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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

panicking about memory loss

44 replies

Iamboudicca · 05/10/2019 13:30

Just had an odd thing happen that is freeking me out. Out shopping with kids this morning. Get a text from DH which says “can you pick up a sympathy card for X as his mum has just died”. I had no idea who X is.Thought maybe a neighbour I dont know by name or a member of DHs sports club perhaps? Called DH and asked who is X and he said BIL of course!

I had no idea what he was on about? BIL? I queried and he said yes BIL then finally Y’s husband - you know Y. I struggled to place Y (DH’s sister!) but even once I had remembered that I could not find BIL in my memory.

I am early 40s, I have known X and Y for 10 years, we are not close but do see them several times. BIL’s name is fairly unusual - he’s the only X I know... It is still proving a bit woolly trying to match up name and face in my head even though its been an hour or so and I’ve been trying to fill the hole.

would you be worried? or is it one of those weird things like de ja vu?

OP posts:
8by8 · 05/10/2019 13:40

Um.

Yes honestly I’d find that odd.

I have occasional blanks - what did I come into this room for, what did I need from the shops, what’s the name of that school mum - but nothing like forgetting close relatives.

Best to see your GP for a check up.

GreenTulips · 05/10/2019 13:43

It might just be an early menopause symptom.

coconuttelegraph · 05/10/2019 13:47

That would worry me too, might be a good idea to book GP appointment

PhilCornwall1 · 05/10/2019 13:49

If it's only happened once I wouldn't worry, but if it happens a few more times, I'd be considering at least a phone chat with your GP.

Butchyrestingface · 05/10/2019 13:50

I am early 40s, I have known X and Y for 10 years, we are not close but do see them several times

Several times when? A year?

You say you struggled to place Y as well.

Are you having difficulty remembering other things?

bridgetreilly · 05/10/2019 14:13

Have you had any kind of head injury lately? Not necessarily anything serious, just where you bumped your head on something. Because that is quite concerning, not to remember when prompted. We all have moments, but as soon as your DP said he was your BIL, I would have expected you to remember immediately. I would go and see the GP.

MarianaMoatedGrange · 05/10/2019 14:14

I wouldn't be overly worried. You saw/heard BIl and Ys name out of context while you were busy with shopping and DC.

coconuttelegraph · 05/10/2019 14:57

You saw/heard BIl and Ys name out of context while you were busy with shopping and DC

But B IL is the only person the OP knows of that name, I don't think it's normal not to know who it is in any context especially with the other information given. I hope it's nothing serious but I don't think minimising it is helpful.

Aquamarine1029 · 05/10/2019 15:09

Peri-menopause is my first thought. Brain fog, moments of forgetting things, memory lapses are all VERY common symptoms. I had some real cock ups myself so I know how you feel.

HollowTalk · 05/10/2019 15:13

Is your memory good?

Have you felt any different lately?

HollowTalk · 05/10/2019 15:43

Sorry, meant "is your memory usually good?"

Original poster
Iamboudicca · 05/10/2019 16:32

Sorry I meant I see them a few times a year.

My memory used to be very good. Its been a bit iffy since having DCs but nothing like this. Mislaying things, forgetting appointments - that kind of thing. This was completely new to me.

Although I have been struggling for the right word for stuff a lot more than usual this week but put it down to the fact that I was feeling unwell earlier in the week with a funny bug - muscle weakness, fatigue and feeling a bit away with the fairies (no cold or flu symptoms) but I thought I was over it?

A busy and fairly stressful week at work though? hmmm?

OP posts:
Prawnofthepatriarchy · 07/10/2019 23:31

Earlier this year I was screened for ASD. It was a lengthy and thorough process which provided all sorts of different results. I had told my psychologist that I was worried about my truly appalling memory. Worse than yours.

Eventually I got the results. I do have ASD and my memory is within normal range.

The thought that there are millions of people walking round with memories as bad as mine is alarming.

bridgetreilly · 07/10/2019 23:33

If you're feeling unwell generally, definitely go and see the doctor and tell them about the memory loss issues.

BeneathTheMist · 07/10/2019 23:34

could be a UTI, that can make you forgetful

Runkle · 07/10/2019 23:39

B12 deficiency can cause memory loss/brain fog. Definitely see your GP for a check up.

Titsywoo · 07/10/2019 23:41

Do you mean you are struggling to remember who he is OR what his name is? Or have you remembered now and it was a weird blip?

GothMummy · 07/10/2019 23:42

I had something similar a couple of years ago, total memory blanks on people I had known for years, getting lost in my own village, using the wrong words.... I got very worried about alzhiemers etc and went to my GP..... It turned out to be severe anemia!

Hollyhobbi · 07/10/2019 23:57

Get your bloods checked especially for iron levels, vitB12 and also blood calcium levels.

Sweetdreamer93 · 08/10/2019 08:58

Are you on any medication that has memory loss listed as a side effect?

LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh · 08/10/2019 09:39

I would worry about an episode of muscle weakness and sudden memory problems. You really should consult someone ASAP.

Original poster
Iamboudicca · 14/10/2019 20:48

So I went to the GP and apparently failed something called the finger to nose test, among other things. I’ve got blood tests and a ECG tomorrow and a referral to a neurologist. Any ideas what happens with all that?

OP posts:
Winterwoollies · 14/10/2019 21:30

Don’t worry too much. I got tested for that when I got a nasty concussion. I got a migraine immediately after my fall so I also failed the test. Everything was fine.
Have they given you any idea what they think could be? The finger-to-nose rest is something they do when testing for ataxia, an uncoordination of limbs. It can be linked to a few different things. They’ll probably refer you and to be safe they’ll give you a little head scan. How is your memory and fatigue now?x

LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh · 15/10/2019 08:08

OP it's excellent that you are getting this investigated. Hope all is well in the end. All the best for today.

peachgreen · 15/10/2019 08:18

Loads of things can cause you to fail the finger to nose test - some are as benign as vitamin deficiencies or food intolerances so don't worry too much. Hopefully the scan will add some further information. Best of luck.