Alzheimer.

[MKG]

There isn't a cure (yet), Eddy, but there are a fair few damn good delayers. And as you're already an old fa*t, they should keep you going for a good while yet

On the other hand, identifying long-standing habits with the onset of Alzheimers can be misleading. I've done the "put it down and immediately lose it" thing since I was a kid - merely because I was already thinking about something else when I put it down. I've also done the repeat conversation thing quite often - that, I'm afraid, is down to the amount of red wine I'd had at the time. I've had the sudden blank place where the word I was looking for should have been for at least thirty years. Don't despair

And then there's ...

Where was I?

Mike

[Green Aura]

On the other hand, identifying long-standing habits with the onset of Alzheimers can be misleading. I've done the "put it down and immediately lose it" thing since I was a kid - merely because I was already thinking about something else when I put it down. I've also done the repeat conversation thing quite often - that, I'm afraid, is down to the amount of red wine I'd had at the time. I've had the sudden blank place where the word I was looking for should have been for at least thirty years. Don't despair

Are we related?

[pumpy]

Hi Eddy, a friend of mine is on medication for the same reason as yourself. However, because of the side-effects of the medication, his driving licence has been cancelled by DVLA, so be prepared. (sorry, i don't know what medication he's on but i can find out if you wish). Andrew.

[oldfella]

Thanks Pumpy,

I live in a remote area of France and I have a French Licence, and I am sure the local Lads have never heard about that rule, even if it is EU law. Still, thanks for the " heads up" and I will stick to the back roads, " as normal".

[Millymollymandy]

I totally forget words, very often half way through a sentence, which is as equally frustrating as it is embarrassing.

I do that!!!

[Millymollymandy]

And good luck Eddy, hope the medication will work and it's good to have had the tests done.

[MKG]

On the other hand, identifying long-standing habits with the onset of Alzheimers can be misleading. I've done the "put it down and immediately lose it" thing since I was a kid - merely because I was already thinking about something else when I put it down. I've also done the repeat conversation thing quite often - that, I'm afraid, is down to the amount of red wine I'd had at the time. I've had the sudden blank place where the word I was looking for should have been for at least thirty years. Don't despair

Are we related?

According to the "five degrees of separation" theory (or is it six? Or seven? ) then yes, we are. And so is everyone else. Call me an old romantic, but I've always found that a really comfortable concept,

Mike

EDIT: Oh bugger!!!! It really is six degrees of separation! I've had it

[Lilyfae]

Sorry to hear that eddy, but the more brain exercises you do the longer the deterioration can be put off in cooperation with medication

Out of interest my grandfather was diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's before he died in 1996,as his memory was severely limited and I was the only grandchild he recognised (and I'm the youngest girl) it was only when he had his autopsy that they found out it was neither diagnosis but he had been slowly starved of oxygen over the decades due to misdiagnosed emphysema (acute rather than moderate) so I would recommend people getting their lungs & oxygen exchange levels checked out in addition if they are worried about memory loss as efficient oxygenation of the brain is vital to functioning

Wishing you the best

[Andy Hamilton]

Gosh sounds like we are one big family!

Wishing you well mate.

[oldfella]

According to the "five degrees of separation" theory (or is it six? Or seven? ) then yes, we are. And so is everyone else. Call me an old romantic, but I've always found that a really comfortable concept,

Mike

EDIT: Oh bugger!!!! It really is six degrees of separation! I've had it [/quote]
Stuf fit

[JulieSherris]

Haha, Eddy, you'll be copping it from Boboff using all those smillies!

Anyhow...... I read this when you first posted & it's taken me all this time to answer you. Mainly because the scariest word in the english language to me, is Alzheimers. I'll happily chatter away about my death, how I want the family to deal with me after, what the others want in case they go before me, even how I'm going to go.
(According to little Leah who will inherit this house when we've gone, she will have to get a new bed because of all the blood when I die!! )

But every now & again, when one of the girls says something like 'or if you lose your marbles... etc etc... well, I clam up then. That's about the only thing that frightens the life out of me. I had my old nan living with us for the last 18 months of her life. My mum wouldn't have her in the 4 bedroom house (she was my stepdad's mum) - so I did in a 2 bed council flat with 2 babies of 8 weeks & 16 months when she first came. I wouldn't have done anything differently and I absolutely loved having her with me. But she was quite severe in the last 6 months and it was heartbreaking having to explain that granddad had died some 12 years beforehand every few days... and so on. Even now, it's still very painful & I'm sat with tears in my eyes just typing this and remembering it. Over the years, she was THE most important person to have ever come into my life & i feel blessed to have known her. (And funnily enough, even though I was 9 when I met her not ONCE did she forget who I was!)

I wish you every piece of good luck & best wishes for how this all pans out, Eddy. It's a complete bastard thing to happen xx

[Thomzo]

Thank you so much for sharing something so personal with us. I can't offer any advice except to keep coming to Ish. It's sure to give you all the mental exercise you need.

Zoe