Re: Re: LBD vs Alzheimers

[Guest guest]

Hi dear Jan,

You are right about AD and LBD showing up in some patients. Don was

diagnosed with Alzheimer's at first. And yes, right at first he repeated

questions. But, that didn't last long. LBD overshadowed everything else.

Like, Jim, My Don displayed hallucinations early on, which made me know he

had LBD. The new Doctor diagnosed LBD right off.

Also, like, Jim, Don had symptoms as far back as 1995, (he died April 22,

2010.) 1995 is when he had to quit work as he could no longer do the math

it required. He had high agitation at that time, but I attributed it to his

heart condition, (he had just had open heart surgery for the second time),

and the loss of his job. It is hard on a man to not be the bread winner.

After weeks of his being on my back with his agitation, I told him if he

didn't see the doctor and tell him about his agitation that I would leave him.

I couldn't stand it. The doctor gave him Zoloft, and in a couple of weeks

there was a big difference.

Early on Don tried to pick fights with me. I caught on to what he was

doing, and

started going the extra mile to show all the love in the world I could to

him. I reassured in encouraging ways to build up his low self image. And,

yes, I was accused of having a boyfriend, even when I never left his side.

At first he could still get around very well, and we did all the shopping

together. But, somehow I probably had a boyfriend in his mind.

Or, I was taking money that he didn't know about. That too was worked out,

and after a while he trusted me completely with it.

He was the worlds worst at hiding thing in unusual places. We finally made

a joke out of it, by saying look in your sock drawer first.

One trying situation was when he urinated on the floors in unusual places.

That usually happened at night, and I would walk in it when only the night

lights were on. UGH! At least I had tile floors. He had diarrhea one time,

and left a trail down the hall to the bathroom, on carpet. I got tile for

my allergies and for just such things as that trail down the hall that had

to be cleaned up while on my hands and knees. I had no scrubber at that

time. I cleaned every fiber, and deep too. Bleach here I come! No more of that.

There were other accidents later on, but there was tile! Cold to walk on,

you bet! We wore lots of socks and leggings. I bit my tongue and didn't

fuss as he couldn't help it.

All right! I've talked enough for this time.

Love a lot, it helps in a big way,

Imogene

In a message dated 2/13/2011 11:06:45 P.M. Central Standard Time,

janetcolello@... writes:

I have no clue about Alzheimer symptoms vs LBD, but one that stands out is

the

repeating over and over questions. " Where do you live? " and again minutes

later

" Where do you live? " this I found common at the nursing home with

Alzheimers. My

husband never repeated questions, not even in the beginning stages, but it

seems

to be an Alzheimer symptom. Possibly LBD has it if it is combined with

Alzheimers. Has anyone experienced the repeated questions with LBD? That

may be

one way to determine Alzheimers from LBD in the earlier stages, unless

they have

a combination of Alzheimers/LBD in the LBD Spectrum. I am curious to hear

your

responses on this question.

Jan Colello

San Francisco Bay Area, CA

Husband, Jim, dx w/LBD Oct. 2003

Deceased January 22, 2011

[Guest guest]

Thank you Imogene,

I can already see the agitation/anger with my husband. I noticed he

was ill early on, probably from my medical background, as he started

getting the blank face and some mild confusion. My father also died

of Parkison's. My husband's family is still in denial.

Thank you for writing about your tile. I am currently putting in tile

floors, more for the dogs, and my allergies, but, I see I will be

glad we did this for more than just me. I was feeling like I was

being a bit extravagant. DH is still capable of helping me (though he

has trouble thinking and I end up telling him how to do it). I am

trying to pull this never been finished house together and have it

done before he can not help me. I don't know how I would get it done

without him.

I have one bathroom that is still just a blank room. I am trying to

figure out how to finish it in a way that will not reek of

handicapped, yet be easy for us to use. We may need to sell before

this whole ride down life's path is finished. <sigh>

We just found out that the Dr had changed Lee's dx to LBD when she

wrote a letter for us last week with diagnosis and medications in

it. Having been at all the Dr appointments with Lee, I think she

suspicioned her diagnosis a long time ago, but had not told us.

Bonnie

DH Lee, dx Parkinson's Oct 2006, changed to LBD ?