Memory- when to worry

[Orangesandlemons77]

I know it is common during peri and menopause to have memory problems, but I am wondering if it is time to get it looked at with the GP.

I've got s family history of dementia as well. More on dad's side but also mothers. Have been tested and have a copy of the APOE4 gene which increases the risk by around 3 times.

Anyway, I thought I might share what was happening in case others were the same, before going to the GP (seem to have been bothering them lots recently!)

It's things like:

Making a cup of coffee and finding another I already made
Forgetting if I have taken a tablet(meds) or not
Occasionally putting things away in odd places (e.g hand blender in the recycling) and being unable to find it
In a conversation asking something they had already told me (for example if they are going away over easter)

What do you think do most people have this kind of thing or not? I'm 47 and on HRT. Still getting periods. Thanks!

Also, spelling mistakes such as the 's' instead of 'a' above...

I'm 49 and do all of those and also on HRT. My memory has got better since going on HRT so I'm comfortable that it's nothing serious. Part of it I think was hormonal and part of it is that the mental load I carry with regards to work, family, house etc is such that I'm easily distracted by a new thought. My attention span is much shorter than it used to be and I try and fail to multi task meaning I'm not present in what I'm doing.

Is it worth upping or changing your HRT to see if it makes a difference?

I have all of the above, 46 and on HRT.

I heard something about the meno/dementia thing. The difference is forgetting where you put your keys versus knowing what keys are.

But that said with your risk it might not hurt to ask your GP.

Yes maybe, we have already done that quite recently though.

Thanks, yes I have heard that too, however my dad has dementia and he knows what his keys are..just can't find them.

I'm also on meds for pain and depression and might be that too.

I wonder whether some of your medications are causing the issue? Maybe something to discuss with your GP?

I did a quickie search and yes, depression medications can cause some memory loss.

For example: https://www.webmd.com/brain/memory-loss

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/7-common-causes-of-forgetfulness-201302225923

Hope you get it sorted OP.

I'm dreadful, I say the wrong words all the time, can't remember what I did two minutes before, spent the whole day yesterday wondering if I did take one of my pills or if I forgot... A lot of women I know who are my age suffer the same things so I'm blaming Peri.

I don't forget things like whether I made a cup of tea, but after a weeks holiday, I would be unable to tell you what I'd done each day by the end of it.
I used to lose my train of thought regularly before I started Hrt - I'd join a conversation and forget where I was going with it mid sentence. That seems to have stopped.
Still terrible at remembering names though!

I thought about seeing the GP but I worry they will stop some of my pain meds and I need them. Tricky

So I did it, I contacted the GPs who have a new online triage and a GP called me back.

Asked if HRT had improved anything, (not really) asked about the genetic risk thing, is going to do some blood tests and then next steps maybe a GCOG assessment and memory clinic referral. Thinks could be at most mild cognitive impairment 'mainly due to meds' and we talked about stopping one (nortryptilline). Also co-codomol, reducing that.

So tricky, because of course pain itself can be distracting and problematic. (the pain itself is due to shingles which they think could be related to menopause)

I had shingles four weeks ago and it did seem to leave me brain-fogged. I'm 60 and have been on HRT for four years. I'd also had a loss of elderly parent stress at the same time.

Wonder if it could be that mine was a year ago though, thanks

Testosterone is sometimes the part of hrt that helps with memory and clarity of thought, if you are able to get it prescribed.

I spoke to the GP and they seem to be taking it quite seriously. Asked if HRT had helped, I said not really.

Going to do some blood tests and see me for a F2F assessment, will go from there I guess.