When I'm 64

[ChrisN]

Hello all,
My name is Chris and I am 64, having self-diagnosed myself (and my doctor reluctantly agrees) with AS when I was 62. That means I spent all my life feeling out of sorts, having zero ability to play a musical instrument naturally, spelling every word correctly since age 6 and can remember my first date like it was yesterday, after 50 years.

I am presently on Prozac and Effexor for AS and it has helped to stop my head from thinking 1000 thoughts at once.

I graduated HS and didnt have the interest in college so I came up thru the ranks in electronics, fixing TVs, VCRs, Stereos, Computers, Telephone Systems, and wound up in technical management. I now work for the US Federal "gummint" at a very high level. In retrospect, I owe a lot of this drive to AS.

I also learned at a young age how alcohol made me feel like I fit in. I can go a week at a time (like when I was on vacation 2 weeks ago) without a need for a drink...Sometimes for years. It isnt the job but I want to learn what triggers the feeling. I hope to learn and share on that point.

I also want to contribute my life experiences for others.

Chris

 

[Mia]

Hi Chris welcome to Aspie Central

 

[On the Inside]

I have a similar relationship with alcohol.

When I was in college, I started with big binge nights, once or twice a week. It was a way to be able to socialize with people who were and would remain strangers to me, as I didn't really talk with anyone much otherwise.

After about a year, I started having a very strong aversion to hangovers, so I adhered to a three drink limit, and would sometimes go weeks without drinking (or socializing).

This is how it has been now for 20 years or so, except I rarely have more than one drink. I do enjoy the warm, mellow feeling of a beer or glass of wine or two, and it does make socializing more bearable, enjoyable even, at times.

 

[nowwhat]

51 Here, self dx, and you sound a great deal like my dad, who started etching circuit board to hand build computers very early on, with switches for the registers. He ended up being a prodigy and badass with phone switches in the commercial civilian world. He's retired now, and a old Aspie bastard if ever there was one. He has no clue but when I figured out my condition, his was as plain as day, also.

 

[Southern Discomfort]

Greetings!

 

[xudo]

Welcome

 

[Warmheart]

Howdy! I'm 51. Welcome here! We have members in their 70s. Join right in!

 

[ChrisN]

....sound a great deal like my dad, who started etching circuit board to hand build computers very early on, with switches for the registers..... old Aspie bastard if ever there was one.....

Oh brother, I can relate!

 

[WittyAspie]

Welcome

 

[Rocco]

Welcome aboard