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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2019 19:15:57 GMT
I have always had what I consider to be a poor long term memory. I don’t remember much about past experiences or details of situations. One example is that a few years ago dh was talking about the time we went to a prince concert. I have no recollection of being there at all, or the fact that I went to a prince concert.
The last year or two I have noticed that I have a harder time remembering words or peoples names. Names that I should know easily (friends, kids friends parents or siblings names, coworkers, etc). I mix words up often (an example could be “go put your clothes in the bed, I mean hamper.” I just don’t feel like my overall vocabulary or writings skills are what they used to be.
I don’t get lost, or forget to do things more often than I have in the past.
I’m curious how much of this is normal? Or is it concerning? I don’t have a family history of dementia, although I recently found out that my grandmother did have Parkinson’s. I don’t remember how she was in the years before she died.
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Post by mellowyellow on Jan 10, 2019 19:19:06 GMT
I had a hysterectomy at 35 and I swear my memory went to crap after that. I used to have the best memory and could remember every detail of things.....now not so much. With me, I think it might be hormonal. Could it be the same for you? It's very frustrating though!
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2019 19:20:52 GMT
I had a hysterectomy at 35 and I swear my memory went to crap after that. I used to have the best memory and could remember every detail of things.....now not so much. With me, I think it might be hormonal. Could it be the same for you? It's very frustrating though! I don’t think so. I’m 43, so not in menopause yet. Unless memory issues can start earlier due to perimenopuse? I don’t know if I am in that stage yet.
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Post by FuzzyMutt on Jan 10, 2019 19:34:03 GMT
I'm the same age as you are, and have always had a terrible long term memory. I don't really worry about it, it just makes me a bit sad sometimes that I don't have the rich memories everyone else seems to have. Just this past weekend we were with some friends. One of them had been in the military for 4 years, 30 years ago. I was in the military for 6 years, 20 years ago. She told a zillion detailed stories... I barely could recite the countries I was in. I remember sooooo little. I remember names, and a few things, but nowhere near like other people remember. I was in the National Guard for an additional 2 years, I really have like two memories from that time. I also remember very little about my childhood, bits and pieces. More facts and visual than details and stories. Maybe that's why scrapbooking has appealed to me so strongly? Ali did a What I want to remember page for her DD this year. Her motivation for doing that is exactly why I scrap book.
Anyway... I hope your current situation isn't something to be concerned about. I find myself doing similar things as well. Also, I find that I have a terrible time remembering things in the near future I should remember. For example, I got my guy tickets to a comedian that he likes. I know the show is Jan 12. Wednesday we were talking about it, and he mentioned we'd be staying overnight in passing (I knew that already.) For some reason I had it in my head the show was mid week this week (mind you the convo was taking place on Wed???) rather than on Saturday night. WTH?
Anyway, I can't help but think that the information overload we experience these days is contributing to these lapses. I will say there are times I literally have thought... I don't need to remember this, it's on the calendar. Hugs!
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,225
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Jan 10, 2019 19:35:44 GMT
Originally I was going to say not a big deal. I have one brother who we swear was not a part of our childhood. He cannot remember stuff me and my other brother remember. We joke about it all the time. But not remembering a concert you went to? How long ago was this? I don't know. That's a wee bit concerning to me.
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Gennifer
Drama Llama
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Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on Jan 10, 2019 19:40:04 GMT
I agree. I'm 41, and have started mixing up words, particularly if I'm multitasking and speaking while doing something else. Forgetting about a concert (and one like Prince, not a random live performer at a nightclub) seems like a much bigger issue.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 18, 2024 18:05:52 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2019 19:47:41 GMT
One example is that a few years ago dh was talking about the time we went to a prince concert. I have no recollection of being there at all, or the fact that I went to a prince concert. Not remembering details about the concert is normal. Not remembering having attended the concert at all is not normal. Are you sure it's not your DH who may be mistaken?
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2019 19:56:29 GMT
I'm the same age as you are, and have always had a terrible long term memory. I don't really worry about it, it just makes me a bit sad sometimes that I don't have the rich memories everyone else seems to have. Just this past weekend we were with some friends. One of them had been in the military for 4 years, 30 years ago. I was in the military for 6 years, 20 years ago. She told a zillion detailed stories... I barely could recite the countries I was in. I remember sooooo little. I remember names, and a few things, but nowhere near like other people remember. I was in the National Guard for an additional 2 years, I really have like two memories from that time. I also remember very little about my childhood, bits and pieces. More facts and visual than details and stories. Maybe that's why scrapbooking has appealed to me so strongly? Ali did a What I want to remember page for her DD this year. Her motivation for doing that is exactly why I scrap book. Anyway... I hope your current situation isn't something to be concerned about. I find myself doing similar things as well. Also, I find that I have a terrible time remembering things in the near future I should remember. For example, I got my guy tickets to a comedian that he likes. I know the show is Jan 12. Wednesday we were talking about it, and he mentioned we'd be staying overnight in passing (I knew that already.) For some reason I had it in my head the show was mid week this week (mind you the convo was taking place on Wed???) rather than on Saturday night. WTH? Anyway, I can't help but think that the information overload we experience these days is contributing to these lapses. I will say there are times I literally have thought... I don't need to remember this, it's on the calendar. Hugs! This is definitely like me. My husband can remember details about TV shows, music, people from his childhood. I only remember things (vaguely) that I have pictures of. I used to chalk it up to childhood memories fading more for some people, but then the concert situation happened, I don't remember much from my kids when they were younger, etc The concert was probably when I was 23 or 24. I am not surprised that I don't remember much of the concert itself, but even for me it was a little shocking that I had no recall of planning to go see Prince, being there, or any conversations after. When he started talking about it, my response was "We didn't go to a Prince concert!" DH was offended because apparently it was a big thing when we went. I do think that stress and having lots of info in my mind plays a part. I have just been getting more concerned with forgetting people's names and common words in sentences. This morning I couldn't remember my coworkers last name.
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Post by Linda on Jan 10, 2019 20:28:34 GMT
I don't know about normal but I can certainly relate. DH can remember actual conversations word for word from 25+ years ago (I know this because he brings them up to re-discuss - and I neither remember them nor desire to rehash them) and has an awesome memory for details.
Me? I'm glad that I scrapbook so there are layouts to refresh my memory, lol. The forgetting words/switching words - that's been happening to me also - my kids think it's funny, DH does too but I think he's also a little concerned.
I'm 48 fwiw and my memory has never been awesome - I've always struggled with memorising stuff and it's a long-time joke that if I don't write something down, I won't remember it.
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Post by mikklynn on Jan 10, 2019 21:10:47 GMT
Forgetting names is really common and not by itself concerning.
Not remembering a concert is unusual, I think.
The best description of normal forgetfulness vs. abnormal I heard was something like forgetting WHERE your keys are is normal. Forgetting WHAT your keys are is not normal.
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Post by cmpeter on Jan 10, 2019 21:15:45 GMT
I’ve been told that signs of dementia are forgetting how to do common everyday tasks (like tie your shoes or get back home) and not the long term memory issues like you are describing.
I’m choosing to believe that because I have some similar memory issues. :-)
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Post by peano on Jan 10, 2019 21:23:23 GMT
I too have poor long-term memory—in fact, I just remembered the other day about going to a concert back in my late teens/early 20s (I’m 60) that I had forgotten about. I’ve always chalked this up to PTSD from childhood abuse and fairly severe depression in my 20s-40s. Memory impairment, in particular, has been linked to depression.
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momto4kiddos
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Jun 26, 2014 11:45:15 GMT
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Post by momto4kiddos on Jan 10, 2019 21:29:02 GMT
I feel like I have terrible long term memory too. I feel like its been that way for a long time. It's weird, especially when my mother who is in her 70's can remember every detail of what seems like everything that has ever happened.
My kids make fun on me know if I say I haven't seen a show, movie or book. I'm famous for saying, no I never saw that movie (and I can be watching while saying it) and one of them will be like yes you did, we saw it together.
For me i'd be concerned if it were sudden or progressing.
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camcas
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Posts: 3,973
Jun 26, 2014 3:41:19 GMT
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Post by camcas on Jan 10, 2019 21:33:43 GMT
Memory issues can be exacerbated by lots of things-stress,illness,low thyroid,low iron,low B12 Maybe a checkup would put your mind at rest
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Post by kitkath on Jan 10, 2019 21:52:51 GMT
I have the exact same problem. I wish I had a better memory but I just don’t. I don’t know if it’s worse now that I’m older or not.
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scrappert
Prolific Pea
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Jul 11, 2014 21:20:09 GMT
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Post by scrappert on Jan 10, 2019 22:31:15 GMT
I am just like FuzzyMutt. And I just recently spent a couple of hours with college friends and I couldn't remember a lot of what they were talking about. It made me kind of sad. I know we had a great time in college, but specific details I can't remember. Whenever anyone starts a conversation with "remember when", I know my answer will most likely be no.
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tduby1
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Jun 27, 2014 18:32:45 GMT
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Post by tduby1 on Jan 10, 2019 22:34:47 GMT
I am 47. I have always loved words. Loved them. I know words. Lots of them. But recently I am unable to have a simple conversation without struggling to come up with the most mundane words. A conversation with me might sound a bit like this:
"I went to her house and walked up to her"... dead silence and confusion... "what is that thing? It is rectangle and you walk through it?"
I mean ok, I can remember the word door but it is words as mundane as that. And I have always been good with names and now I struggle with them. It is concerning to me. Recently, I, too, notice that my husband remembers more events and activities of the past than I do. I mean they sound vaguely familiar but I have to really struggle even to recall that much.
I have only been to a few concerts in my life though so not remembering a concert would freak me out. Not remembering a Prince concert would really freak me out, though.
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RedSquirrelUK
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Location: The UK's beautiful West Country
Aug 2, 2014 13:03:45 GMT
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Post by RedSquirrelUK on Jan 10, 2019 22:48:56 GMT
For me, peri-menopause began in my mid-40s with feeling that I wasn't as sharp mentally or as fast physically. My reflexes, memory, articulation all seemed to deteriorate, as well as my hearing (never very good), eye-sight and my sense of smell (both excellent until recently). My husband didn't notice anything and told me I was imagining it but I know I wasn't.
I worried at first, but his memory is behaving the same way. There are some shared experienced of which I have vivid memories, but he has forgotten happened at all, and vice versa.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 10, 2019 23:03:43 GMT
Thanks everyone. I’m not so worried anymore but will double check with the doctor at my next check up.
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Post by scrapmaven on Jan 10, 2019 23:09:58 GMT
Stress, fatigue, depression can cause some cognitive issues. If you're concerned make an appointment w/your doctor and discuss it w/him/her. FTR, diseases like Alz. usually start w/poor short term memory. The long term memory is often OK until the more moderate stages. That might not be true in all cases, but that was my understanding from the neurologists when my fil was going through it. FYI, if you were in the more moderate stages of dementia you wouldn't be posting so clearly here.
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georgiapea
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Jun 27, 2014 18:02:10 GMT
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Post by georgiapea on Jan 10, 2019 23:10:32 GMT
At 80, every time I can remember a word I think "Oh carp, the big A has got me". Or when I immediately forget I heard the dryer go off and leave the clothes to wrinkle. I'm not safe walking out of the kitchen while cooking. Good excuse to not cook! So far I've found my way home but never leave the house without the GPS, cause ya never know..... I recall a movie line where someone said "what are those things you put on your feet, before you put your shoes on"? Terrifying! But I have asked DH questions I felt were similar.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jan 10, 2019 23:12:08 GMT
Well, I have forgotten concerts. In my defense, it was a long time ago, and it was the 70’s. I wouldn’t worry too much if you are remembering current stuff. Sometimes something is not that important to you and you don’t recall. Now, I DO remember seeing Pink Floyd, but that was important to me. We have soooo many things to remember now! It can be daunting.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Jan 10, 2019 23:22:18 GMT
Not memory but dumbness. I can’t write a complex sentence. I also don’t have cohesive thoughts. They are random stupid thoughts a lot of the time. Depression has stolen that from me. My memory is good. Short-term is shot but long-term is in tack. I can remember lots of weird, interesting things from childhood. I know all the words to a complicated Levi’s jeans commercial from the 70s and that was a long time ago. Other stuff and I am lost.
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Post by luvmygirls on Jan 10, 2019 23:38:17 GMT
I feel like you are describing me to a T. For many years I’ve had memory loss and can’t think of words I want to use, words to describe something or I use the wrong words. I’ve seen a few doctors, a neurologist, a psychiatrist and I’ve had an MRI of my head. The diagnosis was depression and ADD. I take Adderall and it helps a lot, especially with my words. I have my husband for my memory...lol. Hope you get some answers.
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Post by femalebusiness on Jan 11, 2019 1:54:31 GMT
I went to a Steppenwolf and Three Dog Night concert and don't remember it at all. I wasn't drunk or stoned and everyone we went with remembers me there. That was many, many years ago but I didn't remember it a couple of years after we went. I have no memory of it.
I can read a book or see a movie and a month later see or read them again and it may seem vaguely familiar but I don't remember the ending and I enjoy it all over again.
If there are two actors about the same age, coloring and build in a movie I can't tell them apart. Their faces look the same to me unless there is something that really stands out about their face.
On the other hand I rarely lose anything because I always remember where I put things. I remember things I was told fifty years ago that no one else remembers. I can remember the birth and death dates for at least a hundred ancestors (I do genealogy). I've never missed a bill payment or appointment, ever. I can remember 50+ passwords and all of my bank account numbers from four different banks.
I think memory is fascinating and different memory strengths and weaknesses for individuals.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Jan 11, 2019 2:02:03 GMT
I was super sharp with details and then in my early 40's everything went to hell. I could remember remote details of everything I saw or read.
It has been so frustrating and sad for me to see my mind slip away.
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Post by berty on Jan 11, 2019 3:14:58 GMT
I was super sharp with details and then in my early 40's everything went to hell. I could remember remote details of everything I saw or read.
It has been so frustrating and sad for me to see my mind slip away. Me, too. I completely understand. My mind was the one semi-good part about me that I could feel some pride in. Not so much anymore.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jan 11, 2019 3:16:52 GMT
I was super sharp with details and then in my early 40's everything went to hell. I could remember remote details of everything I saw or read.
It has been so frustrating and sad for me to see my mind slip away. I'm sorry.
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Post by **Angie** on Jan 11, 2019 3:59:11 GMT
My neurologist told me once that it can be common for your brain to "choose" to delete memories that aren't revisited often.
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Post by SweetieBugs on Jan 11, 2019 4:12:07 GMT
I'm an accountant and found that I slowly lost the ability to do calculations in my head other than really simplistic addition/subtraction and basic multiplication. It got to the point where my boss was running circles around me doing computations in his head when we would sit and discuss the forecast/budgets.
I ended up retiring at only 52 because of my lack of confidence in my abilities. I went to my doctor when I was around 48 saying I thought I might have the start of Alzheimer or some other degenerative cognition problem. They gave me a really simplistic test consisting of various questions such as (1) do I know where I am? (2) do I know what month it is? (3) do I know how I got here? (4) are your knees in the bottom half or upper half of your body? Etc. At the beginning of the questions she told me 3 words: boy, ball and something else I can't remember now. At the end of the questions she asked me what the three words were that she told me. I was able to remember that just fine because I could tell I was going to need to remember them so I concentrated on them. I did fine on the test so she said I was fine. I sure didn't and still don't feel fine.
Part of my problem is that I've had insomnia for virtually my entire life. I've been unable to fall asleep or stay asleep without medication for the past 6 years now-every night no matter what. I sleep in only one to 3 hour blocks of time and I have a great deal of half-awake/half-asleep phases. It's been well documented that lack of sleep inhibits the minds ability to store memories. I don't know what I will be like in another 3 to 6 years.
I hope there is help for you where there may not be any help for me. It is a hard journey.
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