Afraid I have dementia

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: Start with your primary care provider. They should test for things like thyroid and vitamin imbalance and they can refer you to neurologist if you need.

Yes, they shrugged and said I’m probably stressed but should see a neurologist. But did not recommend a particular one. Looking bc or recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are your kids older? Bring them into the loop earlier than later. I think it's amazing you're this self- aware. It's probably nothing but good to get checked out.

No, this is what scares me most. My only child is in 4th grade. It was hard enough for me on my 40’s to cope with my mom’s cognitive decline. I would do just about anything to keep my child from suffering something similar and losing me so soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These symptoms could easily be explained by depression. Depression messes with your brain in strange ways.

I do have depression and ADHD. I have been on Wellbutrin for years. Did take SSRI’s in my 20’s and 30’s. But depression has been an uninvited compaction for decades. This cognitive crash is new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had similar symptoms when my thyroid went out of whack.

However I do also know two people who were diagnosed with early onset dementia in their 50s. It can happen and it is worth a full assessment for sure.

Has your GP done a full physical health work up already?

Yes, I’ve been checked by my PCP. Need a neurologist. Frankly need a better PCP or other doctor who is more knowledgeable about HRT and thyroid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:menopause and dealing with too much chaos/people talking at once.
I'm 50, in a fast paced job, and I've been noticing this for a few years (I just hit menopause now). I've found vitamins, catching up on good quality sleep, and staying away from fast moving, multiple people talking at once situations, really helps me focus and be the smart person I always was.
I may go on HRT as well.

Haha, I work in an elementary school and teach all grades so I experience the “everyone talk AT me all at once” pretty much daily.

What vitamins have helped?

Im very open to HRT but need to find good doc to manage it.

[Anonymous]

Hi op, please try this out while you nevagate through this. Salt with idione added, sweed each meal and more seafood. Relax with Epsom salt hotbath, sleep in 70 degree room. Have a bowl of cereal for 3 days, take one a day for women vitamin . https://www.integratedneurologyservices.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you know that you are searching for words, but can’t find them, you don’t have dementia. You may have other things. But if you had dementia, you wouldn’t know that there was a word you were searching for.

OP here. I watched my mother die from dementia. She died at age 73. I remember vividly her inability to recall words and how scared and frustrated it would make her. She certainly knew it was her brain failing her, and it was definitely one of the symptoms of her dementia.

Thanks to all who wrote here, I literally forgot that I posted last night, so I’m just remembering to come back now.

I have had lots of blood panels done and nothing stands out that screams “thyroid”, even though I do have lots of other symptoms of low thyroid. My PCP has just blown me off and said I am stressed. Which, sure, I am. Enormously. But I’ve been stressed for a long time and never before failed to think of the word, “spatula” or the title “Pride and Prejudice.” Which is my favorite book. I sometimes will stand still and intensely concentrate and still fail to recall the right word.

Like the teacher above, I often say things that are “adjacent” to what I really mean to say. I can’t think of a good example now but it would be akin to saying, “put your pencils down and fold your paper” but instead I’ll say “Fold your pencils down and hold your paper.” This happens dozens of times a day.

My PCP literally said, “you should see a neurologist” but did not have one to recommend , so screaming into the wind here in hope for a recommendation.

I'm sorry OP. Can't hurt to do full blood panel, discuss your medications, if any, and also see a neurologist. I pray it's benign for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I have had lots of blood panels done and nothing stands out that screams “thyroid”, even though I do have lots of other symptoms of low thyroid. My PCP has just blown me off and said I am stressed.

My PCP literally said, “you should see a neurologist” but did not have one to recommend , so screaming into the wind here in hope for a recommendation.

You absolutely need a new PCP, someone who will take you seriously and give you a full thyroid panel (not just TSH), and consider treating symptoms of hypothyroidism, which is incredibly common in peri/menopausal women. A full hormone panel and considering HRT is also appropriate. The brain fog of peri/menopause is real.

That doesn't mean you shouldn't also pursue a neurologist, but I'd start with the thyroid and hormone panels and go from there. If you can find a functional medicine doctor that would be best. If you can go out of network and submit to insurance, I'd highly recommend Well Being-Being Well in McLean VA.

[Anonymous]

This isn't dementia at your age, it's menopause. The loss of estrogen is giving you brain fog. I'd look into HRT right away. There are also OTC adaptogens that can help as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This isn't dementia at your age, it's menopause. The loss of estrogen is giving you brain fog. I'd look into HRT right away. There are also OTC adaptogens that can help as well.

PP, you should not give advice when you are not a health professional.

There are many causes of dementia...and some strike early.

This woman's issues could be many things...but only a professional who has examined her should be advising her.

[Anonymous]

I don't say "adjacent" words, but I type them in emails.

Like a word that is similar, but not the right word. And I don't mean due to autocorrect.

Anyone else do this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This isn't dementia at your age, it's menopause. The loss of estrogen is giving you brain fog. I'd look into HRT right away. There are also OTC adaptogens that can help as well.

PP, you should not give advice when you are not a health professional.

There are many causes of dementia...and some strike early.

This woman's issues could be many things...but only a professional who has examined her should be advising her.

Um, okay, OP posted about her health issue, and everyone on this thread is advising her, so not sure why you're calling me out. She'll have to go to a doc to get HRT, so...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:These symptoms could easily be explained by depression. Depression messes with your brain in strange ways.

And anxiety.

Really? At this level?
I don't have it at the OP's level but I have noticed 100% my memory is worse.

[Anonymous]

All the suggestions that it is not dementia are not helpful. I have 3 childhood girlfriends that developed Alzheimer's in their early 50s. 2 physicians and 1 school principal. The physicians had young children. I became paranoid and thought it must be the industrial area we grew up in.

Download the SAGE test from the University of Ohio and do a screening on yourself. Then if you pass with flying colors, book an appointment to sort out if it is menopause, thyroid, anxiety, Covid or what have you.

[Anonymous]

You have brain fog. Not dementia.

- Get as many things taken care of as possible so that you are not stressed about it.

- Brahmi, turmeric, fenugreek - are anti-inflammatory and helps the brain.

- Multi-vitamins, amino acids and minerals. Your body is depleated. Especially take Magnesium, D3, K2-MK7, B-complex, vitamin C.

- Yoga and breathing exercise in a big way.

- Lots of green juice and veggies and fruits.

- Lots of plain yogurt.

- Lots of hydration.

- Start walking 10K steps a day.

- No screen at night. Read a real book.

- Meditation and prayers.

- Finally, excellent mouth hygiene. Rotting teeth can impact the brain.