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Name: Mike
Age: 81 years
When were you first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s?
I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s through Re:Cognition Health just over two years ago and I was enrolled onto a clinical trial testing Donanemab. I found out about clinical trials through my neighbour who had also been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and was enrolled onto a study.
I had initial symptoms of forgetfulness, not being about to recall names of people or certain objects and I had trouble navigating. I felt like I wasn’t always “in the room’. I used to get very confused about who I was, what I was doing and where I was going. I couldn’t work out how to get back from places where I had spent 40 years driving around.
That has now all gone. I am now quite comfortable driving somewhere, being able to find the place and then find my way home. I struggle with night driving but I recently drove 40 minutes in the dark on my own – it was a proud moment.
I still struggle some days with forgetting words or names but this is very minor. I have no problem telling people that I have Alzheimer’s and people are always happy to help and support, it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Alzheimer’s is progressive and the condition deteriorates over time, you go on living but the symptoms eat away at you and take away your quality of life. I feel like I have been given my life back, I am leading a normal life again. I also have hope and confidence.
I am fit and active and love exercising– I walk every day for at least 45 minutes in the morning and I sometimes do another in the evening. I swim six days a week (I have Sundays off) and I work out at the gym.
I live on my own and I am independent. It’s easy to feel morose and sorry for yourself, but I don’t. I feel so lucky, I always have a smile on my face and I am so happy I was put on the trial.
The whole experience on the clinical trial has been very good. It’s a great group of people who have the best interest of the patients at heart. They are very understanding and will help you in any way they can which makes a big difference. I feel so lucky to be part of the trial and I am confident I will walk away from this.
