Something happened to my organized thinking since last year

Another incident - I had a bunch of Eisenhower dollars and Kennedy halves I was considering putting out for the spring garage sale. I took photos of them and then put them someplace. Yesterday I tried to find them, but couldn't. This morning I found them by accident on a chair seat in the "junk" room and I don't even remember putting them there.

Trying to remember names is getting to be a problem, too. My mom used to say that if you can't remember, run the alphabet in your head and it might trigger the name. Most of the time it doesn't work for me.

I was considering SAD and depression as causes, but that would only be speculation on my part. In 2006, after mom passed, I was having nightmares. My PCP referred me to a psychologist who said I had depression and told me to get a scrip for SSRI from my PCP. All that did was make me gain weight. I tried to get off of them and knew that that can't just be stopped - a gradual decrease was needed. I still got brain "zaps" for about a week when cutting down. At least I don't have nightmares now.
 
Last edited:
I haven’t read all the posts in this thread, but your writing is well organized and grammatically correct. Most all the things you mentioned seem like normal aging. My father died from Alzheimer’s and in the beginning, he didn’t think anything was wrong. Others had to point it out.

My brother tells me he can mark the period when our father started showing symptoms. He moved into a retirement condo in a new town where he lost all his social connections. And he no longer had a large property and vehicles to maintain. Everything was taken care of. All he did was sit in a recliner, day in, day out - eat, sleep, and stare at a screen. Not good for humans.

Edit: He started showing symptoms at age 80 and passed at 85.
 
Last edited:
I've known several people in their 50s & early 60s that have experienced anxiety when they noticed an increase in forgetfulness, worrying that they are starting into dementia. There is no "normal" amount of aging decline, and for sure it is annoying to forget names of people, names of things, forgetting why you went from one room to another. Yea, deep down I'm concerned, more so for my wife. Proper Sleep is most important for brain health, as is proper eating and physical exercise and social contact. PBS has a fascinating series- Your Fantastic Mind, which highlights the hot topics of brain health.
 
Mike said:
Maybe a good night's sleep and less running
around, you are always on the go, try to slow
down a little, that will help, I think.

Mike.
Click to expand...
Creating new neural pathways requires NEW challenges, like a new language or a difficult new skill. Stay calm and alert and busy, exercise, eat and sleep well.

Avoid trauma and worries.
 
From time to time I will meet a high school classmate in the store. It's always, "How are you doing?" My reply is almost always,"As good as a 72 year old can be. I can get out of bed under my own power, fix meals, and if I leave home, I can find my way back. That's more than some people younger than us can do."
 
debodun said:
Sometimes they can't be avoided.
Click to expand...
You are creating some. Calm down a bit, give others some breathing room and don't expect everyone to drop what they are doing because you think you have a crisis. Just look back at the heating oil, cracked tooth, some coins, your doctor. Sugar tends to work better than vinegar. Life may be better. Give it a try.
 
debodun said:
From time to time I will meet a high school classmate in the store. It's always, "How are you doing?" My reply is almost always,"As good as a 72 year old can be. I can get out of bed under my own power, fix meals, and if I leave home, I can find my way back. That's more than some people younger than us can do."
Click to expand...
You are only 72. This is negativity of the finest. Do you have any senior centers activities in your area?
 
debodun said:
I thought I'd do some accounting of my expenses in 2024. I got out my checkbook stubs, receipts and records. It was just gobbledegook to me from the getgo. Couldn't keep things straight. I am worried about my perspicacity.
Click to expand...
Unfortunately as we age aspects of our mental acuity decline. Nothing unusual, just to be expected, but it‘s always worth sharing your concerns with a doctor.
 
debodun said:
From time to time I will meet a high school classmate in the store. It's always, "How are you doing?"
Click to expand...
I think it's a positive thing that you remember them! When I was in my mid 30s, I was shopping at the mall. Someone with a slightly familiar face came up to me... "Kate! Wow, it's been so long. I talked to your mom and asked about you" blah blah, on and on. I said "Hi Deb, it sure has been long! How are ya?"

Jump ahead to the next day. I mentioned to my mom that I saw my 2nd cousin Deb at the mall and she said she'd asked about me. Nope. Didn't happen. But mom said a girl I went to school with had asked about me. I was VERY thankful that her name was.... yeah, DEB, too! :ROFLMAO: Well darn, they kind of looked alike! 😅
 
Twostep said:
Do you have any senior centers activities in your area?
Click to expand...
Used to, but not anymore. The person that was in charge of the senior club had access to resources other people wouldn't (i.e. a community position). About 18 months ago, she chucked her position and all that went with it and moved out of the area. I have brought it up to her replacement and it's, "Yes, that's a good idea to start the seniors club again. I'll being it up at the next board meeting." And I've not heard anything about it. I tried twice with her.

Maybe it was because expected holiday invitations the past 2 months never materialized. It was a lonely Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A woman I know has the phrase, "Time to put on your 'big girl' panties." I tried, but they don't fit.
 
Last edited:
debodun said:
Used to, but not anymore. The person that was in charge of the senior club had access to resources other people wouldn't (i.e. a community position). About 18 months ago, she chucked her position and all that went with it and moved out of the area. I have brought it up to her replacement and it's, "Yes, that's a good idea to start the seniors club again. I'll being it up at the next board meeting." And I've not heard anything about it. I tried twice with her.

Maybe it was because expected holiday invitations the past 2 months never materialized. It was a lonely Thanksgiving and Christmas.

A woman I know has the phrase, "Time to put on your 'big girl' panties." I tried, but they don't fit.
Click to expand...
Then ask to be put on the agenda for the board meeting. Talk to her manager. Reach out to some of the former attendees Nd plan a coffee get together.
 
debodun said:
Another incident - I had a bunch of Eisenhower dollars and Kennedy halves I was considering putting out for the spring garage sale. I took photos of them and then put them someplace. Yesterday I tried to find them, but couldn't. This morning I found them by accident on a chair seat in the "junk" room and I don't even remember putting them there.

Trying to remember names is getting to be a problem, too. My mom used to say that if you can't remember, run the alphabet in your head and it might trigger the name. Most of the time it doesn't work for me.

I was considering SAD and depression as causes, but that would only be speculation on my part. In 2006, after mom passed, I was having nightmares. My PCP referred me to a psychologist who said I had depression and told me to get a scrip for SSRI from my PCP. All that did was make me gain weight. I tried to get off of them and knew that that can't just be stopped - a gradual decrease was needed. I still got brain "zaps" for about a week when cutting down. At least I don't have nightmares now.
Click to expand...
@debodun , Glad you got off of the antidepressant, you don't want to be stuck down that rabbit hole if you can help it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top