Do I feel that I am functioning better while taking a dementia medication?

(Chapter 24 My Thoughts and Feelings in my book)

Recently there was a post in a social media group and someone who was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment was asking if anyone takes medication for it. I responded that I am taking 8 mg. Galantamine twice daily. I think that I was asked how this medicine has helped me and I'm not sure if I had those answers. Today, I was looking through a folder with papers in it and I found something that might answer that question. It is dated May 2009. This is what I typed up: Before going on this medication these are the symptoms that I remember happening to me and I call these "episodes."

1. One morning before work, I had confusion while I was trying to put on my bra, but luckily eventually I figured it out.

2. One day I couldn't remember how to make French toast. I knew that I needed to dip the bread in something, but I was confused whether it was beaten egg and milk or just one of these. I called my mom and she confirmed that was what I needed to use to make it.

3. One morning after driving my son to the bus stop, I came back home and I couldn't unlock the door to my home. I tried to use the key several times but the door was still locked! I used my cell phone to call my husband who was at work. I was very upset and he told me that I just locked the door minutes ago, so I had to just use the right key and turn it the correct way. Luckily, after several tries, I was able to unlock the door.

4. One day, I got lost driving home from a town which was only about fifteen minutes from my home and I had been driving to that city for many, many years without a problem.

5. Another day, I was driving home from MA to NH where I live, after visiting my mom and I somehow got lost. I'm not really sure how it happened but the next thing I knew, I had missed my exit. I wasn't aware of this until I saw a sign that said "Welcome to Maine"! I figured out how to turn around and I finally went the correct way and I made it home. I have no idea how I missed the exit and ended up in Maine because that usually doesn't happen!

I know that most of these things are not happening anymore or not as much. I'm not getting lost in familiar places, I can lock and unlock my door without a problem, I can make something such a French toast without having to call someone and I don't have any problems getting myself dressed.

I think that I was first prescribed four mg twice daily, then years later it was increased to eight mg. twice daily. I know that I have been on it since early 2006. When I have forgotten to take it for any length of time, my symptoms were much worse. My neurologist and I feel that I have done well on this medicine.