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Losing it

CherubContributor29 Sept 2016, 12:07 am AEST

Losing it

Sometimes I seriously fear I'm losing it. I'll forget things, can't think straight or concentrate. Today I got a birthday card out of the letter box and was thinking it was for my son whose birthday was six weeks ago, took me a while to remember it is actually my birthday and the card was for me (hadn't opened it at that stage and hadn't registered it was my name on the front).
Shortly after that I was looking around for my wallet to go to the shop, getting stressed that I couldn't find it. It was in my hand the whole time.
All day everyday day my head feels foggy, I can't think straight or quickly. I used to blame it on stress, but I'm on holidays. I used to blame it on lack of sleep but I'm sleeping well at the moment. It's happening so frequently now I can't ignore it or excuse it any more and I fear one of these days I'm going to lose it all together. And I worry if others notice it what they think but I'm always working so hard to appear normal, it's exhausting.
Can anyone else relate?

5 replies

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In response to: Losing it

utopiaSenior Contributor29 Sept 2016, 4:31 am AEST

Re: Losing it

@Cherub. I understand the fear and frustration with memory problems. Mine started just before I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and PTSD. Unfortunately I have discovered that my memory is getting worse not better - even though my PTSD has been treated and my depression is under control.
I've since found out that the sleeping tablets my psychiatrist put me on this year have a side effect - memory loss. I then checked all my medications and discovered the high blood pressure mefication I'm on - also effects memory.
I spoke to my psychiatrist this week and we are weaning me off the sleeping tablets and I have an appointment next week with my gp - to discuss alternative blood pressure medications.
Depression often causes memory loss / confusion.
As do some medications.
I think it's best to talk to your gp about your concerns. It msy be as easy to fix as a change of medication brands.

In response to: Losing it

TiggerooSenior Contributor29 Sept 2016, 4:44 pm AEST

Re: Losing it

Hey @Cherub,

Im sorry you are feeling this way and I wish there was a way I could help.

My only suggestion would be to speak with your GP and have your thyroid levels checked. I am a carer for my partner with BPD and i was feeling tired, depressed and very anxious a few years ago, the worst thing was i became SO forgetful, i felt like i was in a fog all the time. I was prescribed AD's but they didnt help. Turns out my thyroid was playing up. Thyroid meds sorted me right out and i stopped the AD's.

It is a good place to start with your GP and if you rule out thyroid issues, at least your GP can look more at your mental health and help you find a solution.

Best of luck

Tigs

In response to: Re: Losing it

AppleblossomSenior Contributor29 Sept 2016, 10:50 pm AEST

Re: Losing it

That is good advice @Tiggeroo

As I relate only too well to @Cherub's absent mindedness ... I might get my thyroid checked out too. Thanks.

@Cherub I have done the things you have mentioned but also many women I have met over the years say they have too ... sometimes I am very switched on and other times I am very vague.

It is frustrating for me and for my family ... but we are getting used to it and trying not to let it affect our self esteem.

I just go back to regular spots in the house for stuff like keys, wallet & glasses. Then I have a few spares .. and mostly if I use a spare for a while the original shows up .. without too much of a melt down .

Go easy with you ... sometimes holidays for the ones we care for ... are not actually our holidays .. so in there might be a reason for it. If you have the wallet in your hands but did not realise ... it might be less of a real memory thing and more of a busy-ness and over-preoccupation issue.

One of my personas .. is the absent minded professor ... I dont play on it .. but just let it be a part of me and be forgiving of myself.

In response to: Losing it

CherubContributor30 Sept 2016, 9:28 am AEST

Re: Losing it

Thank you for your reply, glad to hear I'm not the only one. This feels like more than just absent mindedness. It feels like my brain is glitching it pausing. Like I can't think through all the fog. I've recently had an MRI and that was all clear other than fluid and thickening in sinuses. Also have tinnitus that is just a constant hissing in my ears that I only notice in bed.
Will ask about thyroid next time I'm there.

In response to: Losing it

CherubContributor03 Oct 2016, 10:36 am AEDT

Re: Losing it

Interestingly, I went to my osteopath the other day, whom I have not seen for a few months. She told me the soft tissues in my neck were like concrete and that because I was so tight I could not have proper circulation or drainage. This can lead to dizziness and brain fog and even anxiety. I found it difficult to relax at all during the treatment because I was so tightly wound. She also manipulated my rib because they were locked, and would you believe it I could suddenly take a full deep breath for the first time in weeks/months! Perhaps partly compounded by this awful flu with weeks of coughing, perhaps tension from anxiety. I can't tell you how good that felt!
Three days post treatment and I'm not perfectly back to normal but I am significantly better, enough to make me feel more confident and happy. I'm no where near as dizzy - I can walk down stairs without hanging onto the rail and I can walk the dog without feeling like I need to hang onto something. Driving is also better, I tend to get dizzy when the car stops but that has eased also. And best of all I can think clearer and don't feel quite so drugged and spacey. Very keen to go back for another appointment but it's not for a couple of weeks.

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