It's been awhile since I have written. Being the full time caregiver to a spouse with FTD, and also responsible for yourself, your home, and everything they used to do is beyond overwhelming and time consuming. I've been trying to keep some portion of myself, but more and more I find that that is a losing battle. The list below is from approximately a year ago, with the bold type being new and/or changed symptoms that are currently exhibiting. Things like anger, agitation, and irritability have been controlled to some degree on medications, but they are still present.
Apathy Ongoing
Anxiety (extremely high) Ongoing
Anger Ongoing
Agitation Ongoing
Irritability Ongoing
No Insight and a Lack of Understanding (sometimes no memory) of his Behavior. Increasingly having no memory of things he has said and/or done in moments of irritation and anger.
Self Centered, downright Narcissistic sometimes, Selfish Has decreased overall, but still present
Mean, Emotionally and Verbally Abusive Ongoing
Overuse of Alcohol (hides, lies about it) I believe we have gotten this under control as he has little to no way of getting alcohol.
No Tolerance Ongoing
Frightened Ongoing
Distrustful Ongoing
Confused Very hard for him to make decisions, needs prompting.
Forgets Words/Mixes words up/Makes up Words Ongoing
Hyper focused on trivial things Ongoing
Trouble with temperature changes (too hot/too cold) Ongoing
Inattention Ongoing
Paranoia Little issues get blown out of proportion very often
Cognitive/Executive Functioning Troubles Has become worse, reaction times are greatly delayed
Critical of Others Ongoing
Very Outspoken and Loud Ongoing
Extreme Political Opinions and Rigid about those Opinions Has gotten worse, if such a thing can happen!
Mood Changes (rapid mood swings) Mirrors emotions of those around him
Trouble with time/date (i.e. says something happened last week when it was yesterday) Sees the time on the digital clock incorrectly, such as, thinks it is 4 am when the clock says 12 am.
Disinterested in Other's Problems or Opinions Ongoing
Talks Less Speaks markedly less, has very short answers on Social Media (i.e. "lol" or "yes" with no expansion)
Chokes sometimes/Coughs/Gags Happens more often.
Impatient Ongoing
Loss of Logic Definitely seems to be worse.
Hoarding (only certain things) Trash hoarding has increased.
Weakness, Loss of Strength Has gotten quite a bit worse.
Occasional Shuffling Gait Always shuffles when walking.
Unsteady Reports that he feels like he has noodle legs that are going to give out. Has not fallen that I am aware of.
Shakes sometimes Ongoing
Craves Carbs (before this, he only wanted meat and veggies) Ongoing
Extreme Personality Changes Ongoing
Delusions Ongoing
Repetitive Movements Ongoing
Short Term Memory Difficulty Forgets a lot mid-sentence. Does not remember holidays and events that happened in the past few years.
Blackouts No evidence that this is still happening since alcohol is gone.
No Motivation Moves about even less, wants to do even less.
Loses Things/Careless Ongoing
Does not Express Affection (from a man who was previously very affectionate!) Ongoing
Pouts/Tantrums Pouting has increased.
Hostility Ongoing
Some Long Term Memory Lapses He reports to me that this is worse.
Grunts (has done this a few times) Have not noticed this lately.
Answers questions with a sentence that makes no sense Is speaking less, so less communication.
Overwhelmed in Public Avoids going out more and more.
Overreacts or Under Reacts Ongoing
Tactless Ongoing
Rude Ongoing
Weight Gain Ongoing
Flat/Blank Facial Expression Ongoing
Poor Hygiene (fights the prompt to shower) Wears the same clothes for a week (crazy hair!) Notices stains and food on his clothing and doesn't care, continues to wear the clothing.
Lies/Hides things/Rummages around house Ongoing, although cannot cover up anything any longer as lies are blatantly obvious.
Vivid Nightmares ?? Sleeping less and less at night, so not sure.
Sleep Talking/Acting Out Ongoing
Staring Frequently stares up at nothing.
Difficulty Performing smaller tasks/chores It has become nearly impossible for him to do much at all.
Restless Wandering has been contained lately from the back patio to the living room or bedroom and not nearly as frequently.
Little to No Sympathy/Empathy/Compassion Ongoing
Can be Aggressive but nothing Physical (hope it never happens!) He has grabbed my arm a few times and shoved me out of the way a few times, but not lately.
Crying/Sadness Ongoing
No Enjoyment of things that used to bring pleasure or entertainment Wants to "mentally" plan and do things but can't, gets frustrated, and doesn't seem to enjoy anything
Some Incontinence (double) Ongoing
He failed to recognize me once (said, "who are you? I don't know you!") Has not happened lately.
Rarely Smiles Ongoing
Confusion Ongoing
Trouble choosing clothing to wear Ongoing
Sometimes needs assistance with showering, hygiene products, and dressing.
Cannot shave 100% successfully with the electric razor, although it will pass.
Increased difficulty hearing.
Increasing negativity.
Consistently spills drinking cup, needs a no-spill cup.
