If you are really concerned about your memory, you should see your primary care provider and ask for a baseline memory test.....and then have it repeated in 6 months to a year or as advised by your doc.
My friend got a baseline memory test and ended up having Alzheimer's and has started on medicines.
By identifying memory problems early, treatment, if necessary, can be started in the early stages which will help to slow down the progress of the disease.
I have to have a memory test every six months to a year also and so far things look great.
I tend to forget things when I am stressed or have sleep deprivation.

I think you're too young for Alzheimers disease. The link below has some other reasons for poor or declining memory.

I have been becoming very forgetful the past few years only to find out I have Hypothyroidism which can cause poor memory. I've been on meds less than a year now and have already noticed some improvement.

Here is a link that might be useful: Memory Loss

Hi, OP - carol has given you very good advice regarding what you might look into given your concerns. I just wanted to add, though, that I had the very same thing occur just this past September: I forgot the pin for my ATM - one that I'd had for at least 8 years! As it happens, I was on my own for the first time in my married life (I'm 37, and am married, with three young kids). My DH took the kids to see his Mom and Dad for Labor Day weekend - I stayed home to prepare for the start of the school year (I'm a teacher).

As glad as I was to have a little bit of time to myself, on some level, being without my family, even for just a weekend, caused me true anxiety! The upshot of all this is, I so completely lost any memory of my pin that the ATM swallowed my card - this, after I tried several combinations that I thought might even come close! Anyway - this is a longwinded way of encouraging you both to pay attention to this worrisome episode for you, but also to consider the very real possibility that even temporary kinds of stress can have a real impact for memory! Best of luck -

I have Alzheimer's thick in my family. I once asked my primary Dr. about it, she told me that if I was really concerned to draw a clock (those with Alzheimer's are not able to put all the numbers in the correct area/spaces). If I couldn't do that....then yes, I had Alzheimer's! She also said, that if I was worried about having it, that I was still good to go...as those that DO have Alzheimer's don't know that they should be worried about it.

She was trying to make me feel better, but these are tests that is used...although it are used when the person is in the throws of Alzheimer's! She does know that I am concerned and we talk about it often on visits.

I worry about it more than I should probably. After we went through it with mother, I think all of us kids think about it every time we forget anything.

You have a lot of responsibilities at home and on the job, so you must constantly have a lot on your mind. From reading your posts, its seems you are always busy and on the go. Maybe it was a sign you need to relax some.

It may be stress related, but I'm on vacation, what do I have to be stressed about right now? I think it may be hormones too (or declining level of them), I noticed a few friends around my age are getting forgetful too. In fact, one of my friends e-mailed me not to long ago after I told her what I did and said she did the exact same thing, only didn't lose her card.

Our best friend was diagnosed at age 55, and sadly, 3 of my neighbors are dealing with the disease now. They're between 65 and 89 years old. The best thing to do is what Carol suggested.

I have a friend right now in the nursing home, that was diagnoised in her early 40's....right now she is in the final stages. Apparently it doesnt matter alot on how old a person is, I always thought it was just in older people, but its not.

My Father showed signs at 64. I am now 58 and very concerned.

There is a Genetic Test you can take, but if I have the Trait I'd probably worry myself into an earlier onset. I don't think I'll have the test.

Gayle

I draw a blank sometimes with my pin number but I know it is not Alzheimers. You recognized you forgot your pin number - a person with Alzheimer's would not recognize that fact.

All my friends now who are in their 50's notice their minds are not as sharp as they once were. Lately, I have been forgetting my thoughts in mid sentence but it eventually comes back to me - usually a half hour later. LOL

When I start thinking the tv is my ATM machine then I would be worried. LOL

Anne

I worry about this from time to time. One day, I just blocked on a combination for my safe deposit box and could *not* remember that number. Of course, I was so smart I never bothered to write it down anywhere. LOL.

Stress and exhaustion really does things to a person's memory.

This link (see below) compares normal forgetfulness with Alzheimer's disease.

Rose

Here is a link that might be useful: Reading this always comfort me

There is no family history of alheimers in my family, but I do worry about it from time to time. Seems like over the last 9 years, I have become very forgetful, before that I had a memory like an elephant. My Mother passed away 9 years ago, and that's when my memory loss started. Strange, huh?
A couple of weeks ago, I repaired my magnetic list pad that I keep on the refrigerator. The cardboard backing had come loose, so I glued it and put it "somewhere" to dry. Took me two weeks to find where the "somewhere" was. LOL

I was at the Chiropractor last Thursday, they asked who my primary care physican was, I couldn't think of his last name! Thought of his first name, but not his last.

I wouldn't want to know if I was getting Alzheimers though, that would scare the bejeebers out of me!

Two of my mom's younger brothers had it. My mom's doctor says the memory loss she has now is not from her stroke. At least, it's only been the last couple years and she's almost 90. I really wonder about the future when I get older. I know it's age now and stress but I don't think I want to take a test anytime to see if I have it.

I am am thinking of another number before I am going to use my ATM cardd, then I am in big trouble because I have that number on my mind. Otherwise, I don't have any problem at 79.

Just want to say that at 47 I also deal with periods of several days where I do have some small memory problems, forgetting words or a train of thought. I'm hoping it's hormonal, because it does go away and then might return after several weeks, or maybe not. I've had IBS (upset digestive system) for years and I've noticed and have been told that the episodes tend to occur after stressful periods, when I can let down. My shingles episode also occurred after a stressful time. So I do think it has something to do with our middle-aged female minds that have a hard time switching gears!

My brother was diagnosised when he was 46 and died from it when he was 48. I think the youngest age reported was 32. They say the younger you are when you get it, the faster you decline. Some people get in their 60's or 70's and can live with it for 20 plus years. I think sleep apnea is linked to this disease also.

Kathleen, do you have any aluminun cook ware that you use on a daily basis? If so, THROW IT OUT! I've prooved it. My favorite skillet and dutch oven were DH's grandmothers. Alzheimers runs in my family. I started forgetting a lot. My DB asked if I was using any aluminum pots and pans. I was. Constantly. He told me to get rid of them. I did. And my memory started improving in days. The only thing aluminum I use now is foil, once in a while. He, on the other hand, won't use it at all. He has studied a lot on his own about this and many other things. He has worked for years at g n c, and when there were no customers, no stock to put up, ect, he would read the books. He quite surprises the drs when he goes with mom & dad, and asks questions and makes suggestions. There are times when the dr will thank him and implement his suggestions.

Tami

Two of my best friends recently had their mothers diagnosed with Alzheimers. Also my cousin's husband. He is constantly angry about the state of politics. He talks about shooting the President. He never leaves his home, of course he can't do it, but it's unpleasant to be around him!

Aluminum cooking utensils, aluminum foil and pots and pans do not cause Alzheimer's Disease.

Tami, if Alzheimer's Disease runs in your family there is most likely a genetic link.

From the day my Mom was diagnosed I have read anything and everything I could get my hands on about Alzheimer's Disease (one of the reasons I got the internet) and there is nothing that links aluminum from cooking utensils as a cause. If you are worried about ingesting aluminum stop drinking water, stop taking Tylenol, stop taking antacids and stop drinking tea or even wearing antiperspirants.

Here is link to a Government of Canada website in regards to aluminum and human health.

In my research and book reading on Alzheimer's Disease the first comment ever made linking aluminum from cooking utensils and foil was by researcher/scientist telling a joke at a cocktail party - somebody overheard the words "aluminum foil" and "Alzheimer's" and the word was spread that aluminum pots and pans cause Alzheimer's Disease. That myth and hysteria continues to be spread but if you choose to believe it and it works for you go for it.

Anne

Here is a link that might be useful: Aluminum and Human Health

Here's a tip if you have a hard time remembering your pin number...I never could remember it. When I finally did remember , they changed it.

A young man told me this...

Write your pin number down as a phone number along with other phone numbers so it won't stand out.

if your pin number is 1234 then write down something like....Aunt Mabel's 347-1234

Worked for me...I had the list of phone numbers folded and stuck in the "window" of my check book...and folded it so "aunt Mable's" was right in front.

patti

Can't remember ... sorry!

ole joyful

P.S. What was that again, please?

o j