To think I should be worried?

[MooPointCowsOpinion]

I have been suffering with awful brain fog and memory loss for months. I heard heart conditions can present like this to start with in women, and I have a hole in my heart, so I finally went to the doctor and he asked me a few questions like who is the prime minister, when was the Second World War etc... I couldn’t answer a single question. I felt so confused and scared and just cried.
He’s put me on beta blockers, but was really dismissive of my brain fog, told me not to worry.... I just forgot who was prime minister!! How can I not worry? AIBU that this needs taking more seriously?

Have you had bloods taken? When my B12 & Vit D were low I struggled with brain fog, simple questions and tasks.

Well, with the rate that our PMs seem to change recently, I'm not surprised you forgot!

How are the beta blockers going for you? I have terrible anxiety, and get bad brain fog when things are difficult. So for me, beta blockers help. There are lots of things that can cause brain fog - it doesn't always have to be the worst case scenario.

That being said, if I had a known heart condition, I would certainly want it to be checked out.

Is there any way you can see another doctor to get a second opinion?

Going gluten free reduces my brain fog.

I think this does need to be investigated. But not necessarily treated with drugs.

No bloods taken at all, iklboo, but I had a period of them being checked loads when they first found the hole so I guess they were ok back then.
I’m only starting the beta blockers today, so no news about progress yet SunshineAngel. I’ve heard they’re good for anxiety too.
CustardT I was thinking about diet, I’ve not been great with avoiding sugar since about November time, I usually fast and exercise and avoid sugar as much as possible but I’ve really slipped! I’m just making a shopping list for some healthy food. I’m not gluten free, but I try to be low GI, which avoids a lot of the same things.

A really good nutritionist will take more bloods than the NHS and give you way more answers.

I'm not sure what the point of the questions were if you got them all wrong and he still didn't follow up. I think alot depends on what is normal for you - I know people who might well forget the prime minister's name because they pay so little attention to current events however for others I' be very shocked and worried if they couldn't answer such basic questions.

I would request bloods. I suffer from brain fog and poor short term memory and I have high calcium. There are plenty of other benign causes too.

How old are you?
Not being able to remember the dates of 2nd WW and who is the PM is not usual " brain fog".
I'm really not wanting to be alarmist, but your GP should have seen this as a red flag.
Try not to worry, but def go back....actually "memory" bloods are pretty extensive and robust. I wouldn't spend your money on a nutritionist. You may need anti depressants or HRT, or simply a HP to listen and reasurre after some more investigations

Good luck

Are you sure the beta blockers were prescribed for the problem you presented with? This sounds v unusual, maybe see another GP?

Could the beta blockers be for anxiety op?

I’d go back and see another GP. If you got all of very basic questions wrong and he didn’t discuss that with you or do anything about it then that seems not at all thorough. Did he ask you things that you would normally know the answer to? Did you forget in the panic of the moment? Or would you struggle with these questions during a normal day? I think you should go back and see someone different.

I'd go back and see a different GP or ask for a second opinion. Ask outright for your bloods to be checked for any conditions that may cause confusion or brain fog.

Blood tests are so easy to do, I'm gobsmacked your GP didn't do it?! Definitely go back.

See a different GP and ask for bloods

My fog & fatigue was due to a combination of
hypothyroidism
Low ferritin
B12 & folate deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency

Good luck OP

Thanks all. To answer questions I’m in my 30s, nowhere near HRT time!
I’m a very political person, I definitely know who the prime minister is (and why I hate him) most of the time. It seems to happen the most when I’m asked a direct question, I can’t think of anything. It also happens when I’m walking or driving places, I just suddenly can’t remember why I’m on the move or where I am or where I should go next.

I think I will pay for my own blood tests. My doctors surgery is only 2 doctors, I can’t really get a second opinion as the other one isn’t in very often and when she is she’s super popular so she’s impossible to see.