I was laughing when I read all this, sounds like a good description of me. I am over 40, 60 to be exact. I was caretaker for someone with altzheimers and yes, I wondered about me too....

NeedGrace

6 months ago

I think I saw here the question, "What are the first signs of Alzheimer's disease?" Since my mother was diagnosed with some form of dementia in 2002, I had to try to recall the first convincing symptoms of her dementia. Confusing the telephone for the TV remote control was one of the first signs that we picked up on. Leaving the phone "off the hook" repeatedly was another. Losing track of what day of the week it was seemed bizarre at the time, but now that I'm retired and have few outside demands on my time, I find myself failing to keep up with what day it is. I make all kinds of excuses for that! The fact that I don't feel compelled to get out for social interaction I excuse as just being lazy after having had to get dressed and out early for 37+ years to go to work. I read that social outlets are important, as well as physical activity being beneficial. I have to force myself to do both of those things.

My dad recently died from Shy-Drager syndrome, or Multiple Systems Atrophy, one of the Parkinsons-Plus disorders. I've privately wondered if these aren't variants of Alzheimer's, as I've read they involve the same tangling up of nerves in the brain. Also, James Doohan, the actor for Scotty on the original Star Trek, died of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and that also makes me wonder if the Parkinsons-plus disorders aren't variants of Alzheimer's. Robert

My dad recently died from Shy-Drager syndrome, or Multiple Systems Atrophy, one of the Parkinsons-Plus disorders. I've privately wondered if these aren't variants of Alzheimer's, as I've read they involve the same tangling up of nerves in the brain. Also, James Doohan, the actor for Scotty on the original Star Trek, died of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and that also makes me wonder if the Parkinsons-plus disorders aren't variants of Alzheimer's. Robert

It was a very good article. The only thing that worries me is when I go to the bathroom and forget what I went in there for. I'm 82 and still can joke about it all and a lot of other oldies can also, just read your article, I tell them. Thanks for the article. Ellen

Great article (My God, I have it. I forgot to spell article!) Seriously, my friends and I laugh a lot about such things as running upstair snd forgeting why and of course names, etc. I am 78 almost 79 and pretty lucid. Thanks. Gretchen

Great article (My God, I have it. I forgot to spell article!) Seriously, my friends and I laugh a lot about such things as running upstair snd forgeting why and of course names, etc. I am 78 almost 79 and pretty lucid. Thanks. Gretchen

Leland H.

6 months ago

Interesting article. I'm 65 & facing similar symptoms. Had some testing done. Dr. suggests not Alzheimers & said that many other things can cause symptoms. Some include impaired sleep, not enough exercise, hypertension, low B12 & for males, low testosterone levels. I can't remember the rest...

I am not convinced. Although I have all these symptoms I still think I might have the weisenheimers or whatever you call that disease.

Hank

6 months ago

Wonderful article! So clear and helpful. Thank you!

Thank you - I think my family is more concerned than I am, so this is helpful for them. I have trouble with nouns, sometimes, but I can describe what I'm talking about & the word comes to me as I'm doing it. I have no worries, especially after reading your info!

I can't tell you how comforting that was! For a moment I was afraid to take the test. But then, I told myself that I had to take it and it was great! Thank you, thank you, thank you!