# Ask The Guy With Early Onset Alzheimer's (Inspired by DMark) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 11, 2009, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025 "2009-05-11T14:10:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/21 "2009-05-11T20:44:29Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > In closing, let me add that although I am considered stage 3, I do have one of the symptoms in stage 4 already. I cannot count backward from 100 by 7’s. > > I hope this answers your question and thanks very much for your interest! > > Bill Crap, I cant do that without counting on my fingers right now …:eek: I seem to remember you are getting remarried, does it change the possibility of going back to Germany for a better familial support situation? ---
**Author:** ![Tannim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Tannim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tannim)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/22 "2009-05-11T21:08:24Z")
How is EOAD different from other types of Dimentia? Does it come in episodes where each episode leaves you in a worse place than before? (I know that wasn’t very clear but I hope you understand what I meant) ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2009, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/23 "2009-05-11T21:19:32Z")
What’s the most embarrassing situation EOAD has put you in? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/24 "2009-05-12T21:55:09Z")
* * * > [@DMark](#): > > First of all, **Quasi** , thanks for putting my name in a thread title - I feel so honored; first time anyone has done that! Thank **you** sir! If it had not been for your question, I would never have come upon the idea to do this, and by the way, I have linked my Georgia chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association to this thread, so y’all keep on asking questions, okay? To answer your question, **DMark** , my favorite comedian **BABE** (be still my racing heart!) _Rita Rudner_ did a small bit on AD which you may be able to relate to. To whit: “Room-Heimer’s” - Walking into a room and forgetting why you are there. “Phone-Heimer’s” - Calling someone and forgetting the reason for the call. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D Okay, seriously: It’s both _frequency_ and _severity_. Severity: I no longer drive because I get confused in traffic (“Did I just pull out in front of that guy???” and turning left at a red light (after seeing no traffic coming, of course - just got confused with right and left!:() Frequency: It begins with forgetting what day it is, and it gets worse from there on out. I forget my hygiene, I forget what bills are due, I forget appointments, I put things where they don’t go, so consequently, I misplace things and fly into a rage when I cannot find them. This is a daily thing, my friend. You know? The very worst thing someone can say to me is, “Oh, well **I** do **that**!” Fuck you! How many times a **day** do you do “that”??? It gets so frustrating, **DMark**! That is why I have the blog. I hope I answered your question correctly? There really isn’t anything wrong with you if you forget a password, but there is, if you put the car keys in the fridge, and then rage when you cannot find them. Thanks once again for inspiring the thread. It is an honor that you thought that much of me to do do that. Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/25 "2009-05-12T22:07:51Z")
> [@Great\_Dave](#): > > Is there anything besides exercise and diet that you do, such as crosswords or sudoku? Is there any reason to believe that these will help? **Great Dave** : World of Warcraft, Dude! It keeps me thinking and keeps my reflexes tuned! Plus I love the chivalry of it all. It’s what I am all about, and I believe I would have made a good knight at Arthur’s Round Table. Word puzzles, Sudoku? I can do them, but I tested out on the genius level (my IQ is in da dubble figgerz), so why bother? Yes, I DO have trouble sometimes and I level slowly, but I have people, and you can find them in the Warcraft thread. Their names are **jayjay** , **Mister Rik** , **Ferret Herder** , and so many others (please forgive) whose nicks escape me right now. Yeppie. Warcraft and my toon Wolkenlaufre. We are at level 17 and still kickin’ ass. It puts me into a different “world” where I forget about my troubles in THIS one. Tbank you, **Great Dave** for the question! I heartedly advocate WoW to anyone who thinks they may be losing their fucking mind. Nothing like a quest to bring you back and give you a purpose! Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/26 "2009-05-12T22:19:57Z")
[quote=“RedRosesForMe, post:16, topic:496025”] What do you mean by fatal? QUOTE] Hey **Rosie**! (Okay to call you that?) I mean it’s _fatal_. There is no cure. It’s a gradual thing. It creeeeeps into the brain, genes mutate, proteins are formed, and you slowly lose it. THAT makes it deadly. **Rosie**? What keeps us all hopeful is the fact that those of us who are diagnosed early enough (in either stage) still have a chance! No, it is **not** an automatic death sentence, but it _is_ an early alarm system, which makes it very important to find a cure. Right now, it is every 72 seconds someone is diagnosed. By 2014, it will be every 32. Thanks for asking ! Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/27 "2009-05-12T22:29:52Z")
> [@Mosier](#): > > I remember reading something about a possible link between mercury levels and alzheimers. It was a long time ago and might have been debunked by now, though. If that connection is true, though, you can help to prevent alzheimers by avoiding tuna, which if I remember correctly is the most likely way to become exposed to lots of mercury. You need to take that with a huge **pound** of salt, **Mosier**! Did that item you read have as a preface, “Studies have shown…”? If mercury **were** to be a determinate cause of AD, don’t you think the WHO and our own government would have banned tuna by now? My point is, why in the **hell** would they want us to keep eating contaminated food, if by doing so, we place a burden on our government? “Studies” can show anything they want, **Mosier**. Just read the latest issue of MEN’S magazine. It is loaded with that kinda “Studies have shown…” kinda shit. Q ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/28 "2009-05-12T22:45:43Z")
> [@Mama\_Zappa](#): > > You mention forgetfulness "within 20 minutes of being told a very significant thing. ". To be honest **Mama Z** , sometimes yes, sometimes no, and here’s the rub: Dondra (the one person I wholly interact with these days) is totally patient with me, and sometimes never tells me that I have asked/responded to that question before. “You have a doctor’s appointment at 8:30 in the morning hon!” “Okay!” 5 minutes later: “Honey? When’s my appointment with Dr. Battle?” What sort of tools do I use?: My computer. To tell me what day it is. I just go from there, **Mama Zap** Thanks Bil ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/29 "2009-05-12T22:50:00Z")
> [@MadTheSwine](#): > > My mom constantly tells me things she has told me the previous day,just trivial stuff,like "“I talked to so and so the other day”. Is that a symptom? I can’t really say, **MadTheSwine** (Og, why did you pick such a horrendous nick?? Change that sumbitch, PLEASE), but check out [www.alz.org](http://www.alz.org) and look at the ten signs. Do any of them fit? Let me know, okay? Thanks Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/30 "2009-05-12T22:54:45Z")
> [@purple\_haze](#): > > How are you emotions affected? I cry a lot, **purplehaze**. My emotions right now are running rampant with me. I miss the emotion which causes arousal, and I am basically just “maintaining”. I hope I can get it back, because there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with me _physically_. Thanks, my friend! 🙂 Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/31 "2009-05-12T22:58:52Z")
> [@aruvqan](#): > > I seem to remember you are getting remarried, does it change the possibility of going back to Germany for a better familial support situation? Yes it does. For now. But I have at least (I hope) a little more time left (depending on how fast this shitty diseasae progresses), so with your good “vibes” maybe I can die in the land of my birth, **aruvqan**! Thanks for checking in! Bill ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/32 "2009-05-12T23:00:08Z")
Can you tell me where I’ve put my back-door keys? ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/33 "2009-05-12T23:13:17Z")
> [@Tannim](#): > > How is EOAD different from other types of Dimentia? > > Does it come in episodes where each episode leaves you in a worse place than before? > (I know that wasn’t very clear but I hope you understand what I meant) No, **Tannim** , it’s very gradual. It doesn’t progress that quickly. Think of this as a “mold” growing over your brain, and shutting out the centers of communication. (Sorry for the “SciFi”, but that is how **I** think of it!) No! Your question is _quite_ clear and here is an answer for you, courtesy of [www.alz.org](http://www.alz.org): The difference between early onset AD and early stage AD—early onset, of course, referring to those diagnosed **before** the age of 65, and early **stage** meaning being in the **beginning** stages of AD. Kids? I hope I didn’t give the impression that I am the “Know-It-All” of Alzeimer’s Disease? I only know about what is going on with me, and I am hoping to make it more “real” for you, by “talking” to me like this. Thanks, **Tannim**! Cool question! Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/34 "2009-05-12T23:21:20Z")
> [@DudleyGarrett](#): > > What’s the most embarrassing situation EOAD has put you in? Hey **DudleyGarrett** I knew this question was coming, so I will answer as honestly as possible, okay? I had just got a patient intubated in our trauma room and was about to hook him up to the vent. Only the vent kept blaring alarms at me, as I was frantically hitting button after button to figure out what was wrong. What was wrong, was that the goddam thing wasn’t getting any oxygen, and it was the apnea alarms I was hearing. Luckily, one of the nurses caught my mistake and corrected it. I decided there and then I would no longer be a danger to my patients, and yes, that was very embarrasing (and shaming). God Damn this goddamn disease, **Dudley** Bill ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/35 "2009-05-12T23:24:03Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Can you tell me where I’ve put my back-door keys? Check the fridge, babe! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2009, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/36 "2009-05-12T23:58:23Z")
Thanks for the thread, **Quasimodem**. My mom suspects that my father may be in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, but he claims the doctor says it’s just ordinary age related changes. The things mom describes (including an apparent loss of math skills) sound a whole lot more ominous than that to me. (Actually, we doubt that Dad ever asked the doctor about Alzheimer’s/dementia. I have been trying to get my mother to talk to the MD and ask him to “spontaneously” ask Dad about it rather than waiting for him to bring it up. I assume this wouldn’t violate HIPAA, since Mom would be giving the doctor information about Dad rather than asking for it.) My question to you is, if you know, do regular general practitioners/family doctors/whatever ever pre-screen people for Alzheimer’s, or do they have to go to a psychiatrist to even get the question asked? Thanks again, and I hope you are here for the cure. Never give up. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/37 "2009-05-13T00:33:02Z")
Okay here come the questions, **Tenar** : 1. How old is Dad? 2. How old is Dad’s Doc? (it makes a diffrerence, believe me!) And my final answer is: 1. Depending on his age, he _needs_ “staging”. Has this not been done? Sorry to spring such terminology on you, but we need to get "Dad’ on some kind of “base level”, so that he can be treated correctly. 2. No. If the doctor has seen the patient for a number of years, he is very likely to “downplay” the symtoms, just to “placate” the patient and the family. Do not let that happen, okay? You stay on top of things ALL THE TIME **Tenar** , and **advocate**. Please! Thanks Bill ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/38 "2009-05-13T09:18:19Z")
Thanks for starting this thread, **Quasi** : you’ve got a set of balls to match your courage, dignity and good humour. Feel free not to answer this question if it’s too close to the bone, but do you ever despair? Threads about dealing with reltives with Alzheimers sometimes come up, and one of the most common comments is “if I’m ever diagnosed with _that_, I’m checking out early”: did you ever feel like that? Do you ever feel like that? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/39 "2009-05-13T15:37:52Z")
> [@Quasimodem](#): > > I also wake up not knowing what day it is, quite frequently. i go to my computer for that. Don’t worry, I do that all the time and I’m 23 (and pretty sure I don’t have Alzheimer’s). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2009, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025/40 "2009-05-13T16:05:00Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Don’t worry, I do that all the time and I’m 23 (and pretty sure I don’t have Alzheimer’s). Should I be applauding a skillful whoosh, or pointing to post 24? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-guy-with-early-onset-alzheimers-inspired-by-dmark/496025.md?page=3)