Searching for answers

fatimaitani

Hi … my message is very long so please bear with me

The following paragraph outlines my current health situation regarding memory and concentration issues.

Before and After 2024: A Timeline
Before 2024, for 7 years , I had consistent issues with memory, specifically:
● Difficulty memorizing names and faces.
● Forgetting the content of conversations or what I had planned to do.
● Frequent moments of confusion in both stressful and normal situations.

After 2024, while I remain physically and mentally capable of many activities, my memory
issues have significantly worsened:
● I often forget names and faces to the extent that meeting someone multiple times feels
like the first encounter each time.
● I struggle with concentration, frequently repeat myself, mix up words, and misplace
items.
● Social interactions have become increasingly challenging, leading to decreased
motivation.
● I repeatedly ask the same questions and struggle to retain new information.
● Tasks or complex problems that were once easy now require substantial effort and mental
energy.
Before 2024, I understood my limitations and adapted to them. These included difficulty
remembering names and faces, forgetting tasks, and losing track of conversations. However,
2024 felt like an "adrenaline rush" of worsening symptoms. Initially, I panicked, but now I
believe I’ve entered a new stable phase. I don’t know how long this phase will last—whether
years or just months—before further changes occur.

Specific Changes Post-2024

1. Task Completion
   If I begin a task, I must complete it without interruptions. Otherwise, I completely forget
   what I was doing.
   ○ Example: I was cooking but had to step away to use the bathroom. Upon
   returning, I went to my bedroom and started a new task. Much later, I discovered
   the food still cooking in the kitchen. This isn’t just simple forgetfulness; it’s a
   complete memory wipe.
   ○ Adaptation: I’ve made it a rule to finish tasks immediately without breaks.
2. Food and Meal Tracking

○ Before 2024: I could keep track of what was in the fridge or if leftovers were
available without writing it down.
○ After 2024: I must document what I store in the fridge, especially if I plan to use
it later.
3. Daily Planner Usage
○ Before 2024: A quick glance at my planner in the morning was enough to
complete my tasks during the day.
○ After 2024: I forget everything moments after looking at my planner. Now, I rely
on constantly checking it throughout the day. While not perfect, this is my current
solution.

1. Public Speaking and Teaching
   ○ Before 2024: I could give lectures in Arabic or English smoothly, using just a
   small note for guidance.
   ○ After 2024: It has become difficult to present ideas coherently without getting
   lost. I now write everything I want to say and read it directly.
2. Associating Names and Faces
   ○ Before 2024: I used physical features, places, or voices to help me associate
   names and faces.
   ○ After 2024: It has become much harder, taking a significant psychological toll.
   ■ Example: On the phone, I have less than a second to identify someone
   based on past calls. Even with close people, I often have no idea who I’m
   speaking to.
   ■ Face-to-face interactions are particularly distressing:
   My facial expressions and initial reactions often reveal that I don’t
   recognize the person, causing confusion and awkwardness.
3. Virtual vs. In-Person Interactions
   ○ WhatsApp: I can navigate conversations to some extent, even when I don’t
   remember the person or our shared memories. I rely on their messages to keep up
   the pretense.
   ○ In-person: My inability to recognize people leads to emotional and social
   challenges.

Additional New Symptoms

1. Difficulty Judging Distances
   I can no longer accurately gauge distances or analyze spatial relationships. For example, I
   struggle to connect places logically (e.g., “I am here, then I’ll go there, and after that, to
   this other location”).
2. Inability to Handle Simple Tasks
   ○ Setting up internet cables feels overwhelming.
   ○ Using a keyboard to type has become confusing.
   ○ Example: When I want to fill a water bottle, I have to relearn the process, such as
   which button dispenses hot water and where the water exits.
3. Impaired Time Perception
   I cannot estimate the passage of time accurately. For instance:
   ○ A doctor’s appointment from three months ago feels like it happened last week.

….. after all that's long paragraph , the doctor is not convinced its early onset Alzheimer based on My MRI it is normal except for few white small dots and their is nothing conclusive in my pet scan because one pet scan shows early degenerative disease with in the superior parietal lopes and another pet scan shows nothing , also till now all my blood test are normal … i will do later a spinal fluid test …. the doctor also said their is no case that's phase for 7 years in a stable mode then its start to increase thats impossible , but i read thats some people with early onset Alzheimer may be will pass with many years being stable before thay start to decline…. so i need your help in searching for those case or even if you experience similar situation tell me please because i need to present that to my doctor

thanks alot

Iris L.

Welcome fatimaitani. I have or have had the same problems with memory. I have a recommendation: if you are forgetting that you have food cooking on the stove, you should immediately refrain from cooking. That is what I had to do, for quite a long time. Several years later, I have resumed using the stove, but only very briefly, mainly for heating up soup or for cooking eggs, because they don't take a lot of time. I never walk away from the stove when the burner is on. This is because, like you, I will become distracted and forget if I walk away. If I do have to walk away, I will turn the burner off.

When I do tasks that require memory, I will often use a timer to remind myself of the time for the next step. I also make good use of lists. In other words, I make use of accommodations to assist my memory.

I was initially given a diagnosis of cognitive impairment not otherwise specified, but my neurologist recently changed my diagnosis to attention deficit disorder. I also have white spots on my MRI. My neurologist calls this leukoairiosis. You might want to review this. I have been on medication to help my memory and my speech. I followed Best Practices to help myself. I worked on contributing medical conditions, such as hypertension.

If you are giving lectures it appears that you are still working. I had to leave my professional career due to my loss of memory. In your case, you might still be able to make use of work accommodations. You can visit www.askjan.org and search for your desired work accommodations.

Be sure that your doctor has ruled out medical causes of memory loss, of which there are many. These are dementia mimics. Your doctor has done some blood tests. Is this doctor a neurologist? Review all medications that you might be taking for memory loss side effects. Have you had an overnight sleep study to search for sleep apnea? Sleep deprivation can cause memory loss.

The prodromal phase of Alzheimer's Disease may be up to twenty years. So, yes, one can be stable for many years, then progress further. Or, a person may remain at the MCI stage indefinitely, as I have, even though it is now called ADD. Only time will tell. It is a good idea to continue to keep notes, as you are already doing. Begin Best Practices and review work accommodations. Think about if you might have to retire sooner than you had planned. If you have a history of depression, it is a good idea to treat it aggressively with medication and talk therapy, for at least six to eight weeks, because it takes some time for blood levels of the psychotropic medications to reach therapeutic levels.

Please continue to post and keep us updated on what is happening with you.

Iris