Fiona Phillips has Alzheimers aged just 62

This terrifies me. I have seen family die with cancer and Alzheimer’s and the latter is for me the very worst. It is so cruel and I dread this awful disease. Poor Fiona.

I met Fiona Philips once when I was working. She was charming and down to earth. Hope she stays well for many years and that this cruel disease doesn’t progress quickly x

Such sad news. Both my parents died either from or with Alzheimer's, and sometimes, at 2am, as I lie awake, I dread what is ahead of me.

Yes, remember Fiona fondly. Sad indeed...... One of those presenters you felt was in the room with you and happy to be so. However, I do think her being the main topic of the news day for the majority of the show was somewhat OTT. Maybe her husband being in charge of the show determined that.

Really sorry to hear this. I too read her autobiography, and watched some of the programmes she made about dementia.

How sad only 62 I remember watching a programme about her Dad who had it. I think I would rather not know think it would taint the rest of your life something like this hanging over you, but I believe she is receiving treatment fingers crossed it works.

Something to be said for that Nicenanny3 I don't have any family history so no point worrying about things.

My daughter was an admiral nurse for some time and worked with a young man of 42 who developed dementia. His wife had to work so his children came home from school at lunchtime to make sure he was OK and get him some lunch. So very sad

This is sad, such an awful disease, I hope she has many more good years and the treatment is a success.

It is now linked to diabetes and being referred to as Diabetes 3.

I hadn't heard that. My Mum had Alzheimer's and died at 86.
She'd also developed diabetes fairly late in life. My sister had told her it had been linked to the blood pressure tablets they both took; sister changed hers but Mum didn't.
How ironic if the diabetes led to or contributed to the Alzheimer's ☹️

I'm currently reading

"Somebody I used to know"
by Wendy Mitchell

about her own experience of being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's at the age of 58.

Terribly sad.

Poor Fiona .
What a horrible inheritance .

Let's hope that there is a new treatement and some hope for her and every other sufferer .

I think it’s worth reading this from the Alzheimer’s website on various types of dementia and the risk of inheriting it.

www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/risk-factors-and-prevention/is-dementia-hereditary#:~:text=Many%20people%20affected%20by%20dementia,of%20overall%20cases%20of%20dementia.

I think I fear developing Alzheimer's more than cancer at least there are cures for many types of cancer these days but not a lot of hope for Alzheimer's. I sometimes wonder if I'm heading that way when I forget names and can't think of the words for things I want to say. It scares the bejeebers out of me thinking I'm going to end up in a home for the bemused and don't know who anyone is. I hope there is a breakthrough with this new drug, it's as important to have a cure for this cruel disease as it is for cancer

Wendy Mitchell, who has written about her experience of living with dementia, including the book V3ra is reading, has a very positive piece in today’s Guardian
www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jul/05/fiona-phillips-young-onset-dementia-fear?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

There was a tv series following several people suffering from early onset dementia. It was on late at night and was quite inspiring: some of them were doing very well. I’m terrified of developing Alzheimer’s as both of my parents had it and I’ve recently lost a very dear friend to it. She was the last person on earth that I thought would get it: she was a physicist and an avid reader. What saddens me is that the people you leave behind probably don’t remember the person you were. And a friend of mine, whose husband had dementia said you get help if your partner is terminally ill but when they have dementia you’re in your own with no help. Working in the NHS I used to be able to spot the early signs of Alzheimer’s in people. They would do the test with the doctor who would say they were ok but I was always right unfortunately.

Only known member in family to have Dementia/Alzheimers was a brother. He was a professional footballer. Died at 72 years. Hopefully this doesn't count as "in the family". So sad about Fiona Phillips probably knowing what was in front if her. Do hope the new meds are effective.

I recommend the book The Little Girl in the Radiator by Martin Slevin. True story, very well written with both sadness and humour about his journey through dementia with his Mum.

His Mum was a real character and Irish and since my Mum was also Irish and a great character with dementia it appealed to me. Our journeys were very similar. His Mum used to whisper away and nod to the radiator and it was like her secret as she carried on this conversation.

My Mum used to imagine she could still walk and run and had planned how she could get out of her (first floor) window and run over the fields to her childhood home in Ireland even though she lived in England but she enjoyed planning it all!
Great book!

A friend of mine died of this disease in her 60's.. terrible way to go for her and her loving family

My Dad was only 59 when his symptoms first started. This was back in the early 80s. We'd never even heard of Alzheimers we were told he had premature dementia.

MaggsMcG

My Dad was only 59 when his symptoms first started. This was back in the early 80s. We'd never even heard of Alzheimers we were told he had premature dementia.

There are around 200 types of dementia. I was shocked to learn that.

My mother-in-law died of dementia aged 52. It was horrendous to see.

There are a various links on Google for Alzheimers and
Diabetes

Oh that is such a shame. poor Fiona

halfpint1 thank you, I'll have a look.