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Original poster

Help! Tired, unable to process info, no memory

28 replies

ChickyNuggies · 13/07/2021 20:03

Rubbish title but still. Starting point is I have blood tests tomorrow morning but worried they will come back as normal and then I will be stuck.

What on earth could be wrong with me?

Symptoms are: low level achey headache, extreme tiredness all the time, inability to concentrate or focus, absolutely no short term memory at all (as in, I can't even remember having conversations with someone the day after the conversation happened) and unable to process anything. For example if you said can you grab that pen to your right, it would take me a good 15 seconds to work out what a pen was and which side was my right.

Other random things as well is I keep getting floaty jelly strings in my eyes about 4 X a day which is new and I have weird teeny tiny red blood spots all over my arms.

Does anyone have any idea what this could be?? I have quite a full on job and NOT performing to the required standard just now which I need to nip in the bud.

Oh and I am 30 years old, slightly overweight and definitely not pregnant.

OP posts:
royalcanal · 13/07/2021 20:05

Iron deficiency?

EspressoDoubleShot · 13/07/2021 20:14

Have you had covid, long covid does present as cognitive impairment?
They’ll need to consider a neurological basis and explore further
Are you experiencing visual disturbance? What is the “floaty jelly strings in eyes?”

PearlclutchersInc · 13/07/2021 20:16

Thyroid problems perhaps, underactive?

Mayhemmumma · 13/07/2021 20:17

Obvious but how are you sleeping?

Original poster
ChickyNuggies · 13/07/2021 20:21

I dont think I have had covid, no! I was quite ill with symptoms in January but tests all came back negative and that was almost 6 months ago now and this has just started within the last few weeks!

Sleep is fine, usual of 7 or 8 hours during the week and I could pretty much sleep all weekend at the moment but make myself get up after 9 or so hours.

The floaty jelly things in my eyes is like literal jelly stringy bits on my eye balls that temporarily blur my vision until I fish them out with a bit of tissue or something! Envy

OP posts:
APurpleSquirrel · 13/07/2021 20:24

Have you had any bad headaches?
What have the drs said? Tests?

Original poster
ChickyNuggies · 13/07/2021 20:28

Not any really bad headaches no, just an almost constant low level ache. The doctor said it could be an iron deficiency and booked me in for "standard" bloods tomorrow but I am on the brink of getting a stern talking too at work and want it resolved sooner rather than later. Just worried that the bloods don't show anything then I have to call for another appointment and it will suddenly be two weeks later!

OP posts:
APurpleSquirrel · 13/07/2021 20:33

Personally, the bit that would worry me the most is the lack of short term memory.
Other than migraines, this - no short term memory - was the reason we took my mum into A&E. Initially they thought stroke, but after an MRI they found a brain tumour.
I'm not saying that to alarm you but her GP didn't take her migraines seriously especially as they can be a symptom of so many things.
Have you told the dr about the memory loss? Personally I'd push for a scan but that's just based on my experience.

PinkBuffalo · 13/07/2021 20:34

Could be b12 deficiency I was really poorly with that couple of years ago similar symptoms

royalcanal · 13/07/2021 20:34

Can you tell work you haven't been feeling well and are waiting for test results? Drs will want to rule out most obvious. Also you could consult a good opticians? Mine deals with minor eye conditions

CobraChicken · 13/07/2021 20:39

Make sure you ask for your ferritin result, not just whether it was considered "within normal range" because you can certainly be symptomatic of low iron stores while having ferritin levels that are considered "normal".

Inmypjsagain · 13/07/2021 20:40

This does sort of sound like extreme anaemia, where you feel excessively and unreasonably tired and almost vacant, my husband said he could try and see me trying to process things he said… but the pen comment sounds like it’s beyond that.

My second thought was potentially fibromyalgia, www.nhs.uk/conditions/fibromyalgia/ Hopefully the bloods will show something that you can treat or Your doctor can provide you with some potential diagnosis. So difficult when you don’t have answers.

If the memory issues continue I agree with PP and push for the scan.

Hope you get some answers and treatment!

ImbarbaraB · 13/07/2021 20:44

The red spots on arms are Petechiae and can be a sign of blood disorders but also side effects from having COVID that has then caused ITP or could be any manor of things

The red dots on arms are not something to ignore

EspressoDoubleShot · 13/07/2021 20:44

Potentially autoimmune? That cab cause cognitive impairments
Get the blood tests see what comes up. Get a sick note from GP, and explain to work you’re physically unwell and the illness is impacting performance. Your ability to perform at work is potentially impaired by underlying illness

Hungry675tf · 13/07/2021 20:46

I had this late last year. It was burnout.

I took an initial week off work to sort myself out and rest but ended up having to take 2 months off to recover.

I kept pushing it and pushing it as work was so intense. But then I found myself driving the wrong way down a street completely confused. So I stopped there and then and went off sick.

I'm still not 100% but two months rest was desperately needed

NerdyBird · 13/07/2021 20:48

Make sure you ask for a print out of your full results. For things like iron even if it's at the lowest 'normal' level that doesn't mean it's at optimum for you. The results give ranges so for some things you can look up and see whereabouts in the range might be best for you.
I am v similar with the memory, processing and tiredness but I'm 44 so perimenopause is more likely for me.
Hope you get it sorted.

user1471462115 · 13/07/2021 20:55

They need to check vitamin D as it can cause these symptoms if it is low.
Also B12, folate and ferritin as well as the usual blood tests. Make sure they add these to the request form.

EspressoDoubleShot · 13/07/2021 21:01

Full Blood Count And Request Vitamin B12 and Folate Deficiency too

pandobing · 13/07/2021 21:01

Apart from the eyes sounds like symptoms I was having before I got diagnosed with underactive thyroid. That can cause brain fog, difficulty concentrating, memory issues, tiredness

scottmichael · 13/07/2021 21:02

Definitely have b12 and folate checked

Original poster
ChickyNuggies · 13/07/2021 21:08

Thanks all, after googling all sound like potential causes. Does anyone know if B12 and thyroid are usually checked as part of a standard blood test or would these be additional tests?

I have explained to my manager the issues I have been experiencing and whilst she was understanding, concerned and sympathetic, errors and not actioning things are still not excused!

OP posts:
EspressoDoubleShot · 13/07/2021 21:27

Thyroid function test can be requested to check the hormone levels Thyroxine and Tri-iodothyronine
Full blood test will inc B12 levels

UpTheLaganInABubble · 13/07/2021 22:26

B12/Folate aren't included in a Full Blood Count, they need added as a separate test

EspressoDoubleShot · 13/07/2021 22:53

Duh,I meant to type full blood tests andinc B12 levels
@UpTheLaganInABubble, love the username very LoD

Notashandyta · 13/07/2021 22:57

Maybe even a combo of things.
Vit d deficiency and burnout? Or any two of many possibilities...

Hope you get answers. Total rest may help a little.

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