Forgetfulness

[warmmfeet]

Recently I feel like I'm forgetting stuff or getting daily life wrong more often.

For example

• I did a weekly online shop and added my parents address for delivery not mine

• didn't tell the time correctly and left house an hour earlier than I was meant to.

• a few times when driving I suddenly think I don't know where I'm going, then I remember

For context I'm 40, got 2 little kids age 2 and 4. Usual family stresses but nothing exceptional

Should I be worried about this? Anyone else get this?

Yes, I have some moments like this sometimes. I'm 37. Your last example is something I sometimes experience. I'll be driving and suddenly remember that I don't know where I'm supposed to be going, and I have to quickly try to remember and then map out in my head how to get there. But I put that down to being in a kind of automatic mode while driving, like "when I'm on this road I'm usually going to this place", and it's when I happen to not be going to that place that I have this problem, if that makes sense.

Recently, I've changed from somebody who is holding in their mind absolutely everything that needs to be done to somebody who walks into the next room to get something and ends up forgetting why they're there and then picking up something else altogether. I've started to despair with myself, honestly, because although it's all small things, these small things all add up and my days are spent forgetting things all the time and then having to go back for them or facing the consequences of what I've forgotten.

I forget things instantly – I put something back in the oven for two minutes and said I'll not bother to set an alarm, I'll surely remember, and then I didn't and just completely forgot that I was even cooking! Even when I brew my tea, three minutes can turn into fifteen, and I only remember when I happen to catch sight of my cup on the side.

I didn't exactly used to be like this. It was definitely in me, but I had reasons to not forget, I had to be on top of absolutely everything. It's as though my mind has partially given up and just dialled down its efficiency.

I did, and went to the GP who kindly ordered full blood tests. They revealed a severe B12 deficiency (amongst other things). I had six top-up B12 injections in quick succession and will have them every few months for the rest of my life. My memory is largely back to normal, but not 100% which I think is due to the fact that there was a long delay between the start of symptoms and blood tests (pandemic came in between).

People will jump in with "perimenopause" but I think you should ask your GP for blood tests including B12. Don't wait because if it relates to B12 as I say it's best to act quickly. Don't start taking B12 before the test, though, as that would throw the result off.

Also, do you do enough exercise? Memory also relies on blood flow to the brain, so exercise is important.

Plus all the other usual stuff like cut down alcohol, don't smoke, cut out UPFs, adequate sleep that you already know cannot harm, either.

@betwelve, this is interesting, thank you. For a long time now I've wanted to find out if there is anything I'm deficient in, but didn't know if the GP is the best place to go. I suppose since I have a problem I can legitimately go to the GP with they might entertain blood tests for me. This is useful to know.