Guess I Better Talk to the Doctor

[MIGrandma]

I have a scheduled appointment in October for a second Pap (the one I had in April was abnormal ) and my diabetic checkup.

At that time I think I'm going to have to talk to her about my memory. Or rather, the lack of it.

I'm going through menopause and I've heard that the memory can be affected, so I'm hoping that's what it is.

But since my Dad had Alzheimer's, I do tend to be more concerned. I have been forgetful for several months now. Forgetting common words, can't finish my sentence because I can't think of the word, even though I know I should be able to say it right away. Takes me a few seconds to think of it.

Then the other day I forgot to turn the stove off. I moved the pan of food over to a cool burner, but forgot to turn the hot burner off.

Last night I forgot how to turn off the computer. THAT is the one that scared me the most, because I turn it off EVERY DAY. How could I forget how to do it?

I'm going to start jotting down when I forget something, because I know that if I don't I won't remember what they were when I talk to the doctor.

 

[Buckalew11]

I know what you mean. I'm 45 and having trouble with words, common words, it is driving me nuts. I know there is a lot of talk about "fuzzy thinking" during menopause. I read the book Still Alice and it was something I could definitely relate to--a 50 yo with early onset Alzheimers. Both sides of my mom's family has had cases of it so it is a worry.

There isa test they can give you to see if it is just menopause or more. Hopefully, your doctor will talk with you about your concerns.

 

[LtlTee]

there are also other reversible causes of memory loss, such as B12 deficiency. Keeping a log of these instances is a good idea too. I know it's easy to think the worst, but it could be something very treatable.

 

[happily single]

OMG! I could have written this. Problem is I'm only 36. I've asked my dr if I could be going to peri-menopause due to some medical issues, including sweating profusely for no reason, even in air conditioning.

I forget simple things, but also have trouble remembering what season it is, things like that.

Let us know what your dr says. My annual is next month and although I love my dr I think she thinks I'm a little batty as it is lol.

 

[MIGrandma]

including sweating profusely for no reason, even in air conditioning.

Oh me too, but only my head!! I can be hot, but not actually sweaty, except I can feel rivers of sweat sliding down the back of my head! I have short hair, and it's not very thick, so I can wring water out of the ends, it's so disgusting!! I can be just fine and all of a sudden start feeling hot like that. I hate it!!

 

[lovemygoofy]

Here is something random though I don't know if you use them but medicine for depression or anxiety can also cause these kind of problems.

My mom sees a neurologist due to epilepsy and the doctor stresses that with mom's other meds and her anti-depressant and anxiety medicine, it can make her feel like she is in a cloud sometimes.

 

[Bilberry]

I guess Alzheimer's is being called type 3 diabetes by some researchers. I've had a couple family members that have had it, so disease prevention is high on the list for us. We pretty much all now eat a diabetic, low carb diet with hopes of staving the condition off. Fingers crossed it works. Our memories seem to be doing well heading into middle age.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I was also going to ask if you're on any meds. When I was on Topamax (for migraine prevention) I couldn't remember things to save my life and my word recall was very much affected. It was very frustrating! I'm still a bit forgetful, forget how to do common things, and sometimes have word recall issues, but I think it's in the range of normal. I'm just about through peri-menopause and am hoping things will be better when Aunt Flo kicks the bucket. Time will tell.

It's a good thing to mention to your doctor, but more than likely it's all normal.

 

[MIGrandma]

Here is something random though I don't know if you use them but medicine for depression or anxiety can also cause these kind of problems.

Nope, not on any medication of that type.

I was also going to ask if you're on any meds.

I take meds for thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol but have taken all of them for years, no recent changes, so I wouldn't think the medications would be causing it now.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I take meds for thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol but have taken all of them for years, no recent changes, so I wouldn't think the medications would be causing it now.

Probably not, but sometimes our body chemistry changes and we might react to our meds differently.

 

[Christine]

I find, for me, at 46 I'm still pretty good with memory. Not as good as I used to be but nothing scary yet. I do have some "times of the month" that seem to be more hormonally charged than usual and when that happens it's like I'm in a fog for a day or two. Very weird.

I've also had a couple bouts of not sleeping well for a week or two and when that happens, I start having all sorts of issues with mind blocks, forgetting words, etc. But I know it is sleep deprivation.

Is it possible that you are routinely not getting enough sleep?

 

[MinnieTink]

I get like this too. As I was thinking of my response, I was going to say I am 37 and I forget things too....then I remembered I'm actually 38!! Lol.

I can understand your anxiety over it but as others have said there are many reasons for memory issues. Good luck!

 

[MoniqueU]

Well I am hoping maybe it is a change of life thing? I am 36 things are rocky for me in the memory department. Last week I blew off 2 very imporitantt appts that I had writtend down but didn't check the calander to make. Just today I couldn't remember for the life of me what we did just yesterday. I mix words all around all the time. I know what I did friday and that I have an important appt tuesday but for the life of me i can't remember one thing I had to eat yesterday. Everything in my head is all a jumble of past present and future. I have no family history of alzheimers so I wasn't thinking of that as being a cause at all. I discussed it with one dr of mine and my MIL this week and no one seemed concerned for me, your dr probably isn't going to think it is that big of a deal either is my guess..

ETA Yep after reading this thread I think I am perimenopausal too. I also sweat profusely as well for no reason much at all. Today it was out but we had the air going, shut if off to pump gas and all of a sudden I am dripping buckets in just that short amount of time. I wake up with sweats alot in the morning with my shirt all damp like I just broke a bad fever. I am forgetful we established that. A few years back we went in to the local hospital they did a pee test on me and said i was pregnant, I said oh hell no I am not unless it is the second coming of christ. I told my DH what they said and he looks at me all scared like. I said calm down these people are morons. So they ran a blood test and sure enough I was right. I do know my own hormones are powerful things and it isn't just an imaginary thing. I have witnessed my kids all go through it as well. My BF likes to just brush it off and says we blame too much on hormones but I have seen it in action.

 

[LoriABil]

You might check the medications you are taking, too. Certain drugs (Topamax comes to mind) really do a number on our brain function! Not to meantion the lovely things horomone fluctuations do to us. But ain't it great being a girl?
But seriously, a talk with the doc isn't a bad idea. I might even make a diary of everything from drugs I take when to how I'm feeling to when and what I forget, and when I noticed I forgot it.

 

[erincon23]

I'm 51, and saw my dr. for my annual this week -- I should soon be declared "over it," and I certainly agree, a lot of memory problems, word loss, etc., seems to accompany (at least my) menopause issues. This word loss problem is a really big issue for me, since I'm a writer and publicist (part time) and spend a fair amount of time with clients and news people. "It's.... it's... ummmm..." doesn't help your reputation! And I too have had moments where I've looked blankly at some appliance and wondered how to do whatever with it -- turn it on or off, make it go == let's hope it never happens while I'm driving! The dr. said this is all normal throughout perimenopause and after. I'm not on any meds at all (motrin doesn't count). Don't sweat it too much. Talk to your dr., take vitamins (B complex, C and D are supposed to be helpful), and hope it goes QUICKLY.