To wonder why I'm suddenly so thick?

[ProcrastinatorsAnonymous]

I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's wrong with me! Or at least what sort of tests to ask the GP for...

I've always been reasonably on the ball and do an intellectually demanding job. I'm now 2 kids in, early 40s and my brain has shuddered to a halt. I can't think straight and am really struggling to deliver on my work commitments.

It could just be that I'm knackered - I don't always sleep well, could probably eat better and I'm breastfeeding an 18 month old (only a couple of times a day now - doesn't really affect my sleep). I'm constantly unwell - have had an almost constant series of colds over past 12 months, culminating in shingles which was AWFUL.

OR - I wonder if this is peri menopause brain fog? Hard to know, as my periods haven't come back postpartum (they took well over 2 years after first child). I do sometimes get something that could be a hot flush.

OR - Could this be long covid? I've tested virtually every time I've had a cold and the tests have always been negative, but maybe I did have symptomless covid and this is a long tail on it...?

If there's something I can do to change this, I would really like to. I was planning to get blood tests for the following -

Full blood count, Kidney Function, Liver Function, Lipids, Ferritin, Thyroid function (TSH, T4 and T3), HbA1c, Oestradiol, Testosterone, Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Folate

Is there anything else I should get tested for?

I work in a competitive creative industry and my ability to produce quality work is closely tied to my self esteem. I'm finding this alarming!

@IdiotCreatures Thank you! Will definitely look into this!

@ghostyslovesheets - I would gladly take a sting if it would sort me out!

"have had an almost constant series of colds over past 12 months, culminating in shingles..."

This is exactly what my friend had and it began after her Covid vaccines.

Hi OP. Just to say that I started an extremely similar post just a few days back. Feel free to do a search. The general consensus was that I'm peri- menopausal.

Could it be burnout @ProcrastinatorsAnonymous? Just looked up symptoms as sounds similar to when I was diagnosed with chronic stress/burnout:

Feeling overwhelmed and/or helpless
Feelings of tiredness and exhaustion
Becoming cynical or pessimistic
Feeling detached and/or isolated
Being unable to focus and/or dropping the ball
Finding it difficult to concentrate and procrastination
A lack of inspiration and/or creativity
Self-doubt and negative self-talk
Physical symptoms such as headaches and stomach aches
Picking up colds and flu easier due to a weakened immune system

Seems like quite a few boxes ticked there. theantiburnoutclub.com/burnout-everything-you-need-to-know/

Hope you get to the bottom of it soon!

I would suggest it's peri given that I had exactly the same. Horrible. Hope you get to find out!

I'm 40. Work FT with demanding toddler who is breastfeeding and have bf pretty much for 8 years! I feel the same, plus collect fat in weird places (I eat too much probably,but exercise and i never put down fat on arms or stomach pre-kids so its odd). I'm wondering if it is hormones. Oestrogen and progesterone will be low and prolactin high with bf, which can cause weird symptoms. They don't tell you about the shit side of bfing do they? And I still have a kid refusing to wean. People should be more honest about this.

I do think part of the issue is boredom though. Boring job that requires concentration, boring relationship and boring life! Can't change it unfortunately.

Im sure if I had a hot man interested in me, an exciting job, less work and drudgery but more play, my mind would be sharper!

OP if the hormones test comes back low insist on HRT.

New evidence suggest starting earlier is better. It also looks like it reduces dementia in women by 50%

If you do get onto HRT give it 6 months then get tested again. A lot of women don't and they don't realise that it's very low testosterone causing the remaining symptoms. (Mental sharpness and joint ache)

Testosterone can only be prescribed by the menopause clinic so you have to wait for a phone consultation for that.

My brain fog cleared after HRT. But I still miss the sharpness I used to have. Waiting for my consultation on adding testosterone in.

@NotKatherineRyan I mean, that
list is a fairly accurate description of my headspace, to be fair…!

@jeaux90 - I’m a little bit nervous of taking HRT while BF (even though they say it’s probably ok…) I think I need to eliminate other things first (eg B12) and might then think about weaning if HRT seems to be the answer.

@Onlyhuman123 - could well be… Did HRT sort you out?

@mycatisannoying - Thanks. Will have a look for the thread. Has your GP been able to help?

Sounds like it could be peri. I think a GP would run bloods on basis of colds/run down/no periods.

OP I agree, get tests done and take it from there. Could be something super simple.

Stop breastfeeding - you'll be better.
I suspect it isn't menopause yet as you only had a child recently.

I’m the same and I don’t know if it’s my bipolar playing up or peri menopause, think I need a gp trip to find out

@underneaththeash - I will if I have to (eg to go in HRT) but would prefer to BF for as long as we both want to.

@ProcrastinatorsAnonymous you can't take HRT anyway if you're breastfeeding.

@underneaththeash The research on HRT / Breastfeeding is inconclusive, but it’s thought that it’s probably ok, particularly if you’re a long way into BF (so milk supply established) www.balance-menopause.com/menopause-library/breastfeeding-hrt/

I’m just quite paranoid about taking anything while BF, so personally would want to wean before taking HRT.

@ProcrastinatorsAnonymous Thanks ! 😊 Yes well ferrous sulphate, one every other day after getting my ferritin up from 4 to 25 on gps orders of 3 a day.

You could be burnt out, are you working 3 jobs you said?

Best to get checked over, hope you find answers. 😊

@Ohpaella - One of the commenters said I was working 2-3 jobs, but I’m not sure where they got that from! I just have the one job, but it’s not a standard job - I’m a freelancer in a creative industry, and when I take on a project it is quite all-consuming and not the kind of thing where you can share the workload. I do feel burnt out, but often have over the years and it’s never been quite like this! My brain feels like overcooked porridge!

I haven't been to my GP yet, in answer to your question OP. But given that I was crying while walking home after work today, I probably should! So not only do I feel thick as mince, I'm feeling really low too. Great!

@mycatisannoying - Oh, I'm so sorry you had such a rough day. I read your thread and starting a new job is never easy. It definitely sounds worth a trip to the GP. If there's a relatively easy fix for the brain fog, it would be a shame not to sort it! Hope you can enjoy the weekend and have a better week next week. I'm planning to call my GP on Monday.

Thank you lovely. Good luck and do keep us posted!

I read your title, and thought ‘menopause’ before I’d even read your posts.
I can only share my experience, which was that I had been on hormones for IVF, and then discovered I was through menopause 42…. ☹️
i struggle to find basic words, constant hot flushes, insomnia, etc. HRT has helped, but hasn’t been the cure all. I have 3 degrees, including a PhD, so I KNOW I’m not thick - but it certainly bloody feels like it sometimes.
Persevere in getting the bloods done. It’s not fair that we’re just expected to accept feeling this way because we’re women. 😡