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Post by louross on Sept 10, 2010 12:07:55 GMT -5
Uhmmm. Listen this is a "me" thing. But here's the deal. Problem??? A while back , maybe a year ago, things began happening which I put as "well, that's just an isoloated incidence." But it is more frequent (or a little so). I noticed that in FS (use complex models, usually not the simpler ones) I'd make some stupid mistake- forget an airspeed, or a procedure, or some number, etc. Also, sometimes when talking to somebody (real life), I forget a word, or name. On a rare occasion, I'd be driving to a known regular visit, and all of a suden, I'd realize I wasn't where I should be and I had to figure out where I was. I put that on "preoccupation", although it was new. General stuff like that, on occasion. A bit over a year ago I started taking medicine for heart arithmia, low thyroids, high lipids/cholesterol, high pressure, and was told by the doctor to take a capsule/day of omega 3, 6, and 12. After starting the medication, these indications started. I'm 64. Maybe it's the medicine, a temp situation, or my Uncle Al Zeimer. But that usually starts after 65, and there is no treatment. Any ideas, opinions, coomments, anecdotes, etc? lr.
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Post by Allen Peterson on Sept 10, 2010 15:06:23 GMT -5
By all means tell your doctor! Ask him if you can stop the medication - is it only one? - for 30 - 60 days to see if the symptoms go away. Also, start keeping a written record of the medicine you take and when, what side effects you have. New medicines can be great but affect people differently. My wife CANNOT tolerate statins. Even if he won't let you stop, start keeping records of the symptoms. And, if you have to, get a second opinion. And keep in touch. Do you have someone where you are to talk to and for support? You gotta keep a-goin'. Allen
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Post by louross on Sept 10, 2010 17:31:34 GMT -5
Thanks for your ideas, Allen. Each of the previous symptoms has its own medicine, and they are to be taken from this point on. Three doctors have confirmed that point. I'm seeing a cardiologist now ( every one-two months, but before I was also seeing a neurologist, but earlier this year he said I didn't need him anymore. I talked to the cardiologist who said to see the neuro again, but I could see no reason based on the idea that there is no treatment. It would appear that he can only order tests, expensive, and only confirm yes or no. I guess it would be good to see him and at least get an opinion from him- and he could have some important info. I will start keeping a record of things that come up concerning this- thanks for that idea! Another good idea you had was someone to talk to or a support system, but, no. I'm in Mexico. The people who I know, who are educated and cultured, are my clients, so talking about personal things is not an option. I'm in what's considered a middle class area. I guess about the nicest way I can say this is that middle class in MX does not equate to middle class in the U.S. I suppose you get my point. Returning to the U.S. at this point is out of the question- financially it's completely impossible (is there another kind?) and to start a life again, there, I think not. My wife is 41, teaches in a private school, and we have a boy just starting college and my girl just started high school. We're also trying to build a house, which is about 75-80% finished. I'm doing the actual work, except now and then (depends on whether or not I have any money) I hire a part-time temporary worker either on a daily or project basis as I can't do all the physical stuff anymore. That's due to, well, you know, one day you realize that you just aren't 20 years old anymore, and some things change. Well, anyhow. I need to jump in the ol calclassics DC4 and fly to DEN! lr.
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Post by Allen Peterson on Sept 10, 2010 19:30:35 GMT -5
Hi Lou, Do each of your three doctors know what the other two are prescribing? It is up to you to make sure. You need to research all of the medications to see what the side effects are; we use drugstore.com, there are probably other sites. Maybe your neurologist or a pharmacist - or someone - could review your medications to see if there are any conflicts between them. As far as temporarily forgetting a name or me forgetting to lower the gear, that happens to me and my wife too. I think that's part of not being 20 (or 64) anymore. I'd be more concerned about finding you are not where you should be while driving. Do you have problems talking or working with your clients? How does your wife react to your "problems"? Or does she know? Keep in touch. Allen
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Post by Tom Goodrick on Sept 10, 2010 21:13:39 GMT -5
Lou, several of us are showing our age as well. Memory problems are probably the most common. I am 67. Allen's even older than I am! (But younger in some ways; probably that clean mountain air.) I retired at 53 from NASA. I was having shortness of breath and memory problems at that age. I had my first heart attack at 64 and my second a year later. The first resulted in a 3-way bypass operation. Obviously that did not solve all the problems as I had another a year later. I think that the second one was triggered by walking too much outside in hot weather and polluted air. (It was very mild but showed the heart enzyme they look for.) Between the two heart attackes I lost the use of 25-30% of my heart wall muscle. It slowed me down a little. Then I started doing my music for soundclick. That has become a driving factor. I try to post a new song each week. (Posted one this morning.)
I stopped walking outside and bought a Wii computer game for the TV that you have to stand and move around to play. (Except I can sit on the couch and fly a neat little aerobatic plane through tunnels, etc.) Playing tennis and bowling on the Wii is enough exercise for my body and mind. I strongly recomend it.
In my case, My wife would miss me but the kids are grown men and on their own. They'll do fine. I can see where you have a different situation. But maybe there are ways you can get some help by association with your wife and daughter. For example, they probably could give you some good competion on the Wii game. Talking with them can help keep your mind sharp. Don't worry about a few names that are "just on the tip of your tongue."
Alzheimer's is nor completely incurable. There are now drugs that can reduce the rate at which it gets worse. First you need a doctor's diagnosis of that. Then you can start getting treatment.
Drug interactions are always a problem and keeping all doctors informed when one changes your medication is important. I take 13 pills pre dy. All of them warn against side effects like dizziness so I work at not looking like a drunken bum when I walk in public. Around the house I lean a lot.
All the advice Allen gave you is good. FS can be good at keeping your mind sharp. But don't use it to push yourself too hard. Use the autopilot a little now and then. Maybe even experiment with the GPS. But mainly do whatever you want to. Just keep doing it.
My DHC-6 flies a lot better now!
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Ed Burke
Member
Healthy living is fine, but it's having fun that keeps us going!
Posts: 433
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Post by Ed Burke on Sept 11, 2010 6:44:31 GMT -5
Gooday Lou, I sometimes stand in front of th 'fridge getting cold feet wondering what the hell I went there for and I guess that is common to us all as we age. And people's names and common nouns tend to stray too, however I am concerned for you with the forgetfulness when driving which is a classic Alzheimer's symptom. You should get some advice on that issue. Medicinal cocktails can be a worry and Allen's on the ball about getting your doctors' advice re the stuff you are taking. 2 grams of Omega 3 per day is my usual fare and I swear by it as great stuff and harmless, I know nothing about 6 and 12. Whatever else you do don't give up FS or similar brain exercise, it is vital to keep those cogs working. Stay with us mate, Ed
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Post by louross on Sept 11, 2010 12:50:35 GMT -5
I really appreciate all of that information that you guys sent. Believe me, it is a big help! Thank you!! I see that Support is a major thing! Just to state, the doctors are all aware of what each other is doing. The first one has bowed out as her specialties are in different areas, and these other 2 are well recommended. All your various suggestions have very real merit and I am definitely reviewing them. It is quite reassuring to hear that a lot of this is "normal". I do tend to think that the losses at driving were due to intense pre-occupation- like the "absent minded prof", however, I will be aware and note any instances. For the moment-thanks again for all your help! lr
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Oct 1, 2010 9:49:45 GMT -5
Hi Lou,
If you have unlimited internet you could connect with a friend via teamspeak or a similar program.
I've noticed that if I was distracted while driving, when no longer distracted I couldn't remember the miles in between. I'm sort of on auto pilot, but what if something happened in front of me? Would I react in time?
I try to avoid being distracted now, but occasionaly a passenger will engage me in a conversation that requires my thinking proceses.
Keep us advised on your progress.
Best Regards,
Bill
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Post by louross on Oct 3, 2010 18:42:34 GMT -5
Well, I don't know, Bill, maybe it's just a normal ageing thing that some people get. The times I got "lost" when driving, I was definitely thinking about something else, but usually I could always think about one thing and do another. Maybe you "lose" some milelage when not thinking about driving, but I think you still know what's going on. You still stop at red lights, even tho you don't specifically remember later. I know I don't hear quite as well and I do forget things. The family has noticed that, but it's all temporary and short term. Yesterday I went out to the house we're building and did some really heavy work, sore aand tired last night, but feel fine now- don't want to go back for another two days tho! See if this link works- interesting and quick hearing test! www.noiseaddicts.com/2009/03/can-you-hear-this-hearing-test/I only hear the first one. And you? Lou.
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Post by Tom Goodrick on Oct 4, 2010 9:31:54 GMT -5
Me, too - only the first tone. I have a notched version of Tinitus. I constantly here a tone somewhere around 7,000 Hz. The 8,000 Hz tone cmae through but only after I cranked up the speaker volume a little and turned my head so an ear was broadside to the speaker. No luck at all with the 10kHz tone.
One very loud bang and a bunch of time spent in the brass section of big bands, often with the trumpet section behind me.
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Post by louross on Oct 4, 2010 11:51:31 GMT -5
So if a person can't hear those tones (Hz) does that mean they are missing a lot at the symphony? lr.
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Post by Bill Von Sennet on Oct 4, 2010 11:58:58 GMT -5
Same for me. I can only hear the 8000 tone after I crank up the volume.
Not a suprise, I have been tested before.
I find myself asking people to repeat themselves. Especially if they looking in another direction.
Lou we can probably save money by not having to buy a stereo that can produce those high frequencies!
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Post by pterodactyl (George) on Oct 4, 2010 22:27:47 GMT -5
Lou: I do hope everything works out at your end. I have a friend whose spouse is going through early Uncle Al and it changes everything. For my hearing I took that test and I have been told by our company medical nurse that my hearing for my age (56) and industry (airline maint.) should be considerably worse then it is. I can hear the 12000 hz tone clearly but not the 14000 hz tone. I guess I am lucky. Likt Tom I have pronounced Tinitus in both ears and it sometimes drives me nuts. I have found that by flying one of my old twins with the props out of sync seems to reduce it for several weeks. Unfortunately I have to fly for over an hour and recently my time has been to used up to sit at the computer for that long at one stretch. Bill your comment about the stereo I guess is the same as the old one about my old car. It use to make this horendous grinding noise whenever I turned right, I got a larger stereo for the car and low and behold the noise went away. Of course about two months later the wheel fell off but that couldn't have been because of that noise. ;D
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Post by louross on Oct 5, 2010 17:20:15 GMT -5
The wheel probably fell off because of the extra weight of the stereo. The out of balance (assuming the stereo wasn't exactly weight-centered) would cause excessive wear on the shock absorber which would cause,,,,well, the rest is history. Which reminds me, we were flying along, approaching into KMKE (RW), put the gear down and no "locked down" lights. Ooppps! Raised it, and down again, no lights. The co-pilot, sorry, I guess First Officer, turned off the nav lights- gear lights came ON. Turned the nav lights OFF, gear lights ON. Maybe some kind of frequency interference from the electrical cables? Same idea about the stereo- wheel thing. lr.
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Post by Tom Goodrick on Oct 6, 2010 9:06:55 GMT -5
Don't worry about missing anything in music with a limit of 8kHz. I play all recordings I make back using the Windows Media Player with the "oceans" visualization that shows the audio spectrum. My mike is good to 20kHz. The processing software gives me an initial file that is very hi fi and hi resolution. All main instruments, including the cymbols and the triangle have primary frequencies well below 8kHZ. Even the first or second over tones (multiples of the primary frequency) stay well below 8kHZ. A trumpet player playing his highest note (or my soprano sax which can go higher) will be about 2kHZ. That allows 2 additional octaves for overtones before exceeding 8kHz. The only thing you might miss is some "color" to the sound of cymbols.
I record by playing both my keyboard, which contains pre-recorded background music I have prepared, along with my live horn into a microphone that plugs directly into a USB port on my laptop computer. Software that came free with the mic aids in the recording process giving me a full sound-engineer's control panel and displaying an amplitude plot of the recording. The initial recording is made with the highest parameters possible - 24 bit monaural resolution (could be 48 bit stereo resolution if I used two mics) and variable 400+ bps. To post on SoundClick I make an MP3 version which requires 16 bit monaural and 128 bps. The compression program adds some amplitude to the higher frequencies (which I don't like). I make a separate wav file that has 24 bit resolution, simulated stereo and the 400+ bps of the original. I put these files on a CD for personal use. I call the latter a "hi res" file. On a recent song the mp3 file was 5.89 MB and the hi res file was 97.4 MB. (The song, "Remembering Mama Kitty," was 6.5 minutes long.) The keyboard is by Yamaha and puts out a full frequency spectrum (20Hz - 20kHz) with very accurate representations of all the instruments (even some not thought of in classical days).
There are plenty of frequencies to make the spectrum display dance.
(I could send out a free audio CD with an hour's worth of music as a Christmas present if you guys would like it. Samples can be heard or downloaded in mp3 format on my soundclick site using the link below. I just need name and mailing address."
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