Dementia

All sorts of things can cause the symptoms you describe including anxiety and dementia so I'd try not to worry and mention it to your psychiatrist at your next appt. Tiredness can also be a cause.

Ok so you forget words. But do you know the facts. If you forget a name do you know the person, where she lives and how many children etc.
Do you know the order of things. How to get dressed or get to the busstop. How much things cost and giving change.

These small things seem laughably easy but people with dementia don't carry money and often leave the house and turn to leave in the wrong direction, and very often have an absent look about them.
Your post sounds as if you have thought quite constructively about the subject.

Above poster is right but checking with GP is a good idea ,

It's a very good idea to raise this with your GP, as they have diagnostic criteria which could either set your mind at rest, or help by stopping your memory worsening and delay other symptoms developing (if it is the early stages of dementia). As with many things, early diagnosis is beneficial. Your husband's response is very common and understandable, given the bad press dementia gets, but there has been so much progress in dementia treatment that these days it's better to know. I wish you all the best. Do let us know how you get on.

OH has just had a long involved chat with me , he was worried that he hadn't wakened this Morning , hadn't got dressed and what would he do ! I can't convince him that the carers showered him etc , he keeps going back to ..... but did I waken ? Now that is dementia

It's not correct to say that people living with dementia often have a vacant look about them or that they don't carry mone*

aggiehard work for you.

I am always forgetting words. Have done since my mid 30s. I read recently that this is perfectly normal and has nothing to do with dementia.

DF was always doing it and lived to be 92. Still active on the committees of three different community groups and had his MP attend his funeral. Don't worry it is normal.

Exactly Aggie

The tests the GPs do are pathetic. My DH passed with flying colours but I insisted and the brain scan revealed the start of vascular dementia. That was several years ago. There's a lot of rubbish talked about new treatments for the various dementias too - very little works.

I remeber a GP in the Times saying when you need to worry is if you go upstairs to look for keys, not when you forget why you've gone but when you find the keys, you can't remember what they're for.

The op is seeing her psychiatrist not her gp!

I heard that if you put your shoes in the fridge it's forgetfulness - forgetting that the milk is in the fridge is a worry.

I think it's Maw who has the theory that our brains get full of more interesting stuff and jettison things it's not interested in

That doesn't explain how I forgot the name of a dear friend the other day.

It's also not true that early diagnosis and treatment can stop it worsening.
It depends on the type of dementia whether or not treatment can slow the process.

MIL seems to be trying to convince herself and us that she has the beginning of dementia. She goes on and on about forgetting words ( so do I and many of my friends). She certainly has no other symptoms that we can see. I think I will show her this thread.

Sorry, just had a very difficult day with her yesterday and had to help out a neighbour this morning with her DH who actually does have dementia and visited a friend whose DH died a few weeks ago aged just 67.

Many thanks for all your replies. I am getting myself in aright state, keep trying to remember 3 particular sentences. I have them written down in my bedroom and I've usually forgotten them by the time I'm downstairs. I'm starting to almost rehearse what I'm going to say to people so I won't get caught out with forgetting a word. Yes I'm seeing the psychiatrist on 20th of this month but she's new and I've never seen her before. I might have a chat to my CPN. I will see my GP because she's lovely and I've known her for about 10 years and trust her implicitly.

I wasn't sure about the issue of something to prevent the symptoms getting worse -i'm very scared and thinking I couldn't live with dementia, but there's only one alternative.

aggie - so sorry for you and your DH - I have heard of things like this before. You mention a carer - is it difficult to get support and do you get respite

I am 69 and I also worry about the onset of dementia. Part of me thinks that if I am aware enough to worry about it, I don't have it.

Anxiety has led me recently, to sit at a bus stop and let two buses go by, while I waited for a particular bus. Only realising hours later what I had done. Every bus went to the destination and I have done the journey many times.

I also put the electric kettle on the gas hob. Returned to the kitchen to see it alight, picked it up and put it on the work top. I was shaking once I realised what I had done,

I have not mentioned it to anybody as I think that I will not be taken seriously. It is very difficult to judge when to seek help. I have stopped caring for my grandchildren as I am scared I will make a stupid mistake.

Flossing, please go and see your gp. Lots if things could be causing your 'lapses' but, if you do have dementia, there are things that can slow the progress of some, asnina said.

It is perfectly possible to live well with dementia for a long time but early diagnosis is key.

But, it's a really scary prospect isn't it?

Flipping phone - apologies Flossie!

If you are seeing a psychiatrist every month you can be fairly sure you do not have dementia, it would have been picked up before now. Is the forgetfulness not due to the tablets you are taking ?

Good point, Harri!

There are so many symptoms of depression and dementia which are similar but I would make an appointment with your GP and ask for a referral to a memory clinic just to get checked out and put your mind at rest. My parents both had dementia and had totally different symptoms - my husband recognised the problem some time before I did as I just put it down to age. Sadly by the time I'd agreed and got them tested there was no treatment suitable for them. You are probably fine but the sooner it's recognised if it is dementia the better.

Both my parents had dementia. Every time i forget a word or what i want to say ( it happens a lot) i think ...... its on its way to get me. My worst fear.

Flossie yes I think you should see your GP. not that they can do a great deal but he/she could put your mind at rest. Or you could have mild cognitive disorder which is not as serious as dementia.

Harrigan My symptoms only started about 2 weeks ago and that's why nothing was picked up by the psych as I didn't complain. They seem to have come on quickly and I suppose they have to start somewhere. The next one is new so haven't seen her before.I'm hoping I've got mild cognitive disorder though obviously I'd rather not have anything like this.

I used to work for the Alzheimer's Society and every time I forget something I'm inclined to panic. I just have to calm myself and think rationally that I have a poltergeist in the house who keeps moving things ...

No flippancy intended but this week I have 'mislaid' 3 things. Two of them turned up where they shouldn't have been and I'm still looking for the 3rd

If your symptoms only started a couple of weeks ago it would seem unlikely that you have dementia.