My mother and her sister died from Alzheimer's,  So, of course, I am afraid that I will get the disease as well.  Something disturbing happened last night and I want to ask your opinion-especially if you are a doctor-whether this is a possible sign of Alzheimers's.  In the Catholic Church, we have a ritual in which the cantor sings a response to a psalm and then the congregation repeats the refrain.  The cantor sings a verse of the psalm and then the congregation again sings the refrain and so on.  Last night, I went from my initial singing of the refrain straight to the first verse without bringing the congregation in for them to repeat the refrain.  I was oblivious to the fact that I had done this until my wife told me I had done so.

 Is this a potential sign of Alzheimer's?

If you have other memory issues, it is worthwhile getting yourself checked out.  Many conditions cause memory loss, including nutritional deficiencies (ex. low vitamin B12), hormonal abnormalities (ex: low thyroid), other medical problems, old head trauma, psychiatric issues ( ex: depression).   

The biggest cause of memory issues is medication side effect or interaction between meds.  Check everything out.  Read the diagnosis section in alz.org for the steps of checking memory issues.

Iris L. 

Hi McGach,

In my opinion, as a diagnosed patient, I say waiting for those ten signs to become prominent is waiting too long.

I'd make a list for a month or so of your memory issues. Iris is right. One slip is not a diagnosis.

Then since you live in the DC area, if your insurance lets you skip your primary, go right to a good diagnostic center. Call the closest Aliz. chapter. If you don't have the #, call the help line 1-800-272-3900 and ask for your chapter #. Do call during normal business hours.

And since you are in Silver Spring, do hop on the metro and check out the DC Forum in early April. There usually is a special meeting for those of us diagnosed, just prior to the formal opening. On the last day, perhaps you can join your local group in visiting your members of Congress. Do get the schedule when you call.

And is telling you to relax and go with the flow pointless?

Welcome to our group, McGach, and blessings to you! Iris and Mimi have given you good advice. Early detection is critical. If indeed you are diagnosed with a form of dementia, there are medications that can help (the sooner the better). There are also Best Practices that can prolong a health brain and body. You may already be following Best Practices, but here they are: 

Eating a Mediterranean Diet 

Strenuous Exercise 

Staying socially active 

Taking medications as directed