Both Parents With AD!

[wyoastmgt]

Hello All:

I have posted this before without much reply. Both parents have Alzheimer's and am looking for a common factor. After 3 years, we find these common histories: 1) Both have had flu shots annually over 30+ years 2) Both drank home made carrot juice (canned the old fashioned way) over 20 years and
3) virtually no high protein meats over 25 years. They are obviously not genetically related and both are mid-80's. Could these common factors, individually or in concert, have led to both with AD? ANY IDEAS? STUDIES? MEDICAL OPINIONS?

Thanks,
Dennis

[tic chick]

just my opinion...

alzheimers was first described by a german doctor of the same name in 1901. the average age expectancy probably increased to about age 65 at that point in time, with some individuals living longer. this leads me to believe that alzheimers is a disease of old age, with many baby-boomers, whose average age expectancy is now about 84, being the largest at-risk group for developing alzheimers disease.

there is a genetic factor involved in some cases of alzheimers, but i think this is usually for early-onset alzheimers.

i doubt the similarities of what your parents did has anything to do with alzheimers. couples married for long periods of time tend to do the same things, like drink homemade carrot juice, get flu shots, etc. personally, i think a low protein diet is best for most people. veggies and fruits and whole grains tend to keep cholesterol levels lower, thus preventing plaque build-up in the arteries and i think arterial health in the brain is important for memory, also.

i think all shots are getting a bad rap. they have been blamed for everything from autism to other diseases, with no scientific evidence suggesting any correlation.

your parents are in the age-range in which alzheimer's starts to develop. they have probably had mild symptoms for several years already. i would suggest you ask your family doctor about possible genetic testing for yourself. i don't know if random alzheimer's disease (as opposed to genetically caused alzheimers) would cause any increased risk to children of parents who both have alzheimer's.

let's hope they find a treatment for this before the next generation of people are at risk.

welcome to the forums,
jeannie

[wyoastmgt]

Thanks for your input darling!

[Tootsie]

I have very little to add to what tic chick has contributed. There does seem to be some correlation between head trauma and the development of AD. There is also some documentation that almost everyone with Down's Syndrome will develop AD if they live long enough. Since they generally do not live to advanced age, that hypothesis has not really had a chance to be tested.

It is my personal opinion that my mother's AD developed following a cardiac arrest from which she was successfully resuscitated, twice, in the same episode. She told us that "something is different," and "I think I have brain damage." It took a few more years, but she did indeed have AD. Cheerio.

[Nana4&cntn]

I am so sorry both your parents have AD. It is sad how much the entire body goes thru especially the mind. I am no expert, but my mom has been tested and so far so good. But I am afraid she will need care in her 80's


Tootsie, As far as the Downs Syndrome part of AD, I know many of folks with DS who are living quite fine at 60-80's and beyond. But yes, they do tend to get is sometimes starting at 35.

This is an insidious disease and I pray we get further research and data to possibly prevent it.

tyoastmgt, I am keeping your parents in my prayers!

ps, I don't usually post here, but did notice both parents and had to stop in.

[mont]

A good rule of ethics is:"don't imagine what we cannot know". Alzheimer's is very problematic to understand. Its not even certain if Alzheimer's is the primary pathology or a result of other dysfunctions. Children as young as 16 have been diagnosed with this illness. Science will one day have these answers but for now no one knows.

All my life I have worked and studied hard always trying to achieve better results than my peers and predecessors. Now that I know the end is near, for the first time in my life, I try to relax and just enjoy life as best I can. How strange I need to die to be happy to be alive!

Whatever you are worrying about: DON'T. Just be happy with the good things you have...the future will come if we worry or not.