Into: RN/coach w/E4/E4 allele. Where do go from here?
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2024 3:12 pm
Hello friends,
What an interesting site full of camaraderie, cutting-edge information, and amazing coaches. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself to this amazing group and feel at home here because I am one of you— a person navigating a significant risk factor (homozygous APOE4) AD.
For those of you who are coaches, nurses, or nurse practitioners working in this field, I would love to hear from you. Please take a look at my comments at the end of this email.
My Background: I’m a lifelong nurse with recent work in mental health and substance use, emphasizing holistic health, wellness, and behavioral change. I’m enrolled in a virtual DNP program for psych-mental health to become a nurse practitioner in this field. Additionally, I’m a recovery coach for women overcoming dysfunctional alcohol use, and support this process by fostering mind/body/spirit habits that lead to transformative growth and a sustainable alcohol-free life. I love working and consider myself a lifelong learner.
APOE4/E4 discovery: While reviewing a classmate's presentation on the APOE4 gene, I revisited a 2018 genetic testing report for my methyl detox pathways. To my SHOCK, this report confirmed that I carry two copies of the APOE4 allele. Equal to my shock was disappointment that I was not alerted. There was no indication in my report that APOE4 was correlated with AD; it only mentioned the risk of hyperlipidemia (Empire City Labs/Kashi Clinical Labs). My practitioner only focused on my methylation pathways—nothing on APOE4.
My 2018 healing journey: Naturally, I wish I had been informed of the AD risk six years ago. However, the universe had my back since I found a similar healing path through my recovery from a decades-long unhealthy relationship with alcohol. During this time, I worked with numerous alternative practitioners (naturopaths, functional medicine doctors, and Ayurvedic practitioners) and studied yoga in Rishikesh, India. My 3 prominent symptoms were brain fog, fatigue, and poor sleep. Fortunately, many of the strategies and biohacks I learned to heal my body from alcohol use perfectly aligned with Dr. Bredesen’s protocol, such as the anti-inflammatory diet filled with organic, gluten-free whole foods (primarily vegetables), blood sugar control, HRT, intermittent fasting, detox protocols, sleep hygiene (circadian rhythm), mindfulness practices, gut health, and oral health. I added supplements (or ate therapeutic levels of) selenium, turmeric, NAC, ALA, vitamin B, magnesium, ubiquinol, Vit D, and Indian herbs. Within 3-6 months, my brain fog lifted, fatigue subsided, and my sleep dramatically improved.
Where do I go from here (suggestions welcome)?
I have symptoms or known causation for AD Type 1, 2, and 3. While it would be helpful to narrow the focus of etiology, I’m most interested in my stage of development. To that end, the BrainScan blood test is in process.
1) Treatment Regimens: I’m interested in exploring additional treatment options such as rapamycin, injectable Klotho peptides, and injectable NAD. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations if there is evidence supporting their correlation with cognitive improvement.
2) Practitioner Support: I'm looking for a practitioner (or coach) trained w/Dr. Bredesen’s plan is knowledgeable with other emerging treatments. Any suggestions are welcome.
3) Career Path: As I turn 63 in October, I’m also reconsidering my career trajectory. My DNP program concludes when I’m 65, and I’m starting to second-guess this path in light of this new reality. It occurred to me that I should pivot and study AD and then work as an RN or coach specializing in AD. I would love to discuss this career path with an AD coach or clinician (especially an RN).
Love and light to all!
Jill
What an interesting site full of camaraderie, cutting-edge information, and amazing coaches. I appreciate the opportunity to introduce myself to this amazing group and feel at home here because I am one of you— a person navigating a significant risk factor (homozygous APOE4) AD.
For those of you who are coaches, nurses, or nurse practitioners working in this field, I would love to hear from you. Please take a look at my comments at the end of this email.
My Background: I’m a lifelong nurse with recent work in mental health and substance use, emphasizing holistic health, wellness, and behavioral change. I’m enrolled in a virtual DNP program for psych-mental health to become a nurse practitioner in this field. Additionally, I’m a recovery coach for women overcoming dysfunctional alcohol use, and support this process by fostering mind/body/spirit habits that lead to transformative growth and a sustainable alcohol-free life. I love working and consider myself a lifelong learner.
APOE4/E4 discovery: While reviewing a classmate's presentation on the APOE4 gene, I revisited a 2018 genetic testing report for my methyl detox pathways. To my SHOCK, this report confirmed that I carry two copies of the APOE4 allele. Equal to my shock was disappointment that I was not alerted. There was no indication in my report that APOE4 was correlated with AD; it only mentioned the risk of hyperlipidemia (Empire City Labs/Kashi Clinical Labs). My practitioner only focused on my methylation pathways—nothing on APOE4.
My 2018 healing journey: Naturally, I wish I had been informed of the AD risk six years ago. However, the universe had my back since I found a similar healing path through my recovery from a decades-long unhealthy relationship with alcohol. During this time, I worked with numerous alternative practitioners (naturopaths, functional medicine doctors, and Ayurvedic practitioners) and studied yoga in Rishikesh, India. My 3 prominent symptoms were brain fog, fatigue, and poor sleep. Fortunately, many of the strategies and biohacks I learned to heal my body from alcohol use perfectly aligned with Dr. Bredesen’s protocol, such as the anti-inflammatory diet filled with organic, gluten-free whole foods (primarily vegetables), blood sugar control, HRT, intermittent fasting, detox protocols, sleep hygiene (circadian rhythm), mindfulness practices, gut health, and oral health. I added supplements (or ate therapeutic levels of) selenium, turmeric, NAC, ALA, vitamin B, magnesium, ubiquinol, Vit D, and Indian herbs. Within 3-6 months, my brain fog lifted, fatigue subsided, and my sleep dramatically improved.
Where do I go from here (suggestions welcome)?
I have symptoms or known causation for AD Type 1, 2, and 3. While it would be helpful to narrow the focus of etiology, I’m most interested in my stage of development. To that end, the BrainScan blood test is in process.
1) Treatment Regimens: I’m interested in exploring additional treatment options such as rapamycin, injectable Klotho peptides, and injectable NAD. I would greatly appreciate any recommendations if there is evidence supporting their correlation with cognitive improvement.
2) Practitioner Support: I'm looking for a practitioner (or coach) trained w/Dr. Bredesen’s plan is knowledgeable with other emerging treatments. Any suggestions are welcome.
3) Career Path: As I turn 63 in October, I’m also reconsidering my career trajectory. My DNP program concludes when I’m 65, and I’m starting to second-guess this path in light of this new reality. It occurred to me that I should pivot and study AD and then work as an RN or coach specializing in AD. I would love to discuss this career path with an AD coach or clinician (especially an RN).
Love and light to all!
Jill