Herpes – a possible link with Altzheimers

[Ed P]

Unfortunately the efforts to cure Alzheimers have so far failed, though some treatments may well delay its onset somewhat. Even the research that points the finger at plaque formation may well be finding a symptom rather than a cause.

New research is now suggesting that the herpes virus (and possibly other viruses) may well play a role in this most distressing disease. If this research eventually bears fruit then it may possibly bring some hopes of an effective treatment some time in the future.

Unfortunately at the moment it offers little practical help to those trying to evade this disease as we cannot even evade the common cold. All we can do for the moment is hope that we never had childhood rashes!

[Bob Williams]

A personal experience:

My 88 year old brother was, until about 3 years ago, a fun-loving guy, an underground, coalface miner all his life from the age of 15 until the pit closures of the late 80’s. During his late 50’s and on into his 60’s to early 80’s, he had worked on a farm in retirement, travelled for several foreign holidays abroad, walked miles and swam wherever he could find water. 3 years ago he began to change. Now he is permanently in a wheelchair, no longer knows his wife, 5 daughters, 1 surviving son of 2, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He does not know me: before Alzheimers became full blown Dementia, he thought I was our senior brother that he grew up with, and passed away in ’88 at 59 years of age. He is totally incontinent, but the one thing that really breaks my heart is when he asks for our mam, as if he is still a child.

I have had 2 mates in this Oldpharts Ghetto over the last few years, both of whom became Alzheimers sufferers and both of whom were thoroughly good blokes and good mates. I have been subject to so much in the way of medical conditions, disease, physical damage and serious operations over the last 20 years or so, but if there is any chance of missing this bloody awful condition, I would like to take that chance and keep all my marbles in one bag, please. T’other stuff I can battle with, providing my brain retains as many working cells and firing neurons as possible. Thank you so much.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[The Duke]

Given my grandad served abroad in the army in the aftermath of the war, this may go along way to explaining his end.

I’m now imagining him trying to conker Europe single handedly. Well Austria and the surrounding regions. Doing his duty to a fault lol.

[Richard]

While Altzheimers gets all the press and is possibly the major form of dementia, it is not the only form and I believe that there could be as many as half a dozen types. One major form is vascular dementia where strings of mini strokes, none big enough to really notice cause gradual loss of capability in a staircase style of loss. Sometimes a big drop and sometimes going for a long time with hardly any change at all. That was the form my mother had, – the image of a late 80s person chasing after the police in night clothes to report her ‘missing parents’ is not a pretty one. No form of dementia is pleasant and some can go on for years, others are mercifully less drawn out but all destroy the person while often leaving the body initially only slightly affected. Vascular forms may be prevented by blood pressure treatment to reduce the risk of brain bleeds, though it did not help mother. All forms can be accompanied by rages brought on by frustration at forgetting how things work or being unable to do or remember things. It does not surprise me that possible links to a range of infectious agents such as herpes might be found, many otherwise independent problems causally link back to apparently unrelated triggers.

[The Duke]

It was dementia what my GD had. For years he was forgetful, like all my life, it was a running joke. By the time he hit 70 it was obvious it was something more. It took untill 80 to get a diagnosis, but it explained a lot. He very slowly declined over the last 20 years.

It was a mini stoke that got him in the end. He was perfectly fit (for an 82 yo) but was very forgetful, and repeated himself every 20 mins, and slowly forgot people.  had a mini stroke, fell banged his head. Came out of hospital for 2 weeks, I seen in 3 times, over that period and his decline was rapid.

It was like seeing 3 different men. Then we got the call. In a way I’m glad, well not in a way, I am glad he went quick, for him and my nan. I know the last year he drove her mad at times, and he was a scared and confused old man for that last 2 weeks. Calling for his mother, and only jis army days, and not recognising anyone. A sad sight indeed.

[Bob Williams]

It was mini strokes that brought on my brother’s Dementia. His eldest daughter, only 7 years my junior and more like a kid sister, had double breast and Lymph cancer as a staff nurse, recovered, went back to work in a clinic for older patients and stroke victims, then had a stroke herself, big one. Mostly recovered from that, she now has seizures and mini strokes. This lass is incredible and I am proud to be her uncle: she is at every Forest home game and makes it to some away matches. Always on FB, usually attacking her Man U idiot male cousin for supporting a team miles away. She also goes to every Forest Colts game, because her granddaughter plays. Her Sisters are exactly the same: one has been supporting and caring for her OH for years after his massive stroke. There is just something about my family that does not give in or give up.

Except for my one idiot nephew, who is a prize pillock. His 2 brothers passed a few years ago, cancer and heart attack, but both were more intelligent, hard working than him, carried on to the end with dignity and resistance. If his dad had lived, he would be ashamed of him, always getting the sack, once jailed for messing with his former OH’s 13 yo sister. Complete a-hole.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Author]

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