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Original poster

Fiona Phillips

54 replies

LunaNorth · 05/07/2023 07:32

I just read that she’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at only 62.

I feel sad for her - she’s campaigned so much after her parents suffered with it, and now it’s her turn. She’ll know exactly what’s coming.

Early-onset is vile. My late ex-FIL was diagnosed in his 50s, and it was devastating.

What a shame.

OP posts:
BrandNewBicep · 05/07/2023 07:45

I read this. Its really sad. She must be so sad and frightened knowing whats in store for her. I hope this trial drug helps.

orangeflags · 05/07/2023 07:53

Terribly sad. What an awful diagnosis

Allschoolsareartschools · 05/07/2023 07:56

Very sad & a frightening reminder of how young it can start. Yet another reason to make the most of every day.

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General health
Roselilly36 · 05/07/2023 08:03

Yes very sad for her, only 61 when she was diagnosed. Having seen the devastation this disease causes first hand, how scary it must be for her and her closest family and friends. I agree with a pp, live for today. sending Fiona very best wishes Flowers

NotOnYourNellies · 05/07/2023 08:05

That poor lady

Original poster
LunaNorth · 05/07/2023 08:05

Medicine does seem to be making great strides in slowing it down, although they haven’t cracked a cure yet, have they?

I keep hoping, but it seems a tough nut to crack. It’s my greatest fear, I think, given the utter devastation it causes loved ones. You just watch the sufferer ebb away.

OP posts:
tokonami · 05/07/2023 08:10

Poor Fiona! How devastating :(

RegainingTheWill2023 · 05/07/2023 08:17

I was so sadden to read this. Its an utterly devastating diagnosis for Fiona and her family.
My heart goes out to them all. Unbelievably cruel at such a young age. She must also be heartbroken at the possibility that it's passed on to her children. It's a disease that's dominated her life and she has done so much to educate and increase awareness in others. I just hope she may gain some benefit from the drugs being trialled.

Jongleterre · 05/07/2023 08:18

I was really surprised that given the link between HRT and dementia that she went on HRT.

Original poster
LunaNorth · 05/07/2023 08:19

There’s no proven link to HRT. I think it was probably the fact that the disease is rife in her family that has brought about her diagnosis.

OP posts:
BrandNewBicep · 05/07/2023 08:22

I have literally just watched a really useful YT video from Liz Earle who very clearly explains how flawed this recent news article linking HRT with dementia is.
All the reputable studies seem to show HRT as preventing dementia.

DustyLee123 · 05/07/2023 08:22

There was no conclusive answer to the study, it was a very poorly conducted study.

Soozikinzii · 05/07/2023 08:34

I was so gutted when I read it . She was definitely one of the best morning presenters . It's Heartbreaking.

lunar1 · 05/07/2023 08:37

I'm sure she made the best decision she could with her situation at the time regarding HRT.

It's all any of us can do and only she and he's doctors know the full story.

I hope we make some real strides in curing Alzheimer's and all forms of dementia, such a cruel disease.

SexTrainGlue · 05/07/2023 08:37

The link to HRT is not proven, but the increased risk of dementia (both bringing on on set and worsening symptoms) is increasingly well evidenced but never really spoken about in the mainstream media.

I'm not saying it's a necessarily a factor in this specific case, but generally it's going to be something we're seeing more of Sad

PuppyMonkey · 05/07/2023 08:39

It said on TV that her sons had been tested and they don’t have the gene that passes it on. Not sure I really understand how it all works tbh. She’s on a trial of new drug treatment, Hope it works out not as devastating as in her parents’ day.

Namechanger1002 · 05/07/2023 08:39

Didn’t her husband say they don’t even know if the new drug she is trialling is the real thing or just a placebo but either way they both hope it helps with research.
How devastating for her.

honeylulu · 05/07/2023 08:40

I'm so sad for her. I really like Fiona. I think she had her children quite late so they'll only be in their early 20s now. Such a cruel disease.

TomWambsgansSwans · 05/07/2023 08:40

It's so sad as 62 still feels so young.

I read recently that one of the Hemsworth brothers has the Alzheimer's gene and is going to cut down on acting jobs as all the stress, disturbed sleep and disruption of filming might not be best for him when he still has a very young family. He doesn't have it but clearly it could be triggered in years to come.

In the book Why We Sleep by Mathew Walker he says that long-term disrupted sleep can be a trigger for Alzheimer's and other dementias, I wonder whether breakfast tv with its very early morning wake ups might have been unhelpful for her brain health - not saying in any way it's her fault at all, but lifestyle can play a part.

My GF had Alzheimer's and it was awful to watch his decline.

zen1 · 05/07/2023 08:53

Poor woman - it must be terrifying for her. I remember her speaking about her fear of getting it when talking about how it affected both her parents. And then when she discussed how the menopause was causing huge anxiety and brain fog, I wondered if she was also worried that Alzheimer’s might be behind it.

AmbleInAnnBoleyn · 05/07/2023 09:03

That poor woman. She knows what's coming. It's so awful.

BrunchMonster · 05/07/2023 09:11

I wish the research about HRT was clearer. I am at a similar stage, family genetic link, needing to decide about HRT, thought it was worth trying even if the link to preventing dementia wasn't proven, but if the evidence is generally pointing towards it increasing it, then it won't be worth the risk or any other benefits for bones or whatever. Terrifying when you think you have the gene too.

Jongleterre · 05/07/2023 09:25

@BrunchMonster it was pushed at me years ago. I decided not to and I'm perfectly health. None of my even older family members took it and they are all healthy too.

LadyMuckingabout · 05/07/2023 09:25

If you’ve got the gene, you’ve got the gene. Why a diagnosis is so awful is that there’s no cure. It can possibly be somewhat arrested, but to replace brain cells is a mighty ask.

Mil clearly had early-onset Alzheimer’s, diagnosed much later. Fil covered up for her for years. Knowing little about the disease, we just thought she was becoming just more random, demanding and rude. The sad thing is that it’s not incredibly life-limiting; people can last for decades having lost their memory, any recognition of their family and all their dignity (double incontinence being a feature) but with decent physical health and an appetite to match.

Having seen mil, then fil with dementia (not to mention care home residents) books and the media portray it as a bit of dottiness. Not so.