Memory loss, alcohol?

[ChocolatChip]

Hi there,
My mother has been a big drinker for many years, drinking half a bottle of brandy an (afternoon/evening) at least. But the Past couple of years I've noticed that her memory has gotten very bad. For example she will ask when I'm working the next day, I will tell her the answer. Then she will ask my a few minutes later, I will say I've told her. And she will say 'you didn't or 'tell me again'
She will then proceed to ask me several times. And then the next day com

[ChocolatChip]

Sorry, alot harder than I thought on my iPhone!
She will complain that I haven't told her I'm working.
She can't understand why I get so angry for having to explain myself time and time again.
I have suggested that she go to the doctors and she will just laugh and say I'm 'being ridiculous'
I'm genuinely concerned, could it be the alcohol or something more sinister?
Thank you!

[scotman]

How old is she? This is a symptom of old-age memory degeneration in some people and may not be alcohol related.

[ChocolatChip]

She is 55 years old. I'm not 100% suggesting that it is alcohol that had caused it. I just want to know others opinions or ideas on what can be done.

[JonnyBoy12]

I am with scotman on this one. We all need to know her age before we can sensibly answer this question. My gran was like this for the last few years of her life and kept repeating things we had already told her.

[Buenchico]

Possibly Korsakoff's syndrome
http://alzheimers.org...nfo.php?documentID=98
but, irrespective of whether your mother's memory loss is related to alcohol or not, she needs to be referred (by her GP) to a memory clinic as soon as possible.

Chris

[ChocolatChip]

I had looked up that syndrome before buenchico. And I do agree that she needs to see someone, but I'm at a loss of what to do. :(

[scotman]

My father had that for the last years of his life. Drove me daft but then I have never been the most tolerant of people. Also it was definitely not alcohol related.
I agree with Chris. She needs to see GP in case there is anything medical that needs treated.

[askyourgran]

It could be that the lady is getting on in life and is lonely. Without regular mental stimulation or interaction with other people it is quite easy to fall into a state of forgetfulness and/or depression. Or it could be the onset of dementia, if you are concerned it would be best if she saw a doctor. Alcohol doesn't help either.

[ChocolatChip]

Can't be the lack of mental stimulation askyourgran, she runs a business, has all her family around her (husband, sister, mother, daughter and son in law) everyday, as we all live on a commune together.

[scotman]

What do the rest of the family think about this?

[ChocolatChip]

I haven't really asked my nan and aunt, but I know my father and my husband are concerned. It has often been brought up, suggesting that she needs to go to the doctors. All of which is brushed off lightly, 'im just stressed' or 'I probably drank to much'

[Prudie]

I expect that's because she's scared of the cause and so denying it. 55 is certainly way too young for it to be dismissed as old-age memory loss. Must be very worrying for you CC.

[ChocolatChip]

I'm petrified prudie. I love her dearly, it scares me that she's avoiding it, wasting time from something that could be treated or slowed, even just to get a clean bill of health or a diagnosis of 'getting older' would rest my mind.

My great aunt had alzeimhers (sp?) and I have worked with people with this disease. We have talked about it, and she's said she'd rather kill herself than go through that.

[askyourgran]

It must be worrying for you CC. I think it is a job for her GP.

[tinkerbell23]

chocochip i hope your mum gets to the gp and gets a diagnosis...how stressfull for u all :0(

she may be stressed as she says...but my immediate thought was also the alcohol related dementia or early on set....i hope not though!!.....xxxx best wishes

[boxtops]

I'm not saying it's the same, but if she's running a business, lots to remember, she might just not be concentrating, like me she might have too much on her plate. I am still working full-time and older than your mum, and sometimes I think I am in brain overload, with everything I have to keep a handle on for work - if I don't write things down, I forget them altogether, and forgetting people's names is awful. I use the wrong words for things sometimes - similar, but I struggle to find the right one, just for a minute. Your mum may not be the same at all, it's worth getting her to see her GP just for a checkup.

[ChocolatChip]

I do agree boxtops, she does work hard. But she does also have other people to help her. I have seen it get worse and worse with her memory loss, to the point where its literally a minute until she'll ask me the same question again. Over and over. Surely you'd remember after the sixth, seventh time?
Also my dad has mentioned this concern too, and has noticed it has got worse, whatsmore he also runs the business with her and drinks, but doesn't have the same memory loss problems as she does.
I'm concerned more because me and my husband are moving off the family commune into our own home. I think she'll start to drink more, and I won't be there to keep an eye on her all the time.

I am going to try and talk to her again to convince her to go to the doctors, but its normally false promises.

[boxtops]

That sounds a good idea, chochchip - I know myself that it's distressing when you realise that you are forgetting things!

[Prudie]

Wish you luck, sorry I don't have any experience or knowledge in this area but perhaps you could persuade her to go on the basis of tackling her drinking? After all if she's getting through half a bottle of brandy a day she's surely never sober and this alone could be the cause - which must be able to be improved at least?

[anneasquith]

CC, is it possible that mum is drinking more than you think ?