Hospital Appointment

Oh no...

DS has memory problems. He came with us to a funeral on Monday, and this coming weekend will be spent with us for Father's Day. He phoned me last week to ask what time he should book his National Express coach for, what time did I want to pick him up from the bus station? Thank heavens he did - he had put the two dates in his phone, but the wrong way round!

I wouldn't worry about it too much though, I got two interviews on consecutive days round the wrong way 30 years ago. Is your memory starting to worry you? Are you sure it isn't down to menopause?

Because mine was dire, but is starting to get better.

Oh dear Phoenix - having recently done something very similar I know whereof you speak. Then comes that awful sinking feeling that it all has to be done again!!

Def. not menopause janerowena I've been a bit concerned for a while, so my GP has referred me.

At first it was just the usual things, upstairs doing something, suddenly thought of something that needed to be on my shopping list and by the time I reach the kitchen I forget what it was. Then over the past few months forgetting words for some things, or using the wrong word. Bit of a bugger when you are trying to do a crossword that uses a lot of synonyms!

I find a dummy run can sometimes be beneficial, avoiding stress on the actual day! Are you going to tell the Hospital? I am convinced there is nothing wrong with you, hope I am correct.

ga I think what I was most miffed about was the sleep I lost!

shysal not sure if I will have the right person to tell The appointment is supposed to be in 2 parts, CT scan first, then see the consultant.

However I got a phone call on Monday saying that the consultant won't be there. They asked if I wanted to re-schedule the whole thing, or go along anyway for the scan part, so that's what I opted for.

Your description of forgetting things and not knowing the word for simple stuff, or in my case substituting incorrect words sounds very familiar. When I'm tired the problem is really obvious and I know that I'm not making sense, then I get bothered - with various friends and family giving me sideways looks.
I consulted Mr. Google who tells me that I probably have Primary Progressive Aphasia! [Gulp]
I consulted the Wonderful Man who reminded me that I was diagnosed as having Mild Cognitive Impairment some time ago and so it's obviously going to be worse when I'm tired. [Phew]

Phoenix it's the word thing that I have, and have had for years now. It's starting to get better. I had to stop showing people around a garden because I couldn't remember the names of the plants. I was told it was very common during the menopausal years.

www.everydayhealth.com/menopause-pictures/tricks-to-battle-memory-loss-in-menopause.aspx

All I'm saying is, don't panic just yet.

I think it is just age. I tell DH and DC that my hard drive is full and so it is dumping the trivia. Memory was not a problem at the menopause.
I often get bits of kitchen equipment mixed up "pop that in the microwave" instead of dishwasher. Filling coffee canister with hot water instead of the mug, putting leftover potatoes in a tub and then putting it back in the cupboard instead of the fridge.

I once turned up for a scan a day early - all showered and dressed with best knickers etc and got right to the desk for the young woman to announce to all those waiting as well as myself that it was not till tomorrow - had put the wrong day down on the calendar and then not checked any further. _.

phoenix it could have been worse, ie yesterday and then you would become a statistic as a DNA. Not advisable.

At least you know how long it will take you to get ready tomorrow and hopefully parking will be okay, having had a dummy run.

I've resorted to using descriptors for words that I forget; i.e. 'the thing I put flowers in', for vase; 'the cupboard where the glasses are', for sideboard; 'my favourite flowers that smell', for freesias. I do substitute words unknowingly too; a few days ago I was talking about my daughter's wedding reception, but actually said anniversary instead and my son became quite concerned as he said it was one of many incorrect words I used during the conversation.
Eventually I think I really will have to go and talk to my GP about it, but for the time being it suits me to think it's simply my advancing years combined with tiredness and my pre-existing mild cognitive impairment.

I spent the whole of May a week ahead of myself and went to meet friends a well before we were due to meet and then gave them the wrong date when I rearranged!

I now look at the paper to remember the date which is what my mum did and we all know about her! It worries me, but not enough to check it out. . I think you are very brave Phoenix. Let us know how you get on!

Essex Cardiothoracic Centre is 20 miles from here, and it takes 2 hours and four trains to get there. That's when they're on time though, on three out of six occasions a train has been cancelled, adding about an hour to the journey.

I look at the date on my computer as I don't have a newspaper delivered and rarely buy one.

I think once you've retired it's very easy to lose track of the date, and even the day...

I agree Ana. Each morning before I get up I lie there, think what day it is and have I got anything planned for that day. If I have to be up early, I put the alarm on the prevous night and lay out my clothes to wear.

Do you know ga that has just reminded me that I used to get just like that for the first couple of days of my period! "It's in the thing on the wall" for cupboard etc. so I can see where it could be hormone related for some.

Well phoenix, at least there's nothing wrong with your sense of humour!

Can I say well done phoenix for meeting this head on.

After learning more than I would ever want to know about Alzheimer's (although never enough) over the last five or six year years there are a couple of points I would make.

Firstly, there is such a thing as age related memory loss so it is not surprising that we have problems as we get older. Secondly I do not believe dates, etc., are as relevant to us when we are not working so that is not a good measure. When my mother realised she would be asked the date and day she made sure she knew them before a test . I am not sure she could now but I found it more relevant when she could not tell what season it was.

My third point would be to ensure that all other tests are done. I was beginning to think I was following in my mother's footsteps until I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I have it at a fairly low level (although I would challenge the fact that they don't test all the parameters) and it was picked up when they/I thought I had another problem. Since I started "taking the tablets" my memory has improved and I have learned about the "hyperthyroid fog".

Yes, I read that was another cause, along with lack of 'B' vitamins.

Thanks graces My GP did a blood test just to check various things and it all came back as normal.

I'm not worrying overmuch about it, but feel that it makes sense to get it checked.