One thing I do know is that when my husband left the military 20% disabled, they took away 20% of his retirement pay and replaced it with disability pay. He doesn't get double pay, but at tax time, the retirement is taxable but the disability payments are not. LizzieAnn, does your husband use Tricare Prime or Standard, or just VA? I got some information recently that we will need to make deciby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Question, is this only for service members diagnosed while serving in the military? My husband is retired AirForce and has 20 percent service connected disability. He was diagnosed several years after leaving the military. He receives AF retirement that he is taxed on, but his 20 percent disability check is not taxed. We were finally able to get in to see a VA doctor in January, and we receby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
My husband did the same thing with me and our children. It was very upsetting for all of us. We learned not to argue back with him as he would just get more agitated and combative. I was lucky in that my family was very supportive. He would often call my brothers or parents to rant about whatever was upsetting him, and they understood what was going on with his disease so they would try to caby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
It's probable that her father had the genetic defect, but died before symptoms were apparent to others. Some don't develop the disease until their 50's or 60's. My husband did not know it was in the family because he moved to the U.S as a child and had no contact with his father, or father's family. I feel strongly that the children should be told about the disease. It will be difficult forby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Sad to say, but it sounds like the symptoms my husband displayed in the early onset of the disease. It's time for him to seek help from a neurologist or psychiatrist for meds to regulate his mood. It takes time to find the right combination, and even then, the disease will continue to alter his brain chemistry, so meds will need to be adjusted too. Try to keep a journal of his behaviors andby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Thank you for that post. It represents a lot of what I feel at times. I miss and grieve for my husband and partner. I miss conversations and knowing what he was thinking even before he had to say it. I miss our secret jokes and the special smile and look in his eyes when we both realize we were thinking the exact same thing. I miss holding hands and cuddling with him on the couch.by djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I agree with Pattyc. My husband is not the same man in any way, shape, or form that he used to be. He is on both 100 mg of seroquel morning and evening, and 2 mg of risperidone at bedtime, with other psych meds Klonapin and Effexor. He is much calmer and well behaved. Without the risperidone, I had to call police as he was hitting and kicking me, and unable to calm down once agitated. Withby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
My husband didn't go through genetic counseling either. We were unaware of the family history as my husband hadn't seen his father or father's relatives since he was a child. We went through months of testing for many neurological conditions which concluded with the genetic testing and the HD diagnosis. When his company forced him to go on medical leave, his long term disability insurance coby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
What Barb had to say was quite harsh but I respect her right to voice her opinion. Just as the person with road rage that flips you off when you make an error in driving, you allow them their anger, and keep moving on your merry way. As a highly social person, I find myself constantly talking to strangers and always seem to find something in common with them or their situation, like shared hoby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I know this must be difficult for you. I didn't know when I married that HD was in my husband's family. He didn't know either, so it was both a shock and a relief when he was finally diagnosed. We finally had some answers to his strange and difficult behaviors. I'll be honest, it's been 4 years since his diagnosis and yes, the first two years where extremely difficult and many times I wantedby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Please do not let the doctor's pressure you into doing what they want. You need to follow your heart and beliefs. It will be you that has to live with whatever decision is made, not them. When your mom recovers from this latest episode, try to talk to her about what she wishes. She may not be able to respond verbally, but if she's able to squeeze your hand or nod, you will at least have that.by djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
While I wouldn't have expected your father to tell you he has HD (my husband has it and he often thinks he's perfectly fine), I honestly think your mother should have told you so that you could understand why your dad is the way he is. With HD, you lose your ability to control your impulses and if he is addicted to alcohol, it's not something he'll admit to. HDSA has a national youth alliance fby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Best of luck to all of you. I consider myself very lucky because my husband didn't start displaying symptoms until he was in his forties, and by that time we had close to 15 years of a happy marriage under our belt. When he was diagnosed, it took us both a couple years and a great deal of pain and sorrow for my husband, my kids, and myself to come to terms with the disease. His previous personby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Hy husband did not have STD, only LTD, but if the doctor says he is not able to work the LTD carrier will cover him. If your son has LTD throught his company, most likely the LTD recipient is required to also file for SSDI. My husband's LTD carrier was contracted with Allsup and they were very knowledgeable. They did all the paperwork for me and I just had to provide them with access to my huby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
That sounds exactly like hd symptoms my husband has now and had in the past before we knew hd was in the family. He needs to get to see a doctor to confirm and to start on psych meds because it is not going to get better with just counseling. If you are willing to take on this extremely difficult journey, please keep attending counseling for you, as you will need a lot of support to get throughby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
On the main HDAC.org page under Pages to Visit, select F.A.Q. Read the answer to: What are some effective methods to calm an aggressive or violent Phd? It is very informative and may be helpful to you. Good luck.by djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I had no idea HD was in my husband's family and I also thought he was being a jerk to me and the kids for several years because he wanted a divorce or was going through some kind of mid-life crisis. It was both devastating and a relief at the same time to find out why he behaves the way he does. I was extremely angry for several months and even left him for a few weeks. I prayed a lot and mourby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
My husband has HD and we had no idea it was in the family because after his parent's divorce he migrated to the United States and never saw his father again. Would we have had children knowing then what we know now? Hmmmmm. That I don't know. What I do know is the joy and fulfillment our two kids have brought into our lives. We had so much fun raising them and even as adults they continue toby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center
My husband was diagnosed with HD 3 years ago but had psychological symptoms for several years prior to that. Lately he has been very agitated and aggressive with our college age kids. His doctor added an anti-psychotic along with Klonopen and anti-depressant. He still seems to be quite manic, spending a lot of money on sports memorabilia. If he doesn't get his way, he will become very upset aby djcloc - Huntington's Disease Support Center