My memory is awful

[ForgettingMeNot]

I'm mid 50's menopausal and poor memory is part of the menopause I know, but I feel I'm worse than it should be.

I work full time and it's beginning to become a bit of an issue to me although no one at work has noticed so far as I've put in place as much in the way of reminders of things I need to do as I can. Ie my email inbox only contains items that still need attending too, and in that vein if I think of something I will email myself a one line reminder so it's very visible.

But if say I'm on my phone of an evening and think oh I must click on such a such website because I need to do/look up X, even if I finish what I was doing less than a minute later I will have forgotten what I wanted to do next. I know there's something I need to do but it's just gone. This happens multiple times a day, every day.

I've just lost my mum to Alzheimer's and there's a part of me that is concerned this is early onset dementia. I do suffer from fibromyalgia and I know there is fibro fog but this has crept up on me in the last year/18 months and in all honesty I do not have any other menopausal symptoms so I don't think it's caused by the menopause.

I know you'll all say visit your GP but she will do a memory test and tell me to remember some address and I know I will pass that test because I know I have to remember this but every day thoughts are not retained.

In essence I'm asking about your memory loss due to menopause please

Interested in answers as i feel the same.

I am trying to de-stress and seeing if that helps.

Just because you feel like it’s your only menopause symptom I wouldn’t rule out it being menopause related. I would try HRT and see if it’s better after 6 months or so.

Mine is exactly the same OP. I went to the GP as I was so concerned and was referred to a neuropsychologist which I have to say was very worrying. He did all sorts of memory and reasoning tests which I passed but it did show I had a bit of a problem remembering stuff which I knew. I was well within normal limits and he wasn’t concerned - he just suggested the things you’re already doing.

I think my problem is that I don’t always concentrate fully on stuff - so while I’m thinking ‘I must do x after I’ve done y’ (which I promptly forget) I’m not actually in the moment iykwim as I’m thinking of a multitude of other things too. I had meningitis as a child and apparently that can affect memory, so I’m blaming it on that and the menopause!

I’m sorry for your loss. You clearly been through a lot recently, stress and grief can make brain fog and memory worse.
I have the same issues with memory and it’s not nice realising that age is catching up with you. I am taking Neuromind supplement and trying to get enough sleep and a good balance of rest/exercise.
Take care OP.

Oh my goodness OP my memory sounds exactly the same as yours! I'm also mid 50s. I constantly set reminders on my Google calendar on things to do each day as I know that I will forget otherwise. Also I send myself emails too with a one line as a reminder. I have a list in my kitchen for food stuffs I need to buy and I have a List on my phone where I constantly make little notes on stuff I need to do. I also have a notepad for work with compartments for different things; discuss with boss, to do list, etc etc.
In addition to this I struggle to find a word at times, literally tip of my tongue stuff and can picture it in my head but the word will not appear!
I think the real worry regarding dementia is not forgetting where you've parked your car (as I do this sometimes too) but forgetting how you got there - did I drive, did I get the bus? kind of thing.
Several of my friends of similar age all have similar problems so we are not alone OP. It is very frustrating though!

Also mid 50s and the same! I have to write lists and set reminders on Alexa and my phone! Oh and forgetting people’s names aaarrgh!!

I do wonder if it’s because our lives are just too busy these days?

One of the tests I do remember being given was to draw a large square on a piece of paper, imagine it was a field, and then draw a single line showing how I would walk across the field to find a lost item. People with dementia or Alzheimer’s tend to do this is a certain way.

There is so much more to Alzheimer’s than just memory loss so if that’s your only symptom it’s more likely to be something else. I’d definitely recommend having a chat with your GP - They do more than just the memory test these days and can check for multiple conditions.

Pretty much most of what everyone has said so far, I can relate to, especially the picturing a word but not being able to say it. I'm 50, and definitely menopausal but I don't want to go on HRT.

If i dont write something down, I've had it.

I am exactly like this, I am frequently shocked because I have forgotten a word or forgotten what I wanted to say to someone or what I intended to do next. I sometimes try to remember the name of a book or a song and repeat it over and over to myself, to try & commit it to my memory but then in the next minute it's gone. I used to have a brilliant memory, until a couple of years ago but now I have to write everything down in my list book. I am honestly quite scared that I have Dementia. I can't even blame the menopause because that happened years ago, in my 40s and now I am 63! I think, like @SirChenjins I don't always fully concentrate, which again I always used to, because my mind is whirring with a multitude of other things. Both my parents have Dementia, my Dad is in the final stages, but that's another whole story. One of my Dad's hospice at home nurses said there is such a thing as carer's brain or carer's stress (I've forgotten exactly which one🙄) so I console myself with that thought for now! At least I haven't started repeating my stories 30 times an hour.... And as @Woahtherehoney said, there is a lot more to Dementia and Alzheimer's than a poor short term memory.

I'm 52 and have been like this for a couple of years.
I also do the same as you with emails and put meetings as reminders for things I have to do in Outlook. Simple things like reminding me to make calls, email someone, book an appointment or pick-up prescriptions.
I have to ask Google over and over what year it is and have been doing that for 3 years. I now have the year written on a large sticky on my fridge.
No other menopausal symptoms really. But I get dreadful migraines. So could be that.
It is so frightening because also am convinced I'm losing my mind

Late 40s here. I'm exactly the same! You don't walk alone with this 🤪

Can I ask are you on screens a lot? Just because too many screens is apparently causing these problems in people too? Also what’s your diet like? (Certain foods help the brain, Id love to reel them off but can’t). Could you start doing puzzle books or something to at least help a little? (Sorry if none of this is useful just I’ve found the less I use screens the more my brain is bouncing back a bit but am an author and was online waaaayyyy too much!!)

Lots of easily treatable things can cause memory issues (thyroid issues, low B12/folate, low iron, low Vitamin D). Speak to the GP to request blood tests, iirc a couple are common in people with fibromyalgia.

I’ve always had a bad memory. It’s just worse now. My family are used to it now I’ll often stop mid sentence. I told them they’re creative fill the rest out. I laugh but it’s so frustrating!

52 and the same. I can't remember peoples names when I bump into them or what I was waiting to say or do. At work it's a losing battle.

I’m 49 and perimenopausal. HRT has definitely helped with the brain fog / gaps in my memory (in addition to quitting a very stressful job although I realise that’s not always an option!)

It’s very common for people in their 50’s to have these symptoms (I do too). If you are concerned you can ask for a referral to neurology (you may want to go privately as NHS waiting times are very long).

My goodness I don't know whether I feel better or worse for finding this thread.

56 here and massively struggling with brain fog, concentration and memory issues. To the point it's really affecting my work and ability to generally get my shit together. It's overwhelming, frustrating and scary.

I've been on HRT for 10 years, and god knows what I'd be like without it. I also have a sluggish thyroid which I'm sure is a big factor. I also have a stressful job and a young family and a husband who doesn't pull his weight. So some if it us general frazzledness. But there's no doubt that some of it isn't.

For the last month I've been making a massive effort to go to the gym twice a week to do the heaviest weights I can, 10 mins of yoga and/or a walk on every non-gym day, and a not too late bedtime. I wouldn't say my memory is improving but things do seem more positive.

I'm the same 52, memory is awful, I'll go to google something and forget what I wanted to google, walking in room and forget why I'm there, be halfway through a task in another room, go and have a sit down in living room, completely forgot I was doing this, until walk in room and see the task. Forget people names, can be watching a series on catch up and completely forget next day what I was watching and start another show.

I put it down to my age, luckily not forgot when I'm cooking something, or left keys in door. I too have so many lists on my phone to what I need to do

I'm the same and lists are the only way I can get through the day. We had some training on the menopause recently and were told that menopause affects the part of the brain responsible for finding the word you need which was reassuring. Apparently Choline can help

You have been through a lot with your mother. Do not underestimate the impact of grief.
If you are really concerned, not being able to draw a clock face and put numbers and hands in roughly the right place is a very early sign of alzheimers.

Thank you everyone for your replies, I think it's at the least put my mind at rest that it's not early onset dementia but totally normal for my age.

Getting old is not fun

ADHD + peri is really fucking my short term memory. Exactly as you describe, I think of something and go to do it and... Nope, it's lost to the ether for ever.