Of course a person would rather be alive and not at risk. But, on the other hand, if you are looking at it that way - would a person rather not have ever of been on earth or have been here at risk? I choose to try to stay positive and live positive - HD is not good but there are many other illness/injuries out there that are not good at well. That doesn't mean they would rather not be alivby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I would only say "to each his own" as no one is able to judge someone else. Everyone has their own opinions which is the way it should be but no one is above anyone else in their thoughts or beliefs or opinions. There is only one God and he hasn't posted here that I know of. Many times I have refrained from posting, as I know others have as well, because of the backlash of posby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Marsha or Steve - in this article it mentioned that the longer HD is in a family the earlier the onset on subsequent generations. Is this true? I have never heard this before. It seems in my husband's family the age of onset is the same regardless of generation. This particular discovery will be huge though and the sooner the better. Thanks.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Every since this original post I have been trying to figure out how to word my response so as not to offend anyone. I almost posted a day ago but am glad I did not because I could not have done as well as the response that Kelver1 made. I totally agree with Kelver1. I have had a neurologist tell me "how do you know a person with HD might not be the one to find a cure". I have hadby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Is there a possibility you can make an appt with a dr or psy and tell him it is for you but you would like him to go for support. Then you could possibly talk to the dr, his nurse or take a note prior to the appt explaining the situation. The dr could then suggest you both try something and he wouldn't have to know you are not taking anything. Just an idea.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I am with Alice. There are medications that can help these type of behaviors. If you could get him to go a psychiatrist that would be a good thing.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I wish you the best of luck and a wonderful life together. My husband (who now has HD) and I have been together 40+ years. Our lives have changed somewhat but we still enjoy each other's company and sometimes we just watch television and hold hands. Nothing like it! Knowing we don't have to do anything special to please each other and that we will be there for each other is such a quiet comfby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I just have a different twist on this. It shows how medications used for HD are not a "one size fits all'' as is the case in many medications used for various reasons/illnesses. My husband was put on risperdol and it did solve the problems we were having, however, he was so sedated it was like having a zombie in the home. We quit using the risperdal and instead tried zyprexa (olanzaby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Thank you Shauna. I hope it does help Maree as well Have a great day! Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Barb- I would use Mrs. Dan Marshall or Mrs. Barb Marshall or whatever you prefer. You are still who you are even Dan isn't here on earth with us. I feel so badly for you and actually for your mother-in-law as well. You are such a nice person and not deserving of her accusations whatsoever. She, on the other hand, has totally missed out on what life is about and what is actually importantby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Eric- Hope you are having a great today - Happy Birthday. Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Leah- I am sorry you are going through all you are going through but you will get through it. I am glad you found this site as you will have alot of friends who will always be here for you and can answer many questions you have, give their opinions and offer you guidance when needed. Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Fear is normally due to the unknown. Strength comes in many ways - through self, through God, through help, through friends as you will have here, through time, etc. Something to remember is "take one day at a time". Enjoy each day for what it is regardless of whether a person has or does not have HD. I do not have HD but my husband does and my children are at risk. I have a bby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Barb and Marsha have excellent advice for you. I can imagine how terrified you are which provokes high levels of anxiety for you as well. There are so many antidepressants out there and you need to find the one that works for you. Many people have depression whether or not they have HD. An antidepressant can make your life so positively different. On the HD - you may and may not have itby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
One thing you might consider and I have done this as well. You might talk to the dr prior to the appt to let them know what is going on so he will have a better understanding when your husband comes in. You might mention that you have heard of say "zyprexa" or whatever medication you may be aware of that might help. They are not always aware of medications that help with HD unless tby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
You have been given some very good advice by those who have responded to you. One thing to remember is that you are still the adult - you are still the mother - he needs guidance. He is still a child with or without HD. He may need to be taken to a dr for an antidepressant even he may not feel he needs one. Many who are depressed do not realize it. If you are able to get counseling that woulby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
It is the HD - I have been there. In our case with some understanding, lots of patience, some time and zyprexa we are beyond that and enjoying each other. I hope you can get there as well. You are currect - it is the HD talking, not him and it is real to him so some understanding and talking and a medication can be of great help. Good luck to you - you too will get through this.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
What an awesome amazing woman Kelly is. I thank her for the way she can explain HD and how it is affecting her which gives all of us insight as to how it affects our loved ones as they can't all put it into words as well as Kelly is able to.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Brandy- Can your MIL come to your home to watch your children for short periods of time? Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Eric- I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your boys. It has been a pleasure to know Teresa through this site. Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Rylee- What an awesome young lady you are and you have quite a talent for writing poems. In your poem you have said things which make an HD situation so clear. I hope you have someone close who can help you - possibly relatives or friends. I wish you a beautiful future because you are obviously a beautiful person. Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Hi Melissa- This will be from a wife's (caretakers) point of view. I know my husband has lost the ability to do some of the things he used to do. He is now on a few medications that help him still be him if that makes sense. He still exercises just a little more careful. We take walks, maybe just a little slower at times. We still go about as much as we ever did - the difference is now I doby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Thank all of you for your replies. I actually called Iowa City and have scheduled an appt in March. They tried to refer me to the dr 2 1/2 hours from here who they said they have heard is very good. He is the same one who keeps referring to "Parkinsons" rather than HD at our one appt. I am definitely going to make the Iowa City appt even it is 8 to 8 1/2 hours away. It would be woby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I live in Nebraska but would drive anywhere to get a good neuro or dr good and very familiar with HD. Thanksby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Hi, I was wondering if any of you have a neurologist or physician that is very familiar with HD and very helpful with this disease. We have one that is supposed to be good 150 miles away but the times we have seen him he keeps referring to my husband's illness as Parkinsons even I keep telling him he has HD. It just makes me wonder. He replaced one who was very good but moved out of the cby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I hope you all have a wonderful New Year - day at a time! My prayers go out to all who are struggling and suffering. I pray each day a cure will be found - what a celebration we will have. I am also thankful for what has been found in the way of continuing research and medications that are helpful that weren't there a few years prior. The future looks promising with all that is happening.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
Judy- You are very kind hearted - that was a wonderful thing to do for your husband. With HD your husband actually doesn't really realize just what you had to go through to do this - that is the illness not him. Deep down I am sure he is or will be very greatful for what you did versus not bringing him home at all. Sharonby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
A COE wants my husband who has HD to be part of the Cohort study. They also want me to participate as his family member. I am just curious - how can my participation as an active participant help in a HD study? I can understand where a sibling or child of a HD person could help but just wondering how my being an acutal part of the study would help.by Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
My husband started taking creatine several years ago. We get the creatine from Avicena - same creatine they are using in studies. My husband worked up to taking 10 grams a day - 5 in the am and 5 in the pm. I do feel this helps him with HD. The studies use 40 mg daily. He tried to go up past 10 mg a day but had diahrrea problems. He, of course, didn't want this problem and I didn't wantby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center
I thank all of you on your input for my husband's balance issues. I was thinking about this last night - can there be a connection to the balance issues and a drug. I looked up side effects of zyprexa on line this morning and it mentions possibly stop taking it if balance issues suddenly arise. I know HD can cause balance issues, however, it seems his balance issues started one day and havby Shar - Huntington's Disease Support Center