To be really frightened by forgetfulness/brain fog?

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I've always been a bit scatty, but something happened today that really frightened me.
I was driving back from dropping my son at football and I saw a sign for a development or something with the numbers 2011 on it. I thought, is this year 2011? I think it's in the past but not sure? Then I realised I had no idea what year it is and I couldn't work it out! I started to feel overwhelmed and very upset, like my brain was malfunctioning. I had to try to calm myself down as this inability to recall something as simple as the year really worried me. This lasted about 5/10 minutes.
I had an episode at work a few months ago when I went to the toilet, and whilst I was in the cubicle I realised I had absolutely no idea where I was. Again, it was really distressing and confusing. There have been other similar situations.
Ive heard about the menopause causing 'brain fog', but I'm only 43 and still having regular periods. Im worried about these episodes happening more often and being the start of something more serious like dementia.
Is this the sort of thing that happens to lots of people or should I be worried? Has anyone been through similar?

Are you struggling with stress/fatigue? I have these problems when I'm exhausted. (I do also have fibromyalgia though).

I know it’s sounds silly but how much time do you spend on your phone? Or on screens?

You could also have peri menopausal symptoms OP so have a blood test for your hormonal levels at your GP.

I had these kind of moments when the dc were small and I was chronically sleep deprived. Are you getting enough sleep?

I once got lost on a road I'd driven hundreds of times. I literally had no idea where I was. I was only about 30 at the time. I think it's quite common to have temporary blips. I also once "forgot" that my grandma had died. I saw a postcard and nearly bought it to send it to her. She'd died about 5 years before that. I think with me a lot of it is to do with tiredness and stress.

I get this too. Working, menopausal lone parent. One challenging DC.
I think my brain is shot to pieces. I keep myself fit and eat well but it can't compensate for day to day stress and tiredness.
I get quite weepy when I realise I can't recall thing.

I am a full time working single mum, perhaps mental overload has something to do with it.......

I'm starting a new job Monday and I'm worried I'm not mentally capable anymore 😩

Please, please get your vit b12 checked.

I have this. I cannot process dates or problem solve. I'm being investigated for possible multiple sclerosis or it could be ME / chronic fatigue syndrome based on my other symptoms.

Stress could cause similar symptoms though.

Or chronic sleep deprivation.

I have vitamin b12 deficiency and it causes me awful brain fog if I don't keep on top of my treatment. Is it worth having a blood test to check your levels? (Btw, I was horribly symptomatic with b12 serum levels in the low 'normal' range so I don't trust the normal ranges anymore).

I have these symptoms with b12 deficiency and i would advise you to see a doctor for blood tests.

I remember 7 years ago, I went to a fete in my local village field which was about 5 minutes walk from my house. I had been there several times before. When I later left to go back home, I suddenly found everything unfamiliar and didn't know how to get home from the field and couldn't even remember my address to ask someone for directions. I felt panic rise in me. There were a few other episodes at the time but since then, apart from just having a bad memory, nothing.

Do check out your vitamin b12 levels though as a pp suggested

I have these moments often. I was thinking the other day now the good weather is here I'm going to start walking when the DC are in school.
Then I realised the summer has passed and I barely remember it. I am blaming the DC they drive me around the bend sometimes.

My friend had an episode like this a few months ago. We put it down to the severe stress he was under as did the GP. Fortunately he as sent for a brain MRI which showed he'd had 2 TIA's and has married arteries and that the blood Bessie's at the back of his brain aren't wired quite right.

*Narrowed not married!

He was also going to have low folate and within a few days of supplements he was a different person.

Has anyone been through similar?

Yep. In my case it was due to an underactive thyroid.
When I started struggling again it turned out to be B12 deficiency and Vitamin D deficiency.

Go to the drs, explain what has happened and and they will probably order some blood tests.

Yes, get your b12 and Folate checked. Make sure you haven't been taking any supplements containing b12 for 4 months before the test though

Sounds like peri-menopause to me.

www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/teach-me/113666670/perimenopause-lead-up-to-menopause-very-uncomfortable-and-poorly-understood

Get your thyroid levels tested

AHHHHHHH bless you.
I think your brain is in overload.
To many things going on at one time .
I have that type of crap constantly going on in my head.
Strange men never get this shit.

Yes! I have had similar episodes and the dr thinks it's anxiety but reading this I want to get my B12 checked (already know that Vit D is low). Once I was at the cinema with DH and suddenly got very confused (DH thinks it was because we were watching The Lobster which tbf is confusing!) but it was all-enveloping. I didn't know what I was doing in the cinema or who I was. It was terrifying but came back after a minute. Sounds ridiculous writing it down but it was really scary. Have also had moments like a pp when I couldn't remember if certain family members were alive or not.

BTW I chose this username when I was feeling particularly bad - it means forgetful!