|
Post by pierkiss on Aug 4, 2016 16:06:50 GMT
Yes. Because I strongly believe knowledge is power. If I knew that I would eventually have a debilitating disease I would know that I NEED to start planning for long term care, as well as the ability to pay for various treatments and meds. Also, it would seriously motivate me to start doing the "brain exercises" that are supposed to keep your mind sharp. But mostly so I could know what I need to plan for in the future.
|
|
|
Post by liya on Aug 4, 2016 16:13:58 GMT
Surprisingly I would want to know. I am usually not the type to want to know these types of things. But my grand mother had Alzheimer's; as did one aunt. Another Aunt had non-Alzheimer's dementia. My Mom is 72 and showing no signs/symptoms but I know she is worried.
|
|
|
Post by peasapie on Aug 4, 2016 16:22:46 GMT
We lost FIL to this awful disease a couple of years ago. Common sense says yes....get earlier treatment, plan ahead, get things in order etc etc but...I would still hesitate...very scary:frown: I know I would see symptoms either in myself or in Dh before they were there...i fear it would spoil quality of life in the meantime. I think this is where I am at right now. Every time I confused something (which has been happening to me all my life) I would think it has begun. And worse, I would be thinking that others were thinking that, too. Is there really a treatment that works right now? Nothing helped my mom, but it was almost 20 years ago when she started with symptoms. SaveSave
|
|
|
Post by ilikepink on Aug 4, 2016 16:23:14 GMT
My dad was probably not Alzheimer's, but "regular" dementia, but his mom and sister both had it for sure. I would want to know. I have my forgetful moments now, and worry if it's "normal" or not. There would be more of an urgency to finish the scrapbooks, and get do all the things I want to do. I have told my sons, jokingly, to just shoot me when the time came. I don't want to be just breathing somewhere and not know what is going on, and if I know that's coming, I would be able to live and plan differently.
|
|
River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,575
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
|
Post by River on Aug 4, 2016 16:28:09 GMT
My father developed early onset Alzheimer's at 55 and past away at 66. It was devastating to our entire family. He was so active, healthy and loved by everyone. We were fortunate to be able to keep him at home during those awful years. I'm thankful for that! But watching him forget how to do basic things like putting a spoon to his mouth, eventually forgetting how to walk, eat, drink, speak was very difficult. He was just so darn healthy and ACTIVE! He never got the chance to enjoy the retirement he so fondly talked about. He was a hard worker and owned his own business.
My answer is yes, I want to know. I already savior the moments thanks to surviving ovation cancer. But, I would like to be better prepared for a long illness like this.
|
|
|
Post by anniefb on Aug 4, 2016 18:25:05 GMT
Don't know of any alzheimers or other dementia in the immediate family. I don't think I'd want to be tested unless I started developing some symptoms.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 3:19:41 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 18:29:27 GMT
Yes, I'd want to know so I can have my affairs in order while I still am capable of having a say in the matter.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 3:19:41 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 18:35:05 GMT
I think I would want to know. If only to hide the evidence before I become too sick to do so.
I'd want to make any decisions about my care. I'm pretty self-sufficient and would hate to be a burden on anyone. Plus spend as much time as possible to make lots of good memories for my kids.
I try to keep my brain active now. I've read where doing puzzles like Sudoku may stave off this disease, so I do a lot of those. My "step" grandma had it and it was so devastating when she didn't recognize anyone towards the end. I'd want my kids to be prepared for that if it should ever, God forbid, happen.
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Aug 4, 2016 18:42:23 GMT
I don't know. That's my honest answer right now. As far as I know, alzheimers hasn't reared its head in either my family or DH's so it's not something I've really considered. There's not even been much garden-variety dementia for that matter - GMIL is 99 and senile but very healthy. My gran died at 91 and senile. That's really it. Both sides - people either die pretty young (40s-early 60s) of cancer or they live well into their 80s-90s in relatively good health. I will say I do consider what oldcrow said - both in case, I don't have as many years as I hope to (I'll be 46 this month) and in case I do.
|
|
|
Post by originalvanillabean on Aug 4, 2016 19:13:02 GMT
I notice that many of the posters say they would do things to help slow down the progress or to put off the the onset or plan what should be done with them in the case they get it. Why not do those things anyway. Even if you do not get any form of dementia you will grow old, get feeble, not be able to look after yourself, or get some physical disease that causes you to be reliant on others. So plan now whether you have the gene or not. I am of an age where all these things are becoming real to me. Yes, I should have done all manner of things when I was younger to make myself stronger as an older person but I didn't and I cannot go back in time. And I cannot make up for my lack of forethought now in many ways. I would say that the majority of members here are 50 or younger. And I am sure that you feel you have lots of time to get your shit together. Well, I am here to tell you that one of these days you are going to wake up and find that you are now old and it is too late to make many of the changes you should have. I am not a Ms. Doom and Gloom. I am a realist. And that is a result of age. Live your life to the fullest now but do give thought to your elder years they are closer than you think.I do. I have. Absolutely!
|
|
craftykitten
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,304
Jun 26, 2014 7:39:32 GMT
|
Post by craftykitten on Aug 4, 2016 19:43:19 GMT
So it's only telling you if you have an increased risk, not a certain yes/no? And it's only Alzheimers, not any other kind of dementia?
In that case I vote for not knowing. If it is not a certain result and doesn't cover every possibility, then I don't think the knowledge would help me. I can only see it making me more anxious. And presumably once you have had the test you would need to disclose it for insurance purposes? That could make a lot of things more expensive.
|
|
|
Post by Really Red on Aug 4, 2016 20:01:15 GMT
My FIL's wife was very recently diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's (she's 57). Seeing all of the financial and logistical decisions that FIL and his wife are making right now, I think my answer is yes. I'd want to know. I'd like the time to plan with professionals while I'm still clear to make those decisions. 57!!!! This scares the crap out of me!!! Because if she was recently diagnosed, it means that she was probably having problems for a few years, right? Your poor FIL and poor lady, too! I think I'd like to know, because I'd like to do a lot of fun things, but I'd have to be sure it was a good test
|
|
J u l e e
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,531
Location: Cincinnati
Jun 28, 2014 2:50:47 GMT
|
Post by J u l e e on Aug 4, 2016 20:20:18 GMT
My father developed Alzheimer's in his early 50s and died at 59! Just ten years older than I am now. His father also had Alzheimer's and his mother had Parkinson's.
I always have it in the back of my mind that it's a possibility for me. I panic a bit when I can't think of a word - and I mean I experience a vast empty blankness trying to come up with a regular everyday word that I've used billions of times in my life. It's scary. But friends my age tell me they experience that as well, so I can't worry about it too much. I will die from something. We do have everything taken care of since we only have one child and made sure to not leave anything that might be a burden for her to have to figure out for us after our deaths. But I think I'd still like to know.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,840
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on Aug 4, 2016 20:23:27 GMT
Yes, I'd want to know so I can have my affairs in order while I still am capable of having a say in the matter. You should always have your affairs in order. This means having a will, power of attorney for health and power of attorney for finances. Your bills should be paid and you should have a financial information available. A car crash could happen or anything else unexpected.
|
|
|
Post by epeanymous on Aug 4, 2016 20:34:22 GMT
I would absolutely want to know. I would want to plan, and I would want to line up the best specialists as early as possible.
|
|
|
Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Aug 4, 2016 20:39:23 GMT
I'd want to know, but I'm sure I'd worry about it if I found out that I was predisposed to it, too.
|
|
IAmUnoriginal
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,894
Jun 25, 2014 23:27:45 GMT
|
Post by IAmUnoriginal on Aug 4, 2016 20:44:54 GMT
57!!!! This scares the crap out of me!!! Because if she was recently diagnosed, it means that she was probably having problems for a few years, right? My FIL started noticing little things about a 9-12 months ago. He called in the middle of May to let us know what was happening. It's been quick since then. She retired and shut down her insurance agency within a couple weeks of diagnosis. They came to Chicago from New Jersey for a visit last weekend. We all know her ability to travel is coming to an end in a hurry. That was their last visit to our place together. We already know that. She's no longer driving as of August 1. The doctor told FIL to expect her live about another 10 years, but 6-7 of them would be very rough. FIL mother is in her 80's and has Alzheimers. He can't go see her anymore because he looks too much like his father. Grandma gets too confused when "Grandpa Tony" is leaving her in that nursing home. Grandpa's been gone since 1998. FIL doesn't have it easy right now.
|
|
River
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,575
Location: Alabama
Jun 26, 2014 15:26:04 GMT
|
Post by River on Aug 4, 2016 20:51:21 GMT
I notice that many of the posters say they would do things to help slow down the progress or to put off the the onset or plan what should be done with them in the case they get it. Why not do those things anyway. Even if you do not get any form of dementia you will grow old, get feeble, not be able to look after yourself, or get some physical disease that causes you to be reliant on others. So plan now whether you have the gene or not. Yes, you are right! I've already done these things, so for me, I mean plan ahead for current treatment options, doctors, specialist and live in care options for Alzheimer's. Thank you for sharing your wonderful wisdom with us. I'm only 43, so about 10 years before my dad showed any symptoms. Honesty the biggest thing for us was shock! It was so unexpected and heartbreaking.
|
|
|
Post by papersilly on Aug 4, 2016 21:02:12 GMT
I would want to know so I wouldn't feel blindsided by it. I know it comes on gradually but knowing even further ahead gives you chance to prepare, research, get your affairs in order. that stuff you've been putting off? well, getting a diagnosis like that makes now as good a time as any.
|
|
nylene
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,717
Jun 28, 2014 14:59:59 GMT
|
Post by nylene on Aug 4, 2016 21:15:16 GMT
Yes, if only to use that info to put my affairs in order, prepare my children, and research resources. I don't think the knowledge of the risk would have a negative impact on my day to day life. I'm just a planner, I like to worry and plan upfront and then I can relax knowing things are already taken care of. I agree with this. I am sure I have it in my future because of my family medical history. I want and need to know. Save
|
|
|
Post by Lexica on Aug 4, 2016 21:22:14 GMT
Yes, I would want to know. There is no history of any Alzheimers or any type of dementia on my side of the family, but my ex's mother had it, and from what I heard, it was a horrible ending for a very sweet, peaceful lady. I would want to know if there is a possibility so I could set up for my future in a better fashion, especially since I am single and need to plan for myself. I would also want to know if I had passed anything on to my son, who already has undoubtedly received it from his dad. I had talked about seeing signs in my MIL when I was still married to my ex, and when we divorced, he told her! I thought that was horribly cruel, and it upset her a great deal. Within about a year's time, it was very evident that I was correct, and she ended up dying a few years later.
My son was 7 when she died, and when we talked about the disease and her passing, I mentioned that it was hereditary, meaning he would need to watch his father for this in later years. He misunderstood, and very sweetly patted my leg and told me he would be there for me if I got it. I told him I had no blood connection to MIL, but...and before I could finish, he got this horrified look on his face and said, "Oh no! Who's going to be there for ME??" Poor kid. I wonder if that is another item on the negative column when he decided he doesn't want to have children.
|
|
|
Post by 2peafaithful on Aug 4, 2016 22:58:50 GMT
I think it would be incredibly difficult but yes I would want to know.
|
|
|
Post by laureljean on Aug 4, 2016 23:01:53 GMT
Nope. I would just want to live my life and take it as it comes.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 5, 2024 3:19:41 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2016 23:09:06 GMT
Hmmm. FIL had Alzheimers. I don't know if DH would want to know. It doesn't sound like the presence of the gene is a guarantee that you will get Alzheimers. On the other hand, if knowing caused you to recognize symptoms and get treatment earlier, you might have a good quality of life for a longer time. It's a tough question, for sure. My fiancé is currently dealing with this with his dad. And yes they would have to know earlier. i feel like if there are early interventions or therapies that can help someone prolong their life and/or improve the quality of life then I'm all for it.
|
|
|
Post by Really Red on Aug 5, 2016 2:26:26 GMT
57!!!! This scares the crap out of me!!! Because if she was recently diagnosed, it means that she was probably having problems for a few years, right? My FIL started noticing little things about a 9-12 months ago. He called in the middle of May to let us know what was happening. It's been quick since then. She retired and shut down her insurance agency within a couple weeks of diagnosis. They came to Chicago from New Jersey for a visit last weekend. We all know her ability to travel is coming to an end in a hurry. That was their last visit to our place together. We already know that. She's no longer driving as of August 1. The doctor told FIL to expect her live about another 10 years, but 6-7 of them would be very rough. FIL mother is in her 80's and has Alzheimers. He can't go see her anymore because he looks too much like his father. Grandma gets too confused when "Grandpa Tony" is leaving her in that nursing home. Grandpa's been gone since 1998. FIL doesn't have it easy right now. This breaks my heart. The whole thing.
|
|
|
Post by mom on Aug 5, 2016 2:33:49 GMT
My grandma has dementia, my uncle has Alzheimers and my dad has dementia and yes, I would want to know.
|
|
melissa
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,912
Jun 25, 2014 20:45:00 GMT
|
Post by melissa on Aug 5, 2016 2:52:41 GMT
My father was recently diagnosed. I really don't know if I want to know. Fortunately, as this test is not commercially available, it is a non-issue at the moment.
|
|
MaryMary
Pearl Clutcher
Lazy
Posts: 2,975
Jun 25, 2014 21:56:13 GMT
|
Post by MaryMary on Aug 5, 2016 3:03:44 GMT
I heard a Freakonomics podcast on this topic... There is a test for Huntington's disease... If you have had a parent die of Huntington's you have a 50% chance of getting it yourself. Most people do not get the test. They don't want to know.
ETA: I looked it up... Only 5% take the test.
|
|
|
Post by dewryce on Aug 5, 2016 5:21:07 GMT
Nope. It runs pretty strongly in both sides of my mom's side of the family so I already know there is a decent possibility. My husband is aware of this, he works in a nursing home and is very familiar with the signs. I know me, and the knowledge that I definitely had the gene would have a huge negative impact on me. So we go forward, planning for the worst, hoping for the best.
|
|
|
Post by Delta Dawn on Aug 5, 2016 5:22:37 GMT
My mother just died and she had advanced dementia. I would definitely want to know! I would make provisions ahead of time!
|
|