There was an article in my local paper about a man who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's at 63.

[raccoon]

I'd heard about early onset, but that really scared me.

I hear that and think, if that happens to me....I have about 5 years...

I try not to dwell on it, though. I try to use it as a motivator to do the things I really want to do.

Anybody else?

[livetohike]

1. It's in the back of my mind right now because

I was just diagnosed three days ago with osteoporosis (and I'm 57). How could this happen to me? So now this early onset Alzheimers is puzzling too. Suddenly, I feel really old.

[HereSince1628]

4. Well, you've lived about 75% of a average life expectancy

I don't know what "old" means, but I'm in about the same boat,

Disease stories don't make me feel old, but the inability to find anything of interest in pop-culture makes me feel like I am beyond the marketing demographic.

[livetohike]

9. Me too (with pop culture). I think I'm stuck in the 60's

:-)

[Cal33]

12. Did you doc. tell you to take a lot of Vit. D (like at least

1200 units a day) with Calcium 1000 mg. a day, and do enough mild exercise like
walking...etc...? Good luck.

[MineralMan]

2. There was no story, however, about the millions of 63 year olds

who do not have Alzheimer's. Neither was there a story about all the people in their 70s and 80s who don't have the disease. There was a story in our paper this morning about a man who was murdered, too. No story about all those who weren't.

There's no point in worrying about Alzheimer's. Odds are high that you won't ever get it. Live your life. Worry about things you can do something about. Forget this.

[deadmessengers]

3. Really, that's barely "early onset"

My mother was 67 and was one confirming test away from a diagnosis of Alzheimer's when she died last year from other, unrelated causes. I remember thinking at the time that I wasn't aware that people that young could have Alzheimer's, but when I did a bit of research, I found that it's not unheard of for people to show early-onset signs in their late 30s. In retrospect, my mother had symptoms of dementia for at least five years prior to that - I remember at least one incident where she couldn't remember that I had ever attended college.

[SharonAnn]

14. Former boss of mine was diagnosed at age 50. He'd had symptoms for a couple years.

His wife figured out what it was. His doctor, GP, just pooh-poohed it. Said "everybody starts forgetting things".

He went on disability. He's now 66 and has been in a nursing home for 5 years. I'm amazed his wife kept him at home as long as she did. He was very difficult in his last few years at home.

[asjr]

5. I first noticed the symptoms when

my mother was about 67. She was beginning to be forgetful and had really let herself and her house go to pot. By the time she was 72 she was in a nursing home because I couldn't manage on my own. She would leave the house and a neighbor would find her if she was lucky. It is a vicious disease. I have a 50% chance of getting it and let me tell you every time I forget something I dwell on it too long. And it is almost as bad on the family as the patient. I quit my job, moved to FL to be near my sister, got a condo and a job in order to have her in a day care and live with me there. It went from bad to worse in one month. She fell and broke some bones and we had to put here in a nursing home in order for her to recover physically. That only aggravated her condition. She was there for 10 years. That may be the reason I hate FL. I associate it with disease. You are probably okay. When I just read about it I start having symptoms. I couldn't look at her without bursting into tears. It still hurts after 15 years.

[raccoon]

6. My mother had it too. I feel your pain.

:hug:

[JohnnyLib2]

7. Sister diagnosed at 53 and the decline has been steady.

Tragic. We (older and younger) siblings are okay but also conscious of the passing of time.

[Ernesto]

8. I'm 63..... and started feeling stupid, but then......

I quit smoking pot!

[damntexdem]

10. That's not all that early.

It can hit those in their 50s, or even younger.

[kaehele]

11. EOAD

Early Onset Alzheimer's Disease is becoming increasingly common as the numbers of AD affected soar.

On the other hand, try not to stress. If you have it in your family, you may have some reason for concern but even then it is no sure thing.

Remember: if you forget where you put your car keys, that is absolutely no indication of Alzheimers or any other dementia. If you look at your car keys and do not know what they are, you might need a neurologist.

[woodsprite]

13. My friend (52) was diagnosed recently with early Altzheimers,

but they had to change the diagnosis to Pick's Disease. The doctor described it as Altzheimers on steroids. She has failed sooooo much during the last 6 months - From being a vibrant employee who's whole career has been working in children's health care, to being someone who can't function in day-to-day activities like dressing, bathing, etc.

It is scary! I had never heard of Pick's before. The doctors have told her husband that within 2 to 10 years (depending on the progression) she could be non-communicative. Alzheimers drugs don't work to slow the progression, but some drugs can help relieve early symptoms. It's just devastating to their family. Just as they thought they could retire and enjoy life travelling without kids, this happens.