Hey fellow BP'ers:
I was diagnosed with Bipolor Disorder in 1994, and have gone through a lifetime of the ups and downs that come along with it. My highs have been very high, and my lows have been low, and somewhere in between I've been able to live my life.
A few years ago, I started to have some memory problems; no big deal, but it was happening on a regular basis. Then I started to misplace things over and over and over ... I'd even misplace my keys 2-3 times on my way to the door. I
also started forgetting the names of common items; I would be talking about a book, and the word wouldn't come to me, so I would call it a "square thing that has paper in it that's written on". This was no longer a little problem; it was adversly affecting my life.
Eventually I talked it over with my pDoc for a few months, and he put me on Aricept, a med used to control dementia. (actually, there are no meds that stop dementia; they only slow the progression) This med made me physically and mentally sick, so I stopped taking it. At my next appointment, he had me begin taking the Aricept again, ramping up over a four week period. He also put me on Namenda, which is another med like Aricept. He also upped my Adderall by 20 mg.
The progression will more than likely be slow, probably over many years. Most changes will not be noticed by me, but they will be apparent to Connie. I'm already at the point where I get real frustrated at myself. I've got to admit, this is tough. But God has gotten Connie and I through a vey rough two years, and I know that He will be with us always.
There are studies that link MI and dementia. Are any of you experiencing this situation; MI with a diagnosis of Younger / Early-Onset Dementia (Alzheimer's)?
Mike
Mike, I don't know anything about early-onset dementia, but I do know something about Namenda. My father had Alzheimer's and tried Aricept, but it made him faint; probably lowered his blood pressure. He also tried Exelon, but we didn't notice that it helped much. But when he took Namenda, we did notice quite a change for the better. He was more grounded and lucid and able to express himself. And he didn't start taking it till his illness was in the later stages. Since you have started taking Namenda at an early stage, I think that is a big plus on your side.
Donna #1,
Thank you for the comments. I was just beginnning to understand how I operated with bipo, after neaarly 20 years, and then this. Seems that in a few years there is a strong possibility that I won't even know that I'm MI. (Can't imagine what that will be like). Anyway, thanks again. My wife and I put our faith in God through Jesus Christ. The miracles that have taken place in our lives in the past two years are incredible; money received, unexpected med, dent and vis benefits at no cost to us. We are being taken care of, and we are eternally grateful.
Regards, and may God bless you and yours.
Mike