Alzheimer's Disease Support Group

Hello to all.. I am new to this forum and I am my father's Alzheimers advocate. Something that I'm hearing lately is that someone has passed due to Alzheimers complications. Can anyone tell me what type of complications due to Alzheimers can a person die from. Any answers would greatly be appreciated.

It is not unusual for an AD patient to pick up other complications. My only experience is of a lung problem, which took my wife before the later stages.

Hope others can add to this.

Tony

Thanks Tony. I'm terribly sorry to hear of your wife's passing. It's ironic that you mention lung problems. Currently my father will have his 3rd CAT scan of his lungs due to having several nodules in his lungs. The bigger ones were of concern back in Feb. when I rushed him to the ER after having breathing problems and at which time they found the nodules as well as a blood clot in his lung. In May he had his second CAT scan in which the "bigger" nodules were not seen however he had even more of the smaller ones. So according to his Dr. he has ordered another CAT scan in Aug. in case the larger nodules are "hiding"

We'll see what happens at that time. Thanks for your response~

Welcome MCarter,

I'm sorry to hear that your father has Alzheimer's. I'm glad that you can be his Advocate.

Alzheimer's affects certan parts of the brain. As the disease progresses it begains to shut down different body functions. At some stage they will forget how to eat and even swallow. They don't breathe deep breaths at some point and that causes fluids to build, etc. Walking can become impossable and they lose the ability to control body functions. These are some of the most common complications that can cause death.

Everyone is different and a person can live 10-15 years with Alzheimer's. Please don't dwell on what can be but live each day for today. {{hugs}} Remember today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.

I'll have you and your father in my prayers. I hope his test come back negative in Aug.

Blessings,

LYW

Hi MCarter. Welcome to the group. I'd like to reinforce what LYW told you. Try not concern yourself with stories about death from Alzheimer's. My mother has lived with Alzheimer's for over seven years and is still going strong. Her younger sister had it for about 10 years, and their older sister lived with it for over 20 years back in the days when we hardly knew what Alzheimer's was. Like LYW said, it has to do with the brain gradually forgetting things, until it finally forgets how to make the body function, but that can take an awfully long time, so don't worry about it. Try to concentrate on making what you can of every day as it comes. Write us any time you feel overwhelmed or feel like talking.

If you were concerned about the lung nodules beings related to Alzheimer's, most likely not. We are still subject to all the physical ailments we might have had, even without the Alzheimer's. ANW

Post edited by: alznotwell, at: 06/17/2009 01:52 PM