Alzheimers?

[Cathy]

Let me say first that both my parents developed Alzheimer's disease in their later years. So it's always lurking in the back of my mind that it may hit me.

A few weeks ago I noticed that some foods (especially coffee) now taste odd to me. It's always the same flavor...a sort of chemical taste. Others who eat whatever the item is always say it tastes fine to them.

Now, these last two weeks I have noticed that I am having trouble at work. I talk to people on the phone all day and input information (market research) and, up until now, I was ripping through the calls in record time. I now have trouble when I type in numbers and/or spell an unusual name. Even though I hear the right info, I type it wrong, or with numbers/letters transposed.

I don't know if either of these two symptoms are related, or if I had a small storke, or what's going on. I just turned 65 and scared to even go to the dr for fear of what he'll say.

I googled symptoms like these but didn't really get a good answer. Any thoughts?

[Doglover8180]

If that is the sign of a stroke, then I am alot younger then you and must be having strokes every day at work.... I do that all the time... I think it's called busy and trying to get stuff done.... I am always double-checking my typing because I type fast and I make errors so I constantly re-type something. Also, foods taste different to me every now and then, particularly after I have been on antibiotics or haven't eaten something in a while.... I also firmly believe that company's make the stuff differently (to save money) and that changes the taste of items too. Those two symptoms you described could be anything or nothing.... very basic.

[CW&M Mom]

Are you able to balance your checkbook?

Are you anxious about things that you used to not worry about?

Are you calling family members more often then you used to? Are you calling them about the same things (ask them...ask them to be honest about it).

That is what my grandmother started out by doing...

Honesty I would go see a neurologist. It could be a lot of things..and the sooner you find out..the sooner they can treat it.

Math skills are often the first thing that goes.

I understand your fear. My grandmother has it, my mother most likely would succumb to it, but Breast Cancer will kill her first. I kind of feel like a ticking time bomb.

[Cathy]

Thank you both for your input. I did have problems with the checkbook a few months back...for several months. But it has gotten better.

I'm under a lot of stress because of my dh's illnesses so maybe it's a cumulative thing.

I know I need to see a dr just to rule things out, but I hate going.

Just writing it all down made me feel better. Thanks again.

[Rene S]

Thank you both for your input. I did have problems with the checkbook a few months back...for several months. But it has gotten better.

I'm under a lot of stress because of my dh's illnesses so maybe it's a cumulative thing.

I know I need to see a dr just to rule things out, but I hate going.

Just writing it all down made me feel better. Thanks again.

Stress can cause the same symptoms, and if your DH has been ill, it could be wreaking havoc on your body and mind. It would not hurt to see your doctor and get evaluated just to be sure though.