This is the biggie, right? Memory loss is what we all assume is the most definitive sign of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Certainly my first suspicions for Cindy came when she repeated questions or comments several times. I recall one such time Charissa was in the room after Cindy left and I sobbed on her shoulder. We already had scheduled a doctor’s appointment by then, since memory loss already caused Cindy to fail her recertification tests and lose her job.
The first doctor gave her a clean bill of health, as did the MRI, and the second doctor, and the third doctor. After five doctors and seven various tests the verdict was unanimous: her brain on the MRI looked perfectly fine, she passed her cognitive tests and she was too young for Alzheimer’s.
Ah, but she never got a perfect score on her cognitive tests. From the first one on she could not repeat three words given to her after a few minutes had passed. She knew what day it was, who was President, etc., but could not feed back “apple, penny, shirt” after distracting questions were asked.
In truth, memory loss does not automatically mean dementia. Apparently, menopause can have this effect, though I wouldn’t know personally. Also, anxiety disorders and afflictions other than dementia can cause memory loss as well … though such disorders may prove to be stepping stones towards dementia.
I had cause for hope beyond the doctors as well. We learned that if we pointed out she was repeating a question, Cindy would remember she asked it. More importantly, during our walk across the country her memory improved, placing memory loss in the category or early symptoms that are not too late to address.
You still have to acknowledge the memory loss as a problem first. I recommend having a friend do the three word test with you, providing three words for you to remember and then asking a couple unrelated questions before asking you to say what those words are. If you do not pass that test then, regardless of how good your memory may be otherwise, take the steps necessary to nurture your brain back to health.
My mother-in-law’s best friend was in decline and one of her tests had an incorrect answer. She was told the correct answer for President was ( at the time) “George W. Bush.” She replied ” I was trying to forget that.”