Went to my MD today. The doctor has asked my wife to accompany me when I visit him to make sure the information is exchanged correctly and retained.

Been having trouble with making inappropriate speech, like.. While at work a customer came in. I was talking with him and my manger, a friend and the customer were all close. All of a sudden my manger looked at me with a frown. He asked what I meant by that remark! I reworded the compliment. They all looked at each other and said they thought I said something different, which I would never say to a customer. I also told her last night that I was going to call our son and ask him not to visit us this weekend with one of our grand daughters. The reason I diod that was because I didn't want to hurt their feelings by saying some thing incorrectly to them.

I've also been less effective at work. Seems I can't concentrate for long. When I can concentrate the information is not processed in my mind correctly.

My wife told the doctor that I haven't been interested in things lately. She thought that I might be a little depressed. Somehow we started talking about the stock market. I explained that we are loosing as much as my current yearly salary almost every week in our retirement savings. Its not like I dwell on it but it IS always in the back ground and we are of retirement age!

He just doubled my anti-depressant, made a return appointment for four weeks and billed us for the visit.

Now, Im all better!

>Now, I'm all better!<

Hmmmm. Do I detect just a hint of cynicism in the above sentence, my friend?

If so, FINE! You are entitled!

To me, it says you took what happened, processed it and formed an opinion/attitude about it, and THAT is much better than being lackadaisical about it, Tom!

Couple of things:

1. That thing you said: was your re-wording of it satisfactory to all concerned?

2. The visit this weekend: I thought we were a TEAM. Are you going to "walk off the field" without even swinging the bat, Tom? Tom and Bill don't throw in the towel. We face the enemy head on, so please let that grand-daughter visit you, okay?

Something to share with YOU concerning ME now.

This afternoon my answering machine took a call about a television delivery. Tonight while reading, I thought to myself, "better give that guy a call", so I get up from the bed and asked myself why had I stood up?

We are talking NANO-SECONDS between decision and deed, and I forgot why I stood up???????

Tom, I sent you an e-mail with my phone number. Please use it when you need to.

Whisperin' Bill

Seems like I have been visited by the paranoia monster. Makes no sense at all but... I have felt that the company I work for is trying to find the most cost effective way to fire me. We had a meeting this Wednesday morning we had a meeting of all the employees. The owner told us all that the economy was bad and he had to review all of his options to protect the company. He was looking directly at me when he said that.

Tom, I have a list of sayings I like. One of them is, "Accommodate loss by eliminating distraction."

I.e., to the extent you can exert control, make your work station as quiet and blah looking as possible. Don't let clutter build up even a little bit. Thinks like that.

It may be difficult to do those things, but you will almost certainly experience an improvement in work performance.

For what it's worth, I was fired from my last job.

Thanx for the suggestion Alan. Keeping my area organized has always been part of my MO but your absolutely correct. Not only are you correct but I can visualized my work station and it DOES get very messy during the day. I'll try to keep it more organized and see if there is any improvement.

Thanx again for following my link and being there for me,

Tom.

Just our son and one of our grand daughters with us all day Saturday until Sunday morning. It was a great visit and I don't think I insulted either of them even once.

Hey Ttom,
You may have a condition called myoclonus that sometimes comes with EOAD. It is muscle spasms & jerking. I take clonazepam @ bedtime which seems to help. I'm, also, checking on how to get some medical marijuana down here. Alan takes it for his cramps and another person takes it for AD.

Something to think about.

Peace and Hope,

Lisa,

Thanx for following this link and for your support.

Peace to you also,

Hi Tom,

Sorry in advance for this long post but you need to remember that you have RIGHTS. Rights under Federal and possibly State Law. The Americans with Disabilities Act is the Federal Law. Also, you may live in an "at will employment state", which simply means that an employer may terminate any employee at any time, "Without Cause". Any reason, good or bad. i.e. Your new supervisor does not like you or they want to hire their best friend for your position, or perhaps their business has dropped off and they can't afford you. That is their right. HOWEVER, you still have rights also. If they fire you "Without Cause" it does not mean you can not file for unemployment and win (or can not file a discrimination under ADA). In other words the termination was not your fault. You were doing your job & following the rules but they terminated you for no good reason associated with your job performance. So a person should file for unemployment and tell the commission you were without fault in the termination. The employer will many times try to rebut your application and say there was cause to fire you as they don't want to get hit with higher unemployment taxes. You should fight that situation. The employment commission will help you. It is a process.

"With Cause" termination means you broke the rules, insubordination, theft, did not adequately perform your job etc. "With cause" termination normally comes after progressive discipline, warnings both verbal and written or you violated something specifically stated in the employee manual. This is what the employer will use as proof of documentation verifying to the employment commission that they fired "With Cause". That way the employee will not be able to get unemployment benefits and the employer will not be hit with higher taxes for unemployment.

Now with that in mind, even in "At Will" states, an employer can not terminate and violate a persons civil rights. The EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) enforces laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability (The Americans with Disabilities Act), or age in hiring, promoting, firing, setting wages, testing, training, apprenticeship, and all other terms and conditions of employment.

If your employer knows that you are protected under these laws then they are required, unless it would cause "undue hardship to the employer", to make reasonable accomodations. There are a number of possible reasonable accommodations that an employer may have to provide in connection with modifications to the work environment or adjustments in how and when a job is performed. These include:

making existing facilities accessible;
job restructuring;
part-time or modified work schedules;
acquiring or modifying equipment;
changing tests, training materials, or policies;
providing qualified readers or interpreters; and
reassignment to a vacant position

How must an individual request a reasonable accommodation?
When an individual decides to request accommodation, the individual or his/her representative must let the employer know that s/he needs an adjustment or change at work for a reason related to a medical condition. To request accommodation, an individual may use "plain English" and need not mention the ADA or use the phrase "reasonable accommodation.

Example A: An employee tells her supervisor, "I'm having trouble getting to work at my scheduled starting time because of medical treatments I'm undergoing." This is a request for a reasonable accommodation.

Example B: An employee tells his supervisor, "I need six weeks off to get treatment for a back problem." This is a request for a reasonable accommodation.

Example C: A new employee, who uses a wheelchair, informs the employer that her wheelchair cannot fit under the desk in her office. This is a request for reasonable accommodation.

Example D: An employee tells his supervisor that he would like a new chair because his present one is uncomfortable. Although this is a request for a change at work, his statement is insufficient to put the employer on notice that he is requesting reasonable accommodation. He does not link his need for the new chair with a medical condition.

While an individual with a disability may request a change due to a medical condition, this request does not necessarily mean that the employer is required to provide the change. A request for reasonable accommodation is the first step in an informal, interactive process between the individual and the employer. In some instances, before addressing the merits of the accommodation request, the employer needs to determine if the individual's medical condition meets the ADA definition of "disability," a prerequisite for the individual to be entitled to a reasonable accommodation.

Here are a couple of web sites that cover this important law. As a person with Alzheimer's you are protected under the law. You doctor should be able to provide written documentation on this. DO NOT LET ANYONE TAKE YOUR RIGHTS AWAY OR ALLOW THEM TO MAKE YOU FEEL LESS CAPABILE THAN YOU ARE.

www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/accommodation.html
Enforcement Guidance: Reasonable Accommodation and Undue Hardship Under the Americans with Disabilities Act

www.eeoc.gov/facts/accommodation.html
Small Employers And Reasonable Accommodation)


You see I am passionate about this. Your doctor has said basically you have a disease and are disabled, however he feels that you can still function in an employment type situation with reasonable accommodations. As a "protected" person you have rights. You must be your own advocate in this situation. No one is going to stand up for you unfortunately. You must follow the laws guidelines in requesting the accommodations. I don't remember if you have informed your employer of your disability or not. If not then you might want to follow the protocol in requesting it. If you or anyone else feel your rights are being trampled and/or you are being discriminated against, you might consider talking with an attorney that specializes in EEOC cases. No one has to know but you. Remember, you will have to deal with the fall out. But you could be blazing trails for those that follow.

If you have other questions I will be happy to help you research. I love doing this kind of thing as it is what I did for 12 years as a medical office management, compliance, billing, and coding consultant and speaker.

Once again sorry for the long post but this is such important information to get out. I think we PWD (People With Dementia) forget that we have rights. I also have EOAD diagnosed this past March at age 57. No, we are not Lazy, Crazy, or Stupid. Just unlucky enough to get this memory robbing disease. Life just ain't always fair ~ Real Pisser huh! Tom ~ Don't just lay down and take it. You deserve better from your employer. Don't let them get away with it.

Good Luck
Lynn ~ Spotted Dog

Spotted Dog:

Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Thank You for your valuable input that will remain on this link for as long as there are electrons. Me and others can refer to this information whenever it is needed.

Thanx for your concern but I hope that the entire matter is only a figment of my imagination. All companies are have troubles right now due to the world economy and our recent elections. I work for a small company that supports home builders. There ARE serious problems for the owner to deal with and Im sure he is doing his best.

I might be super senitive for a multitude of reasons.
1) Just went though 5 years of down turn, lay offs and a buy out that lead to cynergies. After the dust settled, I was the Engineer left holding the bags of 10 others Engineers. Did that for another 5 years prior the my job bing relocated to Asia. A total of 10 years of consantly covering my butt and worrying if I would be the next to go.
2) Im now the "low man" on the totem pole and a logical choice for elimination.
3) The AD takes control of my thoughts without warrning.

Wow!

Whoa, about that thought, "The AD takes control of my thoughts without warning." That is so true, I felt my heart spasm when I read it!! It's like there are two brains, isn't it? Me, and the Alzheimer's brain.

Today, my Alzheimer's brain got cranky - what else is new? - and decided to put my coin change in a spot in the house it has never been before. Worse, it didn't tell me it did it. My wife found it, asked why I put it there. I didn't! No recollection.

So . . . who put the change there? Not me. It was that other guy. Right?

Noticed this morning thatr I had no leg cramps or weird dreams in a while. Is it possible that the coconut oil and fish oil supplments have helped to reduce or eliminate them. That is the only change in my life that I can think of.

Ttom,
Glad to hear things are improving for you. Keep up the good work.

Peace and Hope,

TOM!!!!!!!!!!!

LISA!!!!!!!!!!!

ALAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Just my way of sayin' "Hey") )

Bill

Alan,

That dude must be little and fast....Or, we have been invaded by a bunch of them! That guy has given me fits as well.

Ain't nobody gonna say HEY back to me?

Bill: HEY!!!

Love you guys!

Thanks!

Bill

Hey Bill... just got back to the house after work, dinner and a meeting.

HEY to you all. just want to say that the past 2 days were GOOD days. got alot done shopping - spent too much but at one place I spent $68.00 and saved over $50. and the other Spent $100. but saved. $40. that was with instore bargains and coupons!! so I am so proud of me. Monday was a day I spent in bed so was glad to get moving.

YAY, Margi!

Bill

Looks like we might have found the ticket! Since I've been taking 1 talbespoon of coconut oil daily my night mares and leg cramps have gone away!! I have been taking fish oil for quite a while. I have also started taking Alfa Lipoic Acid. We have a years supply of another suppliment (can't remember ther name) that counter acts negavitive side effects of Alfa Lipoic Acid.

Tom,

Wow.. do you really think the coconut oil is helping you?

guy

lots on the internet about a net med almost ready to come out. derived from coconut oil. takes 7 teaspoons daily as suggested dose. start working up from a teaspoon so as not to get diarrhea and stomach cramps if i remember. a dr. did this for her husband not wanting to wait for the med to come out.

Hello, Ladies and Gents. I first started coming to these boards a few days ago, but just found this thread tonight.

First, I found myself laughing--I'm not all alone in these weird things I do! It feels good!!!!

Several other things I saw that I want to ask about:
What are the side effects of a-lipoic acid? What do you take for them?

Anybody take goji juice?

I can't believe I'm the not only person who doesn't see things, like buildings, that are right in front of me. Several doctors have told me that can't happen. I guess I could say I AM imagining it.

I'm not the only one with myoclonus? The jerking just started about 6 months ago. I wondered what that was about.

I realized a long time ago that i wasn't a safe driver. Again, I didn't see things around me, I "wandered" in my car (ending up in another town) and had to call for help, and my reactiuons were getting slower.

Giving up driving, when I live alone, was terrible.

I'm having a hard time connecting with anyone locally. One cause may be that the neuro I saw said there's nothing wrong with me. People keep telling me I'm too articulate to be having dementia (yet I can say the weirdest things to people, but only when my brain makes its own decidion to do so).

Another is that I'm relativelky isolated. I ride the local paratransit, but it takes most of a day to go anywhere outside of my dinky town. The service stops at 9:00 pm, and doesn't go just anywhere--there are limits.

I like the idea of having two brains. Your own brain, and the AD one. Makes lots of sense.

I'll keep coming to this group. I'm glad I found you!

Welcome Folwers,

Hope you find this board helpful. Many of us depend on the support we get from the people on this board!

To what extent have you been poked and proded by the doctors? Do you have a progressive medical establishment and professions in your secluded area? There is a significant difference between "Old Timers" and "Alziemers" but a lot of the memory and awarness issues are very similiar. Come to think of it, even the final results are similar!

Glad to have you with us!

Tom

Sue, I thought I'd mention that I share some of your experiences. Like, not seeing things. The fancy word for that is, I think, agnosia. As far as my eyes are concerned, my vision is fine. But things don't always register. This is a big problem when driving, and why I've almost quit driving. When I do, it's with family and/or friends, I do a lot better when someone's with me. All friends, family, and doctors are ok with it, under supervision, with the understanding that I'm to phase out driving completely in 2009.

I also twitch, mostly in my legs, but a good bit in my arms too. Sometimes it's big enough that my arm or leg might jerk oddly, but usually it's just a spasm thing that goes on.

Insomnia became a problem this past Spring, can't sleep unless exhausted or medicated.

Your turn!

Bill,
I'm sorry I missed you post to say Hi.


HI BILL!!!!!!


Better late then never.

Peace and Hope,

Hey Sue,
Welcome. Sorry about your problems but glad you found us. We all have lots of interesting, revolting, aggravating problems so you are definitely not alone. I take Namenda 2 x day, Exelon patch daily, clonazepam for myoclonus, lexapro for ? depression/anxiety, and supplements. I, also, take melatonin to help with sleep.

Peace and Hope,

Alan,
Does the medical marijuana help with the twitching? I'm still working on that down here. The clonazepam I take at bedtime does help.
I'm still driving. I haven't gotten too lost lately. I'm thinking of buying a GPS that talks and I can talk to for directions. Many stores have them on sale now. I do know what y'all mean by not always seeing things the way others do. It's kinda scary sometimes.

Peace and Hope,

Hey Ttom,

How are YOU?

Peace and Hope,

Lisa, medical marijuana most definitely helps with muscle spasms.

I've thought about the talking GPS too, but that wouldn't help with my visual problems. I can get disoriented when driving, but it's the sometimes not seeing things accurately that makes my driving time short.

Hi Ttom,
In my days they called them "Charley Horses" lol. Did you ever try otc quinine? What about clonazepam?
Let me know.
Rub that calf with bengay!

Peace and Hope,

EOAB

My community doesn't have a on going support group just for EOAD and while I would like to be in one or start a new group in Dane County Wisconsin, any one have ideals on starting up a group? I have checked with the Alz Assoc Chapter without success.

I am a past member of the second advisory board. I was surprised and sadden by the news regarding Jeff Carpenter's sudden departure. I always found him to a valuable resource and a friend to the group. If you have a follow up email address or way to contact Jeff, please provide me with a way to contact him. I just want to relay my regards, thanks, and best wishes for success in his future endeavors.

I always felt the other members of my EOAB was the best support group I have every found. Does the Association have any plans for follow up activities or communication channels for past members of the EOAB?

Friends are the best collectables, finding a good friend is one of the best joys life will offer.

Darryl, "dani s" also asked for ideas on starting a support group, and she got some excellent advice. I've brought the thread:

Forming Support Group .....Need Advise

to the top for you. It's on the Caregiver Forum.

Darryl-W,
Please, call your local AD assn again!! They are there to support YOU and others like you. If you don't get any satisfaction, call the Corporate headquarters in Chicago. The AD assn is funded for support groups!
As for Jeff, I'm so sad that he's gone. So far, The AD Assn has not given an e-mail or anyway to contact him. They said if you want to e-mail Chicago office, they will get the messages to Jeff.

Good Luck.

Peace and Hope,

Tom, I saw a neuro for suspicion fo peripheral neuropathy. At that time I said I was haviang problems with my brain and several other docs and I thought I might have early dementia. He said "you do not have Alz". I said no, but it seemed to be some kind of dementia--perhaps from the lupus. His reply? "You definitely don't have dementia". This was after maybe a 1-min conversation.

I have had three neuropsychological test. Each one had shown progressive loss of brain function, a major loss of IQ points. For a person who used to bew "high-functioning", I'm not below average. It seems that, along with the synptoms should say something.

My GI doc put in his notes that he saw "severe dementia" in me.

My psychiatrist is my advocate. He'sa trying his best to get me the diagnostic tools to get a diagnosis. HE has written a note that I am "totally and permantentlyh" disabled.

Is it easier for me to understand what's going on with myh brain because I live alone? Anybody have that experience? There's nobody to "pick up th epieces" when I mess up.

Alan, I'm sorry you have the symptoms, but glad I found someone who understands them.

Hey Lisa and Flowers!

The only thing I have tried my leg cramps is the Coconut Oil. Actually, I started using it because the c'nut oil was reported to improve memory. It has helped in both areas, thank God!

The holidays seem to be hard on some and fun for others. One of gthe people I work closely with is having a hard time. His depression wares on me and begins to affect my outlook as well. I try to give him subtle encourgement but it is difficult as he is angry with people like me that enjoy life.

I'll resolve it or go a little further towards to cliff trying!

Merry Christmas!

Hi, Tom,

I don't get leg cramps as such. I have quirky jerks of part or half of my body sometimes. I've had 4 EEG's, one of which was a 4-day one. The first simple EEG showed one seizure, but none of the others did. So it's not epilepsy.

I can be sitting down when a part of me just jerks--usually once, but sometimes lately several jerks in a row.

As I sayh, I'm weird.

Does softenng of myh skin with geniune Fiji coconut oil count? It's even scented.

Ttom,
This is a difficult time of year for some people. I encourage you to continue to try to help this person at work. If, however, he continues with his anger, then just say bah-humbug back and go on and enjoy your day. Don't let anyone take away your lust for life! We only go around once. We outta enjoy the ride!!!
Happy Holidays, Tom, and to All.

Peace and Hope,

Alan,
I think you should try to take some coconut oil like Tom or clonazepam like me. It really helps with the spasms & jerks!

Flowers,
You might try one of them as well. Sometimes, people with EOAD develop myoclonus (muscle spasms and jerking all over the body).

Peace and Hope,

Lisa, I eat most things that don't bite back, but I can't stand the taste of coconut! I've tried the fancy-schmancy coconut products from the health food store, but I just can't stand even a trace of coconut.

I do appreciate the suggestion, though!

Tom, may I quote from your earlier message: "I'll resolve it or go a little further towards to cliff trying!"

Tom old buddy, is that a reference to hurting yourself?

Alan,
That's sooo strange. I can't handle any kind of coconut either!! Not even in suntan lotions! What about the clonazepam???

Peace and Hope,

Alan, try MCT oil. You can get it at most health food stores and many places on-line. (I ordered it from DiscountAnabolics.com, good price, good service.) It contains more of the oils that are effective in coconut oil, less of the bad fats, and does NOT taste like coconut. There is a product called MCT Fuel that is orange-flavored, the others pretty much have no flavor at all, and you can mix them or drizzle them on top of almost any food.

Not at all Alan. Thanx for your concern. There have been those times in my past but not now. I was referring to the fact that I'm a little "nuttsy" sometimes.

Alan, do you remember when popcorn was cooked in butter-flavored coconut oil? That might be a weird option Just kidding.

Lisa, I take 25 meds and OTC's so I wonder if I would just be adding to the chace of a cross-reaction. I should ask my pharmacist.

Thanks for the idea. I'll check into it.

MCT oil? Hmm, I should look into it I think.

Tom, one of the things I'm having to get used to is not understanding things. It isn't just your comment, I get less on the funny pages of a newspaper, too. Witty remarks friends make sometimes fly over my head. Stuff like that.

Lisa, I like the benzo's, but I'm fine with my legal crop for now. Clonazepam might be better, but . . . well, I feel like I have 1,000 doctors throwing pills at me, and I don't think I'll ever ask about a new one.