Saturday, September 30, 2017

Avoiding Conflict

Yes, I do know that I just posted an entry yesterday. I did not have a clear vision of what I was going to write, but since it was Saturday, I forced myself to do it. Guess what? Today really is Saturday! I also remember what I wanted to write about. So you get a bonus entry this week. Thank you FTD - the Great Confuser!

Being a caregiver for someone with FTD is a constant challenge and the demands are often changing. Being someone with FTD is a constant challenge and the demands are often changing. Yep, same for both. I have been both and have often said that I do not know which is more of a burden. They seem pretty equal to me. I do have some suggestions.

If the person with FTD repeatedly keeps doing something incorrectly, lecturing is probably not going to help. This morning, I went out onto the deck. If the deadbolt at the bottom does not spring up the way it should, it drags. It makes a racket and gouges into the door frame. I know that. If I remember right, I was the one who first realized it was happening. Still, my husband insisted on demonstrating it for me so that I "would know." I responded, in irritation, that I know that. He continued the discussion by saying something like, "Then why didn't you do it right?"

Where did he go wrong? When I opened the door, I kind of heard the grinding noise, but my brain is not capable of immediately linking that to the deadbolt dragging. I was focused on going out to clean the window over my kitchen sink. That was all I was focused on. I can only focus on one thing at a time. His pointing it out to me only succeeded in upsetting both of us.

That is the way it is with FTD. I have repeated my mantra on here many times: "One Thing at a Time." That is the limit of my abilities. If you try to add in something else, it prevents my brain from making sense of either thing.

Another trigger point can be avoided as well. When you hear the one with FTD try to explain something to someone or watch them do something and you disagree with the way they are doing it, stop and think about it for a few seconds before acting. Surprisingly, it is entirely possible that they are right. Often times, it may not be the way you would do it or they used to do it, pre-FTD, but it may be a way for them to successfully accomplish the same thing now. The same is true for what they are saying. It may take longer to get the point across, but if you let it go, it might work. It may also not, but it is better to wait a bit and see if they eventually get their point across.

The perils of butting in during these instances are many. First of all, you will be breaking their train of thought so that there is no hope of them finishing what they were trying to say or do. This will lead to total frustration on their part and they, most likely, will lash out at you. That frustration and anger can last the entire day or longer and make absolutely everything more of a challenge for both the one with the FTD and the caregiver.

If it was me, what I would prefer is that my caregiver gently touch me to get my attention. When my focus shifts to them, that is when they can steer me into a different direction. That can be by reminding me of a fact that I am forgetting something, whether it be in a conversation or an attempt to do something. Do not take over. This only accomplishes making me angry and frustrated. It also leaves me with the impression that you think I cannot do it, which leads me to feel worthless. I can assure you, that is one of the worst feelings to someone who used to have a vibrant and worthwhile life.

One thing that I don't believe I have ever written about before is us being a back seat driver. Giving up the driving privilege is extremely difficult for many of us with FTD. If you think about it, we are giving up a huge chunk of our independence and even our sense of self-worth. Not being able to drive makes one totally reliant on others for everything... shopping, doctor visits, visiting friends, just everything. It can be even more difficult in areas of no bus service, no cab service, no Uber.

Think about when you ride with someone else. If you see a peril and you don't know if the driver sees it, what do you do? You probably try to point it out to them. It can also be difficult to not mention a better route if you think you could save time that way. It is that way for someone with FTD as well, only much more so. When you also, in many cases, add in distorted vision, double vision or no peripheral vision, it can cause confusion and panic for the one with FTD.

Among other vision issues, I have totally double vision. What this does, when in a vehicle, is that if a car is approaching in the other lane, I see two, side by side. This makes it appear that one of the two is in our lane.  It causes me to be extremely on edge the entire time we are travelling anywhere. If you add in the driver missing a turn, getting close to the edge of the road or just any little variance, that being on edge quickly becomes full blown panic.  I do understand how frustrating that can be to the driver and how it could actually cause an accident. I can understand that, consciously, but I cannot stop my reactions. I cannot reason with myself to calm down and trust the driver. It just won't work. Sometimes I think I should ride blindfolded.

One of the things that FTD steals from us is impulse control but, at least for me, it also gives a sense of being out of control at the same time. I can no more withhold my panic, comments and warnings in the car than I could withhold removing my hand from boiling water. Oh, wait, bad example because I have done that, but you get the idea. It is instinctual, it is not something we are deliberately doing.

I will take a moment to mention transportation for seniors. I believe every area must offer it in one form or another, at least in Pennsylvania. In my area, it is van transport. Something to know is that if you have a disability, you do not have to be over 60 or 65, nor must you provide proof of the disability. The cost is minimal. I can use our senior vans, but they make limited runs so I might have to wait an hour or so before and/or after a doctor's visit. It is an option and has been quite useful a few times for me even if it is not the most desirable choice.

The main point I am trying to get across is that we do not do things to deliberately make your life more difficult. We do not do them to pick a fight or demand attention. The way we act or react is instinctual in nature. We do not sit there and think it through and come up with ways that we might irritate you. We react. As I said above, we have no impulse control, we think it, we do it or we say it. We have no empathy. We do not have the ability to wonder how this is going to affect you or anyone else. We have no sympathy. We do not have the ability to see how it affected you and feel sorry for hurting you. We don't realize that we have hurt you.

Don't be afraid, when we do or say something you don't like, to CALMLY tell us how it made you feel. We still might not care but, then again, we might. It also might let you feel a little better as well by getting it out in the open. Try not to raise your voice and say things accusingly even if we are raising ours. This will just add to our frustration and anger. I know this is a tough thing sometimes to ask of a caregiver and that it will often be pretty darned tough to do. I am hoping, though, that you might just see some things through our eyes and be more forgiving of the way we may react to you.


Friday, September 29, 2017

FTD World Awareness Week Wraps Up

This week has been FTD World Awareness Week. I'm sure a lot of my Facebook friends got tired of me posting about it every day. For those of you who did not see yesterday's post, it read:

 "Still World FTD Awareness Week: No catchy picture today, just me: Dementia and Alzheimer's is not the same thing. Dementia is not a disease. It is a symptom of many different diseases. Yes, Alzheimer's makes up about 80% of all dementia cases of those over the age of 60. FTD makes up most of the other 20%. However, FTD is the cause of 90% of all cases of dementia under the age of 60. Scary numbers, yet it is not as well known. It does not get recognition nor money for research. There are medications to slow down the progress of Alzheimer's Disease, not a cure, but slows it down. For FTD, there is nothing. It is a life-ending disease, no question about it. There are no medications to slow it down. There is no known treatment. There is no cure." (I must correct myself on this. The Alzheimer's medications slow down or improve the symptoms of the disease, but it does not slow down the disease itself.)

Every time I read about or write about these statistics, I get angry, really angry. Someone reminded me today that FTD was discovered years before Alzheimer's Disease, yet it is still overlooked and misdiagnosed. A fact that I find interesting is that it was explained to me by a local cardiologist. He practices in this same city where the neurologists, from my experience with them, seem to know not much at all about FTD, if anything. Seems like it should be the other way around or that, perhaps, the different specialist should communicate more with each other.

Online this week, I did come across the results of one interesting study that was done at the University of Pennsylvania involving FTD. They were studying to see if it could be diagnosed from a special scan of the retina. The results are showing that it does seem to work for FTD and other diseases that involve dementia. The results show that with FTD, there is significant thinning on the outside of the retina. years before diagnosis by conventional means. I found it fascinating so I thank whichever of my friends posted it for us all to see.

This study really jumped out at me because I started having serious retinal issues about six years or so before I began noticing any symptoms of FTD. I discussed the study with my retinal specialist during a checkup appointment this week. He had not yet heard of the study and seemed interested . He was doubtful, though, that it would have worked in my case since the entirety of my retinas are extremely thin for other reasons. It will be interesting to continue following this study and any results that develop from it.  It is exciting to see positive results of any FTD research.

On another personal note, I continue to experience constant headaches on the left side and the left front section of my head. I have explained before how these headaches are worse than the worst migraine headache I have every experienced. In addition to these headaches and my increased difficulty with swallowing, I am feeling extreme paranoia. I already know that FTD is out to get me, no doubt about that. However, now, I am feeling as though everyone is deliberately doing bad things or saying bad things about me. I have no clue as to whether the headache and paranoia have anything to do with each other, but they both are definitely having an effect on my quality of life. 

The headaches are having another effect as well. Trying to think through the pain is difficult. The pain is affecting my ability to concentrate and focus. For instance, if I have the television or music on and someone begins to talk to me, they have finished what they are saying before it registers in my brain that they were talking. This gets a little old and frustrating for everyone around me, I am sure. It is a magnification of the "one thing at a time" concept I mention so often.

With World FTD Awareness Week coming to a close, I will now be focusing on preparing for a table display that I am doing in a couple weeks at a local event. This event is for non-professional caregivers and is "Caring for the Caregivers." What a great idea! Instead of speakers as they usually have at the caregiver conferences, they are having massage therapists, music, Reiki, yoga and much more. Sounds like just what the caregivers need. They don't get enough credit for all they do nor do they get a respite from their task. 


Saturday, September 23, 2017

Executive Functioning and the Spinning Brain

My brain seems to be going into its "spin cycle" a lot more often these days. Those of you who do not have FTD may not understand what I am talking about. I keep harping about "one thing at a time" and have been since my diagnosis. As the FTD worsens, this principal become more important.

When I am doing something and someone starts to talk to me, my brain goes into that spin cycle and cannot stop to concentrate on either what I am doing or what they are saying. I must pause for around a minute, blank everything from my brain before moving on to focus on the new thing, usually the person talking. I picture it as my brain in a spin cycle and having difficulty finding a cog to slow it down.

I don't know if I am explaining this well enough for anyone to understand. This is part of what is called "executive functioning" and is controlled by the frontal lobe of the brain (Of course, frontal is the "F" of FTD). This is the part of the brain where we analyze and plan a task, organize the steps needed to complete the task and keep to a schedule. It allows us to be flexible and adjust as you go along (cognitive flexibility).

With limited, or no, executive function, due to FTD, the brain has trouble organizing and planning, paying attention to those and things around you, switching focus and shifting between activities and prioritizing  tasks. This is the part that is making it nearly impossible for me to switch from one task or thought process to another.

Other problems created by loss of executive function can be not being able to remember details of things. You may remember that you used to build birdhouses, but can no longer remember how you did it. You may be misplacing things or forgetting what you were doing. Damage to the frontal lobe is also what causes difficulty withholding a response or self monitoring of the appropriateness of that response. Now, that part gets me into a lot of trouble sometimes.

I have trouble with all of these things, but right now it is the "Allows us to be flexible and adjust as you go along" part that is impacting me most right now. The loss of that part of my executive functioning is what keeps me from being able to fully realize someone is talking until they are halfway through what they are trying to say. I have to stop doing what I am or thinking about what I am before I can even ask them to repeat themselves. I usually end up shouting something like "Stop, stop!" then waiting however I must to get the brain back in gear before I can pay attention to what they want. Of course other days, I just throw whatever I am holding at the person or calling them nasty things.

This certainly is frustrating for me and I am guessing most of those with FTD. It must also be extremely frustrating to the caregiver and all the other people in our lives. I know how it affects interaction between my husband and me. It is difficult for him to understand how even a tiny little thing occupying my brain can shut down the rest of the brain. It can be something as innocuous as listening to music, leafing through a catalog, or looking at the birds.

It is very exhausting as well. Forcing the brain to keep spinning or bouncing around wears me out. After enough of it (and it doesn't take much), I am done for the day. I am worn out physically, mentally and emotionally. I know that I am not going to function anymore until after a long night's rest. Those are the days I have to send my husband out to pick up dinner or thaw out something in the freezer that he can throw together for us. Odds are that I won't be able decide which option to take. It is also the times that I withdraw to my room by 7 pm.

I still don't know if I explained this well enough. The brain is a complicated thing and what makes sense to someone with FTD does not necessarily make sense to someone with normal brain function. Hopefully, you will understand and, just maybe, it can bring a little more peace to your household.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Yes, This Disease Does Suck

If anyone is offended by what I say next, so be it.  FTD = F*** This Disease. I actually have a key fob attached to my purse that said "FTD Sucks." Same thing, just cleaned up a bit.

Many caregivers will disagree with this, but those of us with FTD try really hard. We struggle constantly with the symptoms and everyday frustrations. We struggle to overcome them, but if that doesn't work, we hide it as well as we can. That is a small part of why so many people look at us and think there is nothing wrong with us. We are that good at covering up how badly we are doing.

We try not to complain about everything that FTD brings. I believe that if most people had to suffer the FTD headache for just a few days, they would be running to the doctor or emergency room to get relief. I think I have mentioned before that I have dealt with migraine headaches throughout my entire life. If I take my absolute worst migraine, one that would have me hiding in a dark and quiet room, in tears, and multiply it by 2 or 3, I have described an FTD headache. Add that constant headache to all our every day struggles and it can be pretty darned overwhelming.

We try not to complain about how frustrating it is to not be able to do things that used to come naturally. That even includes the difficulty many of us have just walking and talking. Okay, I said we TRY. Some days we are successful, others we are not. There are days when I wouldn't want to live with myself. Yes, I know when I am being like that. I just cannot do anything about it.

There are days that my FTD symptoms are no worse than other days, but I still feel really depressed and should not be allowed to interact with others. On those days, if you ask what is bothering me, I wouldn't be able to figure it out and would probably bite your head off for asking anyway. A couple weeks ago, I wrote about how urinary tract infections can cause this. Other nagging little illnesses can as well. If I get a tiny little cold, I feel like I am at death's door. My body and mind are so worn out dealing with the FTD that there are no reserves left to deal with anything else. Illnesses are not the only thing that cause some days to be worse than others.

That is why, when I am trying to do something that would have been simple before FTD, I throw a temper tantrum or just fall apart. Yesterday, I decided to vacuum out our car because I noticed it needed it. I vacuumed the passenger side first since that was where the electrical outlet is. When I finished that, the trouble started. I could not figure out how to do the other side because the nozzle didn't reach that far. It took several long minutes to figure out to move the vacuum to the other side of the garage. To compound it, that didn't work because the cord wasn't long enough. After much swearing and stomping, I remembered how I used to do it. It is a small portable vac so I simply set the vacuum on the passenger seat, walked around the car and voila!

This event was disheartening enough, but it could have been worse. If someone had observed me being so confused, it would have made it worse, especially if they tried to "help". It seems like at least half the time anyone tries to help, it comes across to me as demeaning and condescending. I end up feeling stupid because I could not figure out how to do it and embarrassed that someone thinks I'm pretty darned stupid as well. What would work best, at least in my case, is to simply say "If you need help, I am right here." then step back. Don't try to take over and, above all, do not laugh! After I start laughing, feel free to join in.

It can be other things that cause our bad days, not just illnesses. Three days ago, after struggling all day with everything being difficult and an overwhelming sense of sadness, I finally remembered that it was my aunt's birthday. My aunt was a huge part of my life. Growing up, she always made sure that I knew I was loved even when I was not receiving that message in my own home. It was in her home that I learned that family members could have disagreements or laugh at each other without hating each other. When I stayed with them, I rarely made it through dinner without my cousins having me laughing so hard I couldn't breathe,usually by making fun of me. That was okay though, because there was also love there. I also learned that when my uncle was being cranky, it didn't have to ruin everyone's day.

Coincidentally, she started showing signs of dementia right around the same time I was being diagnosed. Hers progressed much more rapidly than mine, so I was functioning well enough to be able to act as one of her main caregivers. I had the privilege of sitting at her bedside in the hospital for the final three days of her life. I know that I was letting her know how much she was loved, just as she did for me throughout my entire life. Thank you for indulging me and letting me extol her virtues. She had many of them.

FTD has stolen my ability to know what day or date it is, so my mind was not able to know that it was her birthday. The heart, though, can be much stronger. It knew that it was a special day to remember. Finally realizing it was her birthday, wishing her a happy birthday and thanking her for all she meant to me, even though the wishes needed to be sent to her in heaven, lightened my load and I was able to enjoy the end of the day. I could feel her laughing along with me at that dinner table and reminding me that I can do this.

It is important for caregivers to understand that there can be reasons why we act more nastily some days. We can be feeling ill or can be uncomfortable from something as simple as having my shirt on backwards... again. It is things like this that make me have that feeling that there is something wrong, but can't figure out what. We could be missing someone or missing something we used to do. I spend a lot of hours feeling angry because I can no longer do any artwork.

So, yes, this disease sucks. It sucks for those of us with the disease and it sucks for those who have to live with us. We just have to stick together and muddle through the bad days.

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Deniers, Disbelievers and Ostriches

I try really hard to keep my spirits up and to downplay my FTD when I am around others. Those of us with FTD still want to have some fun and enjoy some bits of a normal life. It is difficult to enjoy being with people when they are acting like I am going to die next week or that I am imagining the disease. That is one end of the spectrum. The other end are those who ask how I am doing but when I start to explain some worsening symptoms, they zone out. They don't want to hear that. They want to hear me lie and say everything is just great. It becomes pretty darned difficult to keep a smile on my face some days.

There are several different categories people, depending on how they react to my FTD. I am pretty darned sure it is the same with the others with FTD as well. It is important to know that I am not in this alone and remind you that nearly 20% of all dementia cases are caused by FTD. They are not all Alzheimer's Disease related.

The first type of people is one I have talked about many times. These are the ones that when I tell them I have the disease they argue with me. They argue that I look too good or I remember too well or I wouldn't be able to do things so well if I had dementia. Many of these people have no knowledge of FTD and don't care to listen. I believe they truly think I don't know what I am talking about. These I call "The Disbelievers".

The second type are the friends and family who are frightened off by the disease. They have disappeared from my life in droves. This is something I hear often from others with FTD. Some times I actually think they believe it is contagious. I suspect that it is more that have cared for or known of someone with Alzheimer's Disease. Since most people think all dementia is Alzheimer's, they are not wanting to deal with it again. Some find excuses to stay away. I don't think this is to explain it to me. It is simply easier to stay away if they convince themselves there is a reason. I admit it is difficult to be around me or anyone else with bvFTD at times. We can end up coming across as being pretty darned obnoxious more often than I would care to admit. Yet, I believed my family and friends would be with me and support me through this journey. Don't get me wrong, there are still a small hand full who totally support, have learned about the disease and try to help. Other than these few, I call them "The Deserters".

I thought these first two groups were the worst. They were the worst in the earliest years of my disease. However, now that most of them have removed themselves from my life, I deal with them being out of it just fine. I understand why they walk away or avoid me, I truly do.  It hurt at first, but like the old adage, you learn who your friends are.

Now we come to the next group... "The Ostriches". These are the people who have stood by me but are in denial of my FTD and the resulting dementia. They still think I should be able to do all the things I used to do. Part of this comes from me trying to  keep a happy face. Add in the fact that I do push myself to do as much as I can. If someone sees me out doing some yard work or sees that I have baked or cooked something really yummy, they still rave that it is wonderful that I can still do these things. What they don't know, or choose to ignore, is that my energy stores are quickly used up each day. I have about a 2-3 hour window, usually midday, where I can be productive. The things I manage to do are nowhere even close to what I used to be able to do. I am pretty much limited to one activity a day, whether it is spending an hour pulling weeds, cleaning the kitchen floor or going out to lunch. That is it for the day and, sometimes, wears me out enough that I can't do anything the next day either. The ostriches don't see that because they choose not to, whether it be a conscious decision or not. Sometimes they hurt me worse than the ones who have distanced themselves.

The past two weeks have been particularly tough for me. Several of my symptoms have worsened. My legs are getting worse and cause me to stumble and lose my balance more often. Some days, usually toward evening, my right leg will drag. I must step with my left leg, then drag my right leg along, holding on to things as I go along. My headaches have been nearly unbearable and pretty much constant. No medications help them. My speech problems have escalated to the point that it is often too much of an effort to carry on a conversation. I have had trouble swallowing more and more often. I actually became panicked in Sam's Club last week after tasting a food sample and beginning to choke. Fortunately, my husband was with me and kept me calm until I was able to clear my throat. My double vision is significantly worse and never corrects itself anymore, it is constant and adds to the headache issue. It is also extremely frustrating. It used to just double my distant vision, but it is now affecting my near vision. I am frightened that I will no longer be able to read.

The ostriches in my life choose to ignore these changes. I was silly enough that when a friend asked how I was doing, I told the truth. The reaction was "Oh, to me you seem just like you always have." said in a condescending way. I don't believe this person was deliberately brushing my disease aside, but rather was denying it to themselves. The other frustrating thing that occurs is when someone will ask me to do something. I say that I don't want to or would rather not. What I get is those wonderful words, "But you've always been so good at it, much better than I am!" I end up, full of anxiety, and loudly explaining that, yes, I used to but not anymore.  I compound this problem by eventually giving in nearly every time. I know I shouldn't, but it becomes easier than arguing or listening to them whine.

The last type of people I will discuss are those who, while having a basic understanding of FTD, do not comprehend the symptoms of it. For instance, the lack of empathy that I have often explained. If you call me to tell me your problems, I will listen, but I don't really care. I have no feelings of empathy or sympathy. I also tell it like it is which comes from the lack of filters between brain and mouth. If I know you are wrong about something, I won't tiptoe around it, I speak it out loud and proud. In addition, if you start complaining about something like a headache you have had for two days, a sore leg or being tired, it doesn't mean much to me. These people are kind of like the ostriches in my life. The difference is that they don't deny there is something wrong with me, they just really, really don't want me to have it. The biggest difference, though, is that they are here for me when I need them.

FTD blunts most emotions which can truly offend people who won't take the time or effort to learn about the disease. I was shocked last week while watching the rescue efforts following last week's hurricane in Houston. Everyone was raving about the wonderful rescues of people and their pets. I was happy they were rescued, but not really touched emotionally like I would have been pre-FTD. One event actually made me shed tears. One of the volunteers risked his life and went into a destroyed house to rescue an animal. He spotted a wooden display case containing a folded U.S. flag. Knowing that it was most likely a treasured keepsake honoring a loved one, he continued to risk his life and got it out. I have one of those flags on my fireplace that was presented to me at my father's funeral and know how much losing it would mean to me. I was so touched by this small act of kindness by one of the heroes.

It is interesting how every once in a while, something will make it through to my emotions. It was a touching, sad yet happy moment in someone else's life that finally allowed me to shed a few tears. That is the way it is with FTD. Yes, we are still the same person we used to be. We just are unable to behave the same way, speak the same way, move the same way or live without pain. Others may not be able to see that we are still in there, but it truly is their loss. When they see someone doing their best to cope with FTD (and other life ending diseases), they should be in awe, not afraid to remain in their lives.


Saturday, September 2, 2017

Urinary Tract Infection and Dementia

If you are a regular reader of my blog, I suspect you noticed that the past couple entries were me ranting and being upset. It was a carry over from the way I was feeling for the past 1-2 weeks. I was angry, agitated and pretty darned tough to live with. I was lashing out at things and people, but had no idea why I was feeling that way.

Two days ago, the light bulb went on. For the past couple years, when anyone would describe feeling that way or their caregiver would describe a sudden worsening of dementia symptoms, the first thing I would say was "Have you checked for a urinary tract infections (UTI)?" I did not understand why, but from listening to others, it was quite common for a UTI to cause worsening of symptoms and I would share that information. I pulled out a test strip and, sure enough, I had a UTI! The doctor insisted on seeing me and testing it herself before prescribing.

While with the doctor, she asked me what my symptoms were. I told her that, looking back, I was experiencing more frequent urination, but certainly not enough to really notice. She asked me what caused me to check it. I told her that she would probably think I am crazy but it seems that with FTD, urinary tract infections can make our symptoms worse.

She explained that I am not crazy (though some may dispute this) that it is not just with FTD. She went on to explain that even patients, who have no diagnosed dementia, are brought in because they are showing symptoms of extreme dementia that came on suddenly. It can sometimes as bad as not knowing where they are. All this time, I was mistakenly thinking it was a fluke thing with FTD. An undiagnosed UTI can present with agitation, lethargy, decreased mobility and more Having dementia makes the problems even worse. By the way, I should have suggested she explain this to her staff since the nursing assistant who did my intake did indeed look at me like I was crazy when I explained why I checked. Then again, my paranoia had also been stronger for the same time period.

Urinary Tract Infections are more common in older adults. They can be caused by incontinence or bladder leakage leading to prolonged exposure to urine. Interestingly enough, constipation can aggravate the problem as well because it often prevents the bladder from completely emptying. Some ways to prevent them is to urinate more frequently, perhaps on a regular schedule, keeping the genital area clean after going to the bathroom, and drinking plenty of water. All of these advised precautions can be very difficult for someone with FTD and a real challenge for caregivers.

My familiarity with UTI's is more from when I was younger. Younger people develop more distinctive symptoms such as frequency, pain or burning during urination, pain in the abdomen or back and even fevers. Unfortunately, in older adults, the body begins to react differently to infection. A frequent theory is that it is due to the fact that our immune system is different when we are older. Because the symptoms are not those commonly associated with UTI's, the infection can be not be recognized and and can go untreated for a long period of time. It is possible for the infection to then enter the blood stream, making it life-threatening.

The Alzheimer's Society explains that UTI's can cause behavior changes including confusion, agitation, restlessness, delirium, mobility including falls and general worsening of dementia symptoms. The sooner treatment begins, the better. If the UTI goes untreated for an extended length of time, the worsening of the dementia may become permanent. That raises the question as to how can there be a connection between urinary infections and the brain? It seems that a UTI can be a serious strain on the body, a physical strain and a mental strain. This can also be said about any illness but, in the case of UTI's, that illness can go unrecognized.

Urinary tract infections do indeed play favorites. Women are three times more likely to get them. This is explained by the shortness of the urethra in women compared to men. On the other hand, prostate issues can cause more frequent UTI's in men due to the difficulty in completely emptying the bladder.

I had been complaining for nearly two weeks that I was exhausted. One night, I slept for 16 hours. I had no energy to do much of anything at all. Low and behold, another symptom of a UTI in those with dementia is often fatigue and general malaise. That sure described me. I didn't want to, or have energy to, do anything. My husband and I normally set recurring appointments (B12 shots, chiropractor, hair cuts etc.) on Thursdays. We call it our errand day and it limits the number of times we have to drive to town. After we are done for the day, we usually stop somewhere for lunch, usually at our favorite diner-type restaurant. This past Thursday, he asked me where I would like to eat. He mentioned a few places and I started to panic. He tried to think of quiet, uncrowded places, but I became more and more agitated and insisted he take me home. It took several hours to calm myself down. I usually enjoy these days out and that is how I knew that there must be something was going on and that is what triggered that light bulb coming on.

Now that I have researched this subject, the next time I ask "Have you checked for a UTI?", I will better understand why I am asking. A couple final notes... If the person with FTD begins to get URI's more often that 3 times a year, their doctor may suggest putting them on a prophylactic antibiotic treatment. This usually means taking an antibiotic every day. Test strips for urinary tract infections can now be purchased in most all drug stores. They are pricey, about $12 - $15 for a box of three. When you compare that to three co-pays and the inconvenience of going to the doctor's office every time you think "Could it be a UTI," in my mind is a good value.

Oh, and please go drink some water... and do it often!