So, a phoenix went to the Doctors.......

to jingl

Don't you just luuurve the way things go off at a tangent/divert from topic/add other aspects,/become inane ramblings- Ooops, that's me!

Some of you are as mad as a box of frogs, (in the nicest possible way!) some are serious, some contentious, some do the best sort of connected/rambling off point (that makes me think, Radio 4, Wednesday, around 9am ish, Libby Perves, Mid Week, very random group of guests, and listening to her trying desperately to make some sort of link between the speakers is sometimes hilarious, sometimes cringeworthy !)

Oh heck, if my brain scan patterns are anything like this post, I think I'm a lost cause!

I think the country has gone early onset Dementia mad. When you stop and think how much more we have to cope with than previous ageing generations it's amazing.

We have to remember a huge amount of numbers, passwords and so on. Learn skills for coping with mobile phones, Tablets, complicated TVs, cope with roads that are busier than they've ever been, do baby sitting which involves a lot of lifting heavy toddlers, getting baby seats into the back of cars etc.,

When my old mum did babysitting for me in the 70s and 80s in meant her sitting quietly with the newspaper eating a lunch I had prepared for her, while the children played around her on their best behaviour.

When we babysit most of us have to do everything the parents do, although personally my brain is often reeling and my back hurting.

Give us a break - early onset dementia maybe, it more likely to be body and brain fatigue from coping brilliantly in this crazy technological age.

Keep going my friends - we are doing a wonderful job.

Excellent post Falconbird! I agree totally.

annsixty That is immoral. So your GP presumably 'took the money and ran'. Surely politicians interfere too much in the NHS. I left my job with one of the big banks because of targets (yes PPI) and it is horrific to think that our doctors have targets. They can stop people doing a proper job.

Phoenix my memory is every bit as bad as yours sounds, I'd thought it was fairly normal for me though.

A few years ago I was on a course and in the break I was chatting to people I hadn't met before. The subject turned to dogs and I spoke about our lovely natured rescue dog, someone asked her name and I opened my mouth to answer..........and nothing came out! I'd absolutely no idea what her name was .
I was so embarrassed and annoyed with myself that I couldn't concentrate on anything else all afternoon. When it eventually came to me I blurted out to the group 'Corrie! Her name is Corrie'. Cue strange looks from those who hadn't been party to the original conversation.

Falconbird great post!!

I agree. I can remember my passwords, pin numbers (mostly) but not what I had for lunch yesterday - or names of people or places. I am often chatting to someone explaining what a lovely place we had been to but can't remember the name of the place/NT property etc.

Spot on, Falconbird

I'm just off to check that my shopping list is in my bag. When I get to the supermarket I'll probably forget it's in there.

Telling my friend about a book I was reading she asked me the title, blank brain "well what about the author" ? blank brain. This was a book I had just put down as she arrived at the door.

There's definitely a pattern emerging here

Now, I can remember the name of the author whose books I am reading at present - because I last read some of hers in the 1980s or 1990s.

Otherwise when DIL asks me what I am reading I have a complete blank.

Saw my friend today, whose BIL was diagnosed with early onset dementia last year, and one consequence is that the results are passed on to DVLA, and you have to have an annual driving test (if you drive.)

I'm horrified at the thought that there is anyone driving with early onset dementia never mind annual driving tests.

I was amazed to learn that you can drive with dementia, might explain some of those wrong way down the motorway incidents.

I was horrified to hear from a friend, whose husband was diagnosed a couple of years ago, that he is still driving . She says his driving is excellent, but she has to accompany him because he would get lost. She is a nervous driver and I think she is avoiding having to take it on!

Yes they can still drive if their GP and the Psychiatrist says they can. DH's Psychiatrist told me I was the one to decide and I decided ,no, and I stopped him driving. This has made our life difficult as I no longer drive. I think they should all be tested by a driving professional, how can a Dr judge by talking to them? They can't of course.

I shall refuse to take any sort of dementia test as I am sure I will fail. I couldn't possibly say the alphabet backwards or much else come to that my brain doesn't work like that. But I do know occasionally what day it is and who is the PM is so I am quite content with my life as it is.

I do however like other GNs draw a complete blank at times - WHY IS THAT!!!!????

I couldn't possibly recite the alphabet backwards and can't see the point to be honest. I also don't think many people could unless they were given a piece of paper. It's a ludicrous test and proves nothing.

I do forget things occasionally but that's part of the aging process and all my friends are the same.

As I posted earlier early onset dementia is becoming the latest craze. My mum had a dementia and the signs are very clear.

For example she said that my dog had ants instead of fleas and didn't notice her mistake. She put cornflakes on a plate and couldn't remember the names of everyday things such as bread or glasses or her telephone number.

That was a cause for concern not being able to complete daft tests isn't.

How very true your observations are Falconbird the initial questions are meaningless on their own. It is the behavioural changes which are the first real signs that something is wrong and these are usually noticed by those closest to the "sufferer".

Behaviour is the key, you are so right Falconbird. I think, though, it is worth remembering that people of all ages have memory slips, do daft things unthinkingly. I've lost count of the number of times I've said to people half my age, "Oh that is so reassuring to see you do that, so it's not just an age thing!".
It is so easy, when we forget things in our later years, to worry that it's the dreaded dementia creeping up on us. Just as, in my 30's I would have a headache, take a pill or go for a walk, and think no more about it. Now, in my 60's, when I get a headache I start to worry that it's something more sinister. I think we are all guilty of overthinking these things.
I remember once getting in the shower with my knickers on. I was in my early 40's. I thought it was hilarious, no frightening undertones at all.

When I got into the shower (twice) with my glasses on, it never occurred to me that it was more than my usual absent-mindedness. I wouldn't be surprised or worried if it happened again.

I have been in the shower with my bra on more times than I care to remember and always when I came off the badminton court. Exercise seems to switch my brain off.

I don't think it is just us oldies, either. Years ago I was on holiday with a group of young friends when one of the lads jumped in the pool wearing his sun glasses and smoking a cigarette! He acted cool but, boy, was his face red as he clambered out of the water with a soggy fag dripping from his mouth!

PS Yes - a fag. This was a LONG time ago!

Yesterday I had a conversation with a man I haven't seen for a while and asked him how his sons were getting on (he has four). I taught one of them for three years and although I could remember the names of the other three - and I hardly know them, I couldn't remember the name of the lad I used to see three times a week. I dodged around it until he mentioned his son's name. Thank goodness it was familiar. [phew]