Dh and dementia. Worried.

[MumbleCrumbs]

Full disclaimer I have pretty severe generalised anxiety disorder and health anxiety, but I am worried and just wanted some advice.
DH had has trouble concentrating for a while now. He can't focus on work and his memory, whilst never great, has been much worse. He'll forget a task he needs to do within five minutes of being asked to do it. Sometimes in the time it takes to just walk downstairs.
He is someone who never goes to the Dr and never worries about his health but has had a few tests now. The GP didn't even see him in person, just asked him a few memory questions over the phone and based on his answers says he doubts DH will be accepted as a referral to the memory clinic. Can he really be that sure over the phone? Does that sound right?
DH did suffer with depression last year but that has mostly resolved but he does have a stressful, unstimulating job and barely goes anywhere other than our home and shops.
Recent blood tests were fine but I'm just worried sick since I realised he was worried it might be early onset dementia. He's only 39 with no family history, how likely could this be? I'm in a bit of a panic spiral as I know early treatment is so vital.

I'd make sure he's taking Vitamin D every day, as deficiency might be linked to memory problems.

OP I have suffered from depression in the past and it temporarily messed up my brain and memory. I do remember (the irony) that my therapist told me that a temporary damaged memory can be a result of the depression and it should improve in a few months. It did, actually.

It's very unlikely at 39.

It's much more likely to be stress related. I loose words when super stressed for long periods of time, and know other people do to.

That's what he needs to tackle I'd say.

Recent research estimate that as many as 80% of people with ADHD also have ASD. I have both - recently diagnosed in my 30s. I’ve always thought I was autistic so that wasn’t a surprise but to be diagnosed with ‘severe’ combined-presentation ADHD was a shock.

I’ve always managed my symptoms well and kept high-stress, ‘professional’ jobs - I’m currently doing a full-time PhD. However, lockdowns and being forced to work from home has absolutely destroyed my coping mechanisms and I fell apart this year. My memory has gone to shit, my executive dysfunction is worse than it has ever been and I was profoundly depressed until I started taking stimulant medication.

Don’t dismiss it immediately; I would never have guessed that I have ADHD but knowing what I know now, the signs were there right back into childhood.

Former OT here. You could book a private appointment and explain your concerns. They may decide to do a MoCA which is a cognitive test which can be used in the diagnosis of dementia. However, if your GP isn’t worried, then I wouldn’t be either. Just an idea.

Private appointment with an OT I mean in case that wasn’t clear.

Get his bloods checked for the usual plus Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 and folate.
Low vitamin levels can cause brain fog and memory problems.

Or just get a Multi vitamin and have one every day

@BigYellowHat

Former OT here. You could book a private appointment and explain your concerns. They may decide to do a MoCA which is a cognitive test which can be used in the diagnosis of dementia. However, if your GP isn’t worried, then I wouldn’t be either. Just an idea.

I've suggested going private but DH quite opposed. I guess I'm just a bit worried as the GP only spent ten minutes questioning him over the phone, surely nothing can be ruled out properly that way? Are the memory test questions that accurate at flagging up issues?

I third the Vitamin D suggestion. I know when my gets low as my knee aches and I have trouble focussing and get very tired.

@MumbleCrumbs

Yes I do doubt that he has ADHD but I've suspected he may be neurodivergent for many years and our eldest DD, the most like him, has aspergers.

And he is definitely very stressed

Stress will wreck your memory, I'm like a goldfish at times.

Might be wirth blood tests for thyroid etc.

You say he is your carer - is he very tired?

Yes he's often tired with a lot on his plate .

@MumbleCrumbs

Yes he's often tired with a lot on his plate .

Don't jump to Alzheimers.

Can you get respite care and see how he is after a break? GP should refer him for bloods, he might need extra D or B or iron or something that can be sorted easily

Oh and lockdown hasn't helped my memory either, I know lots of people feel the same.

I was directed to this paper today, and it made me think of this thread.

The study hasn’t been peer reviewed yet so the results are only indicative but they found that people who have not been infected with covid but have been living through this pandemic show physical/neurological markers of increased stress, depression, fatigue, forgetfulness, etc.

Basically, living through this and being isolated, quarantined, living with the uncertainty and sudden change in society may have caused a trauma response.

It’s a fairly small, localised sample size so I would like to see more data on it but it’s interesting, for sure.

Another one whose first thought was vitamin D.

Hypo thyroidism and B vitamin deficiencies can also be involved but vit D is the one that most people in the UK are deficient in.