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Suffering From Memory Blackouts. Family History Of Alzeimer's Disease. Could I Be Suffering From Alzeimer's Disease?

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Posted on Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Question: I hope you can. I am having serious problems with memory black outs. The worst ones have been when I have been driving. The last one was this past weekend and could have resulted in multiple injuries or deaths since I was on a road usually crowded with many semi's and other vehicles. I don't recall what happened until I "came back" from wherever I "went t" I had my cruise set on 55 and when I came back I was in the grass on the side of the road going I imagine 55 I swerved back onto the road and ended up on the opposite side overcorrected and swerved again. I ended up losing control in the middle of the road where the car fishtailed all over the middle of the road before I could get control of it and my mind. I was really feeling kind of "foggy or out of it" . I have had several black outs lately but mostly not in the car and they are getting worse. I worried about alzhiemers since my g'ma had it but have been told these aren't the symptoms that I am having for some reason. The pharmacist did tell me that my psych. dr. had suddenly stopped 3 of my meds that I had been on for a long time suddenly (overnight) that should never have been stopped. He said they can cause serious side effects when stopped suddenly like that, but I don't know if this has anything to do with that or not. I am just really scared since I live alone and am having lots of problems besides this right now. I selected a query area but not sure if it is accurate
doctor
Answered by Dr. E Venkata Ramana (1 hour later)
Hi,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

With the description of the events you faced in recent times this black outs are looking like related to the abnormalities in the higher brain functions like cognition, memory, and alertness.

This type of problems will be seen in age related diseases like dementia and Alzeimer's disease.

But without a compelete history, examination, and investigations coming to a conclusion is very difficult.

The sudden stop of the medication may lead to withdrawl symptoms, but may not cause the black outs.

Therefore I advise you to discuss with your Psychiatrist regarding the medications which you have stopped with the advise.

For the black outs, I advise you to consult a Neurophysician for the detailed history of your complaints, their analysis, and further investigations to come to a conclusion.

And in mean time I advise you to take precautions while doing some jobs like driving, swimming which require the alertness, awareness, and quick response functions of the brain.

If possible avoid these activities or take help fron others.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know.

Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. E Venkata Ramana

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 3176 Questions

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Suffering From Memory Blackouts. Family History Of Alzeimer's Disease. Could I Be Suffering From Alzeimer's Disease?

Hi,

Thank you for your query on Healthcare Magic.

With the description of the events you faced in recent times this black outs are looking like related to the abnormalities in the higher brain functions like cognition, memory, and alertness.

This type of problems will be seen in age related diseases like dementia and Alzeimer's disease.

But without a compelete history, examination, and investigations coming to a conclusion is very difficult.

The sudden stop of the medication may lead to withdrawl symptoms, but may not cause the black outs.

Therefore I advise you to discuss with your Psychiatrist regarding the medications which you have stopped with the advise.

For the black outs, I advise you to consult a Neurophysician for the detailed history of your complaints, their analysis, and further investigations to come to a conclusion.

And in mean time I advise you to take precautions while doing some jobs like driving, swimming which require the alertness, awareness, and quick response functions of the brain.

If possible avoid these activities or take help fron others.

Hope I have answered your query, if you have any clarification please let me know.

Regards.