Fiona Phillips has pinpointed the very first symptom of Alzheimer's she spotted in herself before her heartbreaking diagnosis.
The ex-ITV presenter, who is 62 years old, announced yesterday that she was suffering from the devastating condition that both of her parents also battled.
She was given her diagnosis over a year ago after going to the doctor's with another problem that she mistook for menopause - but after some treatment, it didn't get any better.
Brain fog and anxiety were the key signs of a real problem starting, which Fiona said she had never experienced before, Birmingham Live reports.
"It all started with Fiona feeling crippling anxiety towards the end of 2021," her husband Martin Frizzell said.
“And I’d never had that in my life," Fiona added.
Martin said: “We thought maybe it was the menopause because all the symptoms were there; brain fog, anxiety and confusion. We got in touch with a menopause specialist who took her under their wing and put her on HRT but while that improved some symptoms, the brain fog remained.”
The former GMTV presenter told the Mirror: "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future.
“It’s something I might have thought I’d get at 80. But I was still only 61 years old."
Kate Lee, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Our thoughts are with our Ambassador Fiona Phillips and her family following the announcement that she’s living with dementia. Fiona has frequently spoken out about her parents’ experiences of dementia, and her support of Alzheimer’s Society has been hugely impactful and greatly appreciated.
“Sharing such personal news publicly raises much-needed awareness of dementia and we are extremely grateful to Fiona. We are here to offer our support to Fiona and her family and to everyone affected by dementia, through our website alzheimers.org.uk and dementia support line on 0333 150 3456.”
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