'm sorry for what you are going thru with your Mom. Seems we all have the worrying in common. Thanks again.

I didn't know that an mri would show the plaques and tangles. I thought the only way to prove AD was an autopsy after death. I'm giving these replies a lot of thought!

It's definite,AD can be found in Spinal fluid now........

I'm in the second stage of the 7 stage chart,even after 8 yrs.I had the Spinal tap done,thogh the testing is done now that wasn't available then in the spinal fluid.
Read the 36 hour day book.you can get it at your library,or if not ask then to order it,they will,even in large print...........

AR......How ya doing sis and hows your Dad?...............Mom isnt doing too good lately relly still upset with the whole "home" thing and the other kids:it has me quite stressed as well...............But on a good note we went to Strathroy(howies mom lives there) and there is a 62 bed home for sale there and has 2 houses on property as well...........Went yesterday and met with the realtor and the place is beautiful (was a nursing home) comes fully equipped with all ya need to open and I still have contacts within the system for residents:I would open it as a retirement home and have some pysch patients as well(of course in different area though) and we could live in the big house and rent the smaller one out for income ............The Canadian gov has a great amount of monies availiable to start up businesses and will pay half of the employees wages for the first year.I am so excited about it all and I have that sparkle in my eye again ............I could take Mom and Dad with me there and the house is big enough for them to have their privacy and still be with me ..........This also solves the problem of the other kids sticking their noses in ...wish me luck will ya and lots of prayers sis ................Hope you are being well and taking care of self as well ...............God Bless......yak at ya soon ...........Lyn

Ozzie........am constantly trying not to worry about me getting this DD but it is hard not too.....That  book that SL recommended really is worth reading and I hope you are able to get ahold of it ..........Please take care and be well ....God Bless........Lyn

Yes,Ozzie.Look in your library for other books written by those with AD.Larry Rose is one.You can look him up on the nest.....

Am keeping you and your Dad (and Mom) in my thoughts and prayers sis ....give him a big hug for me .............It is my wish that Mom goes in her sleep as well w/o pain and suffering ,she too is slipping but not quickly ,and I pray that she just knows how much I love her and appreciate all she has done for me in my lifetime ............Take care and you be well too ..........Yes it will be a big undertaking but its something I love to do soooooo I am ready and maybe it will stop me from worrying about sickness all the time .............God Bless and Watch Over You and Your Family........Lyn