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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

WhoWants2Know · 15/10/2019 08:24

I'm so glad you went to get checked out!

readingnc · 15/10/2019 08:32

Good luck op

HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 15/10/2019 08:37

Best of luck with the tests! Really glad you’re getting yourself checked.

I’ve never had an ECG or seen a neurologist. But I’ve had ALL the blood tests, and they’re a walk in the park.

💐 for you, and a big cosy hug.

HasThisSoddingNameGoneToo · 16/10/2019 08:50

How did you get on, OP?

Rubbleonthedouble1 · 16/10/2019 08:56

I hope you get on ok OP X

AmIThough · 16/10/2019 09:04

My DP had similar and it was a B12 deficiency

But the finger to nose test may suggest a small stroke.

Hope you're ok x

Original poster

Iamboudicca · 16/10/2019 19:33

Well the blood test was a blood test (I don’t have a problem with them) but not sure what it will show ( I had thyroid and B12 and iron etc checked back in May and all came back normal). The ECG came back fine. Will have to wait for the blood tests.

I managed to leave my handbag in the waiting room though - thankfully some nice person handed it to the nurse who gave me it back. My work colleagues are beginning to be a bit concerned that I’m nit my usual self too. Definitely something up

OP posts:

Original poster

Iamboudicca · 16/10/2019 19:37

I’ve been having some physical symptoms too... does anyone have any experience of MS?

OP posts:

RightYesButNo · 16/10/2019 19:49

I was investigated for MS and have a few friends who have it as I have an autoimmune disease and know quite a few people with autoimmune diseases.

With MS, they will need to do scans to look for lesions on your brain. Those are what lead to the lack of coordination and memory problems.

This page covers just about everything regarding early symptoms, including why they might consider MS when you fail the finger nose test and have memory problems. I think it’s pretty comprehensive: www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/multiple-sclerosis-symptoms

If your doctor is talking about getting an MS diagnosis, it is a bit of a journey as it’s not just one test, though it does require the brain scan I mentioned as a big piece. This page from the MS Trust shows the path of diagnosis really clearly:
www.mstrust.org.uk/about-ms/what-ms/how-ms-diagnosed

I’m providing these pages not just because they’ve written it better than most of us could but also because I know what it’s like to have brain fog, so you’ll have some resources you can go back and reference as many times as you need to.

Rubbleonthedouble1 · 16/10/2019 20:31

I have MS. Please feel free to ask me any questions xx

AmIThough · 17/10/2019 04:44

My sister has MS. Hers was discovered after a car accident where she lost vision, mobility and feeling down one side of the body. It was awful but with physio she's mostly ok now. They're treating the MS and it's manageable x

CreativeUsernameExcapesMe · 17/10/2019 06:14

Hi OP, I have MS so happy to answer any questions you have. Try not to stress too much or think that it will be MS. There are many small things that can affect your memory as previous posters have mentioned (like certain nutrient deficiencies).

I'm going to assume your first neuro appointment will be pretty similar to ones I have had even though I'm 'across the pond'. It's likely that they will send you for an MRI (brain definitely but also maybe brain and spinal). Can be daunting for anyone who hasn't had one before (I hadn't and spent the time planning how to escape if it broke down!).

This should show is you have any lesions on either your brain or spine (which again may not be MS).

Good luck

peachgreen · 17/10/2019 08:24

My mum has MS and has been diagnosed for almost 20 years. For her symptoms started when she was a teenager but it took a long time to get a diagnosis as most of her relapses were assumed to be viruses. She had lots of symptoms before she was diagnosed - pain, nerve disturbances, fatigue, numbness etc. She didn't have any memory loss or neurological problems until much later stages.

AlphaLemon · 22/10/2019 18:04

Hey OP, any update? I didn’t actually comment on the thread initially as lots of others have, but your post stuck in my mind x

Original poster

Iamboudicca · 22/10/2019 22:30

Hi, Thanks for all your support, sorry I’ve not been back to the thread.
Not much to report really, I’ve not had anything back about the blood tests so the good news is that I’m clear for type 2 diabetes amongst other things.

I’ve not even got a date for neurology yet. I have got on top of my stress levels a bit better which I think is helping - I’ve had confirmation that my hours at work are being reduced which is a relief as I’ve been struggling this term. It has been suggested that it could just be anxiety which is causing the symptoms? But they haven’t suggested treating that - I guess thry need to check other stuff first?

No more funny turns which is good and brain fog has lifted a bit, but still forgetting words a fair bit. Fatigue has improved a bit as well.

Thanks for all the messages - might be a long wait to find out what happens next?

OP posts:

Original poster

Iamboudicca · 23/10/2019 18:03

So... just had the neurology appointment through. It's not until February 😞 is that about right? Is it worth asking about cancellations? or looking at other options?

presumably be another few months after that before I get an MRI through?

OP posts:

AfterSomeAdvice1234 · 23/10/2019 18:10

Would it be possible to arrange an appointment privately? Otherwise I would enquire about cancellations as you say (unless it's already procedure to do this).

Ruby2065 · 23/10/2019 18:24

Regarding a private appointment, a friend of mind was complaining of very poor short term memory and odd do's, gp wasn't taking her seriously. She ended up seeing a private neurologist who after a couple of different investigations got to the bottom of the problem. She's now been on medication for quite a few years and doing great. I dread to think what would have happened if she hadn't done this.

Doingprettywellthanks · 07/09/2022 20:00

Op - did you see your neurologist?

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