Follow
Share
Read More
This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Set up a appointment with your doctor and see if there are tests, MRIs, etc., that need to be run on you.  Maybe you are under a lot of stress right now and a simple vacation would help you.  Maybe you need something to relax you in the form of a medication.  Could be a lot of things.  Let the professionals figure it out.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

I've read a lot of the responses - just a few comments...

- Thankfully, you have a lot of people on here who care about you - we all do :) Even if it's online, it's a support line. ,
- Being well intended, there's a lot of theories that we've all offered of what could be wrong. I'm not trying to downplay the symptoms, but like my mom used to do - she would look up one symptom on WebMD and she suddenly thought she had a fatal disease. None of us intend to do that.
- With that said, don't let what all of us have collectively offered scare you. We are all racking through our heads of what it 'could be'. Our intentions are the best. The point here is not to scare you fo what it 'could be' - our intent is to motivate you to continue your journey in engaging with your doctors.
- The most important thing, which you are already doing, is to see your doctor, be upfront about what you're feeling, let the docs run some tests that make sense, and take it a day at a time.
- Debbiedaz put it best: 'let the professionals figure it out'.
- We're all here for you :)
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

Glad you have a doctor's appointment, that is what I would recommend as an RN. Second, try to write down or journal your symptoms and bring it to your appointment. Many things can cause this recent memory problem: mini strokes, allergies, imbalances in electrolytes, lack of sleep or sleep difficulties... Research on Alzheimer's disease has not found anything concrete as a causative agent: hereditary/genetic, infectious agent, faulty metabolism... It manifests as difficulties with the executive functions in the brain - those dealing with decision-making, math (as in managing finances), and recent memory. If it is Alzheimer's disease, medications can help manage those symptoms successfully for many, many years. There are treatment options for the other possible causes. Meanwhile, continue to have your family and friends help you with - as they are already doing. God bless!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I had the same problems, plus fatigue and clumsiness (dropping things, tripping/falling), and was finally diagnosed with Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism. After 6 weeks of medication, I was back to normal.

Twenty years later, I started having quite the same symptoms with even worse brain fog, but my thyroid hormone levels were normal. At my sister's urging (she is an RN), I finally found a doctor who was willing to test me for pernicious anemia, which is also an autoimmune disease with symptoms that are nearly identical to hypothyroidism. (Autoimmune diseases tend to travel in herds, so if you have one, you may well develop others.) I now get monthly B-12 injections, which have helped tremendously, but I'm still not completely symptom-free, which I attribute to the stress of caring for my 87-year old disabled mom.

In addition to your neurological exam, you should also strongly consider an endocrinological workup, especially since you are at perimenopausal age. There are indeed many things that could cause the symptoms you describe, but hopefully it won't take long to arrive at a proper diagnosis.

PS - I was 40 when I was diagnosed with the Hashimoto's, and 60 when I was diagnosed with the pernicious anemia. My menopause symptoms started at 42 and lasted until I was 55.

Good luck! And let us know how things turn out.
Helpful Answer (6)
Report

Such great suggestions on this thread. I sure do hope we will get an update.
Helpful Answer (3)
Report

I felt similar to you when I returned to work after a health sabbatical. I felt as if my ability to learn new things had disappeared, and My ability to focus was gone.
my neurologist (who I see because I have a meningioma brain tumor) referred me for a full neuropsych exam. I’m the same age as you... work a very stressful full time job, take care of my dad, have two kids, etc.... and it turns out that stress was playing a part in my mental fog.

A full neuropsychological exam will measure you against others of the same age, and give you lots of answers. In addition, an MRI of the brain will also give you answers about why you have sudden changes in your memory if it’s related to your brain.

I wish you the best. Good thing you’re going to get checked!
Helpful Answer (4)
Report

Definitely check with your neurologist, but are you under a lot of stress?
I am 48 and about 4-5 months ago, I had those very same issues. I couldn't gather/find my words in the middle of a sentence, would forget the names of simple things, would forget a lot of things 5 minutes later and couldn't recall many conversations. On top of that, I would put items in strange places, not remember where I put them and I also couldn't focus. Creativity and coming up with any ideas were out of the picture- I couldn't think straight! My 80 year old mom told me I needed to get checked for Alzheimers and my hubby swore that I had ADHD. I even started to think something was wrong with me.
Fast forward to now. I went to a new job with MUCH less stress. I couldn't believe just how much less until all of those problems went away!! I even started coming up with new ideas at my new job after about 2 weeks or so there. I couldn't believe it. I also no longer have the brain fog I used to have. I still once in a while forget where I've put something, but that usually happens when I am in a rush.
My former job was extremely fast-paced and I was always doing at least 10 things at any given time.
I have a lot of things that have happened to me over the years which have been very stressful, and a lot of bad things still going on, but apparently my job was affecting me the worst.
Stress does a whole lot to your mind and body. Your brain tends to kick out information that it doesn't feel is needed as well.
Best wishes to you on your checkup!!
Helpful Answer (5)
Report
Zdarov Jul 2019
Good story, very happy for you!
(2)
Report
Please see your neurologist and get an M.R.I., which is the gold standard to detect for dementia. Do not be alarmed, but do not wait either. Prayers to you.
Helpful Answer (2)
Report

Yes, Seeing the Signs of Dementia or Maybe something else. Get Checked soon.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

It is the change that rises alarm bells - however other things can mimic dementia - glad hear you are getting checked out soon

If you can't remember where you keys are at 65 doesn't mean much if at age 25 you could never find them either - if it is new & you're relatively young it could be many other issues
Helpful Answer (1)
Report
MarieM462 Aug 2019
That's true and nothing new in my case.. When I was younger and still living at home I'd accuse family members of getting/moving my things. When I got out on my own and living alone I kept misplacing things and had no one else to blame. I'm in my 70ies now and had it just started I'd really be worried. I try to do too many things at once and get easily distracted, always been that way and it's a constant struggle to remember to slow down and be aware of where I'm putting things.
(2)
Report
All great and varied answers...I'm going to throw in my two cents in the 'could be perimenopause' camp. In my case situational stress created a perfect perimenopausal storm, it's been kicking my arse! Didn't know about peri brain fog until recently. It's a nuisance but definitely worth looking into this as a cause...it really sucks but at least peri is temporary ( feels like it lasts forever though! ) I haven't found a perfect formula to handle it, but, I keep repeating to myself that it won't last forever, which is helpful to me.

And fyi what it's worth I screwed up cooking rice yesterday....twice in a row. Also clothing mishaps and losing my phone go hand in hand. Running errands in my slippers and losing my phone...putting phone on top of the car and driving off with it while wearing my shirt backwards and inside out. You are in good company!

Wishing you the best with this issue!!
Helpful Answer (3)
Report
anonymous828521 Aug 2019
So true Madison.👍
(0)
Report
See 1 more reply
Depression can also do that. If the neurologist checks out ok, you may need some help for stress relief/ depression
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter