Memory Loss

[504RP]

So sorry to hear that. I’m having some memory issues too. I used to could remember things real well in detail, but now really struggle at times to retain that.
It seems so strange that I can remember details from decades ago, but have a hard time remembering current things.
I’ve been having trouble finding words, I’ll be talking about something and then just stop because I can’t think of the word for something simple everyday thing. It eventually comes to me, but frustrating in the moment.

That sounds very similar to what I have going on. And the bad part of the whole deal in my opinion is that the person having the problem of forgetting or asking the same questions over and over again like I have been doing for well over 6 months now according to my wife isn’t aware they have already asked the question several times before. And now that I am finding out I have been doing that not only am I embarrassed I am also very ashamed of myself for doing that. Mostly because of the burden I have become for wife. I am all of the time looking for tools that I have misplaced and I always ask my wife if she has seen this or that that I am looking for.

And there has been numerous times she will find what I have lost, which is usually a hand tool of some type. And she has learned about all she has to do
is look in the last place I was working on a project to find it. And when I ask her where she found it. She usually gives me a scolding ending with the words “ Your losing your mind ! “ But always in a joking manner just to be polite. That’s just my wife’s good nature. I don’t know how I was as lucky as I was when she said yes when I asked her to marry me. She deserves a lot better person than me and could have easily done a lot better than me.

But because she has been so forgiving and good natured in not getting upset about helping me find these tools or things I am supposed to do. I haven’t been realizing or getting the subtle hint that she is getting tired of helping me find things I have lost things I have to get done. She always has been trying to tell me in a tactful manner to be polite when she uses the phrase “ you’re losing your mind. “

It might sound funny but it isn’t the least little bit funny. The people like my wife who are living and taking care of someone that has dementia or some form of memory issues are the ones that are suffering.

 

[504RP]

Oh yes, i have to write everything down. Im terrible with names.
Any idea what tests they will do?

I didn’t until they done the test. And still don’t know what the test is called but is similar to the one SNMF 2015 took. Wrote all bout it if you want to find and read it in this thread. Am having a MRI Monday morning.

 

[SBMF 2015]

That test seems very similar to
Your test. I think all and all
I done good on the test. Except for one little task or question. I posted what happened before I read your reply so you can read about it if you’re interested. I appreciate you telling me about your test.

Did the doctor find anything out from your test that you done ?

They decided that I did well enough on the test that I didn’t need any further testing at that point. The one thing that they mentioned that they found interesting was my drawing. I had to draw a clock. So I drew the best circle I could. Started at the top and wrote 12. Then straight down and wrote 6. 90 degrees to the left I put 9 and then straight across to the right I wrote 3 . So on and so on until I had the whole clock number out. Afterwords the Dr giving the test said she had never seen anyone space it out like that. She said most people start at 1 and go 1,2,3, etc until they have all the numbers waded up and not spaced.

 

[Rafter S]

They decided that I did well enough on the test that I didn’t need any further testing at that point. The one thing that they mentioned that they found interesting was my drawing. I had to draw a clock. So I drew the best circle I could. Started at the top and wrote 12. Then straight down and wrote 6. 90 degrees to the left I put 9 and then straight across to the right I wrote 3 . So on and so on until I had the whole clock number out. Afterwords the Dr giving the test said she had never seen anyone space it out like that. She said most people start at 1 and go 1,2,3, etc until they have all the numbers waded up and not spaced.

I'm pretty sure I'd have drawn it the same way. It would have bothered me if the numerals weren't spaced out evenly.

 

[Ouachita]

They decided that I did well enough on the test that I didn’t need any further testing at that point. The one thing that they mentioned that they found interesting was my drawing. I had to draw a clock. So I drew the best circle I could. Started at the top and wrote 12. Then straight down and wrote 6. 90 degrees to the left I put 9 and then straight across to the right I wrote 3 . So on and so on until I had the whole clock number out. Afterwords the Dr giving the test said she had never seen anyone space it out like that. She said most people start at 1 and go 1,2,3, etc until they have all the numbers waded up and not spaced.

I'm pretty particular when I slice a pizza too.

 

[coachg]

Taught school for 30 + years . I struggle to remember names especially if I have to do it quickly. Give me a few minutes and I can unless they have really changed. Been retired 15 years so many of my former students are 40 years older . I too struggle for my words sometimes during conversations. Not every time but it is embarrassing. My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s so it worries me that I might be headed that way .

 

[Ky hills]

That sounds very similar to what I have going on. And the bad part of the whole deal in my opinion is that the person having the problem of forgetting or asking the same questions over and over again like I have been doing for well over 6 months now according to my wife isn’t aware they have already asked the question several times before. And now that I am finding out I have been doing that not only am I embarrassed I am also very ashamed of myself for doing that. Mostly because of the burden I have become for wife. I am all of the time looking for tools that I have misplaced and I always ask my wife if she has seen this or that that I am looking for.

And there has been numerous times she will find what I have lost, which is usually a hand tool of some type. And she has learned about all she has to do
is look in the last place I was working on a project to find it. And when I ask her where she found it. She usually gives me a scolding ending with the words “ Your losing your mind ! “ But always in a joking manner just to be polite. That’s just my wife’s good nature. I don’t know how I was as lucky as I was when she said yes when I asked her to marry me. She deserves a lot better person than me and could have easily done a lot better than me.

But because she has been so forgiving and good natured in not getting upset about helping me find these tools or things I am supposed to do. I haven’t been realizing or getting the subtle hint that she is getting tired of helping me find things I have lost things I have to get done. She always has been trying to tell me in a tactful manner to be polite when she uses the phrase “ you’re losing your mind. “

It might sound funny but it isn’t the least little bit funny. The people like my wife who are living and taking care of someone that has dementia or some form of memory issues are the ones that are suffering.

I know it’s hard, but I don’t believe there is anything to be ashamed of. It’s unfortunately just a part of life.
You are right it is hard on the folks caring for us. I know my wife worries about me, and like your wife is with you, my wife is understanding of me. I apologize a lot for things I don’t remember or can’t hear. She always no need to apologize,

 

[Warren Allison]

It might sound funny but it isn’t the least little bit funny. The people like my wife who are living and taking care of someone that has dementia or some form of memory issues are the ones that are suffering.

In May, we had to move in with my mother, who is legally blind, 91 years old, and has Alzheimer's. It gets a little worse week by week. She remembers everything from her early child hood plumb up to last year when Daddy died, but can't remember something she asked me 5 minutes ago. Between her and my ole lady, it gets pretty frustrating for sure. And they both know it, and feel bad about me and worry how I can handle it. I do ok, it is just that I can't even go to the post office or store for 10 minutes and leave Momma there, She is liable to put something metal in the microwave, or cut the stove on, etc. Main thing is she is constantly washing clothes if she is awake. I haven't been to a sale, or got to go to the barn and work a horse, or go to any of the music events I put on for 5 months now. But, it is what it is. I am sure I am paying for my raising, as people say. But I told her that as long as she knows who I am, and knows where she is, I intend to keep her here, and hire in-home health care when it comes to that. They keep me on my toes for sure. I was 240 lbs when I started taking car of her last spring, and weighed 185 at the doctor's office yesterday!

 

[Ouachita]

Taught school for 30 + years . I struggle to remember names especially if I have to do it quickly. Give me a few minutes and I can unless they have really changed. Been retired 15 years so many of my former students are 40 years older . I too struggle for my words sometimes during conversations. Not every time but it is embarrassing. My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s so it worries me that I might be headed that way .

My wife and I were shopping for a new bush hog last spring and in the store I noticed my 6th grade math teacher and said "Claude Foster!". We shook hands and I could tell he couldn't place me or my wife. I told him my name and wife gave her maiden name. He remarked "why do I remember your name and not hers?" I said "probably because you stepped me into the hallway and paddled my butt several times!". That joggled his memory.

He remembered me as the kid responsible for flicking pieces of those "Mr. Twister" artificial worms onto the ceiling tiles. They would stick, only to fall down hours or days later on to unsuspecting desks, causing girls to scream. Sometimes memories just need a primer to recall.

 

[Ky hills]

Taught school for 30 + years . I struggle to remember names especially if I have to do it quickly. Give me a few minutes and I can unless they have really changed. Been retired 15 years so many of my former students are 40 years older . I too struggle for my words sometimes during conversations. Not every time but it is embarrassing. My grandmother and mother both had Alzheimer’s so it worries me that I might be headed that way .

I worry about how mine will progress, my great and great great grandfathers had cognitive decline and it was called hardening of the arteries in those days and they were actually both put in the state mental institution. My grandfather died at 68 and to my knowledge did not have cognitive decline, he died of cancer, and had hearing problems like I do. My mother lived to be almost 90 and didn’t have any real issues until she had a stroke about 2 years prior.
I’ve read where hearing impairment can increase the chance of cognitive decline so I’m concerned about that too.
On a side note, I’ve always marveled at teacher’s ability to learn the names of the children when they have around 150 or so each year.

 

[coachg]

Ii went to a Jr High football game just last night . One of my former players and students hollered at me ; I remember him instantly. Another one was with him and I recognized his face but couldn’t pull his name from my memory but when the first one said this is Kendall I instantly remembered him ! I remembered him having a career night running the football for my jr high team and beating one of our big rivals. Felt good with my old brain at that moment.

 

[504RP]

I know it’s hard, but I don’t believe there is anything to be ashamed of. It’s unfortunately just a part of life.
You are right it is hard on the folks caring for us. I know my wife worries about me, and like your wife is with you, my wife is understanding of me. I apologize a lot for things I don’t remember or can’t hear. She always no need to apologize,

My wife told me last night that there isn’t no need to apologize and that she understands that I just can’t help it.

But I can remember a couple who were both very good friends (both have passed away now) they were sort of like grandparents to me. Velma was about 10 years older than Luther who was close to 70 making Velma close to 80 when Velma started having trouble remembering like I did. And the two of them went from really caring about one another too absolutely hating one another. Velma got to where she would continuously ask Luther the same questions over and over just every few minutes a lot of the time. Ended up where Luther would get mad and come down hard telling her how annoying it was of her doing that all of the time. Would up in the two of them hating one another before it was over. They had been married for around 40 years and couldn’t have loved and would have gave their lives to have taken care of the other.

Even though my wife at this point is being very understanding and supportive. And because I am aware of how much of a burden it would be on her to live with and put up with me the way Luther did Velma. I know that my wife isn’t fully aware of how bad living with someone like that could be at this point.

 

[504RP]

B

In May, we had to move in with my mother, who is legally blind, 91 years old, and has Alzheimer's. It gets a little worse week by week. She remembers everything from her early child hood plumb up to last year when Daddy died, but can't remember something she asked me 5 minutes ago. Between her and my ole lady, it gets pretty frustrating for sure. And they both know it, and feel bad about me and worry how I can handle it. I do ok, it is just that I can't even go to the post office or store for 10 minutes and leave Momma there, She is liable to put something metal in the microwave, or cut the stove on, etc. Main thing is she is constantly washing clothes if she is awake. I haven't been to a sale, or got to go to the barn and work a horse, or go to any of the music events I put on for 5 months now. But, it is what it is. I am sure I am paying for my raising, as people say. But I told her that as long as she knows who I am, and knows where she is, I intend to keep her here, and hire in-home health care when it comes to that. They keep me on my toes for sure. I was 240 lbs when I started taking car of her last spring, and weighed 185 at the doctor's office yesterday!

That’s a lot of weight to lose in that short of a time or over any period of time. You better take care of yourself too. You won’t be able to help anyone if you get down too.

I weighed 250 lbs at the doctors office. Up until a couple years ago I stayed at 280 lbs. 20 years ago when I stared Elk hunting everyone I hunted with used mules to hunt off of. I bought a couple of mules and for 3 or 4 years rode them a lot. Learned about the mule rides at the Grand Canyon and always wanted to make that ride. But it was something that was only allowed by the park service and you could not make the ride using your own mules. Could hike the mule trail to the bottom of the canyon but to ride you had to get on the schedule and use the parks Guides and mules. They have a cabin over night rentals and a restaurant at the bottom of the canyon that if I remember right is called the phantom ranch. Stay the night and ride back up to the top of the canyon the next day. There is a long waiting list that puts you almost a year out before you’re called to come ride.

So I had alot of weight to lose to be eligible to make the ride. The closest I could ever get on my weight was 220 lbs and I looked like a skeleton at that weight.

It got to the point that me and a few of the people I hunted and road mules with came up with a plan to take our own mules and ride in after dark and ride to that phantom ranch until this friend of ours that was a Forest ranger heard about our plans and more less told us that was the stupidest thing he had ever heard of anyone thinking about trying to do. And that if by some miracle we did get by security and make to to bottom of the canyon with out falling off the trail and killing our selfs and mules. That once we got to the phantom ranch we would be picked up and flown to the nearest prison to spend several years in. Lol !!! . Personally I think we could have gotten away with it and regret to this day for not trying. I really wanted to make that ride !!!

 

[Ouachita]

As much as some think we were created as equals, I’m confident those people don’t know. They don’t know what they don’t know. The end.

We are all just fine, but must be settled in for the ride.

 

[CowboyRam]

My neighbors wife has Alzheimer's. I know it is tough on him; she is like a 5 year old. He kids talked him into putting her in a assisted living home; that lasted less than a week, and he brought her back home. He is trying to take care of her, and has help from hospice.

I am sure dad had a bit of dementia, and I'm just glad I was here. One night he had this idea that the grainery roof had collapsed. He had to go out to check for himself; he would not take my word for it. I could see the thing from the door. We had lots of snow that winter and the driveway was slick, and he didn't get around all that well. That man knew how to fall, because he fell a lot, and I don't know how he managed to fall without breaking any bones. He did end up with a slight concussion the one time he fell and hit the wall. I have yet to fix that hole in the drywall.

 

[coachg]

If you’ve never received a phone call from a policeman from a neighboring town at 3 am you can consider yourself lucky. My mom left church at 12 o’clock on Sunday and we think drove around all afternoon and night . She turned left from the right lane on a 4 lane highway. This caught the attention of the officer. The first good stroke of luck was it was 3 am and there was no traffic. The officer said he realized she was confused and got my number from her purse and called me . He only asked that I bring someone with me to drive her car home . After this her car suddenly broke down and had to go to the “shop “, this ending her driving . We did not realize she was this far into her memory issues . Wound up being a 7 yr journey before she finally passed. You don’t lose them at death, you lose them way before.

 

[Travlr]

You don’t lose them at death, you lose them way before.

My wife's dad had Alzheimer's. It's one of my great fears in life that she gets it... or I do and she has to take care of me. If I get it, I hope I have the courage to ease her pain... I don't have any idea how I would handle her getting it, other than crumble.

 

[Dave]

There are worse things. My Mother died from MS. Had it for 17 years. She was there mentally but went through a slow physical decline. Her last 4 years my Dad did everything for her except breath and sallow. She actually eventually die of dehydration because she just was unable to sallow enough water. Probably 5 or 6 years before she passed she couldn't talk. So Dad made up a board for her that had the alphabet and a yes and no. At that point she could still move one hand so she would spell out words very slowly or answer yes or no to questions.

 

[lynnmcmahan]

All I can say is that I pray it is something stress related and not a real issue. Dementia is not kind in any form.

The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

[TexasJerseyMilker]

I'm 71. Short term memory lapse that has been happening to me is I decide to set out to do some thing in another room or place. I get there then can't remember what I set out to do. But if I return to the place I thought of it I remember what it was as if it was still hanging in the air.