View Full Version : Memory for words is AWFUL.
My loss of memory for words is getting unbelievable. I spend so much of my day, just trying to remember words.
DH and I love to talk during meals, but most of the time these days goes like "Oh, what's the name of that word...." and DH says "Uh......I can't remember it."
I feel like I had a good grasp of words for my life........but its gone.
Its gotten so frustrating.
I'm home all day, but feel like I think all the time and talk to myself all the time. I'm very busy with lots of interests around the house and property. Its not like I'm just sit around rotting.
DH has suggested carrying a small dictionary around (as a joke), but I think a thesaurus would be better. :~)
I love to work crossword puzzles.......you'd think that would keep the "word" part of my brain active, but it doesn't seem to help.
Maybe I should make a big set of flashcards???
I know its common to have some memory loss as we age, but this is getting painful.
Any suggestions as to what might wake my memory up a bit?
Thanks.
goldensmom
5-20-13, 11:06am
I experienced the same thing after I retired. I did not need to use the vocabulary around home that I used at work and now I find myself saying ‘it means……’. I don’t think it is necessarily a matter of aging but a matter of lack of use. In my case I could go back to work but that’s not going to happen. I read magazines such as 'The Smithsonian' (my favorite) that expands and keeps my vocabulary alive. I like to play Scrabble to keep word savvy (always learning new words playing against the computer) but I also think that if I don’t need to use a word a lot then is it that important to remember it? If I can’t think of a word, I at least know what it means so I really don’t worry about it and it usually comes to me at 3:00 AM when I don't need it.
Considering I pulled Jeb Bush's wife's name out of my back pocket just the other day, I'm--what is that UK term? chuffed? about my memory. But as I've mentioned before, blood sugar levels seem to make a difference for me.
Dementia--especially Alzheimer's--is beginning to be seen as a subset of diabetes, as having an insulin component. As is pretty much everything else. I wonder if mild memory loss can be remedied by keeping insulin output low and blood sugar steady. MCT oil is a supplement to look into.
CathyA I am getting worse and worse about this, too! The word can just be RIGHT THERE, on the tip of my tongue, and it just won't come. I'm wondering in my case, whether ---like goldensmom mentions--- it's due to not reading as much the past several years as I used to. Feel like I need to nip this before it gets worse! I am actually feeling pretty anxious about it.
Considering there is some anecdotal evidence (see Mary Newport, MD) for MCT oil reversing Alzheimer's symptoms--ostensibly because ketones are neuroprotective. It's cheap therapy and worth a try.
Hmmm.....I'll have to check that out Jane. Do you think Chromium picolinate would help? I just bought some of that, since my blood sugar seems to need a little more controlling. (I'm not diabetic, but I seem easily hypoglycemic.......but that could be due to delayed gastric emptying). I need an over-haul. hahaha
Hmmm.....I'll have to check that out Jane. Do you think Chromium picolinate would help? I just bought some of that, since my blood sugar seems to need a little more controlling. (I'm not diabetic, but I seem easily hypoglycemic.......but that could be due to delayed gastric emptying). I need an over-haul. hahaha
I've never used chromium supplements, but Wikipedia says "A larger follow-up trial...indicated that the use of chromium picolinate could help to reduce carbohydrate cravings and regulate appetite ...
I bought some and I keep forgetting to take it! I take so many supplements now and they upset my stomach for awhile.........
I find that being dehydrated really impacts my mental abilities, too. When I start to feel like I'm just thinking and moving slowly, the first thing I do is drink some water.
A man went to visit the couple next door.
"How've you been?" the man asked.
"Great!" the neighbor said. "We went to a terrific restaurant last night."
"What was the name of it?" his friend asked.
"Uhh, uhh.." The man fished, trying to remember. "What's the name of that flower?"
"You mean a tulip?" the man asked.
"No, you know, it's the one with the thorns."
"Oh, you mean a rose?"
"Yes! That's it!" said the neighbor excitedly, and then called out, "Rose! What's the name of the restaurant we went to last night?"
I find that being dehydrated really impacts my mental abilities, too. When I start to feel like I'm just thinking and moving slowly, the first thing I do is drink some water.
That's a really good point. Dehydration, medications, stress, and depression can all affect memory--especially in the elderly.
I guess my system is weird. I've always sweated way more than most people when I work (or am just out in the heat). I've learned to really hydrate myself well before going outside in the heat to work, but I immediately pee it all out.......even though I've had enough salt. Plus, I'm never thirsty anymore, even when I sweat alot. So I've learned to just drink often during the day...........but then I spend the day running to the bathroom.
Sometimes its a royal pain in the ass, being me.
I have the same problem getting words out of my mouth. So does DH. I think its age related.
I was watching a PBS program recently and the speakers were doctors in the field of ageing. One of them stated that as we age we lose are ability to recall names and words. She said this is not dementia, in itself, but part of the normal ageing process. She said if you are going to a party, etc., try to find out the names of the guests and then practice saying their names before going to the party.
I myself have this problem lately, as does my 93 year old father. We laugh about it because we both stumble on try to remember some movie or actor, etc.
Tussiemussies
6-2-13, 12:29am
Was just looking around the web lately as I have started having this problem too and I am young. I found that there is cognitive brain traing games that will help. I did a search and found a lot....I played some tonight and the end of the easy level was a challenge! LOL
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.