Dementia Support Group

Good news. My disability claim has been granted.

Wonderful!!! Sorry it has taken me so long to respond. I was dogsitting last week without internet access. I am so glad that your claim was granted though. I know that takes a lot of stress off.

It has taken nearly 11 months, but in checking my bank balance on May 1st, I noticed a huge deposit from Social Security. A few days later, the documents confirming that I've been approved for disability! I'm viewing this with mixed emotions. The diagnosis of MCI is a cause of much concern. Being apparently confirmed by two professionals scares me, but that it has been diagnoses while it is still 'mild' gives hope that the effects may be slowed with treatment.

Social Security has three levels of severity that determine how often follow-up exams are given. The more severe the disability, the more time between exams. My next 'official' exam is in five to seven years, which is the longest interval listed. That scares me, but science is making new discoveries almost daily. I read that they now can predict if people with MCI will progress to dementia or AD with a simple eye exam. There is hope.

Post edited by: Ferret, at: 05/10/2010 08:40 AM

It is scary to have it that solidly confirmed, but I am glad that you are getting the benefits. I think with SS the follow-up also depends a lot on how much they know about your diagnosis and how likely it is to change over time (how many people get better and can get back to work for instance). Since a comparatively large amount is known about your prognosis it makes sense not to pester you all the time with appointments, it doesn't mean you are anywhere near the worst off that they see.

I am really interested in the eye exam thing. I will have to google that and see if I can find that. Weird how much they can tell by something so little!

Hi there,

Looks like we are in the same boat. I was diagnosed with MCI on June 2nd. The "funny" thing is I graduated from college on May 7th, with honors!

It is so frustrating being in the middle of a sentence and can't remember a simple word, I lose things all the time, forget things, can't remember what day it is, every morning my husband tells me the day it is. I can't take care of the checkbook anymore,

It seems to be progressing rather quickly. My doctor is calling it Early Onset. You see I am 59 years old.

My dad who passed last year was at stage 7 Alzheimer's. Genetics, excuse my word, sucks. you see I have inherited all my Dad's medical conditions; chronic insomnia, which my doctor told me a symptom of Alzheimer's, Restless Leg syndrome, Glaucoma, was diagnosed with the beginning of it 6 months ago. Now this......

I do need someone to talk with. I feel so alone, my husband is wonderful about this but he can't know what I am feeling inside. I need someone who knows and feels like I do. [img]

Hi there,

Looks like we are in the same boat. I was diagnosed with MCI on June 2nd. The "funny" thing is I graduated from college on May 7th, with honors!

It is so frustrating being in the middle of a sentence and can't remember a simple word, I lose things all the time, forget things, can't remember what day it is, every morning my husband tells me the day it is. I can't take care of the checkbook anymore,

It seems to be progressing rather quickly. My doctor is calling it Early Onset. You see I am 59 years old.

My dad who passed last year was at stage 7 Alzheimer's. Genetics, excuse my word, sucks. you see I have inherited all my Dad's medical conditions; chronic insomnia, which my doctor told me a symptom of Alzheimer's, Restless Leg syndrome, Glaucoma, was diagnosed with the beginning of it 6 months ago. Now this......

I do need someone to talk with. I feel so alone, my husband is wonderful about this but he can't know what I am feeling inside. I need someone who knows and feels like I do. [img]

I know the feelings you're having, I too have MCI mine is a little further along. I am 62 and was diagnosed at age 42. My memory loss seems to be very selective, time, money and numbers in general are completely lost to me.

Hey there, yes I would like to be your friend. I am new to MD and I am so happy I found it. It helps so much to talk to others that face the same I am. Memory loss, had to give up the checkbook after I sent $1900 to a $190 bill.....hubby wasn't too happy about that. Kept sending wrong amounts to bills or sent check to wrong place!

Can't remember what day it is, forget the date, that has been gone for awhile.

When my husband is leaving for work he tells me everyday what day it is and I forget what he tells me soon after.

Math is lost, had the 4 hour Neuro testing, couldn't count backward from 100 by 7's....can't even add anymore. This, excuse my french, REALLY SUCKS. (and I am French!)

I have limited my driving. Kept going in the wrong direction and getting lost. Scarey when I am only a couple of miles from my house and I don't recognize where I am.

I live in Sarasota Florida. Originally from Cape cod, Mass. Moved to Florida 15 years ago. Got tired of shoveling that white stuff......snow that is..(ha ha)

Math is a big problem. I had that 4 hour neuro testing. I could not count backward from 100 by 7's!!! Forget multiplying and I got A's in math in college.

My MCI the doc is calling early onset with genetic implications. You see my Dad who, passed last year was Stage 7 Alzheimer's. Lucky me I have "inherited" all my Dad's medical problems; Chronic Insomnia, Restless leg syndrome, Glaucoma, Heart Disease and now this, lucky me...gotta love those genes. Funny when I was young people would always remark, Gee, you are just like your Father, little did they know.

Doc says I probably have 5-10 years, maybe 15 before it is full blown Alzheimer's. Depends on how fast it progresses, he says everyone is different.

You seem to have a slow progression, lucky you. Twenty years since diagnosis. May I ask how far have you progressed? Have you been told what stage you are in? Doc says I am between Stage 2 and 3. I wonder how far away is Stage 7, hope it's far far away!

I am taking Arecept and Namenda, (combination therapy). It is helping. I don't go into fits of rage anymore. I was really irritable, gone. Memory is a bit better.

I hope it helps to prolong the Alzheimer's, what I call the Monster Disease. Really a sad disease. I am not looking forward to it.

Well I guess I have "dumped" on you enough for now, thank you......

Looking forward to hearing from you, I need all the friends I can get!

Weezie (Louise)

Hi there,

I was diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment on June 2. I too will be in the middle of a conversation and just can't think of the word I want too say. So frustrating. To add to that I lose things all the time, have started to get lost when driving. Have limited my driving a lot! I can't remember the date and not even what day it is. when my husband leaves for work he tells me what day it is. I remember for awhile then of course forget.

I am taking Arecept and Namenda. Doctor says they may prolong Alzheimer's. He's saying I probably have 5-10 years, maybe 15 (if I am lucky) before it's full blown Alzheimer's. I am 59, soon to be 60. He's calling it Early Onset with genetic implications.

You see my Dad who passed away last year was Stage 7 Alzheimer's.

I am having a difficult time dealing with this, it's coming on so fast. I graduated from college on May 7th, with National Honors! Then June 2nd this, bummer.

I was told to play games, Lumosity is a pretty good online site. www.lumosity.com

I walk as much as I can and I play scrabble with my husband.

I am here if you want or need to talk (I like to talk!)

Write soon

Weezie

Would you be my friend?