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How can I tell if memory loss is just sleep deprivation or something more serious?

10 replies

whatamessitallis · 03/01/2019 01:15

My memory has been getting worse for years now. My DC are school age now, but I still don't get a lot of sleep for one reason and another. I'm often running on empty from lack of sleep.

My memory is affecting my work.

It's like I'm in a fug a lot of the time.

I've been assuming this is just sleep deprivation, but now I'm starting to worry, what if it's not? It doesn't seem to be going away and it seems to be getting worse. A couple of examples that freaked me out a bit:

On Christmas Eve, after eating dinner with family, my DB and his wife got up from the table and I realised I couldn't remember who had sat where, literally 5 minutes after them leaving the table. One had been next to me and one opposite, and we'd eaten dinner and talked. I remembered the conversations. But not who had sat where. I found it a bit disturbing so I gave it some thought, but couldn't recall it.

Earlier this year, I went to see an exhibition of some art I love. DH got me tickets specially. I realised later that day, I couldn't remember the layout of the rooms we'd walked through, nor most of what I'd seen, my memory was more a general feeling of what it had been like being there and a couple of things we'd seen. I asked DH what he remembered and he seemed really surprised I remembered so little of the day in any detail.

I often can't remember names, including of people I know fairly well.

How could I tell if this was sleep deprivation or something else? If I tell the Dr I'm sleep deprived they'll just put it down to that anyway - won't they?

I'm mid-40s. When I was younger, I used to be pretty sharp.

OP posts:
pepperjack · 03/01/2019 01:17

Menopause is coming, sorry 😩

ImNotKitten · 03/01/2019 01:20

I’d ask for blood tests as a first port of call. Lots of deficiencies or things like thyroid problems have symptoms of brain fog and poor memory.

Ringsender2 · 03/01/2019 01:21

I have similar but not as bad. Running on empty and juggling plates like there's no tomorrow.

Watching with interest for the replies. Luckily it'll be on my watched threads or id forget! :-p

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whatamessitallis · 03/01/2019 01:21

Really?! Does the menopause really make you that forgetful?

Is it a temporary thing or is that it, your memory's fucked?

OP posts:
whatamessitallis · 03/01/2019 01:22

ImNotKitten thanks that's good advice. I will.

OP posts:
jessstan2 · 03/01/2019 01:22

If you still have memory loss when you are relaxed and well rested, have a word with your doctor. Sleep deprivation does cause that but if that is the cause, you will be amazed how different you are after a good sleep. Acute clinical depression also has a knock on effect on the memory.
So put it to the test.

I hope all goes well. Flowers

whatamessitallis · 03/01/2019 01:24

Running on empty and juggling plates like there's no tomorrow

YY - this is how I live too! Could that affect memory this much?

OP posts:
whatamessitallis · 03/01/2019 01:26

Acute clinical depression

I don't think I'm depressed? I'm not particularly happy. Haven't been for a long time. But I'd know if I was depressed, right?

OP posts:
Cherries101 · 03/01/2019 01:29

Could be thyroid or anemia or Vit D deficiency or maybe something more sinister. Talk to your GP as they’ll want to do further testing before blaming it on sleep deficiency.

pickingdaisies · 03/01/2019 01:36

No you wouldn't necessarily know you're depressed, if everything just feels off. A bit grey. You don't really react to things. Nothing really gives you joy, or seems very interesting or worthwhile. It comes hand in hand with sleep deprivation, as does the shot memory. I had some memory failures that really shook me too. I'll never win mastermind, but my memory has really improved since I left a stressful job.

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