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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To worry about my memory?

27 replies

SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:40

I've had problems with my memory for about 4 years and it has slowly got worse. I forget so many things as an example, I'll see a photo of me somewhere and have zero recollection to the extent it feels really scary that there is a photo of me somewhere I don't think I went. I also read things I wrote and it feels like someone else wrote it.

When I'm having a conversation with a friend, a few times every conversation I completely lose track as to what we are talking about. I'm constantly saying 'what were we talking about?'

I often can't find the right word. I'm often having to say 'I can't think of the right word' or having to say a different word that isn't quite right. I also say the wrong word but it often starts with the same sound for example I might say 'do you want some lump?' instead of 'do you want some lunch?' It makes me very self conscious. Also, I've always been a really good speller but now I often can't think how words are spelt or I just write them incorrectly.

I spoke to one of the GPs at my practice about it the other day. She did a mini mental test. I did ok on all the other parts except the part where they tell you some information and you have to remember it at the end. So she said you don't qualify to be referred to the memory clinic. She tried to down play it and say everyone has memory problems, you just don't realise. I said everyone knows I do as it is obvious in most conversations (can't find words, lose track, say wrong word etc) but none of my friends have the same problem. I am late 30s and said surely this is not normal at my age? She finally agreed to do a blood test. She said she is going to test for prolactin and then just a FBC, I think.

Has anyone any idea what could be causing this and what I should do?

OP posts:
HollowTalk · 21/06/2022 17:42

That does sound worrying. Are you extremely tired?

SpiderVersed · 21/06/2022 17:44

Is there early menopause in your family? Peri-menopause can play merry hell with your memory.

DamnUserName21 · 21/06/2022 17:48

A lot of health conditions can affect memory. For instance, hypothyroidism.
GP needs to be doing more than FBC, quite frankly.
Document all symptoms and when they occur.

Missikat13 · 21/06/2022 17:50

I wonder if it could be peri-menopause? I had a really interesting talk at work the other day as we've brought in an organisational menopause policy and the manager doing it was taking a lot about memory problems being a very common symptom of peri-menopause. This
is normal to start from early 40s, but can start earlier. There are apparently 19 common symptoms of early menopause which noone really talks about. It may be worth thinking about that as a reason? Good luck xx

SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:55

HollowTalk · 21/06/2022 17:42

That does sound worrying. Are you extremely tired?

Yes, I am but I have an under active thyroid. I am on medication but only the starter dose. I'm due to have a blood test to check that too.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:56

SpiderVersed · 21/06/2022 17:44

Is there early menopause in your family? Peri-menopause can play merry hell with your memory.

No, there isn't but that's something the GP could check for, I think?

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:58

DamnUserName21 · 21/06/2022 17:48

A lot of health conditions can affect memory. For instance, hypothyroidism.
GP needs to be doing more than FBC, quite frankly.
Document all symptoms and when they occur.

I have hypothyroidism. I was put on medication 6 months ago but only on the lowest dose. I'm due to be having a blood test for that anyway. I can't say the medication has improved my memory atall but maybe I just need a higher dose.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:59

Missikat13 · 21/06/2022 17:50

I wonder if it could be peri-menopause? I had a really interesting talk at work the other day as we've brought in an organisational menopause policy and the manager doing it was taking a lot about memory problems being a very common symptom of peri-menopause. This
is normal to start from early 40s, but can start earlier. There are apparently 19 common symptoms of early menopause which noone really talks about. It may be worth thinking about that as a reason? Good luck xx

Thank you, I will speak to my GP about that.

OP posts:
DamnUserName21 · 21/06/2022 18:28

It's hard to identify peri-menopause through bloods due to fluctuation hormones any given day. GPs will look at your symptoms and when they occur and what you are doing at the time and beforehand.

SailingNotSurfing · 21/06/2022 18:31

I don't think you're on a high enough dose of thyroxine. Go back to your GP and request another TFT blood test.

Please don't be too alarmed. Since having Covid, I have had terrible word finding difficulties and brain fog and I can understand your fear.

SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 18:32

DamnUserName21 · 21/06/2022 18:28

It's hard to identify peri-menopause through bloods due to fluctuation hormones any given day. GPs will look at your symptoms and when they occur and what you are doing at the time and beforehand.

Ok, thank you for the information.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 18:34

SailingNotSurfing · 21/06/2022 18:31

I don't think you're on a high enough dose of thyroxine. Go back to your GP and request another TFT blood test.

Please don't be too alarmed. Since having Covid, I have had terrible word finding difficulties and brain fog and I can understand your fear.

Thank you and I'm sorry to hear that. I've had Covid, then Long Covid and then Covid again so that could be affecting it too. Seems a lot of possible causes!

OP posts:
MyVoiceCounts · 21/06/2022 18:39

SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 17:58

I have hypothyroidism. I was put on medication 6 months ago but only on the lowest dose. I'm due to be having a blood test for that anyway. I can't say the medication has improved my memory atall but maybe I just need a higher dose.

Low vitamin D and low B12 can often go along with hypothyroidism and can affect memory, as can low ferritin.

When I first started with my thyroid issue I was so under treated I actually couldn’t find my way home and didn’t know my phone number! It was very frightening.

when I then had Vitamin D deficiency I actually thought I was developing early onset Alzheimer’s my memory was so bad. Your really need to find out exactly what blood tests your Dr is requesting and maybe request a few more!

Fitterbyfifty · 21/06/2022 18:47

Are you very stressed atm? I have had periods of bad memory. A few years ago I was really stressed and couldn't remember how to use some software at work. I googled it and fou d a long, useful explanation on a specialist forum. I thanked the OP for the explanation- and discovered that ....the OP was me from a few years earlier. 😂It sounds ridiculous but it really freaked me out at the time as I had no memory of writing it or of being able to use the software. I still have poor memories now but stress really did exacerbate it so it's something to consider.

Underscore21 · 21/06/2022 18:47

It'll be to do with your newish diagnosis of hypothyroidism. IME it takes absolutely ages /couples of years to recover with a lot of dose adjustments.

SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 19:09

MyVoiceCounts · 21/06/2022 18:39

Low vitamin D and low B12 can often go along with hypothyroidism and can affect memory, as can low ferritin.

When I first started with my thyroid issue I was so under treated I actually couldn’t find my way home and didn’t know my phone number! It was very frightening.

when I then had Vitamin D deficiency I actually thought I was developing early onset Alzheimer’s my memory was so bad. Your really need to find out exactly what blood tests your Dr is requesting and maybe request a few more!

I already take Vit D as it helped with my Long Covid. I'm going to have a look at all my blood results to see if my levels of those vitamins have been looked at, thank you.

That does sound very frightening. It's just so scary when it feels like your brain isn't working properly. So many times my DC try to talk to me about things that have happened and I can't answer them because to me it as if it never happened.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 19:14

Fitterbyfifty · 21/06/2022 18:47

Are you very stressed atm? I have had periods of bad memory. A few years ago I was really stressed and couldn't remember how to use some software at work. I googled it and fou d a long, useful explanation on a specialist forum. I thanked the OP for the explanation- and discovered that ....the OP was me from a few years earlier. 😂It sounds ridiculous but it really freaked me out at the time as I had no memory of writing it or of being able to use the software. I still have poor memories now but stress really did exacerbate it so it's something to consider.

I know exactly what you mean! I read things I have written and it's like I have slipped into an alternative reality as I 'know' I didn't write it. It is such a strange feeling.

So just to add another twist to the tale...the memory problems started after a bad period for my mental health. I was convinced it was the medication I was taking but noone seems to think that is the case. The thing is my mental health has been much better over the past couple of years but the memory problems have just got worse.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 19:16

Underscore21 · 21/06/2022 18:47

It'll be to do with your newish diagnosis of hypothyroidism. IME it takes absolutely ages /couples of years to recover with a lot of dose adjustments.

Thank you, hopefully it is just that. I can imagine it will take a long while considering they only look at my blood every 6 months. I've actually had thyroid problems on and off for about 15 years.

OP posts:
SummerBreeze1980 · 21/06/2022 19:26

Sorry to be clear, I've had thyroid problems on and off for 15 years but have only been started on thyroxine 6 months ago.

OP posts:
JesusInTheCabbageVan · 21/06/2022 19:33

So just to add another twist to the tale...the memory problems started after a bad period for my mental health. I was convinced it was the medication I was taking but noone seems to think that is the case.

Can I ask, was it sertraline?

clippety clop · 21/06/2022 19:42

I have a poor memory and I think it's because I have an under active thyroid.

PrincessPeach22 · 21/06/2022 19:46

Go to doctor could be early onset dementia x

Underscore21 · 21/06/2022 23:36

I've never heard of early onset dementia affecting anyone in their 30's.

HearMePlease · 22/06/2022 09:24

Underscore21 · 21/06/2022 23:36

I've never heard of early onset dementia affecting anyone in their 30's.

it can start between ages 30-65

Doingprettywellthanks · 07/09/2022 19:58

Op - how are you? Any developments?