Do You Worry You Are Losing Your Memory?

[Barsel]

I've never worried until recently, I've always thought my memory was good, but just recently I've realised I can't remember names of songs or singers, faces of famous people etc and I find it worrying. I know I know the answers but the answers just won't come to mind.
Is this how dementia starts?

[DTCwordfan]

It can be, Barsel, 2/3rds of Alzheimer's have experienced it - though, let's be clear, at this point it doesn't mean that you have the Big A or any other dementia (If you don't know Alzheimer's accounts for about 2/3rds of all dementias, Vascular Dementia the next (25%) resulting mainly from strokes). Are you okay or reading, telling the time, your address etc?

However, if you do feel concerned, book yourself a time with your GP and they'll probably refer you to a NHS unit set up for this. Scans etc come later.

[Barsel]

To be honest with you DTC I don't think I should be bothering the GP right now as he knows I have other health concerns going on at the moment and taking into account I live on my own and usually only have contact with another human being (in person) perhaps once or twice a week, I suppose doesn't help.
Yes, I seem to be fine with reading although I do sometimes read a word wrong but I realise it didn't make sense so I look at it again.
Making more mistakes when writing/typing and having to think a little bit longer on how to spell a word, but these things I would definitely put down to old age.
If I feel it is getting worse, I will see my GP, but with the answers from fellow Abers, I don't feel quite so worried today so thanks all. xx

[davebro]

Worry about what? LOL

[davebro]

Oh right!

[pat2604]

Barsel, I think I have an element of OCD, but I think it's common with anxiety disorders. And stress , I read, can contribute to dementia. But I can't worry about it because I have so many other health issues to deal with now. Basically, forget it for now. As you see, you are in good company with a lot of us on here.

[DTCwordfan]

Good, Barsel, but if you feel you need support, don't think twice about coming on here or to your GP.

I've just has a 90 minute conversation with one of my daughter's best friends and her mother over Alzheimer's, the grandma having been diagnosed with 'dementia' (probably Alzheimers) and the daughter's friend feels guilty in that she's leaving for overseas work shortly, for a year......told her to keep in touch with her mother and Grandma via Skype or whatsapp and if anything was to happen, she could be home to N. London inside the day, everything being equal.

[DTCwordfan]

Do you have Boaty's or Minty's e-mail, Barsel, as you could send them a message to have them forward me your e-mail so if you want any -off-AB advice......

[burlyshirley]

What I find annoying is I can be chatting away and then I come upon a blank wall and the word I am looking for will just not come ! This is really frustrating and I am relying on whoever I am talking to to come up with the word, most times they do ! I remember my dear Grandma having this problem and I used to fill in the necessary word for her and she was always so grateful ..

It's called getting older.

[Barsel]

Thanks DTC . I'm not in touch with anyone on AB, but it was very kind of you to offer.
I've a few friends, same age as me, my brother in his 80's and my lovely neighbour in her 90's who are people I can talk to about this, and I will.
Have already had a chat with my neighbour today who has been very helpful as have all the Abers who have given advice to me today.

Shirley, that's what I was always able to do for my friends and my brother if they were stuck on a word, but I can't always do that these days, but we do laugh about it though which is good.

[jourdain2]

No, it's not dementia etc.. It's fairly normal. I reckon that I've put so much more into my brain that the early stuff gets pushed to the back. I can usually retrieve it given a bit of time. My brain works fast under quiz pressures etc. and I've got back to the technicalities of singing alto in some quite complicated music - but I do forget non-essential stuff.

If I forget why I've gone somewhere for something I recite my Tuesday timetable from when I was in the 4th form (1964-ish) 'Maths, French, Geography, French, English, Maths, Geography'. It's stuck for some reason (horrible day for me) and I always remember everything when I've said it.

If you are really concerned, speak to your GP about a test - but I think you sound fairly normal. :)

[Jackdaw33]

If you want to type é just hold own the alt key and type 130 on the number pad.

[jourdain2]

That's useful to know jd.

[DTCwordfan]

if it comes to it, we can always get in contact via a dummy e-mail, Barsel.......

[Jackdaw33]

You can type all accents, diacritics and subscripts by using the alt key. This chart gives all the relevant codes - worth bookmarking.
https://www.alt-codes.net/

[Barsel]

Thanks DTC I will keep that in mind.
You won't believe this, but I've just had a phone call from my closest friend asking me why wasn't Corrie on tonight!
I had a quick think and then told her because it isn't on on a Tuesday!
That made the pair of us laugh and made me feel a whole lot better. :-)

[Barsel]

That's interesting jackdaw, have bookmarked the page as you suggested.