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Symptoms are changing. Is this typical?

For the last five years I have observed a variety of symptoms with my wife who was originally diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment but now the PP has called her condition dementia. I am confused because many symptoms flare for a time and then recede. Is this typical. Here are some of them: seeing bugs, disconnecting plugs, suspicion, hoarding, hiding money, incontinence, sex, but consistent have been memory loss, repetition, not showering, eating little, complaining, loss of cognition except when others are present.

  1. Hi . I am sorry to hear that you and your wife are experiencing this; thank you for sharing with us. While I cannot speak to whether or not it is typical for these symptoms to recede (I am hoping some community members will jump in with their own experiences) they are all typical symptoms of dementia. (https://alzheimersdisease.net/manage-behavioral-symptoms). Have you spoken with your wife's doctor about this? They may be able to offer some suggestions and support. Warmly, Patty (Team Member)

    1. My wife is entering late stages of Alzheimer’s. Her symptoms are everything you stated (except seeing bugs). She has delusions of other people in the house, but to my knowledge has never had illusions of other people, or bugs. I have everything important locked down (wallet, keys, checkbook, papers, etc.) and have confounding locks on the doors and moved the garage door opener buttons and replaced them with fakes (wondering).
      The doctors positively diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s using PET scan, MRI, Cognitive testing from a neurophysiologist, and other tests. But they were fairly positive it was Alzheimer’s before the PET scan. They think she may also have Frontal Lobe Dementia.
      Her neurologist says generally Alzheimer’s is downward stair steps, and once she goes down a step, it will not improve. From what I see, I agree with the downward step analogy. I first noticed symptoms about 10 years ago and have never seen improvement. I have seen periods of stabilization, slowing, speeding up, instant drop, but never improvement. Although I have seen changes in symptoms that may look like improvement of one symptom, but it wasn’t, it was just another symptom kicking in.
      It was good for my mind to have a positive diagnosis, but I am under the impression the treatment would have been the same with or without a PET scan (maybe I am wrong, I am not a medical person).
      I am also told that there are about 100 different types on dementia.
      To answer your question “is this typical?”. I have heard there is not a “typical”. One seminar I went to said “Once you have met one person with Alzheimer’s, you have only met one person with Alzheimer’s”. Your wife sees bugs, mine doesn’t. My wife doesn’t flush the toilet and puts used toilet paper in the waste basket. Maybe the same but different.
      God is my refuge and strength. Accept change, get mad sometimes, and finish strong. Looks like you have stepped up to the challenge. It’s doable.

      1. Hi @garysarah, thank you for sharing your support and experience. You gave some really great tips! We appreciate you! - Warmly, Donna (team member)

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