Reply
Thu 18 Jan, 2007 04:03 pm
My lovely wife of only 6 months is experiencing a disconcerting health problem. At times when she speaks, the wrong words comes out! For example, she'll mean to say "I read that book" and what comes out is "I read that letter", "hand me the stove," instead of "hand me the pot." At first, I was inclined to pass it off as an amusing foible, but she tells me that really is trying to say the right words instead of what comes out and it upsets her greatly that she can't do it. She also finds herself forgetting small things she would normally remember.
I did a little research and discovered that she has many of the symptoms of perimenopause-- hot flashes, etc. Perimenopause would also explain the forgetfulness and confusion. Her regular doctor says she can't be because her hormone levels are normal, but I know from experience that when she has a hot flash, she gets physically VERY hot! She has an appointment to see a neurologist tomorrow, thank God, but today she emailed me and said she's experiencing the word confusion thing even when she's reading now! She's convinced it's Alzheimers or something equally awful.
I've been playing the dutiful husband, but deep down I'm a bit scared too and my reassurances have begun sounding hollow even to myself.
Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Any advice? Words of comfort/encouragement?
I've finally found the woman of my dreams, the one who makes me happy all the time, and the thought of anything really bad happening to her makes me very scared.
It's good that she's checking with a neurologist, blacksmithn. I don't have any great words of wisdom, but I'm glad she's getting it checked out. Do you mind sharing her age?
Oh, I'm sorry, blacksmithn. That does sound scary.
Which probably isn't what you want to hear...
I think probably the best thing to do is just be comforting in a general way and listen and support the idea of seeing someone who can give a more conclusive answer. You don't have to have the answers yourself, just be supportive until the answers are gotten.
Gee, I'm sorry too. Glad she is seeing the neurologist. Am doubting it's alzheimer's...
The important thing from your description is that your wife knows she's having a problem. If you check some of the Alzheimer's websites at recognizing the disease, they look carefully at someone who doesn't realize that they are using the wrong word... and a host of other things like forgetting where they live, how to use a checkbook or credit card, and even exhibiting socially unacceptable actions like screaming or undressing in public, etc.
Assuming she's about the right age, ie. from 39-52, it sounds a lot like hormones playing tricks. Also, what could be a normal hormone "panel" might be completely wacko a month or so later and then go back to being normal. (Did she have a complete panel or just a one-time check?)
Remember, when you hear hoofbeats, assume it's a horse not a zebra. You'll be happier.
Yes, she should get herself checked out again, but with her gyno. as well as with a neuro. specialist. With the scary stuff about HRT (hormone therapy), it's a tough choice. Maybe she could try a little bit of HRT & see whether the symptoms ease off. Then, assuming they do, she will have to make a decision the risks associated with them.
Best of luck...
I don't know if this is reassuring or not, sweetie, but I don't think doctors know jack about menopause.
I go through spells of absolute scatterbrainedness and I always worry about Alzheimer's -- my father died from it and he was in his early 60s. When I get worried too much I call my older sister who battled with her doctor about menopause. She went through it early (late 40s) as did my mother (whose doctor didn't believe her either).
(Why oh why is my family always in such a hurry?)
Your wife has you and that makes her very lucky.
I'll just sit back and hold your hand along with the others now....
My sympathy, Blacksmithn. How worrying & upsetting.
I sincerely hope this is diagnosed & successfully treated soon.
Best of good luck to both of you.
I do the same thing, although I recognize the mistake right away. Don't know what it means, haven't tried to learn about it.
Blacksmithn--
I'm sitting with the others, firmly on your side.
Hold your dominion.
I really don't think it's Alzheimers or peri-menopause. I have a friend who had a similar experience when she was in her late 20's, at first we just laughed and called her Mrs. Malaprop. One day she had what she described as a "white out" - she said her arm felt numb and then she fell to the floor in a faint. It was determined she had a small stroke and it was probably not her first one. It was believed to have been caused by her birth control pills and she was told to switch to a diaphram. She never had another fainting episode once she was off the pills but she still occassionally messed up words, so perhaps some of the damage was permanent. Does you wife take any common medication (including birth control pills) that lists blood clots as a possible side effect?
I really don't think it's Alzheimers or peri-menopause. I have a friend who had a similar experience when she was in her late 20's, at first we just laughed and called her Mrs. Malaprop. One day she had what she described as a "white out" - she said her arm felt numb and then she fell to the floor in a faint. It was determined she had a small stroke and it was probably not her first one. It was believed to have been caused by her birth control pills and she was told to switch to a diaphram. She never had another fainting episode once she was off the pills but she still occassionally messed up words, so perhaps some of the damage was permanent. Does you wife take any common medication (including birth control pills) that lists blood clots as a possible side effect?
Thank you all for your kind words. She's only 43, by the way.
I really don't think it's Alzheimers or peri-menopause. I have a friend who had a similar experience when she was in her late 20's, at first we just laughed and called her Mrs. Malaprop. One day she had what she described as a "white out" - she said her arm felt numb and then she fell to the floor in a faint. It was determined she had a small stroke and it was probably not her first one. It was believed to have been caused by her birth control pills and she was told to switch to a diaphram. She never had another fainting episode once she was off the pills but she still occassionally messed up words, so perhaps some of the damage was permanent. Does you wife take any common medication (including birth control pills) that lists blood clots as a possible side effect?
She does take b.c. pills, now that you mention it.
Well, blacksmithn, only a doctor can help, but you might want to look at this as well:
http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/Aphasia_info.htm
Well, now that we are getting clinical sans med degrees, I've also thought of unruptured aneurysm. If I remember rightly, these are quite fixable, should that be the case. Two friends (sisters) - mother - just died this last year at a ripe old age, twenty years or more after surgery for a Ruptured aneurysm, and she was fine, yes, fine, after that surgery. I had looked up TIAs too.
Not to scare you, blacksmithn. I'm just glad you two are both savvy re looking into it. Prevention is the better part of valor, or something like that.
I'll just sit here and wait..... I have a lot of knitting to do anyway.
Sorry to hear of ya'll's health concern.
Regarding reassurance... my wife reminds me occasionally that it is
reassurance.
How about, "we're gonna figure this out no matter what it takes?"
yeh, sage advice from another guy. Lets not diagnose what we have no idea about that which we speak . You and she must sit and go through this together and she must lean on you and you must only be her strength and her jack when her courage sags.
Whatever it takes, tell her that " well get it solved and get thorugh unscathed". Keep her from too much stress which can cause "white coat syndrome" which jacks up the BP on anyone.
Luck and good thoughts.
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace