IC related to cancer & Alzheimers?

[daymoon]

I have been reading articles in magazines like Self and Time (particularly Dr. Weil's article on healthy aging). I've noticed it mentioned several times that autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation could lead to worse illnesses like cancer and Alzheimers. IC is also chronic inflammation & autoimmune. Has anyone else heard about this or discussed it with their doctor?

[Kathi]

My dermo attributes my skin cancers to autoimmune. I've had about 7-8. Kathi

[ICNDonna]

The Alzheimers connection is one I have never heard. I do know that people with IC can develop cancer, but so can anyone. I think my best defense is to have my regular check-ups, including colonoscopy every 5 to 10 years, so if I do ever develop cancer, it can be caught early enough to beat it.

Donna

[angelaharrell]

You know, I'm only 37 and sometimes I can't remember where I parked my car and little mundane things like that. I have to write EVERYTHING down. My husband accuses me of having oldtimers (alzheimers) disease. He thinks my problem is stress induced from working long hours and not having enough sleep (I think I was up about 4-6 times last night).

I'm sure that's the problem (lack of sleep can really turn your world into chaos) but if I get alzheimers on top of this....I'll really be in trouble.

Hey, maybe I'll forget I have IC!

I'm not taking the seriousness of Alzheimers too lightly, I helped nurse my Grandfather who had Alzheimers for many years. I had to put the mule back in the pen daily because he always thought the *&%# thing was eating corn right out of the garden. That was the highlight of my day on most days. I remember he use to think he was in the bathroom and would pee in the corner of the living room ALOT. He seldom recognized me or my Mother. It was heartbreaking and it's something I personally don't want to go through, or put my family through.

[ICNDonna]

I had a cousin with Alzhmeimers and her problem wasn't that she couldn't remember where she parked the car, she couldn't remember that she was looking for a car, or if she had a car --- or that there was a car involved at all. It was like her brain went into neutral and just didn't function.

If I'm busy and have a lot on my mind, I have to give special attention to where I park; otherwise I could spend half my life looking for my car --- it's a small black one so there are hundreds out there that look about like it.

Donna

[angelaharrell]

I know what you mean Donna, I drive a white nissan altima, so does everyone else shopping at Walmart!

[July]

Alzheimers is truly devestating for the person and family alike, and it really bothers me when people joke about it. I love the Alzhiemers Association! :angel:

[angelaharrell]

I wasn't joking about having alzheimers July, I was poking fun at myself.

[ICNDonna]

When our cousin was in the earliest stages of alzheimers and has just been diagnosed, she was constantly joking about her disease. I had to admire her for that. I think all of us realize how totally devastating it is, but sometimes we tend to joke about even the worst things in our lives.

Sending gentle hugs to both of you.

Donna