New Drug Brings Hope to Alzheimer’s Patients and Those Who Love Them

Posted on 01. Aug, 2008 by Karen in Caregiving, Family and Friends

This week brought good news about the fight against Alzheimer’s, the wickedly devastating cognitive nightmare that afflicts millions of people including my best friend of 50 years. “Susan” has suffered from this disease for at least several years now. If I was really honest with myself, I would admit that I noticed signs probably as long as 5 years ago.

I remember hoping it was Susan’s thyroid or menopause fog or anything but what I feared. But one day I couldn’t ignore the obvious. We were sitting in a little breakfast place we had gone to many times before. As we sat across from one another, Susan smiled at me and said “Isn’t this a great place. I’ve never been here before.” My heart sank.

Since that time, Susan’s doctors have confirmed a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. She’s 57 years old. The only good thing about the situation is that Susan is married to a man who loves her dearly and has assumed the role of caregiver with a vengance. He makes their home a comfortable haven for my friend, cares for her and comforts her when she has moments of frustration as thoughts and now words elude her.

A few months ago I went to visit Susan. She kept telling me how glad she was to have her best friend around. At times it was like old times. At times — not. But whichever, I was so glad that we could have this time together. When I returned from my visit with Susan, I got in my car at the airport and started driving home. All of a sudden, I found myself sobbing. I cried all the way home — letting go of all the sadness I didn’t want Susan to see when I was there.

The reason I’m writing about this is because as a society, we tend to think of Alzheimer’s as an affliction of the elderly. We’re not knowledgeable enough about this disease to know that its ugly reach stretches into the ranks of those of us in midlife. You just don’t know what you don’t know until you know.

Because my best friend suffers from Alzheimer’s, I tune in to the latest scientific developments in the fight against Alzheimer’s. This week one of the most promising discoveries to date comes from the United Kingdom where scientists have shown in human trials that a new drug called “rember” has the effect of not only halting the progress of Alzheimer’s but actually reversing the damage already done.

The video below explains this hopeful development better than I can. I just pray that this miracle drug can move to market faster than the projected 4-5 years. Will you pray with me?

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3 Responses to “New Drug Brings Hope to Alzheimer’s Patients and Those Who Love Them”

  1. Edsel McKee

    02. Aug, 2008

    My wife has Early Onset alzheimer’s. She is in a clinical trial phase III with a drug called bapineuzumab by Elan. What do you know about this drug and it’s progress? My wife is 61now she was 57 when she was diagnosed by Dr.Rachelle Doody, Director of Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Center at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston,Texas in 2003. She is now working on a study of a drug called Dimebon. Do you know where it stands? It also looks like a posibility.
    Thanks, Edsel McKee

  2. Rod

    02. Aug, 2008

    Karen,

    As you know, my mother also is afflicted with Alzheimer’s, but early onset Alzheimer’s like Susan’s is especially cruel. It breaks my heart that these medications won’t be available for 4-5 years, but what a blessing when they do finally arrive. I know that many of your readers are dealing with these same issues and I wish them all peace and perseverance in their journey.

    All the best,

    Rod

  3. Karen

    03. Aug, 2008

    Edsel–thanks for sharing this information on the clinical study your wife is in. My friend was accepted into a clinical study recently. I’ll check to see if it was for the same drug. Sounds like you are keeping hope alive for yourself and your wife. Know that I’m wishing you the best as you travel this difficult road through midlife. And thanks for stopping by. I hope you’ll visit again.

    Rod–

    I know Alzheimers is a difficult journey we take with our parents. My mom as dementia too. But I just don’t know how you prepare to travel this road with someone still in the prime of life. Maybe there are other medications out there that will come to market sooner. There’s a great site I just found that keeps up with all the developments in the battle against Alzheimers. Edsel, you might be interested in this too. It’s http://www.alzheimersnotes.com.

    Karen

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