How it crept on

[BobFender]

I realised that after living here for 7 years that although I know places I don’t have a map in my brain of where they are. If I am going somewhere with my wife I ask her if it’s in the direction of this pub or that.

I am retired aircraft engineer and was also a flight line controller both within the UK military and for a civilian company working with a military airforce abroad. Quite an intensive job making sure that the right aircraft is in the right configuration and ready at the right time for flight. Now I have trouble finding the right cupboard for my breakfast cereal.

I have never been overweight and have kept myself fit. I did drink quite often in my younger days but not so much in the last 20 years.

Earlier this year I took part in a clinical trial for an Alzheimer’s drug. I was tested then and found to have mild Alzheimer’s. It seems recently the signs of the disease are becoming more obvious. I like to talk and will chat with anyone but I find now if I feel under pressure to find a word it makes things worse. Recently picking up a prescription for my wife the Chemist asked me for my address as proof of my identity. The number of our house was immediate but the street name? Not a chance. It felt like my brain was frantically searching through the emptiness looking for anything to grab onto. It’s not that the memory has gone it’s just I can’t find it.

Well enough from me, I look forward to hearing from you.

[Omniscient1]

I don't know what's worse knowing or not knowing, I have a friend suffering a different kind of dementia who is 53, and he has never been aware of his condition. We all hope to step on a tiger one day and just go, or as someone recently remarked, be squashed by an elephant whilst making love to the Mrs.What I have seen with my friend is the struggle his wife has had to get any kind of support, only now after 3 years of diagnosis are things starting to happen. I think it's out there but it needs tracking down, whether from the state or charities, I would hope that NHS memory clinics (I presume you have been to...) and the charities have 'strategies' for you and your wife to do to make things easier. We keep hearing about drugs to slow down dementia but how you get on these I have no clue, or word of mouth experience.

I presume there are other parts of HU that cover this which you (and your wife) can join?

The post you have written Bob is entirely coherent and well laid out, here's hoping for many more. Gary.

[BobFender in reply to Omniscient1]

Hi Gary, Thank you for your words of encouragement. Unfortunately not so many Tigers or Elephants around here.

I guess we’ll just keep soldiering on. I include my wife in this as she has been totally supportive as always. Best wishes Bob

[Norwich1 Moderator in reply to BobFender]

Hi Bob. I hope you get all the care and advice you need. On this platform there is healthunlocked.com/programs... It might be of help.

Of course, we are always here for you.

Doug