Memory

[Scarlett]

I really think I am losing my memory, which used to be excellent. I'd like to know if this is similar to what others have experienced. I find myself trying to remember simple things, and no matter how hard I think, I cannot bring the information to the front of my brain. Earlier I was trying to remember who I had to phone on Boxing Day, and could not recall it. When I finally remembered it was someone who is one of my best friends, which had been planned for months. I also cannot remember things that people have told me- they go straight into a part of brain I can't get them back out of. Long term memory is fine. I know that I have had this worse before I had my B12 shots, and then I felt a lot better. But I'm not due more injections til Feb! It feels like brain fog. Could this be linked with peri menopause? I'm 49. I really hope this isn't early dementia. Has anyone else had this?

[Cloverjo]

It's not early dementia.
It could be perimenopause. I do have this, too. I'm about the same age as you and am going through (or about to go through) the menopause.

[kvalidir]

It could just also be stress too as I get it and I'm 20. I stood for a full minute or so trying to change a duvet earlier ( the inside out method) and couldn't work out how to do it ( I mean how much simpler can you get, I didn't have my hands inside it to grab the corners?) x

[EDDIE51]

I am exactly the same , been to the doctor who has made an appointment for me at the 'Memory Clinic' of our hospital .Will let you know how I get on (if I remember!)

[EDDIE51]

^ I'm 70 next month by the way.

[douglas9401]

When it gets to the point where you can't bring the name Jo Brand to the front of your mind for loooong minutes as happened to me yesterday it brings one up short.

It happens though and I'd not worry if things move on as normal.

Disclaimer: I have no medical training. NONE!

[Scarlett]

Yes... I do know that it happens to us all. I've just noticed that lately, not remembering things is my norm. I was watching a friend of mine play the drums and I couldn't recall his name AT ALL. And I have worked with him for years and years. I had an appointment the other day and cannot remember one thing that was said to me in it. Its odd because my blood test shows B12 as normal but the B12 injections made me feel SO much better- cheerful and chatty, and I didn't forget what I was saying or thinking half way through a sentence. Yet the GP was off with me, and asked why I needed injections when my blood level was normal. Frustrating, cos I know that blood tests often don't show things that are there. Anyway, I have taken some supplements today rather than wait for the next blood test only to be told the same thing. Let's hope they do something, but I do feel that cos of my hypermobility and ulcerative colitis, I don't absorb supplements as well as others might.

[Sqad]

Almost 50 years of age with a difficult and uncompromising past medical history, that would almost certainly answer your question in 90% of cases.

Emotional states, worry anxiety and certain medical conditions which in the past you have had investigated with negative results and there you have it.
Peri-menopausal?......everything in women seem to be attributed to the menopause.
Clover is correct.....it is very, very unlikely to be due to a degenerative brain disorder.

Monitor the situation for the next 6 months.

[Old_Geezer]

My memory has always been bad, but now I'm older gets worse and worse. In fact it's getting worse. I tried to put it down to stress, and that I'm not staying asleep sufficiently long overnight. I opt to ignore that my grandmother had mental decline in the later years of her life. I'm hoping that my experience is just normal; certainly is annoying. Attention span reduced too, easily distracted. Less observant than I once was. All of which hits self image and difficult to accept. I guess we all start going downhill, and hope it's nothing serious since one can't seem to control it.

[Jackdaw33]

With me it's names. I can picture faces but often can't put a name to them. Also, I sometimes go into a room and then wonder why. Often I have to go back out until it occurs to me.