this post was submitted on 20 Aug 2023
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There have been some major strides in treatments that slow and/or halt the progression of Alzheimer's recently. I would think that in the next 30-50 years it would be a much more manageable disease.
I understand the concern of passing it down, but there is always adoption or sperm/egg donation, if you still wanted to be a parent. Honestly, nothing is guaranteed. You could die of something else long before Alzheimer's could develop, or you could live to 100 in perfect health. Most of us will fall somewhere in between.
I wouldn't let something like that stop you from starting a family if it's what you really want in life.
Yes, my dad has been on medication that slows it, but it’s definitely taken a turn these past few months. We had to get the doctor to tell him to stop driving this month. It’s been really hard on him especially since he doesn’t know why and thinks it’s his fault and that it must be because he is simply too dumb enough to drive. It’s truly heartbreaking.
Also, that’s a good point that something entirely different could happen before Alzheimer’s.
I don’t have really any big fears in my life. I’m good with heights, I can run workshops and talk in front of hundreds of people. But I’ve always truly feared losing my mind since my psych 101 class in college. My plan is to go to a country that allows assisted suicide if I do end up getting it and can still make decisions in my right mind.
I think currently there are only two drugs that slow it down a bit (give maybe couple of years more) but are also very expensive and are quite dangerous (can cause brain swelling). So some improvements but still long way from a treatment.