Re: Wondering

On Aug 4, 3:52 pm, Nahanton <Nahan...@comcast.net> wrote:
> On 2008-08-04 13:00:53 -0400, Juniper <juni...@juniper.asarian-intl.org>
said:
>
>
>
> > In article <2008080323295916807-Nahanton@comcastnet>,
> >  Nahanton <Nahan...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> >> I have an appointment to see my pdoc on Tuesday.  I want to talk to him
> >> about word retrieval, short term memory problems and just memory in
> >> general.  I saw a program on PBS tonight about Alzheimers.  My f*ther
> >> died about 30 years ago, before they started to use the word
> >> Alzheimers.  They called it senile dementia.  There's a 1/3 greater
> >> chance of getting it if it's in your family.  One of the cognitive
> >> tests they used was:  They gave a woman 3 simple words to remember and
> >> then started to talk about something else.  After a few minutes, they
> >> asked her if she remembered any of the words.  She didn't.  Neither did
> >> I.
>
> >> What I would like to know is:  I know that anxiety (which I'm filled
> >> with) can cause loss of memory.  I'm also at an age where I and the ppl
> >> I know get 'senior moments'.  Or, I wonder if the meds that I've been
> >> taken has contributed to this loss.  It's getting to a point where I'm
> >> embarrassed to go out with ppl because I won't be able to express
> >> myself (that could be anxiety)  I don't really know.
>
> >> Does anyone know anything definitive enough to give me some answers?
> >> I'd really appreciate it.
>
> > I know that I have problems, too.  Some of them are from my
> > antidepressant meds, I know.  SSRIs are notorious for causing word
> > retrieval problems.  Hormonal changes as I approach menopause can also
> > mess with this stuff.  "Meno-fog" is a term coined by some.  It is
said
> > to pass once one gets into real menopause.  And, as you say, anxiety can
> > clog up one's mental quickness as well.  The endocrine system, if off
> > balance, can produce symptoms that look like they originate in the
> > brain.  I was reading about this somewhere within the past 24 hours.
> > You might want to check in with an endocrinologist or have your PCP
> > order some blood work, just to check.
>
> I just started to think about the anti-depressants being some of the
> cause of my memory problems.
> I've been on some sort for probably 20 years.  Started with tricyclics,
> then MAO's, then SSRIs came out,
> now I'm on a SNRI.  I'm way passed menopause now.  Almost can't
> 'remember' when I went through it :-)
>
>
>
> > Your f*ther might not have had Alzheimers.  Senile dementia is not
> > necessarily Alzheimers.  There are lots of different kinds:  some from
> > insufficient oxygen getting to the brain (my f*ther had that kind from
> > heart valve problems), some from being overmedicated, plus some others.
> > So it wasn't necessarily Alzheimers.
>
> Yes.  I do know this.  I don't know what form of dementia he had.  This
> was before they used the word "Alzheimers"
>
>
>
> > I know that for myself I can't get up in front of a microphone without a
> > script, because some simple word is going to desert me if I depend on my
> > ability to pull it up in the moment.  I'm liable to pull up a word that
> > sounds a bit like the one I want or is stored next to it.  It's just
> > something that goes along with my age and my meds.  This is why I prefer
> > written communication to spoken.
>
> What you're describing is, I think, social anxiety.  You're brave.  I
> wouldn't even _try_ to stand in front of a microphone.
> You'd find me hiding under a seat somewhere.  I, too prefer written
> communication.  Another reason I prefer not to speak
> on the phone too.
>
>
>
> > I know that relaxing about things isn't your long suit right now, but I
> > encourage you to try to give yourself permission to not obsess about
> > this.  :-)
>
> Thanks, Juniper.  I was once told that given enough time, I could
> figure out how I started WW2.  I haven't tried it because I probably
> could.
>
> Nahanton
>
>
>
> > Juniper, 55

hi Nahanton. only just saw this thread. fwiw i am 55 and have noticed
a distinct problem with word retrieval in the last couple years. some
days it isn't a problem, some days i am almost mute with an inability
to say what my mind is picturing. i have stressed a lot about it cause
of the mother being in second stage dementia (tho at 86 that's not a
shocker. she's also on a slew of drugs to be alive so who knows what
that does to her. also she has always been very dissy. undiagnosed but
clearly diss. so...) and i see myself going there in the future. so i
do understand how creepy and scary it is to think your mind is fading
out.

i've sort of come to some reckoning that i am having stress, dissing,
post-meno, drug aggravated mind fogs. don't like it any better than i
did before i reached this many faceted conclusion but i am less
freaked out. also realizing that doing stuff like crossword puzzles
and taking long walks with doggle are things that will help, even if
only a little bit.

all evidence is that using the thinking for puzzles like crosswords
(or whatever kind you might enjoy) and keeping body moving help stave
off deterioration.

asking the pdoc would be informative vis a vis any meds side effects,
but if you are really worried that something worse is happening i
think you should see your regular doc for a referral to a specialist
so you can get some peace of mind and help with how to rectify any
deficits you feel are occurring.  just my opinion but worrying is the
worst course of action for helping ease anything.

betsy
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