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Father DX'ed with FTD
Hello,
Yesterday my father was officially diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dememtia (FTD). His MRI was classic and showed brain schrinkage and ischemic vascular changes. Knowing what we know now he started showing signs in his late 30's. But he was also having Thyroid issues at that time and everything was put off on the Thyroid. FTD is usaully dx between 40-70 yrs old. My father is 65.The neuro said that these types of changes do not happen overnight and have been progressing for a while now.This is progressive and will only get worse. He will eventually become an involent and require 24 hour care....The doctor prescribed Aricept. It is suppose to slow the progression... There is no time frame on how quickly the disease will progress.All we can do is sit,wait,watch and hope for the best.
One interesting/scary thing is the fact that my brain lesions/spots are described the exact same way as my fathers and also in the exact same place.Chronic microangiopathic changes is what they are called. These are normally found in older folks . They can also be indictative of migraines but what if they are not migraines?So what does this mean for me? I do not show any signs of shrinkage but is whats happening to my father going to happen to me? Some of my main issues are infact cognitive.
This is not the type of thing that one expects and can prepare for. At this point I am not sure what to think or even feel for that matter. I am just empty and numb....
It seems that lately it is just one bad thing after another with no good things inbetween for balance.I normally try to stay atleast somewhat positive . But this has become a struggle....
Please be patient with me .Like I always say things may not get better but they do become easier to deal with mentally over time.....
XXXXX Theresa
Yesterday my father was officially diagnosed with Frontotemporal Dememtia (FTD). His MRI was classic and showed brain schrinkage and ischemic vascular changes. Knowing what we know now he started showing signs in his late 30's. But he was also having Thyroid issues at that time and everything was put off on the Thyroid. FTD is usaully dx between 40-70 yrs old. My father is 65.The neuro said that these types of changes do not happen overnight and have been progressing for a while now.This is progressive and will only get worse. He will eventually become an involent and require 24 hour care....The doctor prescribed Aricept. It is suppose to slow the progression... There is no time frame on how quickly the disease will progress.All we can do is sit,wait,watch and hope for the best.
One interesting/scary thing is the fact that my brain lesions/spots are described the exact same way as my fathers and also in the exact same place.Chronic microangiopathic changes is what they are called. These are normally found in older folks . They can also be indictative of migraines but what if they are not migraines?So what does this mean for me? I do not show any signs of shrinkage but is whats happening to my father going to happen to me? Some of my main issues are infact cognitive.
This is not the type of thing that one expects and can prepare for. At this point I am not sure what to think or even feel for that matter. I am just empty and numb....
It seems that lately it is just one bad thing after another with no good things inbetween for balance.I normally try to stay atleast somewhat positive . But this has become a struggle....
Please be patient with me .Like I always say things may not get better but they do become easier to deal with mentally over time.....
XXXXX Theresa
Thank You all soooo much!
The great thing is that my dad is still pretty much my dad...Atleast for now. I mean he does have some issues but if he was not my dad I probably would not even know.
It is just scary to look towards the future...But we will do what we always do..Keep on keeping on.....
XXXX Theresa
The great thing is that my dad is still pretty much my dad...Atleast for now. I mean he does have some issues but if he was not my dad I probably would not even know.
It is just scary to look towards the future...But we will do what we always do..Keep on keeping on.....
XXXX Theresa
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. My prayers are with you and your family. I do hope the meds work for him and that you can find some peace in all of this. Hugs Charley.
Oh my goodness, Theresa, what a blow for him and the rest of the family. I know you must be questioning everything about your own symptoms and suffering. It's natural - and probably healthy to do so, I reckon.
We've been through very similar with my mother. Coincidentally, they sent my blood for CADASIL and other dementia tests which came back negative. (jeez! why did they not listen to my plain reports - they would have clocked the cervical degeneration and wouldn't have needed to mess about with expensive DNA tests!).
Also, my mum has survived far longer that the doctors' prognoses. She's being cared for wonderfully in a great nursing home (I know, amazing for UK...). Dementia looks so savagely cruel. It's so sad for all the family as well. But it's weird, my mum is still in there somewhere, she's not a vegetable - and if you listen very carefully, she does make perfect sense, there is still communication. In some ways it's a much kinder, gentler communication, more fundamental. It's like her love shines through unsullied by all the 'healthy' day to day concerns and hassles and vice versa.
I don't want to romanticise dementia (it definitely has its horrible elements). But I've learnt a big lesson with my mum's condition: something like 'being normal is not necessarily to be healthy - and humanity is not always best demonstrated through words or intellect'.
blessings and huggss
samxxx
We've been through very similar with my mother. Coincidentally, they sent my blood for CADASIL and other dementia tests which came back negative. (jeez! why did they not listen to my plain reports - they would have clocked the cervical degeneration and wouldn't have needed to mess about with expensive DNA tests!).
Also, my mum has survived far longer that the doctors' prognoses. She's being cared for wonderfully in a great nursing home (I know, amazing for UK...). Dementia looks so savagely cruel. It's so sad for all the family as well. But it's weird, my mum is still in there somewhere, she's not a vegetable - and if you listen very carefully, she does make perfect sense, there is still communication. In some ways it's a much kinder, gentler communication, more fundamental. It's like her love shines through unsullied by all the 'healthy' day to day concerns and hassles and vice versa.
I don't want to romanticise dementia (it definitely has its horrible elements). But I've learnt a big lesson with my mum's condition: something like 'being normal is not necessarily to be healthy - and humanity is not always best demonstrated through words or intellect'.
blessings and huggss
samxxx
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad...I'll be keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers.
dear theresa,
i am so sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. that is a crushing blow, to say the least and my prayers are with you and your family. my college roommate's father is dealing with something similar right now and it has been very sad for everyone involved. i hope the medication the dr. prescribed is helpful in some way.
i can understand your concerns about how your own symptoms and MRI findings relate to this new development. i would certainly be wondering the same thing, but i am sure this is not your destiny. when is your next neuro appointment? it will be interesting to hear what her take is on all of this.
i know it is hard, but try to keep the faith.
peace,
binx
i am so sorry to hear about your father's diagnosis. that is a crushing blow, to say the least and my prayers are with you and your family. my college roommate's father is dealing with something similar right now and it has been very sad for everyone involved. i hope the medication the dr. prescribed is helpful in some way.
i can understand your concerns about how your own symptoms and MRI findings relate to this new development. i would certainly be wondering the same thing, but i am sure this is not your destiny. when is your next neuro appointment? it will be interesting to hear what her take is on all of this.
i know it is hard, but try to keep the faith.
peace,
binx
My thoughts are with you and your Dad!!!
hugs and kisses
Jibby
hugs and kisses
Jibby
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