AIBU to be worried about a sudden memory loss?

[over2021]

This morning at 7am I logged onto work laptop from home (I'm on annual leave so it was a quick email check). I do this every day- the password never changes.

Logged off, dropped DD at school and came back to action one of the emails and I can't remember the password. Like, it's totally wiped from my brain. I know it starts with a capital W but that's it. 13 hours later and I still can't remember it.

Nothing like this has happened before. I'm genuinely worried that there's something not right!

Please reassure me that a) it's normal and b) I will remember the password tomorrow!

I have had this sort of thing before with passwords too. It’s bizarre but it doesn’t happen with other things so I don’t know how to explain it, but I wouldn’t worry unless you start noticing other memory issues.

I would be worried if it doesn't come back, make a note in your diary fo what happened today and make a note going forwards of any other incidences. This could be something, but more likely will be nothing - let us know how you get on in the morning.

Same thing happened to me yesterday with my bank login, first time I've ever forgotten something like that and not been able to remember it within a few seconds and it has worried me a little. I had it noted somewhere but it took me a while to find it and I have no idea whether I would have remembered it independently or how long it would have taken, it certainly didn't come back to me while I was looking for the note. I'm hoping it's perimenopausal brain fog tbh, how old are you OP?

I’m catholic and teach in a catholic school. I’ve said the Our Father and Hail Mary prayers almost every day for as long as I can remember. But if you were to ask me to say the prayer to you now, I’d not be able to. It’s something I can only do automatically and not when I’m actually thinking too hard about it.
Unless you start having more memory lapses I’d not worry too much and just put it down to being one of those weird things.

It happens. Nature's way of telling you to get a password manager (basically an encrypted list of your various sets of login info; you just remember - or record somewhere secure - the password for that - think of it like a locked notebook).
I once received some exciting news at lunchtime and when I returned to work I'd forgotten my PIN to get back into the office - I'd only been using it for five or so years twice daily!!

35. Bloody hell, if this is peri-menopause I don't think I'll survive the real thing!

Pei-menopause was my first thought. I can remember parking up at Tesco one day, nipping in for something then coming out and not even being able to recall what I was driving much less where I'd parked it.

I did this with my PIN last weekend. I thought too hard about it and it was just gone, I couldn't remember any part of it. I don't think it's a symptom of anything worrying, just a glitch in my memory.

This happend to me years ago with my bank pin (not perimenopause) I stood infront of the cash machine and had no idea what it was - it was as if someone has just erased it from my memory. I had to send off for another pin, but I think it was 2 or 3 weeks later when I was doing something unrelated it came back to me!

It's nothing to worry about. I think everyone has a moment or two like this now and then and it is inexplicable. Like when I go upstairs to get something, totally forget why, and have to come back down again to retrace my thinking, and off I go again, sometimes to forget a second time too!

I go through phases like this, and write things down immediately to remember. It usually happens when my mind is racing 19 to the dozen and it can't focus properly on one thing at a time.

@ScarlettDarling my friend is an archbishop and still has to have the words of the creed in front of him after 40 years!

It sounds to me like you forgot it because you were out of your normal routine perhaps? You'd already logged in, gone out then tried to log in again and you were on annual leave. Somehow, the 'different' circumstances tripped your brain up.

This happened to me recently. I work from home and log in with no problems every day. But the day I went into the office I just couldn't remember my password at all!^^ But could as soon as I got home...

My memory loss started off slowly and has got so bad that I can no longer work. My job entailed me giving advice on GDPR and delivering presentations across the organisation. I've had a brain scan which showed up no abnormalities. I had other cognitive tests for my memory but I failed the tests. I am unable to do my job now.

They said stress could be an issue. I've been seeing a psychologist but nothing has shown up. My GP is trying to find an answer. One reason may be that the menopause collided with Covid. Fortunately my GP has referred me to our local mealth team. I will be rrunning out of money scarily soon. My mortgage and other direct debits are all bouncing.

I'm seriously hoping my memory comes back. If not I'll have to sell my house. Its utterly perplexing.

I got a PIP application recently. My GP is going to help me with the application form.

Has anyone ever experienced anything similar? I would love to hear if anyone knows what's going on. Thanks x

Apart from my cognitive problems I'm completely healthy. My mood is much lower than anytime ever before but I'm ok apart from that. When the menopause started I was prescribed Venlafaxine and Sandreena which pretty much eliminated the hot flushes. I'm truly at a loss. My longterm relationship ended recently because he could not deal with my memory loss. My two adult children see the problems on a daily basis. I'd love some other mum's experiences. Thanks very much for reading!

Was my first sign of pregnancy both times I have been pregnant

That’s what happened to me, had the same PIN for years and I mean several ☺️ My brain went ‘haha wouldn’t it be funny if you forgot your PIN’ and then it was gone. I never remembered it again! Even the muscle memory had gone. So glad it’s not just me!

Had this happen with my debit card PIN. Was about 30 at the time.

LOL, I'd rather it was the menopause.

This happened to me a few years ago with my bank card pin number. Used for years, used that week and yet i stood at aldi till and got it wrong 3 times. Sent for the reminder and thought how did i forget that. Hasnt happened with anything since so dont worry.

Although i am terribly forgetful anyway

I have noticed this since having Covid and my son who is 40 says he has noticed the same thing . I read that Covid destroys a small part of your brain and one of that is related to memory ( not sure if this is true! )

This has happened to me with passwords, my work one is the main one, I do it without thinking about the letters / numbers I'm typing, but I've had a time when I've stared at the screen with no idea.

This started happening to me regularly. Would forget passwords, conversations, names and all sorts. Thought it was early onset dementia 😬

Am on now on HRT and rarely happens. Bloody menopause!

years ago when heavily pregnant I came out of my usual supermarket and couldn’t remember where I had parked . A man asked what colour my car was and for a few moments I couldn’t remember that. Since then my memory had been fine. Fast forward 40 years and in a very stressful job I forgot my password to log in at work . Everyday I would enter the codes to enter the building and collect keys until one day I forgot . I then began to have days when I forgot how to place my finger on the reader to get out at the end of my shift. I would place it on the wrong key and then be unsure of what to do as a queue built up behind me. I notice that i would frequently forget words . One day I logged into my online shopping order ( with no issues) as I had realised I needed to add something and then couldn’t remember what those things are called . Those things you clean oven trays and saucepans with although i remembered what I needed them for.
I began to really worry when texting my daughter I referred to her older brother by her younger brother’s name and couldn’t remember the correct one. I feared the worst as my dad had dementia .
I retired 4 months ago as well past retirement age and with physical health issues . My memory has returned to normal . I can remember passwords , account numbers etc with no problems. Not being constantly rushed , and not stressed must have helped . Perhaps we are just required to remember too much these days.

It will probably come back to you when you're not thinking about it.
Occasionally when I get a migraine one of the first symptoms is I forget the names of things which is kind of scary but doesn't last too long.

All the time . I forgot my pin for several days. Used my card and inputted it without thinking still couldn't remember it!! Peri menopause I think. Im 43.