Menopausal memory issues-particularly with names

[Anonymous]

Just venting and checking to see if anyone else is dealing with this. I'm 50 and over the past year have really been struggling with not being as mentally sharp as I was when I was younger. My ability to explain things verbally is not as good as it once was plus (and this is the biggest issue) I am really struggling with names. Today at work I called a work friend by the wrong name-I was multitasking and thinking about a situation with another co-worker and I called the work friend the other co-worker's name. Several people heard me and teased me about it throughout the day. This is not the first time I've done this-in fact, I screw up people's names on a regular basis. I know them and I know their names but the wrong name comes out of my mouth. It happens more when I'm tired, stressed and in chaotic environments. I'm an RN and work on a very busy unit and frequently am overstimulated and stressed out so it happens at work a lot. I work primarily with younger co-workers and it's really, really embarrassing. I feel like I'm turning into a batty old crone.

I'm thinking/hoping that this could be hormonally related. I tried HRT but the topical estrogen made me really puffy and bloated-I stopped taking it after I gained 5 lbs. in a week. My sleep is lousy-particularly on the nights before I work because I'm anxious (I need to get another job but for various reasons need to hang in where I'm at for another 6 months or so). I've had an anxiety disorder my entire life but up until now I don't feel like it's impacted my job performance too much. Now I'm having these episodes where I get anxious and my brain freezes. I'm planning on seeing a neurologist but know it will take me months to get an appointment. I hope that this isn't an early sign of dementia or some other neurological disorder.

Anyway, just wanted to vent and get some feedback. Anyone else struggling with this? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous]

This is menopause likely. I thought I was getting dementia. Nope. Menopause. Started HRT and that’s mostly resolved.

[Anonymous]

I have something similar and think it’s mostly from lack of sleep, but also from menopause. Try finding a way to sleep more and see if that helps. Perhaps speak to your GP and/or GYN. Your GYN may also prescribe estrogen. You can at least do that while you wait for neurologist appointment and see if it helps.

[Anonymous]

Just here to say you aren’t alone. I’ve started running through the alphabet in my head to figure out names. I know that doesn’t help in the moment, but for work I wrote a lot of emails and have to remember who I’m sending stuff to.

I’ve also started keeping to do lists for work to help me focus and remember stuff.

52 and still suffering through regular and extremely heavy periods. :/

[Anonymous]

I'm 44, in perimenopause, and have always been bad with names. Recently I've developed insomnia and night-time anxiety and realized that I can't power through sleep deprivation like when I was younger. At the end of a sleep-deprived day, I lose command, not only of English, my second lanaguage, but also my native language, which is ridiculous!

Hopefully none of this is a sign of impending dementia.

Best of luck to us all.

[Anonymous]

You need to be on HRT for sure. That's the cure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need to be on HRT for sure. That's the cure

+1

The dose was likely too high. You will retain water like crazy if your estrogen is too high.

I’d see a menopause specialist to get your dose right. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had this around 52. Hormones were not an option for me. Look at the research on insulin resistance and dementia. I really think what was happening for me is that I was becoming very insulin resistant with the shift in hormones. I looked at Jason Fung and Dale Bresden, and basically took myself to a kind of Whole 30/intermittent fasting place. So very low on carbs, no sugar, high in vegetables, proteins, olive oil, etc. Dr. Fung is a genius at insulin resistance and what hunger is, in my opinion - he just changed my outlook. This was a very gradual process for me to get to (for example, I wasn't really thriving as a vegetarian - both because dairy is highly inflammatory to me, and also it was impossible to meet my anemia/protein needs, so this changed). Once I fully implemented, however, I went from sitting in my office not able to draw a clock (and I'm a researcher, my mind is my bread and butter), not able to remember what projects I was working on, being scared to run into people and not know who they were, to a person who can efficiently manage several research projects, keep track of them and keep them on course and meaningful. When I got better, I realized I had been declining for about 5 years, so not only did I feel better, but I was performing better than I had been at 47. Highly recommend, but I was very, very motivated (still am).

[Anonymous]

OP here-just wanted to say thank you for the feedback and suggestions Very appreciated!

[Anonymous]

I experienced this for a short while. I could not remember what you told me a minute ago. Shortly thereafter, the memory issue disappeared and I was back to normal.