Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia

@ashley43725 Does that bring back memories!!
Have done a lot of model building in my time and still love it.
I have a generous amount of hobbies similarly very calming when I am creating.
I worked on some of the scale models for the movie Dante‘s Peak and Spy Kids years back, you would have liked that.
I do full scale stuff now, modeling, mold making.
But my current escape is 3D modeling for 3D printing and a CNC mill I just acquired.
I got it to keep me engaged.
It’s interesting though, some simple things bog me down mentally, but yet my spatial recognition is exceptional in the proper environment.
I would love to see a 1/350 scale Titanic.. o the intricate detail and a year long project is amazing.
And the Japanese Zero.. one of my all time favorite planes.
I have really been aware of my environment today and the way all the collateral noise, visual stimulation from my environment, affects me mentally and emotionally.
Thanks

There is also a growing amount of evidence that making brain-healthy choices can reduce the risk. These choices include:

Being physically active
Being socially active
Challenging your brain
Eating healthily
Making conscious and safe choices
Managing stress and other health conditions

I may have some signs of reduced mental recall or remembering as when I was still working I HAD to remember what the date it is to be at work and appointments at the right time!

There is NO Reason to not follow what is good for our General Health: physical, mental and SOCIAL. This last one is only getting realized how much it impacts diseases like Diabetes, Depression and early Death, besides Dementia. (4 D's) The last one, alas, is only possible when the Other has what we BOTH feel like drawn to and enjoyable.
https://alzheimer.ca/en/about-dementia/stigma-against-dementia/myths-realities-dementia

@annabelley, welcome. I moved your post to this wonderful group of people talking about memory starting to fail and early cognitive impairment.
- Support Group for Those of Us Living With Mild Dementia https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/can-we-have-a-support-group-for-those-of-us-with-mild-dementia/

I did this so you can easily connect with members like @ashley43725 @SusanEllen66 @pondering @edsutton @craigbyrom and others.

Anna, how is the testing going? How are you doing?

@annabelley
Let us know what the tests say, personally I am a 63 year old male that was diagnosed with Lewy body disease with mild cognitive impairment about 2 years ago. It is a scary prospect when you are facing such things.
I sincerely hope you have someone in your life that you are close to for support.
Please share with us things that you have noticed that concern you,. We all are walking the same trail, and you are not alone. Let’s explore this together. Regards, Ashley

Well it’s been a few days,
I have had a whole lot of crazy going on in my head; getting overwhelmed easy, loosing track of what I am doing or maybe I'm just more aware of it.
I’m getting tired of having to work so hard to accomplish what used to be so easy.
The frustration is making me crazy.
Im trying my hardest to apply the learned tools to ease things; making lists, me time, quiet safe place, talking with others.
I left the project I was on a week earlier as I felt overwhelmed.
I just want it to stop.
I reached out to my psychiatrist and basically he said I can treat your symptoms, but it sounds like a neurological thing to get a hold of my neurologist and primary care.
I talked to Primary Care and they said should get a hold of Psychiatrist immediately, the neurologist can’t see me until April and said I should see my psychiatrist.
My psychiatrist is on spring break now, his service said go to the hospital if needed.
I didn’t go to the hospital.
I’m just going through a hard time of coping with this whole thing. Maybe I should go.
That’s all I’ve got.

I can understand how in the right situation complex projects are actually rather simplistic, I just finished up the engine on my model Japanese zero, lots of tiny parts, and despite my best efforts, it came out beautifully!
Went outside this morning and for the life of me couldn’t figure out how to turn on the facet for the garden hose. Frustrating, but I had to smile at the irony 🙂. Regards, Ashley

@ashley43725
I have similar episodes -infrequently I am happy to report - but I find i have to redirect
my focus for just a couple of mins and come back to it. Frustrating but tolerable. Or sometimes i just go blank. Again, briefly, but i turn my attention elsewhere - anywhere else-
And when i go back
i can continue. Go figure.

@craigbyrom, I had a severe reaction to depakote. I am stable in carbamazepine (tegretol) and Sertraline (Zoloft) for about 23- 25 years now.
I don’t know what’s causing the confusion but I take it in stride most of the time. It can be a little unnerving - but I’m not embarrassed - when I’m having a conversation and I can’t recall certain words. Most people who know me are understanding. And if they’re not, that’s their problem

Well, it’s almost April and it’s about that time for me to begin my yearly research studies by my local hospital.
These entail about half a dozen or so appointments during which I will be having PET scans, CAT scans, MRI scans and a few other scans I can’t recall at the moment. I also have done the much anticipated spinal tap. Despite it rather intimidating name, the spinal tap isn’t really all that bad ( wifey isn’t happy about it, however). Yes there are certain risks involved, but I feel that if I can spare someone in the future the uncertainty I’m going thru by making some small contribution, then it’s worth it.
The scans are free, which is absolutely wonderful because I would need them anyhow.
We have arranged for the tests to be on my days off, so for the next month or so I shall be spending my free time in the all entertaining hospital waiting room.
Since my Lewy body disease is in such an early stage it is a very good opportunity for it to be studied as it progresses.
I also meet with my neurologist after all the tests are done to discuss the findings. Last year there was a little change in my MRI, but I remain fairly stable, which is a good thing.
It may seem odd and somewhat selfish of me to think so, but I am glad I have this disease and not my wife, as I can’t bear the thought of watching her faculties deteriorate over time😞.
Hopefully it will be the same as last year. Regards, Ashley

Well, a study.
That’s a good gig to be involved in !
Benefiting yourself and others. That’s good medicine.
I found the same to be true regarding spinal tap, not bad at all.
Hope all imaging and testing are in good favor.
Question:
how is Lewy Body disease diagnose and how was yours?
I and family have noticed my symptoms resemble Lewy Body symptoms.
My neurologist appointment is coming up in April.