Overview
A woman shares her personal journey with memory loss, her fears of developing Alzheimer's like her mother, and the positive impact of working with Dr. David Merrill and the Pacific Neuroscience Institute on her brain health and outlook.
Experience with Memory Loss and Family History
- First noticed her mother’s Alzheimer’s symptoms at age 75 during a Christmas event.
- Witnessed her mother's painful decline from memory loss to loss of basic abilities.
- Became concerned about her own memory after experiencing significant symptoms in her 50s.
- Feared a similar trajectory to her mother and wrote a letter for her husband to prepare for her possible decline.
Professional and Personal Impact
- Worked in computer science and managed complex projects before memory issues emerged.
- Noticed increasing difficulties in spelling, typing, and reading, which deeply affected her daily life and confidence.
Seeking Medical Advice and Diagnosis
- Decided to seek help after she couldn’t remember her children's names.
- Visited a dementia clinic to test for the APOE4 gene variant.
- Diagnosed with a 3-4 combination of the APOE gene, indicating a 30% risk for Alzheimer's.
Treatment and Lifestyle Changes
- Began treatment at the Brain Health Center with Dr. Merrill, who identified hormone deficiencies impacting her memory.
- Started on new supplements and was encouraged to exercise regularly.
- Benefited from additional support, including emotional care and the Cog Fit Lab’s physical activity program focused on brain health.
Transformation and Outlook
- Reports significant life changes and renewed hope since starting treatment.
- No longer feels the need for the farewell letter she wrote to her husband.
- Now actively chooses behaviors—walking, exercising, sleeping—that support brain longevity and health.