I've been wondering about my mental faculties lately. I've always had a facility to remember numbers; telephone numbers are very easy for me, and I don't often need to look up a number more than once or twice, even if I don't call it very often. The other day I went to the Food Co-op and usually give the five-digit account number to the cashier, but I simply couldn't remember it. I was disconcerted, so she looked it up for me and for the past week it is there in my memory banks. At the bird store a few days ago, I was telling a story about seeing a hawk come right up to the porch where I was standing, while I was outside. I said, "it landed on the..." What? She looked at me and I had a complete blank, and I said, "you know, the thing that keeps you from falling off the porch." "You mean the railing?" Yes! Of course, the railing. Another uncomfortable moment, which passed, and I have THAT word right on the tip of my tongue now. But where was it at the time? What is happening to my prized possession, my memory?
Years ago I was worried about the fact that I was forgetting things, and when I went to my regular doctor for a checkup, I mentioned my concern to her. She ended up giving me a test. When I read the novel about early-onset Alzheimer's, "Still Alice," I wrote a post about recognizing the test she gave me as being the same one that Alice was given that confirmed her diagnosis. Although I made a few mistakes, I was reassured that the memory loss I was experiencing was normal.
It does seem progressive, however. What causes those little brain farts that come increasingly more frequently? Do you have them, too? I know that I am doing all the right things to keep myself from becoming more disabled by memory lapses than I already am, but it is so worrisome that I'll ask my new doctor if he will give me the test and let me know if I'm okay or not. What do you do if you find out you have developed a "condition"? Sigh. I hope I don't find out. In the meantime, I'll continue to exercise both my body AND my mind.
On another matter, tomorrow I'll be watching the Oscars and hoping my favorites will win at least a few awards. I'll go to bed having been saturated with beautiful gowns and jewels, and hopefully won't be too awfully bored. Sometimes I just wait until the next day so I am not tied down by three hours of rather dull reality TV. Bet some of YOU will be watching, too.
:-)
Your memory lapse seems like mine...annoying. When writing I sometimes have to stop to get the right word I want. I'm not sure how accurate the tests are.
ReplyDeleteWhat you're doing is right...keep active and positive.
A doctor diagnosed my father-in-law's memory loss as ALCOHOL INDUCED SENILITY. It was progressive until he failed to recognize his own children. So lay off the alcohol and drink caffeine instead.
ReplyDeleteI think most of us have those lapses where we feel the word is on the tip of our tongue but just can't bring it forth. I've had what you're talking about at times, like when I start a new med or am under a lot of stress but for the most part my memory doesn't suffer.
ReplyDeleteI also believe in destiny and actually, predetermination. Not sure if there is a difference.
I think aging effects us all differently. Although my memory seems to be fine, I do get more irritated amongst people. Every so often I have myself do the counting backwards by 7's, just to see. :)
Twice lately, in conversation, I've forgotten the name of my apartment complex. It's bad when you don't remember where you live. I suspect you're fine. We're just getting older. I'm not sure if I would trust the test. You don't appear senile to me.
ReplyDeletei do hope all is fine with your faculties, but i do believe it is good to check with the doctor. better to be prepared if something is happening, but probably just normal.
ReplyDeleteSorry, it's me back for seconds. If you could not think of what the railing was or was for then maybe an indication of dementia. Just to not think of the word..no problem.
ReplyDeleteA young fellow wanted a tattoo on his ankle of the Chinese character for peace. He bargained a great deal and finally agreed on a price etc. Later someone asked him why he had a tattoo the meant "cheap." So the tattoo artist got back at him.
Oh I've had those brain farts/lapses and I'm only 51. Like Red says, it's only serious if you forget what the thing is used for. I find I have more pauses in my sentences as I hesitate before the right word comes out. Frustrating. I try not to worry about it...I read Still Alice too. Disconcerting.
ReplyDeleteMy mom has a bit of dementia and now my dad is appearing to have signs too. I'm definitely worried about what's ahead for them (and for me, the only child who will be involved in caregiving).
You are doing everything you can to be healthy - eating right and exercising your body and brain. Just keep it up! (and check your vitamin B absorption etc).
i read still alice as well...tough book...i hope that it is just a few of those brain farts...um...i have those occassionally too...
ReplyDeleteIt all has top do with neurons and synapses..very confusing sometimes. Far Guy takes a medication that slows the neurons from firing or misfiring across the synapses..it slows the pain signal that goes along with his TN. The result is lost words..and lost names. He knows everyone ..and everything just not the name. It is very frustrating. He worries about alzheimers too..so he plays hidden object puzzle games.
ReplyDeleteKeep track of what happens and when time of day etc..perhaps you will notice a pattern. AND yes mention it to your Doc:)
No advice here. Since my accident, I have short term memory problems. I'm not going to stress out about it. I think when we are tired and distracted, we have these problems more often. Stress will really hinder the memory. I think it is when you no longer worry about your memory that you have problems.
ReplyDeleteYes, and yes, and yes!
ReplyDeleteYes, I lose words all of the time now. I am especially bad on remembering the names of anything; people, book, movies. I also am very thankful for spell check on blogger, because I don't seem to be able to spell very well anymore.
Yes, I try to exercise my rain and my body, and I am concerned about it.
And yes, I will be watching the Academy Awards tomorrow. I'll probably have my net book on my lap, checking facebook, email and blogs, because watching the Oscars doesn't use the whole brain. ;-)
A scary place to be. MS does unfortunately mean that I loose words. It is intensely frustrating - which only makes it worse. I rely on mime (which is difficult on the phone) or running through synonyms. Which gives the person I am talking to a brain work out as well.
ReplyDeleteAsk your doctor for the test, just to set your mind at ease. If ever there was an advertisement for a healthy mind in a healthy body it is you. Perhaps a tired mind?
I'd ask my mother about that kanji which might have a similar meaning in Japanese. However, I do have a friend who taught Chinese at the university so I'll send her your kanji to ask her for the meaning.
ReplyDeleteUmmm... and about the memory lapses. I'm the worst and it scares me silly.
ReplyDeleteIt just occurred to me that the person I know takes a long time to answer e-mails so I just asked my mother. She says that the meaning should be the same in Chinese and Japanese and that the kanji is 'en." It means connection or relationship.
ReplyDeleteI'll see if my friend, Shirley checks her e-mail in the coming days.
Ask purelandmountain.com he will know what it means :}
ReplyDeleteI swear...I thought Bud was the only one that used the expression "Brain Farts"...now I know differently [kidding]...Oh Jan....I wouldn't be that concerned about your memory. It's just that sometimes there is way too much ON THE MIND that little parts of the common day just slip out and return without much notice. I wouldn't fret. I agree with your doctor - it's normal. But then again, I've been wrong before. Still...I think you shouldn't worry much. [as I type, I'm reading gighawaii's comment just to the left and laughing...I know she was probably serious as she typed, but it made me laugh anyway. Maybe caffeine is the 'cure all'.] Okay, 'nough silliness, memory lapses are normal. It's not something that happens 24 hours a day with you...so it just has to be normal.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, brain farts happen occasionally. I accept it as part of life and am grateful I am able to live alone, take care of myself without burning down the house, and drive myself where I want to go. What more could I ask for? I will say that my mother who will be 91 in July is sharp as a tack and she has done crossword puzzles all her life. Maybe that is my failing; I have not done crossword puzzles, I found them too brain taxing!!!
ReplyDeleteI think everybody has experienced these moments. In some people its just the way they are and its the way they have always been. I think in this day and age we are all overwhelmed by facts and figures and our "CACHE" gets full......and where do we empty it???
ReplyDeleteThink about it, passwords, code words, bank numbers, phone numbers, cell numbers, the information we are bombarded with on a daily basis. I think as we age we spend more of our brain power pondering the larger questions of life and paying less attention to other small obsecure details, such as your railing and bank account number. ha,ha
The other day I went into the bedroom to get something and by the time I got there, I couldn't remember why I had come into the bedroom, so I went back to the front room, sat down at my computer and still didn't remember why I had gone to the bedroom - even tried to trace my memory back??. About 8 minutes later I remembered, so I repeated it in my mind - on the way back to the bedroom.
All funning aside, sometimes memory loss can be associated with stress,distraction or perhaps a medical problem. We observe ourselves over the years as we grow older, and aging affects us all differently - whether it is searching harder for "that word", or temorary loss of a word, even though it is right there.
I try to keep active, physically and mentally and figure its doing a good job to keep me alert and yet still on the odd ocassion its most annoying when I forget something very simple that I should know. Just happens, but good to get checked and know everything is OK. Take care DJan
I'll be watching the Oscars with you, and enjoying your virtual company as I do.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with memory issues more and more. Sometimes a number absolutely refused to present itself, or I'll be driving somewhere and have to refocus on where I'm going and how I'll get there. I hope you find it's just a normal part of getting older.
You know that Chinese character made me think of you and your hiking. You're right about the feeling of movement, and I think it fits you so well, whatever the Chinese meaning.
As my friend says and I can attest to- it's the nouns that go first! Bottom line- don't worry when you forget where your key is, worry when you forget what a key is for. Maybe it's part of clearing our minds to attend to what's really important. That's what makes us wise.
ReplyDeleteFor me, it's words. It's at the tip of my tongue and just won't drop into the real world. I have decided not to obssess about it.
ReplyDeleteI think those lapses are normal enough. I find they hit me in clusters sometimes. Silly everyday words escape me occasionally over the course of a day or two and then things get back to normal. So far, I'm not worrying about it. I don't think you should, either.
ReplyDeleteI first learned about brain farts when I had a big fibromyalgia flareup about 25 years ago. People called it "fibrofog." I learned to manage my symptoms, and the fog mostly lifted. Now I struggle for spoken words when I've been writing a lot, or when I'm stressed. It's normal.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, there are those moments when the right word just refuses to come to mind. That's been happening to me for years. I'm still pretty good when it comes to remembering numbers but not as good as I used to be. I think a lot of it is tied to the electronics we use. I no longer have to remember phone numbers because they are all stored in my cell phone.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Anni, we have so much on our minds that forgetting little things is normal. I wouldn't worry too much about it, you are healthy and happy so enjoy.
Sounds familiar to me...:)
ReplyDeleteSomewhere I read recently if you ask you doctor about Alzheimers your likely ok. If you don't think you have a problem... watch out.
I hope it is just a brain fart DJan. It does happen to the best of us.
ReplyDeleteI hope it is just a brain fart DJan. It does happen to the best of us.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jan, here you go with the worrying again. :-) At only 43, I have those brain farts a LOT -- a lot more since becoming a mom. It's the most frustrating when I'm speaking during a meeting at work! I had so many over the course of a couple of days that I mentioned it to my acupuncturist, and she gave me a particular B-vitamin to kick me out of it. I don't know if it was the vitamin or time, but I quickly returned to my normal once a week brain fart. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi again,
ReplyDeleteMy friend Shirley just wrote about your kanji and here's what she said:
"ç·£＂＂YUAN" means affinity; the fate by which people are brought together.
Just like us, millions of people we know each other due to "YUAN" .
Bottom two lines ;
1. Those destined to be met to each other due to "affinity or fate"
2. Without "affinity or fate" even they meet, they still don't know each other.
It is very difficult to express "Yuan"'s true meaning in English . Fate and Destiny seem the same meaning but Fate more or less connected from previous life (my thinking). What do you think?
I suffer these short term memory lapses daily! I thought everyone did! (Ha ha) Especially the ones where I can't recall the word I need like "notebook" "reading journal" etc while I'm teaching. It's exasperating, but usually we laugh about it. It doesn't always help that the kids are "helping" me by trying to guess what I want to say! Sometimes I get totally away from the subject at hand. I also will periodically forget my code for the copy machine. It's my employee number and I've known it for YEARS! I'll just sometimes stand in front of the machine and draw a blank!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read "Still Alice" yet, but someone just recommended it last week so it's on my library list of holds.
I think you're perfectly normal, DJan, honest!
Dear DJan,
ReplyDeleteI didn't watch the Oscars. Forgot to! And so it goes, the mind can't hold on to words or happenings--nouns mostly. I say it's because there's so much up there in my brain after 75 years that things are crowded together. And who can find something in a cluttered attic.
I never knew there was a test for Alzheimer's. I find myself wanting to take it and yet resisting. Like you, I try to branch my dendrites. But is that enough?
Peace.
LOL@brain farts. Yes, I have had them on occasion the past couple years where I am suddenly missing a word I have known all my life--like you and the railing. It's kind of scary when you can't retrieve words you've always known like the back of your hand. They say it's a normal thing...but that doesn't make it feel any better. I've been writing in some form or another since I was nine years old. Creepy, I tell you. I am empathize!
ReplyDeleteI wonder about gigihawaii's comment considering my own past...After I pulled the major stupid that was my rock bottom one of the first things I noticed (aside from the fact that it was not, in fact, normal to awaken every morning feeling like complete ass) was that my words were gone. I'd always had a diverse vocabulary but suddenly the words weren't there; I'd struggle to find something similar to express myself. I figured it's part of the damage done, and I've accustomed myself to the need for a thesaurus.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has an amazing memory, but my father pointed out that she doesn't have much else in her bucket just yet so it's a bit easier for her to recall things than it is for us.