Menopause, brain fog, ADHD?

[IamAporcupine]

I'm in my 50s and perimenopausal.

I find it incredibly difficult to concentrate, everything takes 5x longer than it should, both at work and around the house.
I make huge mistakes at work - miss deadlines and forget important tasks. But there is something weird about this type of forgetfulness - I do not forget the date itself, but what it was that I was meant to do, if that makes any sense. So for example, I would clearly remember that I had to travel to a conference on Tuesday, but I would forget that I had to prepare a talk.

My brain never stops. It's getting so bad it gives me headaches. I am constantly analysing and observing everything. I can rarely relax.

I cannot finish tasks, mainly at work, but also personal stuff. I have a senior position at work, but I feel I know nothing and that I am not able to deliver. I am constantly doubting myself. I 'know' that I am When it gets bad, it makes me super anxious and panicky. I always wonder how other people manage to do basic things, I get overwhelmed easily.

I am very indecisive and can dwell on a 'bad' decision for hours.

I am sure there is more.

I thought all this was just a combination of my personality + hormonal changes + tiredness/stress, but I have done a few searches and some of this sounds very similar to ADHD in older women.

Can anyone relate?

I would suggest you test your Omega3 index. There might be a very basic nutrient deficiency that could explain your brain fog.

Omega 3 are private tests. You can ask your GP for one or use omega quant omegaquant.com , it is a prick test with a drop of blood from your finger you do at home. Way cheaper and easier.

Definitely look into ADHD. Via the NHS there is an astronomical wait. If you can afford it, private is a good option to a faster assessment and should you get a positive diagnosis - SUPPORT (and / or meds). I highly recommend ADHD360 (in particular Lisa Mangle) and if you register you can do a free basic assessment which suggests whether it's worth perusing an actual assessment or not.
It's the best gift I've even given myself.

Look into dopamine deficiency (ADHD) and the links to hormones in particular oestrogen!

Good luck !

Thank you both, I will have a look

Hello everyone. I am sorry to hijack this post. My periods stopped at 38 and the consultant diagonized me as early meno and put on cyclo progynova. I want to change to estrogel and utrogestan because 2mg hasn’t been working for me and the pill free week made my symptoms return worse. Should I start the gel as soon as I’m finished with the last pill in the pack without waiting for the 7 day pill free week or should I wait for the bleed after the seven days then start the new hrt?

Hello @IamAporcupine 👋I don't have any advice, but have been having the same issues myself. I have turned into the biggest procrastinator ever and am not finishing jobs at work, at home and have wondered the same thing as I have close family that have ADHD but equally am wondering if getting HRT will sort it.

I’d suggest going to see your GP. This could be caused by the menopause/ Pernicious anaemia/ vitamin D deficiency/ thyroid problems/ anxiety/ depression etc. which can all be treated.

ADHD can have these symptoms too but it sounds like your symptoms have got worse lately and so it would be worth ruling other things out.

Hope you feel better soon.

I have adhd and have been very brain foggy for the last few years.

It's caused me some issues, including socially as the time it takes me to think makes me look unfriendly or vacant.

However, it turns out it was also a fair few other things.

First off, my thyroid was deficient. Sorted that over a period of time...

Next, got foggier, so HRT & that's improved all sorts of things.

Then had more blood tests for sore joints and I'm basically functionally anaemic, so now on iron pills and feeling an awful lot better.

This sounds a lot but it's over the last 5 years or so and apparently, the thyroid stuff can impact the iron stuff.

ADHD gets worse over menopause, because hormones, so even if you did cope ok, then it can be more awkward but all these other things overlap in symptoms. Bit of a maze and requires good medical people to be open to referrals but hang in there.

many thanks @Princesspeony and @Wombat27A - as you say, I should just get seen by a GP and stop wondering!

Hi@WoooahNelly! 'Glad' I am not the only one 😅
I had a major crisis over the weekned, my anxiety went through the roof, I really need to do something about this!
Hope you are OK

Perimenopause causes symptoms very very similar to inattentive ADHD which is why ADHD worsens in women during perimenopause.

However if you had ADHD you would have had symptoms of ADHD prior to peri. To be diagnosed symptoms have to be present before age 12. If that doesn't apply to you the this is likely "just" peri and not ADHD.

If you did have some symptoms but those have become unmanageable due to peri (a lot of women seek a diagnosis during peri as ADHD they were managing before suddenly becomes unmanageable), then it may be ADHD and peri together.

Either way I'd get on some HRT quick smart if that's an option for you. I have ADHD and am in perimenopause and the brain fog significantly improved within a week of starting HRT.

ADHD is a lot longer road. NHS waiting lists are years long. If you can go private it's quicker but there can still be waiting lists for assessment and then a further wait to start titration. It can take months and months to get on the right meds at the right dose.

As HRT is much quicker and easier to access I'd do that first and get on the right amount for you before trying ADHD meds as you won't know what's working if you do it all together.

Best of luck.

I would also agree with this. I also have thyroid and low iron problems which can cause very similar symptoms to peri and to some extent ADHD. They all certainly worsen ADHD symptoms ime.

So could be multiple things going on that need investigation.

Bear in mind that people with ADHD can have a higher incidence of joint and gut issues, so I'm thinking in my case, iron isn't being absorbed from food properly plus the thyroid thing...

I posted about this recently and got a lot of help about the best way to take iron supplements, which has helped me tolerate taking them.

My best bit of advice is get copies of your blood results, understand them as much as possible and keep them for reference.

I have always struggled with remembering. I use Microsoft OneNote at work. To note down absolutely everything.
My to do list, it can link your calendar in so you can make meeting notes. You can search for a word- and it shows you the notes where that word was used.

My colleagues think I'm terribly organised and are impressed. Actually if I didn't use OneNote I would completely fall apart at work.

So your memory may not be any better, but you can have a tool to make your job run better.

Thanks @ColeensBoot I'll have a look into OneNote, I've never used it.

I've just 'remembered' that back in July I had obtained an important result at work. Completely forgotten. 😫