Slight memory loss at 50 - a cause for concern?

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I was wondering if maybe someone here had experience and/or knowledge about this sort of thing. I don't know if I should be concerned or not.

My mother turned 50 this year. Her only health problem is some arthritis in her hands. Her family history isn't so hot (parents and brother all died in their early 60s, sister is experiencing major health problems in her early 60s), but she doesn't seem to have any of those issues so far. Besides, as far as I know, there are no memory problems on her side of the family (though I'm not positive on that).

She's always had a thing about repeating stories. She'll tell a story, then retell it two or three times during the day. She knows she's done it before, and she'll usually reference the fact that she has ("Like I was saying earlier...", things like that). It seems to be a combination of habit, wanting to fill silences, and enjoying both the responses she gets and sharing the story again. She'll change up the wording each time, so it's the same story, but she'll use different phrases, descriptions, etc.

Over the past month or so though, I'm noticing she's repeating the stories a lot more frequently, sometimes within the space of fifteen minutes. When she does, it's almost word for word and with the eagerness she displays when she tells a story for the first time. She never references the fact that she's all ready told me and always looks surprised when I say that I've heard it before. The past couple times, I've mentioned that she keeps forgetting and that concerns me, but she doesn't really respond. (My paternal grandmother had horrendous memory loss for the last few years of her life, and I think that makes my mother not want to think about anything memory related.)

Yesterday, she realized she missed an appointment last week, which is completely out of character. She just forgot about it. The week before, she forgot that I had to go somewhere one night, even though it's something I do every week at the same time, same day. Just little things, but they're not in character.

Then tonight, she called me up, honestly upset and concerned because she thought I had called her a drunk earlier in the day, and she wanted to know if I really believed she was one. We had been talking about the fact that she wore a cast a couple of years ago, and she couldn't remember it at first; when she did, I laughed and said she had an excuse for this one because my little brother had forgotten about it too. She remembered the conversation as me laughing and saying she had an excuse because she was a drunk. My mother has never been drunk in her entire life, as far as I know. She has a glass of wine every night or two, but that's it. As far as I know, the only time I've ever called her a drunk was in the first grade where I volunteered her as an alcoholic because we were taught (in simplified first grade style) that people who drank everyday were, and she had a glass of wine each night. That was obviously years ago, and I haven't called her that since. My little brother was there and agrees that I didn't call her that, but she still insists that she remembers me calling her a drunk, that's it's crystal clear in her mind.

I'm just not sure if I should be concerned. 50 is young, and forgetting what she said and a few appoints (and apparently remembering things that didn't happen) aren't really that significant. On the other hand, if there is something going on, it'd be best to catch it early.

RainSong, I read your post a few days ago (on WP homepage) and I've considered what you wrote.

I think you are right in your concern. Since your mother's forgetfulness has taken a sudden turn for the worse, in distinct ways, you might consider having her consult a medical practitioner. You wrote (about her forgetting an appt) "completely out of character" and "almost word for word" recounting of stories, and with increasing frequency. Those are alarming symptoms that cannot be ignored.

I am really sorry since her memory decline is upsetting for you, and likely others. Do you think she'd let you take her to an appointment about this matter? Sometimes with memory problems (associated w/ Alzheimers) there can be behavioral difficulties too (i.e., mood, change in sleep or appetite). If that is indeed what is wrong. Could you suggest she see her general family doctor? Then, maybe s/he could advise your mother accordingly.

I don't mean to imply there is a condition, but you alluded to real difficulties that can interfere with her functioning. If I can share, in high school I had a friend who's mother began acting "strangely" with some subtle yet very real memory problems. Soon after her mom began displaying these memory deficits, she had a massive aneurysm. As you pointed out, Alzheimer's Disease at age 50 is pretty rare. Just wonder.......In any case, you are very astute in recognizing her changes. You could consult a neurologist (or related) on her behalf, for recommendations.

There could be other underlying conditions; certain physical ailments can mimic Alzheimers. Whatever is the problem, best if it's addressed soon if treatment is indicated. There are treatments that can really help!

Good luck, and hope she's all right.

I agree with LabPet, you should watch her and maybe have her see a neurologist if it's become a problem. As for telling family stories over and over again, with different phrasing, etc., we all do that when we get older to some degree. I do that every now and then, and have to be reminded of details, and I'm in my early 40s. Granted, in my case, it happens because I had a minor stroke in 2008, but mine is more of a short-term memory problem. I remember my distant past quite well.

Memory loss can be a sign of aging, but it can also signal early Alzheimer's (as LabPet said), and it can be caused by anemia, depression, insomnia/irregular sleep, sleep apnea, new medications she may have just started and so on. It's always best to have it checked out if you're not sure.

E333