Hello,
I am 46 yrs. old and have been diagnosed with EOAD. It has been only within the past month that I have started to come to terms with my illness. I worked as a social worker for the majority of my life and have always derived my self-esteem to some extent from my work. Now that I'm not working, I find myself not making good use of my time. My wife is the expert on my illness and this situation has sent us both the the depths of despair and back. We have 2 children ages 9 and 12 who know a little bit about my situation but at this point they do not know or even understand where my illness will ultimately end. My wife has been my biggest advocate through this whole ordeal and I can only hope that while I have the abilities of my mind I can pay her back for what she has done when I could not be an advocate for myself. My meds at this point in time appear to be working well; however, having read about my illness I have a million questions about where I am heading in the future (i.e. 1. what is my life expectancy, 2. what do I need to for my family at this point in terms of writing or telling them about my life experiences, 3. how to I maitain a healthy relationship with my wife and family without becoming to caught up with my illness, 4. how do I take care of myself in terms of diet, exercise, sleep, and my spirituality (my faith is strong at this point and I don't want that to falter because somedays it is all that keeps me going), and 5. are support groups for those dealing with alzheimer's helpful. Sorry for my long rambling.

I would appreciate any insight one might have to offer,
Heavenshope

Heavenshope welcome and I love your name, my name is Younghope (Tracy). I was diagnosed in 2002 at 38 years old with EOAD. No one understands where you are coming form unles they are in your shoes. As time goes on and you educate yourself you will have more and more questions but you will also learn more and more.
1. Life expectancy according to history is 2-20 years the average is 8 years. But alot of how you do is up to you, you have to take care of yourself by staying active, positive, eat healthy, etc.
2. I would start a journal if I was you, mine turned into a book about my disease as have many others and it has helped so many people to see what it is like on our side as well as they are not alone. It is very therapeutic as well.
3. Try not to focus on how much time you have but focus on each day as it comes. You will have good days and bad days. On the bad just sit back and watch a movie and most of all don't feel sorry for yourself.
4. Eat healthy, LOTS of fish, as I am sure you have heard that fish is a brain food, take vitamins and herbs. I have a friend if you are interested that brought herself back by studing and taking herbal medicines. She takes the other meds as well. I take some of them and they do seem to help. If you are interested let me know and I will hook her up with you, okay?
5. There are support groups for so for your wife. Check through your local Chapter and they should have support groups set up for you and her to attend.
I have started a camp for kids if you think your 12 year old might be interested. Here is the websie: www.freewebs.com/younghope2007/
Feel free to contact me if you want to talk or anything.

Heavenshope and younghope1...........i am new to this forum and semi new to this disease. My wifes father and uncle both had EOAD in there late thirties to early forties. I went down that road and now my wife has been diagnosed with brain atrophy at age 39. Ive seen some loss of memory and its very heart breaking and tough as I have two children age 13 and 8. I dont know what to say so Im just going to let you know good luck. I hope these forums will help me cope and learn..........thx

Hello Heavenshope and Welcome,
I am sorry for what brings you here! There are alot of great people on this site who can assist you and your family. I think Younghope gave you some great advice. Find out as much as you can about early onset alz. (EOAD). But remember, nothing is set in stone! Everyone is different! Eat right, exercise, find out about supplements! Take each day as it comes. You will gave good days and bad days. Don't fight the bad days. Just let them happen and don't be hard on yourself when they do happen! You didn't say if you are on any ALZ meds. I am on a Exelon patch and take Namenda twice a day. I, also, take supplements. I am 53 years old and diagnosed with EOAD about 6 months ago. Make sure you get LOTS of rest/sleep! This seems to help alot!
Good Luck
Please let us know how you are doing!
Peace and Hope,
Lisa

Thank you everyone for your time and insight it has been helpful. If there are others who might have some thoughts or ideas based on their experiences, I would welcome hearing from you and reading about your experiences. Thanks.

Heavenshope

I was diagnosed with EOAD over 10 yrs ago then 2 years ago I told my Neuro i wanted retested.Now I have Vascular dementi & I feel some of AD too.My mneds help greatly.....I just keep on going one day at a time.Life is for the living & I'm living.Don't have time to wallow in self pity......

Heavens Hope: Please read my appeal to Dr. Marilyn Albert of the Alzheimers' Advisory Task Force at the following link: http://freepage.twoday.net/stories/3038870/

Also, my website has addl info re dangers of sleeping close to electric meters, gas meters, electric appliances including any electric clock -- many more items-of-concern -- as well as telephone equipment. Link below sign-off.....

A "major concern" of late and not specifically addressed in email to Albert or on my website, is that persons are not adequately informed re precautions that should be taken re use of cell phones.

Cell phone usage s/b "limited" -- even cordless phones are causing lots of problems. We have a landline and one 900 mhz cordless at our house. The 2.4 ghz and 5.8 ghz cordless cause problems. Some researchers recommend "no cordless phones" since they are on "standby" 24 hrs. round-the-clock, etc.

Very alarming are the increasing reports of persons who are sleeping on top of cell phones -- some even while the phone is charging!!!

A cell phone should not be close to one's bed at all let alone "under pillow!!"

We need those involved in working with various groups to start spreading-the-word now because many children are using the cell phone on vibrate mode and texting at night -- keeping hte phone under their pillow so parents "don't know....."

Ironically I am now getting reports of adults doing the same thing but for purposes of not having a phone ring during the night .... keeping under pillow for ready access!!!

This is an "extremely dangerous situation!!!"

No cordless phone transformer box should be close to a bed. No cell phone s/b charged close to a bed. Those are not the only concerns re elec and phone items close to beds but some of the most frequent items-of-concern.

Call or email w/questions. Leave message on my recorder if there is no answer. I will return call as long as I know reason for the call.

Emails should have "subject" I will recognize so a not to be deleted. I am a researcher and I get lots of spam......

Best of luck and take care - Joanne