Feel doomed

Newcomer introductions, personal anecdotes, caregiver issues, lab results, and n=1 experimentation.
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Chrisweides
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Feel doomed

Post by Chrisweides »

Hello dear fellow APOE4lers,

I need some encouragement. I feel so doomed. With my gene and family history already and then I read today (trying still to determine which HRT is good for me) that stress and insomnia and elevated blood fats all raise alzheimer risk significantly. And I have all of that! Insomnia for months, never been a good sleeper, intense anxiety and the resulting stress and before, the Covid stresses and on top, war and inflation fears. Oh, and I have depression too, o and off all my life. I also have hashimotos thyreoiditis which is a mixed blessing because at least thyroid levels are checked every three months (all ok). And I have had slightly elevated bad cholesterol for years and since a year or so, elevated triglycerides. I eat a healthy mediterranen diet (mostly) and I work out regularly when I am able. The anxiety is so terrible at times I just cannot.

Oh, and sometimes with the brain fog and this weird feeling I of course get immensely anxious that these are already the first signs of AD even though I know it’s much more likely to be menopause/perimenopause related or a symptom of depression or both.

Am I really doomed? Is there a ray of light I may not get Alzheimer after all? What else can I do? Oh I so hope they find a cure soon!

Best

Chris
51 years old. APO E3/4. Mother, grandmother and great grandmother had/are starting with dementia. Afflicted with anxiety disorder atm. Very eager to save brain and live a long healthy life. Grateful to you all for your knowledge and kindness!
TLS
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by TLS »

Hi Chris,
I can relate to a lot of your story! I also have a very strong family history of Alzheimers and lewy body dementia. From high school onward I have had periods of anxiety too. I tend to be very hard on myself, type A get it done kinda person. If you're going through peri-menopause give yourself some slack as the hormone fluctuations can affect your mood and emotions quite a bit. They did for me, however once you get through it they even out and you feel better.

While I know I am at risk for Alzheimers, I don't think I will get it because our generation is more aware of lifestyle and other things we can do to protect ourselves, and I am doing those things!!

For anxiety, here are some of the things I do that may be helpful to you as well:
- Exercise, exercise, exercise!! My go to.
- Meditation
- Gaba with B6. I played around with supplements and this is the one for me.
- Journaling

When it got bad during COVID, I took a news break and made a point to watch uplifting shows and comedies right before bed.

Hope some of these help.
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TheresaB
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by TheresaB »

If by doomed you mean die, yes someday you will die.
Chrisweides wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 12:44 am Is there a ray of light I may not get Alzheimer after all?
YES!

That's what this website is all about. It was established by frustrated ApoE4s who were told there was nothing that can be done. BULL HOCKEY! We've learned so much and research has uncovered quite a bit on aging over these past few years.

How you age is largely in your own hands. Oh sure, holding one or two ApoEε4 alleles has its influence, but lifestyle is far more influential. APOE4 is not a deterministic gene it doesn’t mean a person will get Alzheimer’s, it only elevates the risk and lifestyle choices can moderate that risk. But you have to take charge and be proactive with your lifestyle choices. However, at almost 50 you are in a great position to effect positive epigenetic change.

First, hopefully you've read Dr Bredesen's book, "The End of Alzheimer's Program" if not, read it! If you want a highly condensed "Cliff Notes" version see our wiki: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Bredesen_Protocol, but read the book.

Your anxiety and insomnia is very stressful for your body. Sounds like you realize you need to take action on that. We do have a wiki on stress that contains some strategies that can help. You may want to pay particular attention to the sections on “Thought patterns” and “Take a Stress Management Course or Therapy”. Our wiki on stress: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Stress

Also regarding your insomnia, we have a wiki on Sleep, although admittedly it's a little lean on helpful advice. Our wiki on sleep: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Sleep

Your maternal history of dementia makes me ponder if there’s a mitochondrial issue as we (men and women) inherit our mitochondria solely from our mothers. We also have information on mitochondria and strategies to help in our wiki on mitochondria: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Mitochondria

It also sounds as if you feel a bit overwhelmed, do you feel you need help? You might want to consider health coach. We also have a wiki for that: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/ApoE4-Awa ... h_Coaches
-Theresa
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Chrisweides
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by Chrisweides »

Thank you both! You give me hope and then again, I feel troubled.

I can’t fight the insomnia and anxiety the normal way, I have tried (meditation (can’t even sit much less meditate), breathing, exercise, herbs). It is at the level of severe mental illness. I am following my doctors recommendation with medication, so far things haven’t changed noticeably. On the contrary, I think it’s making my insomnia worse. But worst are the nightly panic attacks. And stressing makes it worse so I try not to think about what this does with my brain, of course I know it’s very bad, I have to hope my brain repairs once this is over. I also can’t think about what the meds do, since everything must be better than this,

The bredersen protocol I know, I have read up on him and it seems it’s a bit controversial whether his methods really help. I cannot help but think if they were really a cure, why doesn’t every doctor everywhere use it? It could be ignorance of course.

But still, you need a doctor to assist you. I cannot get many of the suggested blood tests and if I could, I would still need a doctor to work with me. I live in Germany so the recommendations are a bit far away if based in the U.S.

I am also a “get done” person so it’s especially hard for me to run against an unbreakable wall (with this I mean AD exists and there is still no effective cure and another fear I have which is even more unavoidable).

I know I sound down, months of severe anxiety and insomnia will do that. I am glad you responded. It is good not to feel alone.

It’s frustrating not to be able to find a doctor to work with me on prevention. There must be someone here, but I haven’t found one yet. Naturopaths will often steer you away from all supplements etc which I believe is not the right way.

I would employ a health coach but again, not based in the U.S.

Best to you and thank you both! I hit my head yesterday (household accident) and am stressed out what it does to me besides it hurts and its 2am again and I am really not able to sleep. Sigh. So please forgive me for sounding depressed and confused, I probably am.

Chris
51 years old. APO E3/4. Mother, grandmother and great grandmother had/are starting with dementia. Afflicted with anxiety disorder atm. Very eager to save brain and live a long healthy life. Grateful to you all for your knowledge and kindness!
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TheresaB
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by TheresaB »

Chrisweides wrote: Sun Aug 21, 2022 6:55 pm can’t fight the insomnia and anxiety the normal way, I have tried (meditation (can’t even sit much less meditate), breathing, exercise, herbs). It is at the level of severe mental illness.
Have you considered addressing your gut microbiome? Gut dysbiosis (gut biome imbalance) has been associated with various health conditions including mental illness. We have a wiki for that: https://wiki.apoe4.info/wiki/Gut-Brain_ ... (gut_bugs)
-Theresa
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by Quantifier »

Hello Chrisweides!

I am really sorry about your insomnia and stress. I don't have magical solutions for such things, it looks like you already tried most common methods and are working with a specialist. (I used to suffer from insomnia, now I don't always sleep well, but at least I no longer lie awake for prolonged periods, so I take it as a huge improvement. I think what helped me was quitting coffee, quitting night-time eating, and the greater control I have over my schedule since the pandemic started.)

You say:
The bredersen protocol I know, I have read up on him and it seems it’s a bit controversial whether his methods really help. I cannot help but think if they were really a cure, why doesn’t every doctor everywhere use it? It could be ignorance of course.
Well, most researchers in the area are hoping for one or a small number of pills that will solve the disease. But the disease is more complex than that. So far the best that has been achieved with medications is a slowing down of the progression of the disease. But the same has been achieved by an even partial application of aspects of Bredesen's protocol. For instance, just an improved diet slows down disease progression. Or just exercise. Or just a combination of supplements to raise omega-3 fatty acids and lower homocysteine (but not each one alone). Or just raising choline levels. So just think what would happen if all these were done together! As has been done in Bredesen's most recent publication.

Getting all the tests done is difficult, may even not be possible if you can't test privately. But you can focus on some areas - start from testing for general metabolic health, which is important for prevention of many chronic illnesses that are, unfortunately becoming more common in middle age, and go on from there.

The best of luck!
Chrisweides
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Re: Feel doomed

Post by Chrisweides »

Thank you all very much. I will certainly look closer into gut health. I am eating yoghurt and kefir and such every day but maybe that is not enough.

Thank you also for explaining to me how the concept works.

I haven’t had homocysteine on my mind and will try to find out how to lower it - I am already trying to eat enough Omega 3.

Best

Chris
51 years old. APO E3/4. Mother, grandmother and great grandmother had/are starting with dementia. Afflicted with anxiety disorder atm. Very eager to save brain and live a long healthy life. Grateful to you all for your knowledge and kindness!
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