<p>How is your gait?
<a href=“Alzheimer's Disease: What Your Walking Gait Says About Your Risk | TIME.com”>http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/16/what-does-your-walking-speed-say-about-your-alzheimers-risk/</a></p>
<p>are you taking any sleep-aids? There is a popular sleep-aid that does affect memory.</p>
<p>Dad<em>of</em>3, I had similar frustration with forgetting things, and mentioned it to my doctor at my regular checkup. She recommended having my vitamin B12 levels checked via simple blood screen. I was totally deficient in vitamin B12, almost none. Doctor recommended B12 supplements. Began to take higher level of B12 daily for two months, then adjusted to daily maintenance level. Noticed a marked improvement in memory, speed of thinking, and general clearer thinking. B12 is vital in memory and cognition. B12 is water soluble, so one has to take it routinely.</p>
<p>(side note - I complained, at the same visit, of very achy bones (I’m too young for achy bones), and the doctor also recommended to have vitamin D3 levels checked at the same time. I was similarly deficient, again almost none. At her recommendation, then also began D3 at the same time, and felt better in my achy bones.)</p>
<p>You may want to get the vitamin B12 and D3 tests with your regular blood work when you go see your doctor. I would make sure you got the test before supplementing on one’s own, because it was a great relief to me to see that there was a real reason I was forgetful: The numbers were so low. My doctor also checks it annually now. </p>
<p>Discovering this and getting the right vitamins made a significant difference in how I felt. I am grateful to my wise and insightful doctor!</p>
<p>Good luck with everything!</p>
<p>Dad<em>of</em>3, I have similar problems, usually delays, in retrieving older information, like the name of someone I haven’t thought of for a while. I also have occasional problems with word retrieval. The strangest thing, though, is a loss of a particular kind of spelling ability. I was always a great speller. Around the time of menopause, I started to have a problem spelling words that might have a double letter, for example, occurrence - does it have two "c"s or on? two "r"s or one? I constantly google words like that to check the spelling. In my younger days I would have known. I’ve had no problems spelling except for this one.</p>
<p>I happened to be talking to a neurologist once, and he told me that if there are only memory problems (like forgetting a phone number), then it isn’t necessarily worrisome. If there is a loss of executive function (like not knowing how to look up a forgotten phone number) then it is worrisome.</p>
<p>I think that we all gradually change our ways to compensate for losses in mental acuity. I never had to keep a calendar, I could remember everything. These days, I have to enter everything into a calendar or I’m lost.</p>
<p>I had surgery a few years ago and awoke from anesthesia to have lost some memory function. I used to do my office notes a certain way (as in take very few), since surgery I have to make much more complete notes. I still remember the person and the info once I read the file, but I used to recall everything about the case when I heard their name or voice. It’s the same with things I think of during the day and need to do later. When I am on a walk, now I text notes to my computer or else I may not recall the items I wanted to do. Oh, I will recall them, but not at a time when i can do anything about it.</p>
<p>Now I wonder, if I used to have a certain technique and spent 50 years relying on that method, but now have lost that special ability, how long will it take me to relearn a more normal style of remembering things? It’s very frustrating and yet I don’t think it is serious, no doctors were impressed when I mentioned it post-op. I suppose it is something that would have eventually happened as an old lady so the bright side is that I can work on new techniques now when I am theoretically able to learn!</p>
<p>Many of the things I was taking for pain & sleep negatively affect brain function.
Benadryl, Im looking at you.
<a href=“http://womensbrainhealth.org/thinktank/10-drugs-that-may-cause-memory-loss/”>http://womensbrainhealth.org/thinktank/10-drugs-that-may-cause-memory-loss/</a>
Its slowly improving.
<a href=“http://www.brainhealth.utdallas.edu/blog_page/study-finds-aerobic-exercise-improves-memory-brain-function-and-physical-fi”>http://www.brainhealth.utdallas.edu/blog_page/study-finds-aerobic-exercise-improves-memory-brain-function-and-physical-fi</a></p>
<p>I am 71. I have been reaching for specific words since my 50s. My job requires me to take lots of notes and I deal with extensive written records so I have little difficulty in actually doing my job. OTOH, it is somewhat embarrassing when you cannot remember the names of colleagues you have been working with for 10 years. As to remembering my own name, I keep my nameplate on my desk turned towards me just in case. </p>
<p>I had one of those perfect memory brains. I remember being in my crib at 8 months. So…have a bit of chemo brain…and a few other yuckies that I don’t need to discuss. Mr. Ellebud has had a lousy memory for the little things of life…lI have never been good at names…now I know more people than before. I stall until I know…I panic when I have to order food at a restaurant… I usually get it right. But Mr. Ellebud and I wait to help each other out. I am doing brain teasers, he is still working quite effectively… </p>
<p>Do have things checked out. A close friend of mine is very concerned about Alzheimer’s as her showed signs starting about now. There are some things that may forestall some symptoms or even the condition; how well they work, I don’t know but if this is concern, it’s good to start doing the research while you can.</p>
<p>I keep a notebook with me and a journal, just an email one because I do find myself not knowing whens and wheres and whos. I used to be very good about these things.</p>
<p>i am finding, too, that I forget names, another thing that I was very good about. I also see familiar faces that are not. All normal, but disconcerting to me, as I once was very, very good at these things. Yes, my mental acuity is not as sharp or quick as it used to be, but I think some of reasoning has improved depth wise with age and wisdom. At least I hope so.</p>
<p>You certainly should have it checked out, but I suspect it may not be anything but the overfull hard drive syndrome. At 54, I am experiencing some of that … but I find that I can often access the info eventually. That makes me feel better!</p>
<p>I lived through the changes in my mom when she developed dementia, and it was much stranger than just not being able to remember names or random info. Not that any two cases are the same, so I would never offer medical advice … but I would guess you can be optimistic about your visit to the doctor.</p>
<p>Just saw this list of " normal and abnormal" memory
If this doesn’t link to the correct page, scroll through to the last page.
It’s a very concise list. ( isn’t just applicable for women)
10 signs of dementia---- last page
<a href=“http://womensbrainhealth.org/mind_over_matter_magazine/HTML5/index.html”>http://womensbrainhealth.org/mind_over_matter_magazine/HTML5/index.html</a></p>
<p>It is reassuring to at least have a list. Fortunately, most of these behaviors aren’t currently being exhibited by those near and dear, but there are a few that are somewhat troubling. Thanks for the list, NJ!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>To elaborate on this post, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine mediates memory, and most of the Alzheimer’s medications work by boosting acetylcholine levels (by inhibiting its breakdown.) It slows down the symptoms but not the progression of the disease. Alzheimer’s drugs in this class include Donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and tacrine.</p>
<p>There is another Alzheimer’s drug, memantine, which inhibits damage to neurons caused by another neurotransmitter, so this might actually be worth taking early. </p>
<p>Cardiovascular exercise and a regular and full sleep schedule are also important to brain function.</p>
<p>Try the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE):
<a href=“SAGE - Memory Disorders | Ohio State Medical Center”>http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/alzheimers/sage-test/Pages/index.aspx</a></p>
<p>But the SAGE test doesn’t come with an answer key.</p>
<p>I could have answered yes to a number of the questions in the 21-question test (Mind Over Matter magazine link) for my mom when she was alive. That is a really good list of questions.</p>
<p>In less than a week, I’ll be on the same side of 60 you are. 
I’ve been experiencing the same symptoms of forgetfulness that you list…for years. I notice a correlation with stress, so sometimes my forgetfulness is more pronounced than other times. All my female friends talk about this occurring in their lives, especially after menopause. I’m surprised at all the suggestions to have this checked out by a doctor.</p>
<p>My friend’s husband had Alzheimer’s. The first time she became alarmed was when he couldn’t find his way to the movie theater. Forgetting someone’s name- no problem. Getting lost= a problem.</p>
<p>I never had a good one. And I have lost whatever little I had. It is a good relief. More brain power for analysis. It does not affect my work and if you want to learn another language - Rosetta Stone does NOT require ANY memory at all, fully enjoying it, one of my hobbies. So, why do we need memory expecially in the age of computers? Anything, including very detailed technical information for my work, I can just Google. And sleep, no such thing for me either, and I do not miss it at all. I used to sleep for about 5 hrs (in a past 20 years), now it is only 3 -4 hrs. Great advantage - I have several hobbies, very time consuming that I can pursue after work (full time) and after gym (exercising for about 2 -3 hours every day, including vacations). One profession is very memory based though is medicine, but I am not there.
Why to be concerned with something that is not an issue? And no one can force yourself to sleep longer especially if they feel just fine with their short sleep. </p>
<p>My mom is 76 and has been forgetting things. She’s had a few checks bounce, which is not like her. But she took a memory test at the doctor’s office and scored 100%. I’m still worried about her.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your suggestions. I didn’t forget this thread 
Just came back after picking up D2 after her sophomore year. I’ll look at the SAGE test this weekend. To answer some of the questions earlier - no, I haven’t started any new meds recently, and habits such as sleep hours/stress hasn’t changed significantly. </p>