An update of having Alzhiemers and How i cope with it on a daily basis.

I began having memory problems in the fall of 2006. An MRI showed nothing wrong ,yet my short term memory was becoming worse. In May 2007 I was told I had early Alzhiemers after A Pet Scan was done. The news was a devastating and impacted my life greatly as I tried to come to terms with it all. I had watched my Grandfather die from it as a teenager, and later my uncle, as well as his son died from it. The news was a death sentence to me!

The first couple of years were really hard! I was on an emotional roller coaster! I was hurt, angry, depressed and emotionally exhausted. I wrote about it on the Den and joined A chat group. I researched articles concerning medications and ways to combat it. I tried to keep my mind active and not give in to what was happening to me.

It's seven years later and I am still doing very well. I drive and don't get lost. I write checks and pay my bills and handle all life events which happen.
The four books I have written have been published. I lost my dear husband in July of 2012. It was an earth shattering event, but I managed to survive and have gone forward in life.

Most people do not know I have Alzheimers and I do not tell them.
Many do not understand what it's like to live with this illness.
I have heard people make cruel remarks about some who have it. They look down on them, some show pity. People treat you differently!
I get up set with Doctors who do not have their patients taking Namenda and Arceipt or Exelon. (The last two are similar). Both Namenda and Exelon are needed to reduce the affects the illness has on the brain in different ways.

These are the medications I have been taking which have helped my mind to remain alert and active.
Namenda 10 mg twice daily
Exelon 4.5 mg twice daily
Folic Acid 1600 mcg daily
Vitamin B 12, 1000 mcg daily
Cinnamon 1000mg daily, which helps with sugar metabolism. and might help break up plaques which form in the brain.
Plavix 75 mg daily which reduces the risk of a stroke, Cardizem for my heart and Metaformin for Diabetes.

If any of you have genetic factors in your family lineage, I urge you to start taking Folic Acid, 800 mcg., two daily and Vitamin B12, 1000 mcg daily, Now!
Many have a shortage of B12 which affects memory as they age.
There is a lot of information on the internet and perhaps your Doctor can help also.

I know how hard it is to be a care giver, as I am a retried nurse.
My oldest son was told he had early Alzh at age 49 in 2008. He is still working and doing ok.

I hope this will help some of you ! If I can be of assistance in any way, please contact me.
Blessings to you, Mary Grace