Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

wnylib

(25,183 posts)
38. My father had dementia in his last few years.
Tue Jun 6, 2023, 05:48 PM
Jun 2023

He lived to age 86. I got info on his mental diagnosis 2nd hand from my brother who lived near my parents when they moved to Florida (I'm in NY), so I'm not sure if it was dementia or Alzheimer's.

So I worried when 12 years ago I developed noticeable memory problems. My doctor kept writing it off as normal aging but I knew it wasn't because 1) I forgot functions, like the time I couldn't remember how to use my phone to call someone, and 2) I had physical symptoms like lights dimming and then going back to normal.

I thought it was TIAs but the doctor laughed that off instead of doing testing. When I lost a job due to a memory lapse, I demanded that my doctor find out the cause. He sent me to a neurologist. The neurologist discovered that I had a severe vitamin D deficiency, that my BP medicine was not controlling my BP well enough, and that the dosage for my hypothyroid medicine was not correct. (Hypothyroidism can cause forgetfulness.) A brain MRI confirmed that I'd had a series of TIAs.

So the neurogist put me on a megadose of vitamin D and recommended to my primary care doctor that he change my BP med and the dosage of the thyroid med. Since then no more dizzy spells, no more lights dimming and coming back on for me, no more forgetting functions. I take a daily maintenance dose of vitamin D and keep my BP under control with a more effective med.

I do have occasional memory lapses, like remembering names. Sometimes, but not often, I forget a specific word that I want to use, but if I pause and relax, it comes to me. I don't know if that's due to an age related decline in memory, or if the TIAs (mini strokes) damaged some neural pathways. My brain seems able to overcome the lapses when I pause and relax. Maybe the brain is compensating by finding another pathway connection to my word memory.

Oh, I also changed my primary care doctor since the problem had continued needlessly for 2 years before he took it seriously enough to refer me to someone, and then only because I angrily demanded it.





Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

Bravo! You're doing what you need to do, to take care of yourself. CaliforniaPeggy Jun 2023 #1
Thanks for posting. Haggard Celine Jun 2023 #2
about leaving the room and not remembering why NJCher Jun 2023 #15
if u turn around, you'll remember. mopinko Jun 2023 #20
yeah, another thing is to anticipate the doorway NJCher Jun 2023 #22
I used something sinmilar to this to help me stop smoking. Gore1FL Jun 2023 #34
Thanks for posting this. Haggard Celine Jun 2023 #21
I am terrified of dementia or Alzheimer's NJCher Jun 2023 #23
i gotta read that, barbtries Jun 2023 #35
I wonder to but it mostly short term memory Tree Lady Jun 2023 #19
Leaving the room and forgetting why you left - soldierant Jun 2023 #46
Boy, what timely, helpful posts for me. cilla4progress Jun 2023 #3
Wow. What GREAT NEWS! Glad you knew better and kept living your life . . . CousinIT Jun 2023 #4
Thank you for posting. debm55 Jun 2023 #5
Maybe, like me, you are just getting older. AnnaLee Jun 2023 #6
I feel this is a slippery slope. I've never had a great memory for names and finding the right word LymphocyteLover Jun 2023 #28
So you're accepting a diagnosis of dementia based on that surprise test vanlassie Jun 2023 #7
I can't help but wonder . . . Richard D Jun 2023 #8
I too doubtful Jazz Jon Jun 2023 #9
I wonder if some of my tools are in your shop. gibraltar72 Jun 2023 #10
Hahaha vanlassie Jun 2023 #54
Just read your post. I don't think there is anything wrong with you, other than being 81 yrs old. patphil Jun 2023 #11
Ditto n/t malaise Jun 2023 #42
Like Bruce Willis I have Frontotemporal Dementia Omaha Steve Jun 2023 #12
Sending you good vibes, Steve. Elessar Zappa Jun 2023 #14
Omaha Steve, I'm wishing you the best. MLAA Jun 2023 #30
You can see the damage in an MRI Omaha Steve Jun 2023 #32
Thanks. That must have been really jarring. MLAA Jun 2023 #33
The diagnosis for not finding the right tools in your workshop is Beastly Boy Jun 2023 #13
I am assuming you got a second opinion ? drray23 Jun 2023 #16
Great news & thanks for sharing with us. Quakerfriend Jun 2023 #17
Thank you for sharing your logical responses to the medical world. Which calls itself a "practice." ancianita Jun 2023 #18
How many four letter words starting with "F" can you come up with in an allotted time? BarbD Jun 2023 #24
Everyone forgets where they left the car keys once in a while. keithbvadu2 Jun 2023 #25
Exactly! ShazzieB Jun 2023 #43
My keys are on a keyring that says: moonscape Jun 2023 #44
When my mother was diagnosed, Jarqui Jun 2023 #26
Lately I have been forgetting things and my short term memory has deteriorated riverbendviewgal Jun 2023 #27
According to some opinions living alone may have as much to do with your memory Ford_Prefect Jun 2023 #39
Thank you for your response. riverbendviewgal Jun 2023 #40
We all misplace things, that's pretty normal Random Boomer Jun 2023 #41
Forgetting how to do familiar things is a sign of dementia, ... Trueblue Texan Jun 2023 #50
Such a great post and so many good comments. We all are subject to mental and physical decline. erronis Jun 2023 #29
When my hubby noticed his own lapses he began cognitive care. SleeplessinSoCal Jun 2023 #31
Thanks so much for this important post, and hugs to you Hekate Jun 2023 #36
Its a simple fact, that for us older folk, THERE'S A LOT TO BE REMEMBERED! 70sEraVet Jun 2023 #37
My father had dementia in his last few years. wnylib Jun 2023 #38
Your doctor was incompetent as well as negligent. Trueblue Texan Jun 2023 #49
Well, based on several factors I am pretty sure I have it. OldBaldy1701E Jun 2023 #45
Thank you, and congrats on a not a worst case diagnosis. alfredo Jun 2023 #47
Thank you very much for posting this... Trueblue Texan Jun 2023 #48
Yes 40RatRod Jun 2023 #52
Thank you. NT Trueblue Texan Jun 2023 #53
If forgetting stuff isn't a normal, everyday problem... MiHale Jun 2023 #51
It seems memory problems are Deminpenn Jun 2023 #55
Thank you for sharing that...much greater help than you can know (n/t) Moostache Jun 2023 #56
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Three years ago, I was to...»Reply #38