Short Term Memory Loss???

[Old John]

Do any of you have much Short Term Memory Loss? Is it bothersome?
Do you forget things you've done, yesterday, last week, or places you have been?
At 71, I'm a bit older than most folks here. And it's happening to me, enough that my DSW is noticing.
Is this Memory loss a harbinger of Alzheimers, right around the corner?

I'm not forgetting how to do things, where I put things, or my regular schedule of things to do each day.
My old Doctor thinks it might not be a bad idea to see a neurologist.

At what point do you start to worry?

[Sonshine]

I live in a household with my DS and my DH, both have short term memory loss. My DS due to learning disabilities he was born with, DH due to a brain tumor that was removed about 6 yrs ago. I don't know if it's a prelude to alzheimers, but there are test you can have done to determine that.

Short term memory loss can be bothersome, especially with my DS who I homeschool and will grasp a concept one day and the next day he's lost it. It takes a lot of repetition to get it into the long term memory.

If I were you I would probably try working things like crossword puzzles or even jigsaw puzzles, something to keep the mind active, and have a doctor test you for alzheimers. There's things they can do to slow down the process if in fact that proves to be the case.

[Yvonne]

You sound pretty nomal for your age.
Memory changes are a normal part of the aging process-it's common to have less recall of recent memories and to be slower remembering names and details.
My DH age 72 has this to some degree. But he was always bad with names & dates. You can look up normal aging for more details of what is happening as you get older. I'm 69 and have trouble believing a five pound bag of flour/sugar is getting to heavy to lift.
If you're worried about it by all means do as your doctor suggested.

[DamnearaFarm]

Sonshine-
The docs explained mom's memory loss to her tumor as well. Not that the tumor itself caused it, the procedure to remove the tumor went right through the area that governs short term memory and caused some damage that way.
Regardless of the cause, Old John, a neurology appointment can't hurt.

[Sonshine]

Originally Posted by RamblinRoseRanc

Sonshine-
The docs explained mom's memory loss to her tumor as well. Not that the tumor itself caused it, the procedure to remove the tumor went right through the area that governs short term memory and caused some damage that way.
Regardless of the cause, Old John, a neurology appointment can't hurt.

Same with my DH. The tumor didn't cause it, but the removal of the tumor did.

[Grandmotherbear]

I was very concerned about this about 8 years ago. My then-doc was no help. I finally figured out (with the help of my team members at work) that it was ADD and stress. Makes sense. DS ADD had to come from somewhere.

You can't self-test for this, but I did read that a pretty definite test for beginning alzeheimers is if someone can draw a clock face and put the hands at 3:50. (or was it 3:45? I can't remember) Alzheimers patients will draw the clock hands in at 3 :22- with the second hand between the 4 and the 5.

[Joshie]

I'm 47 and have had short term memory problems several years ago. Family finally got me in for testing two years ago.

If I was you I'd start with the neuro. At this point, it sounds as if you're not sure if this is a normal part of aging or if something else is going on. Seeing a neuro certainly won't hurt and could probably do some good. Docs can give you suggestions about how to deal and compensate with your memory issues.

[Horseyrider]

I was beginning to get worried about this, but my DH made me feel better. (He did his undergrad work in physiological psychology.) He said he wasn't bothered that I often forget that I came in to a room for a cup. He said he'd worry if I forget what a cup is.

Declining hormones, especially DHEA (if I remember right-- Ha!) cause this to happen as a part of normal aging. You can talk to your doctor about supplementing it; but also consider using mnemonic devices-- memory games-- to help you remember such things. Using music, such as humming a little cup song, helps you keep it in your mind and remember.

[VA Susan]

Loss of memory can also be caused by depression. My Mom has had vascular dementia (not alzheimers) for years. She took Alzheimer's medicine for it (arocept sp?) which seemed to help. Her dementia did not get too bad until this summer and she's now 82. It's a good idea to get checked by a neurologist.

[tiffnzacsmom]

Get checked for your own peace of mind but memory issues can come from a number of causes. I have fibromyalgia and sometimes I'd forget my name if it wasn't on my Facebook page =). I was getting lost locally a few years ago and went to the doctors over it and he initally wrote it off as stress until the pain and a few other things started kicking in. I know if I get very stressed I'll start getting lost again and have to calm down to keep the other symptoms more or less in check for me.

My friend's dad has alzheimers and before his memory was an issue we were concerned over personality changes, he was very gruff and angry for no reason and that is just not Pops. He's on aricept now and is more like his old self. Good luck either way.

[EDDIE BUCK]

I suffer from it too,but was thinking the cause was probably to many BIRTHDAYS.I've heard that causes it.

[PNP Katahdins]

Are you on any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that might have memory loss as a side effect?

Peg

[Grandmotherbear]

Originally Posted by PNP Katahdins

Are you on any medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that might have memory loss as a side effect?

Peg

Statins- anti cholesterol drugs- can cause memory loss. In my case, they caused agonizing pain-20 on a scale of 0-10.

[DamnearaFarm]

Originally Posted by tiffnzacsmom

Get checked for your own peace of mind but memory issues can come from a number of causes. I have fibromyalgia and sometimes I'd forget my name if it wasn't on my Facebook page =). I was getting lost locally a few years ago and went to the doctors over it and he initally wrote it off as stress until the pain and a few other things started kicking in. I know if I get very stressed I'll start getting lost again and have to calm down to keep the other symptoms more or less in check for me.

My friend's dad has alzheimers and before his memory was an issue we were concerned over personality changes, he was very gruff and angry for no reason and that is just not Pops. He's on aricept now and is more like his old self. Good luck either way.

I'm with ya there, Girl! I have yet to get lost (I have a GPS) but when I am going somewhere local I have to sit for a minute and try to think about which way it is I want to go.
When I am having a flare I can't even do simple math and it takes a bit to find words and such.
Thank yew, Fibro. Due to you, sometimes I am an idiot.

[Old John]

Well, I am not on any prescription medications, at all. My Cholestrol is good, around 185/190, my BP is good 118/77. I am active, out going and not a grumpy bone in my body. Yes, it could be just the natural memory loss, that comes with age.

I can remember all my Dkids birthdays and ages, most of my DSiblings as well, and all my Grandkids names. Not sure of the Grankids spouses though. Never met a couple of them.
I am DSW's walking phone book. I still dial a number 2 or 3 times and it is stuck, in my memory.
I can tell long stories about my childhood, teen years, and marriages. The only thing is I repeat them too often. LOL!

But, for instance, at a Family Gathering Sunday, I was talking before dinner, to one of my DBrothers about a gun he'd bought. After dinner, we'd all shifted places, and I sarted talking to the wrong DBrother about the gun........
We had a guest at the house, for dinner, a month or two ago. And, I could not remember her ever having been here. Although it was about 4 years ago.
It is just little things like that, that bother me. And It seems they happen, more often lately.

[starlady]

Please do see a neurologist. We chalked up my grandmother's gradual memory loss to "normal aging" and, in doing so, ignored many of the early signs of Alzheimer's. I'm not trying to be alarmist, but with proper treatment she might not have progressed so quickly and we might have had more time with her. If there is nothing out of the ordinary, the neurologist will be able to confirm that for you as well.

[Old John]

My worries were inspired by the conversation my DSW had with our Doctor 2 weeks ago, concerning my memory loss. So, yesterday I had an appointment with him, because of the chest cold & cough, I've had for the last several days. I think I caught it from one of my young nieces or nephews, at the Family gathering, who were sniffing sneezing & dripping.
And, to check out a couple other little problems I 've been having.

So he chatted me up for about 40 minutes, took a blood test, poked me, took a urine test, asked me several questions at the end ......and said, "You don't give any signs of having Alzheimers. You are too articulate and animated. And you remember details well".
So, I'm going to take his word for it and quit worrying like he told me. But........

If I suddenly quit posting on here.....It's because I forgot how to get here. LOLOL

[michelleIL]

LOL glad you are fine!

[ceresone]

John. this scares me too-mainly because of caring for Hubby, with Dementia-I'm hoping its stress related-but I dont dare mention it to my children, because of what they might think

[naturelover]

Old John, are you eating plenty of the right kinds of brain food?
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/6-f...-memory-power/

List of 20 super brain foods: http://leftofzen.com/brain-food/2008/01/04/

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