Escaping from memory problems

[Retired Ones]

We are a group of people living with memory problems. We are not ashamed of this, although we did feel angry at the beginning, and are learning to accept it.

It is not always easy for us to ask for help, we do not always know the right questions.

Living with a memory problem is sometimes like living in the fog and sometimes living in the sunshine. We have bad days and good days, sometimes we don't even want to think about it.

We attend a social group for people with memory problems on a weekly basis. It helps to be with other people with the same problems as it is more relaxing when we do not feel we are being judged and do not feel so alone.

It helps to be active as when we are busy we know that the 'machine' is working.

We would like to hear other people's experience of having a memory problem.

 

[West Kent]

Having memory problems

we are a group of people who experience memory problems, we find it really frustrating, especially when there is a car sitting on the drive and i can't use it! We also attend a centre, which is really a life line to us. It's somewhere where we can go and feel human!! At the centre we help to write the website, which is great. On the site we have a predicament of the month where we discuss issues that people with memory problems have, so please go and have a look and let us know your thoughts on the issues www.alzheimers.org.uk/westkent and follow the links to personal experiences and then you are not alone. there are other people out there who have the same difficulties that we all experience

 

[tiadesai]

Group

you said that you all are in a group
why dont you all help each other in revatilising your memories
doesnt it sound like a good idea
all of you can test each others memories and also play memory games
all the best to you all

 

[cris]

Hello. I cannot help, but I will read your postings with interest. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Some of what you describe has been describe to me by my wife. She has not said much and I dearly like to try and understand what happens in her mind. She gets angry, frustrated, and confussed. I need a book that does not tell me how AD operates, or what happens but how someones mind sees thing. I know I have not helped you, but I will watch this space.
my best wishes to you all.
cris

 

[dolly gee]

wuld like to think ther is a way out from memory loss

Cris i am new to to this but i understand what your going through, i have been there wish you and your family well ,i hope very much to contribute for a long time dolly

 

[Grannie G]

Hello Dolly. Welcome to talking point. I hope you will find lots of support here. Everyone is here for you and I hope you will be able to tell us how you are coping.

 

[dolly gee]

We are a group of people living with memory problems. We are not ashamed of this, although we did feel angry at the beginning, and are learning to accept it.

It is not always easy for us to ask for help, we do not always know the right questions.

Living with a memory problem is sometimes like living in the fog and sometimes living in the sunshine. We have bad days and good days, sometimes we don't even want to think about it.

We attend a social group for people with memory problems on a weekly basis. It helps to be with other people with the same problems as it is more relaxing when we do not feel we are being judged and do not feel so alone.

It helps to be active as when we are busy we know that the 'machine' is working.

We would like to hear other people's experience of having a memory problem.

I have been finding it very hard to remember most things for some time now,ie names,people and what i done minutes ago.I have lost my mum and sister to alziemers and would apreciate any advise i do take supplements to try and help and exersice twice a week ,but i am still concernd, dolly gee

 

[Grannie G]

Hi Dolly,

Have you seen your doctor about your memory? Does your doctor know your family history.

 

[cris]

Hi Dolly. You should see your doctor, as any of us should if we are worried or concerned about ourselves. Do tell your doctor about your family history, but our doctor did not subscribe to the theory of any genetic links. In the end I went "private" - just for a one-off consultation. The specialist was recommended / sugested by our GP. Have you asked friends, relatives, neighbours if they notice anything about you ? You are worried and the sooner you establish a diagnosis you can take the appropriate steps. If required, the quicker you can get drugs the better, and you can start to look at your finances, and then again the all clear puts your mind at rest.
best wishes cris

 

[Lila13]

I know mine is caused partly by thyroid disorder.

Lila

 

[dolly gee]

Hi Dolly,

Have you seen your doctor about your memory? Does your doctor know your family history.

Hello Grannie G I have seen my Gp he understands my concern with family history and has sent for an appiontment to see a someone,he does not think there is anything to really be concerned about because of family history.Thank you for very much for your concern i hope by doing what i am now will help me should have done it sooner Dolly Gee

 

[Grannie G]

Hi Dolly,
I`m glad your doctor is referring you. If nothing is found to be wrong, it should put your mind at rest. If there are any concerns, you should be able to get some help and advice.
Please let us know when you`ve seen the specialist.
Good luck, I`ll be thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed that you`ll be OK.
With love

 

[monkeymand]

Hi all

I am new to this forum and would like to talk about my memory problems. I do not have AD. I am 34 and have suffered from Fibromyalgia since i was 23. In the beginning my illness effected my body and my movement but as the illness progressed i began to have lapses in my memory. Things such as going out and forgetting where i was going, talking to someone and forgetting what i was talking about. Then it progressed to forgetting to lock the house when i went out and forgetting i was cooking, leaving the fryer on and going it. It is at the stage now where i am not allowed to cook unless there is someone with me or if i set an alarm to go off to remind me that im cooking. I live with this every day and it is part of my life now. My friends think its a big joke and when i forget something they say, "oh well, dont worry about it, my memory is bad too". That really fustrates me as i know that i have whats called brain fog and most people dismiss it as a poor memory, as something i forgot to do because i had my mind on other things. It's really fustrating trying to get people to understand that my memory problems can cause a serious accident to happen.

I attend a meeting each month with other sufferers of fibromyalgia and yes we can laugh about it with each other because we are all in the same boat, so to speak. We all understand that even after 6 years we may not remember the person's name whom you've sat next to all these years and that we may need reminding about what we were just talking about but people outside of this group do not understand that we do have brain fog and it can have serious dangers.

Thank you for letting me share my story with you and i hope that i am accepted here.
mand

 

[Brucie]

Hello mand and yes, of course we welcome you here.

What you have described is all new to me, and I really want to thank you for describing your situation.

I know some people are reluctant to describe their experiences when these are not Alzheimer's related, as they feel that Talking Point is just for alzheimer's matters.

I always tell them that posting publicly here is a really effective way to enable other people to learn more about something that may present itself very much like dementia.

We also have members who fear they may have dementia - who may be pleased to think that some of their memory problems might be due to a different condition.

I'm sure that other members will also be pleased that you have posted.

 

[dolly gee]

Hi Dolly,

Have you seen your doctor about your memory? Does your doctor know your family history.

Well i have had my test for my memory and was fine ,doctor thinks my problems are due to ageing god i am only 68.Butas i said my main concern was because of family history so thank you all for your kind words,i think by being involved with web may help a lot thank you dolly g

 

[Lynne]

Hello Mand & Dolly Gee,

My Partner has ME (chronic fatigue syndrome), which some medics seem to think the same as fibromyalgia, so I understand quite well what you are dealing with. As well as low energy and bodily fatigue, he too experiences the "brain fog" you mention (Excellent term!) which causes him sometimes to forget things which he KNOWS that he knows, making him feel/appear stupid when in fact he is highly intelligent and well educated. The frustration & irritation thus caused leads to more stress, more stress makes him more fatigued, and so on ... The proverbial vicious circle.
I'm pleased that you have found a 'Sufferers Support Group'; as you say, it makes a world of difference to be able to discuss - & laugh about - your circumstances with people who truly understand. I have gained & learned SO much from this on-line support group. Well-meaning friends make light of it to try to make you and themselves less embarrassed, not because they "think it's a big joke" - don't underestimate their care & affection for you, they are doing their best to make such moments less uncomfortable for ALL of you. Some of the humour expressed here on Talking Point can be pretty black at times, but we know what we mean. Sometimes a bit of dodgy humour is the alternative to tears, or dashing into the garage to have a good rant at the car!

Dolly Gee, I'm please to see that your memory test didn't show any obvious problem in that regard. I think the jury is still divided as to whether Alzheimer's or other forms of Dementia have family tendencies. I DO know that stress & worry can affect one's memory, as can problems with thyroid function (as mentioned by Lila). My Thyroid gland packed up about 10 years ago but it remained undiagnosed until I had a blood test for something completely different, looked at by a different doctor. Symptoms were forgetfulness , inability to concentrate which is not good when you're still trying to hold down a busy job, hair falling out , sudden weight gain (because underactive thyroid slows down your metabolism = you feel tired all the time, so don't feel like taking exercise). It might be worth checking with your Dr or his secretary whether your Thyroid function levels have been checked lately and - if not - ask nicely if you could have a blood test to eliminate that worry as well.

Best wishes to you both

 

[Margaret W]

Thyroid disorder

Oh Lila, that is interesting, I have a thyroid disorder, had part of it removed some years ago, but I have experienced very minor memory problems since then, I wonder if I should be worried.

Regards

Margaret

I know mine is caused partly by thyroid disorder.

Lila

 

[Margaret W]

Monkeyman, you are certainly accepted here. I know nothing about Fybromyalgia - tell us - but we are all tied up with memory problems. Hey, there was a new one on radio 4 this afternoon, some artist/photographer, who was able to paint people from photos, incredibly successful chap, but he could spend all day with a person in deep personal conversation, and then bump into them in the street the following day and not have a clue who they were. That is me!

Yep, keep in touch Monkeyman, we will do our best to help.

Margaret

 

[Margaret W]

Lynne,

I have three friends who have experienced ME, two have coped very well, fortunately, but one is permanently troubled. You have just reminded me to get in touch with her - she is someone I went to primary school with and met on Genes Reunited last year, but she hasn't replied for a while, so I am wondering if she is back in difficulties. Will do that tomorrow.

I think we'll help anyone on this site who needs help.

Keep asking.

Regards,

Margaret

 

[lesmisralbles]

You are not alone

My husband is having problems with his memory, but then so do I.
Don't we all, how many times do people say I went upstairs, when I got there I could not remember what I went up for. I had to come down to remember. By the way, that for me has been going on for years. And most of the people I have worked with have admitted to this happening to them, and they are ranging in ages from 25 +