Does Déjà vu occur in early stages of dementia?
My wife was diagnosed with Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) about two years ago after an MRI. She was experiencing recurring occasions of dropping words or not being able to recall the word she was trying to say during conversations. Her ability to multi-task was also noticeably diminished. Otherwise, everything seemed normal with daily activities. We went to a neurologist who specializes in dementia related illnesses.
He conducted a couple of routine tests, and my wife became frustrated and was unable to complete the task at hand. He informed us her condition would in all probability result in Alzheimer’s. He would not speculate on the timeline of progression.
Since that initial visit, my wife has begun telling me we have already seen a TV program we are watching. I should tell you we never watch anything that has not been prerecorded on the cable box. After watching, it is deleted from the list. I have no memory of ever watching the program in question before. This occurs frequently. Last night I conclusively proved to myself it is not my memory that is in question. The program we were watching was the second episode of a new series. It was just recorded the night before and we did not watch it then. She told me we had already seen the program and repeatedly asked me, “Don’t you remember this part?” Is this common with the progression? Trying to recall certain names and words to complete her thoughts has worsened somewhat. When she is with people she does not see often or new people, she never misses a beat in her conversation. Sometime she rambles when telling about a happening in the past. She is taking Donepezil, but with that you don’t always see any significate improvement. We see the Neurologist every six months.
We are petrified at what seems to be a progression of her condition. Can anyone shed any light on how quickly this will happen? We have been married 54 years and I am terrified of losing her.
I think it takes a while for the brain to process what is going on. (I have read about 30 to 45 seconds, and if you think about it that is a long time) By the time her brain processes one thing the show has moved on and her brain just "plugs in to the current part" of the show and she is getting bits from what she just processed mixed with what is going on now. (did any of that make sense?)
Time line....Only God knows.
I will say this.
You will loose her bit by bit day by day, week by week, month by month.
You will gain a new way to appreciate her day by day, week by week, month by month..
I cared for my Husband, we were together 32 years. The last 12 terrible, wonderful years were spent watching him fade away slowly, sometimes faster. I learned to care for him in ways that I never though possible. I learned a new appreciation for him. Would I have wanted things to be different..yes and no.
Your wife will come to depend on you for her everything. You will become her safety net. When all else fades she will KNOW you as the one she can trust, she can depend on.
Another bit of advice for you. Safety. If it ever comes to a point where caring for her becomes unsafe for either of you you have to make a decision. You need to have help come into the house. Or you need to place her in Memory Care.
If you promised each other or made your children promise that you would never be "put in a home" you have to remember that the person that you made the promise to no longer exists.
Be willing to accept help.
Be willing to ask for help.
Be willing to realize when you need help.