Expert: Paula Damgaard - 5/31/2007

Question
QUESTION: My mother has Alzheimer's disease and is in the final stages with just a few weeks left.  She was diagnosed last summer and has declined so fast, its unbelievable.  I know there is a specific type of Alzheimer's that has a very fast decline.  What kind is it and what is different about this that makes it happen so fast?

ANSWER: Hi Ruth, sorry for the delay.  I have been away and the "Experts" didn't close my site.  

Usually the people who decline fastest are the familial type of AD.  People who have strong family history and develop the disease at an early age (like in their 40's).  You don't mention how old your mom is so I am not sure if she fits into that catagory.  

My suggestion to you is to make sure your mother has an autopsy to see exactly what she has.  This could be the best gift your mom could ever give you.  If in the future researchers find a "cure" they may only let people who have a documented family history to participate and you will want to be in that group.

My mom died 7 years ago today, and we have her autopsy results and she did have AD, my mother in law died in Jan of 2006 and she also had it.  So we will be first in line when that happens!  Autopsys are your answer to all the unknowns.  Paula

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Paula,
Thank you for your answer.  My mom is 72, to answer your question. My dad said he didn't want to have an autopsy done on my mom and I can remember my mom saying when she was younger that she never like the idea of that being done to her.  So, I guess I'm at a dead end.  They say she may have Lewy Bodies and that she may have had it for a few years without us knowing.  My mom was a psychologist and could cover things for quite some time, but when we thought back, we realized she was showing some symptoms.  Then last summer she had a violent episode that landed her in a skilled facility.  They diagnosed her with Alzheimer's and said the average time is 8 years.  But, for my mom, its been one year of rapid, rapid decline.  We think the onset was three years ago, but very minimal.  I just don't understand what is causing her to go so much faster than most.  My heart goes out to you on the anniversary of your mother's death.  Thank you.

Answer
Ruth, perhaps if you explained the importance to your dad he would change his mind.  He should know that the autopsy is NOTHING like what we see on TV.  Basically then do a small incision in the back of the skull and take the tissue.  No one knows the difference.  You can have an open casket and everything.  When my mom died it was 250 in the afternoon, she was back at the funeral home before 5 and when my sisters came to see her they couldn't tell she had had it done.  

It is so important now to have those results.  When your mom spoke about never liking the idea she would not have had any idea the importance of needing to have it done.  I am sure that if she knew if might make a difference in her children's lives she would agree to it in a minute!  

I hope your dad changes his mind.  Take care.  Paula