Memory Loss - When to Worry and What to Do

d0ug said:
Before concerning any drug use the safe way first B complex to help open blood veins and also omega 3 fatty acids to stop any blood clots from forming. Last of all what is the brain made of 75% cholesterol and the part that is affected by memory loss is 100% cholesterol so if your doctor has recommended statin or a cholesterol districted diet than tell your doctor he is responsible and you want your money back. Eat lots of eggs and your cholesterol will get in the healthy range of 220 -270 this is from a study done at the University of California with 300,000 people.
There is 4 main types of dementia 1 is senile dementia which is plugging and free radical damage in the veins 2 is Korsakoff’s Syndrome which is mistaken for Alzheimers by doctors and is a vitamin B1 deficiency 3 Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which is Korsakoff syndrome and another problem 4 is Alzheimers which can only be diagnosis at death so any doctor saying a person has Alzheimers and still alive he is guessing in different studies large dose of vitamin E has shown memory to improve dramatically
If you throw in selenium and rebuild your cholesterol level. No one knows just how far back a person can come.
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I swear by the high Vitamin B Complex. Have used it for years to ward off depression and jsut for mental functioning in general. Same with the Omega 3 formulas.

Some further info along these lines:
Consider a daily low-dose aspirin. Some studies link the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Try turmeric, a unique spice. Recent animal research suggests that the yellow spice turmeric, a major ingredient in American mustard and Indian curry, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This may help explain the unusually low incidence of Alzheimer’s in India, where people consume significant amounts of turmeric as part of the daily diet.
 

Gael said:
Try turmeric, a unique spice. Recent animal research suggests that the yellow spice turmeric, a major ingredient in American mustard and Indian curry, can reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. This may help explain the unusually low incidence of Alzheimer’s in India, where people consume significant amounts of turmeric as part of the daily diet.
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Very interesting about the turmeric. A culinary spice but also with potent medicinal and health enhancing properties.

This article caught my eye ...
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/turmeric-produces-remarkable-recovery-alzheimers-patients

Turmeric has quite a kick to it. Many people enjoy spicy food, but if the flavour is alien to someone's diet and taste buds supplements are readily available.

If it was me and I felt mental confusion coming on, I'd go for the supplements of the herb gingko. Unfortunately gingko interacts with many pharmaceutical medicines, so that would rule its use out for most seniors.
 
You should be on safe ground here. Most people love fruit.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...it-ward-Alzheimers-heart-problems-cancer.html

Blueberry smoothies are available commercially. I'm not normally a fan of smoothies, the high natural sugar levels can wreak havoc with the teeth (tooth decay) but in this case it is a simple way of getting concentrated blueberry goodness into someone who in all probability is not eating very big meals.
 
Knightofalbion said:
Very interesting about the turmeric. A culinary spice but also with potent medicinal and health enhancing properties.

This article caught my eye ...
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/turmeric-produces-remarkable-recovery-alzheimers-patients

Turmeric has quite a kick to it. Many people enjoy spicy food, but if the flavour is alien to someone's diet and taste buds supplements are readily available.

If it was me and I felt mental confusion coming on, I'd go for the supplements of the herb gingko. Unfortunately gingko interacts with many pharmaceutical medicines, so that would rule its use out for most seniors.
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Yep, ginko is good for those in certain circumstances but it has it's warnings even aside from the drug interactions.

Diabetes: Ginkgo might interfere with the management of diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely.

Seizures: There is a concern that ginkgo might cause seizures. If you have ever had a seizure, don’t use ginkgo.

Infertility: Ginkgo use might interfere with getting pregnant. Discuss your use of ginkgo with your healthcare provider if you are trying to get pregnant.

Bleeding disorders: Ginkgo might make bleeding disorders worse. If you have a bleeding disorder, don’t use ginkgo.

Surgery: Ginkgo might slow blood clotting. It might cause extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using ginkgo at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
 
As I near age 80, (a few years away), the subject is dear to my heart. With genetics woking against me, Alzheimers is not just a "fear", but a work in progress. I am keeping a journal, just for myself, to be able to look back as long as I am able, and to measure the progression.
I look at this from a different perspective... not as one who is worried about "getting" AZ, or having to deal with parents, friends or relative who have it... but from learning how to accept it, and deal with the progress.
First, Alzheimers is not an on/off disease, the way you would turn on a light... but more like a dimmer swtch. The only real question is how fast the slide into the serious and debilitating inevitable helplessness.

I try not to give advice, as everyone is different, but some thoughts on my own situation:

-On testing, or doctor's diagnosis - No! To what gain? Perhaps drugs to delay or extend the onset... but at best, current phamacology offers only a slight delay.

-The second part of this "no diagnosis" is the downside that it presents. Friends and relative "hovering" and watching for every indication of problems. Bad enough that I have short term memory problems, but the most irritating thing about that is the constant
"OH... everyone has memory lapses... You don't have a problem ". I am dreadfully afraid I'm going to do something drastic to the next person who says that. I know what my situation is, and really resent this apologia.

-The next part is the internal struggle, to live a normal life, and to begin developing way to cope with the coming years. It's the short term memory that causes the most problems. I honestly don't think that the deep seated intellect is affected. The interest in learning, if anything, is more intense than ever. Curiosity and problem solving has become more entrenched. Perhaps with less pressure from the day to day memory requirements, I am left with more time to pursue knowledge as goal. A happy side effect.

-Freedom... this may be the biggest part of the "no diagnosis" insistance. Once a medical decision has been reached, it becomes a death knell to freedom. I have yet to meet anyone with any degree of Alzheimers who voluntarily accepts the restrictions that come with that life sentence ... This accounts for the struggle that families have in getting loved ones to be diagnosed.
Just imagine... no car... no going out alone... sideways glances always... So no thanks... I'm fine.

-A side note... about Alzheimers and Intelligence... I'm not sure there's a connection between the problems associated with AZ and intelligence... especially in the early stages. Probably so with regard to the testing... intelligence as measured by verbal and cognitive and physical tasks, but not basic intelligence. In my own case, measurements of 140 to 150 have been the case. I am sure that a written test today would probably be below average, though I don't believe it measures the thinking power or the deep cerebral connections for reasoning and problem solving. This could change.

-The time line... wow... the biggest question. I'd like to think it will be measured in years... hopefully 5 to 10 years, but am prepared for whatever happens.

As we go along, am thinking to use my journal for reflection and measuring the progress. In any case, in no rush to die.
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Sharing a short story that I heard long ago, that represents my outlook on life.

I am in the hospital, where I was brought after an automobile accident. I am in bed, hooked up to tubes and wires. For some reason, I cannot move. Seems like I've been here for a while. Not so bad, I'll rest up, and wait for the Doctor to release me. I smell flowers... yeah, on the bedstand next to me. Oh, oh... here comes the nurse... Pretty little thing... she acts like I'm not here... Oh well...
Actually, not so bad... I can see out the window... birds in the trees... flowers... and I don't hurt at all... Not so bad...
Wait!... here comes the doctor. And my wife and kids. Musta took the day off... didn't need to, I'll be home for dinner. They look awful, like maybe the dog died or something. The doctor's talking to them.... he's sorry... Sorry about what?... I'm fine, look at me... I feel very good... What's that? What test? What does he mean, brain dead?.... And now the family is crying, and leaving... Hey wait... wait... Here comes the doctor back again... What's he doing with that plug... Hey... don't... Hey... wait.. Hey...

:)
 
Thanks for your perspective on this Mr. Young. I read it several times and some of it brought tears to my eyes. My mother is aware that her memory is failing her and I was the first one to point it out probably because I had not seen her for a year and I can see the difference. I see her struggle with this awareness and I know she wants to slow it down and it breaks my heart. Luckily my father, my siblings and I are always there for her and she still remains the core of the family and we do not hover over her...yet**. By the way you write beautifully.
 
It's difficult watching someone become totally different from the person you once knew. The hardest thing for me with my Dad was when I went to walk him into the bathroom about a month before he passed, he just stood there. I tried to tell him to walk, showed him, but it was if I was talking to no one. I was given a book by the hospice group on the dying process which gave me "too much information", information that I really didn't want to know. And now I'm looking at my mother in a similar situation and can't bear to see her reach a point where she might not remember who I am.
 
I don't think anyone imagines that they will be dealing with someone who has dementia, not until it actually hits them. And then, others around you who have never dealt with it themselves cannot and will not fully understand what you are going through. My life is on "hold", everything I do now revolves around my mother's condition. It's not easy.
 
The doctor told me to stop taking salt for my heart. Now that everyone has limited their salt the heart problems did not decrease but the digestion problems increased because salt is needed for digestion. Thanks doctor.
The doctor told me to stop saturated fat and to use oil for are heart. Now after 60 years the rate of heart problems has not changes it is still number 1 killer. Now the number 5 killer is Alzheimers that did not exist by any other name 60 years ago. Now erectile dysfunction is a problem that did not happen 60 years ago. We need cholesterol for brain cells and all hormones especial sex hormones. Thanks doctors.
 
Takes tremendous courage to forge on in spite of the monsters looming in the shadows.

do-not-ask-me-to-remember.jpg
 
Five years later

Am not much help on what to do, but can give an update on where I am in the memory loss process.

I would classify myself as being in stage four of Alzheimer's. To put this in perspective, an outline of the 7 stages.
[h=2]Stage 1: No Impairment[/h]During this stage, Alzheimer’s is not detectable and no memory problems or other symptoms of dementia are evident.
[h=2]Stage 2: Very Mild Decline[/h]The senior may notice minor memory problems or lose things around the house, although not to the point where the memory loss can easily be distinguished from normal age-related memory loss. The person will still do well on memory tests and the disease is unlikely to be detected by loved ones or physicians.
[h=2]Stage 3: Mild Decline[/h]At this stage, the family members and friends of the senior may begin to notice cognitive problems. Performance on memory tests are affected and physicians will be able to detect impaired cognitive function.
People in stage 3 will have difficulty in many areas including:

  • Finding the right word during conversations
  • Organizing and planning
  • Remembering names of new acquaintances
People with stage three Alzheimer’s may also frequently lose personal possessions, including valuables.
[h=2]Stage 4: Moderate Decline[/h]In stage four of Alzheimer’s, clear-cut symptoms of the disease are apparent. People with stage four of Alzheimer’s:

  • Have difficulty with simple arithmetic
  • Have poor short-term memory (may not recall what they ate for breakfast, for example)
  • Inability to manage finance and pay bills
  • May forget details about their life histories
[h=2]Stage 5: Moderately Severe Decline[/h]During the fifth stage of Alzheimer’s, people begin to need help with many day-to-day activities. People in stage five of the disease may experience:

  • Difficulty dressing appropriately
  • Inability to recall simple details about themselves such as their own phone number
  • Significant confusion
On the other hand, people in stage five maintain functionality. They typically can still bathe and toilet independently. They also usually still know their family members and some detail about their personal histories, especially their childhood and youth.
[h=2]Stage 6: Severe Decline[/h]People with the sixth stage of Alzheimer’s need constant supervision and frequently require professional care. Symptoms include:

  • Confusion or unawareness of environment and surroundings
  • Inability to recognize faces except for the closest friends and relatives
  • Inability to remember most details of personal history
  • Loss of bladder and bowel control
  • Major personality changes and potential behavior problems
  • The need for assistance with activities of daily living such as toileting and bathing
  • Wandering
[h=2]Stages 7: Very Severe Decline[/h]Stage seven is the final stage of Alzheimer’s. Because the disease is a terminal illness, people in stage seven are nearing death. In stage seven of the disease, people lose the ability to communicate or respond to their environment. While they may still be able to utter words and phrases, they have no insight into their condition and need assistance with all activities of daily living. In the final stages of Alzheimer’s, people may lose their ability to swallow.
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Leaving this here as a reference. Will follow up with my personal observation.
 
Stage 4

I won't pretend to cite my observations as technical knowledge, but perhaps as a sign of what hopefully is a sign of what could verify the slow progression that is often mentioned, but not expanded upon in medical circles.

Since 2014 probably no major outward signs of the symptoms. At age 83, I guess most people expect some loss of memory, and treat me accordingly. Digging deeper, into the things you wouldn't see in a casual meeting.

- Serious if not almost complete loss of facial recognition. This makes social situations extremely difficult, as it affects relations with old friends. Being a very social outgoing person, this is the most hurtful. Early on, it was possible to bluff my way through. now, almost impossible. fortunately my dear wife jeanie, is often around to get me through this stress.

- While I still can keep a perspective on our overall financial situation, if jeanie did not pay the bills and handle our banking, I should likely be in jail, now.

- Formerly, my greatest joy was in reading (a book every two days).. Now unable to even finish the headlines in the newspaper.

-The Past. The simplest explanation is that except for events that are accompanied by pictures... virtually all lost. Again sso grateful for jeanie, who is patient and can help me.

-Short attention span... what you probably recognize is going into a room, then not remembering why you went there. Imagine not being able to complete a task because of being distracted on a regular basis. No longer trust myself to do things like cooking decluttering. Distractions a permanent part of living. Half finished projects the rule, not the exception.

The strangest part of all, is that my children age 50 to 60... seem not to believe or understand. I mentioned in an earlier post that the deeper intellect... discussion, problem solving, critical analysis... seem to be there, if not as sharp as before, still exist.

Looking ahead to stage 5, the only part that is on the horizon, is the confusion. A bit embarrassing, but the saving grace is Alexa. "what day is it?", "when is the next Bulls game", "read my to-do list"... and... a calendar on the refrigerator. We use a stack of 3x5 cards to make quick notes that stay on the counter until no longer valid.
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If you should be reading this, and think..."that's not so bad"... or at age 83 is to be expected... perhaps... but for this poor puppy, losing control of life as I knew it, a sad situation. Not a complaint, as we're both healthy, but the loss of something that once was, but is no more.
 
Very interesting conversation here on memory loss. I loss my short term memory back 10 years ago in a car accident, and the way I work on it is playing such word games here,, and on my phone everyday, It makes my brain work.. Just a idea...
 

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