Memory??

[WIP]

Anyone else have this experience? For the past couple months I’ve noticed what seems to be a problem with my memory. It’s more than just forgetting to do something. I have absolutely no recollection of the event at all.

For example, I work in our aftermarket group as a Project Application Engineer for my company and I write up the proposals for field modifications for our legacy equipment. When I receive a purchase order there are a number of tasks that I am required to complete.

In the past couple months there have been at least four incidences where I received a purchase order, submitted it to our director for approval, and then when I got approval I failed to finish processing it so a work order would be issued. The only reason I find out about it is if someone happens to ask me about the project. Of course, this has been creating trouble for me and our company.

Throughout my life when I have forgotten to do something and later am reminded in some way I usually recall it but what has me bothered about this now is that I have absolutely no recollection at all. It’s as if the event never happened for me. It's beginning to get frustrating.

I am 57 years old and do not have a family history of alzheimer’s that I’m aware of but of course there’s a first time for everything. Am I making more out of this than needed or should I be talking to my doctor?

 

[Eugene]

Dear Brother WIP, I've experienced those same problems as I aged especially as I was taxed with work assigned beyond my capability to keep up. As the workload increased my efficiency didn't. From around your age I would start to our stockroom to order, or pick up parts, and someone would ask a question I attempted to answer, and forget what I was going to pick up. I've gotten to the point today that if I'm doing something I ask my wife to ask nothing as I appear to have a one track mind. I reckon the option is to pray that you grow no older but those fish in a frozen lake somewhere might miss your presence.

 

[jasonc]

Not always but me jobs depends on my memory.

 

[reba]

I have talked wiht these people... about situations in the family .. they are very helpful... http://www.alz.org/

They helped me understand what wasn't ALZ ...

I agree with Eugene , also i know a number of people who in this fast paced world we live in keep a small notebook in their pocket ... Our friend Bob call's it his brain..

 

[JohnDB]

A little more water to drink on a daily basis will help.

And a little less coffee (maybe)

Also less dairy products.... can't remember the whole list.
(Go figure right?)

What it's coming from usually for guys our age is rising and falling endocrine system hormones. This covers everything from testosterone to thyroid. And more water than normal for aged skin which gets thinner than young people's every year. So more water evaporates than normal... especially as summer approaches.

Not to mention that we "old guys" got more stuff between our ears...and the more you got the slower to recall is the general rule.

Checklist help. I'm trying to remember the name of a thing that my wife has. a customized software program for just your situation. She tried to get me to use it. I'm not that kind of person. But she loves it.

I'll try to find it again later.

 

[WIP]

I have talked wiht these people... about situations in the family .. they are very helpful... http://www.alz.org/

They helped me understand what wasn't ALZ ...

I agree with Eugene , also i know a number of people who in this fast paced world we live in keep a small notebook in their pocket ... Our friend Bob call's it his brain..

Interesting about your friend Bob. When our daughters were in school and involved with volleyball, basketball, track, and other extra-curricular activities I found it difficult to remember who needed to be picked up, when, where, and what time so I got a PDA. This was before I had a smart phone. When they asked me why I needed the PDA, I told them, "My brain is full and when I put something new in, something else has to go out. I need an external memory." I still use my phone's memo function and calendar to keep notes for myself. Same thing as work. I use the task manager and calendar a lot.

 

[Mike]

WIP, if this is a recent phenomenon with you, it may be caused by the onslaught of Donald, Hillary, and Bernie coverage. This has got to have a direct correlation with the shutting down of brain cells. :neutral

In all seriousness I have to ask if the speed of things at work has increased for you. I'll be honest. There are a lot of times I have to search key words in my Outlook inbox at work when someone asks me about something. And it could have been something I weighed in on a few days earlier!

Issues come at me in a fury these days, and it feels like it's picked up in the last few years. Everyone's making due with less manpower to cut down on the cost of doing business, and that means more work for those still there.

Personally, I wouldn't over think this. Maybe you could wait for the next visit to your family doctor and mention your concern, though.

 

[KevinK]

I am also 57 and am dealing with the type of severe memory loss you are. I've been assuming, however, this is due to the Traumatic Brain Injury I received when I was 18. Maybe it's natural?

 

[Malachi]

Am I making more out of this than needed or should I be talking to my doctor?

At your age this should not be an issue. Perhaps keeping a To-Do List and updating it constantly as tasks are completed could help. Perhaps some dietary supplement to boost memory function could help.