Worry Room - Get it out, and walk away: No responses please

@utopia I think my depression and memory problem started after taking sleeping pills in 2012 - the medication I stopped taking over 4 years ago.

I've just had ongoing depression, anxiety and memory problems since. Everything goes completely blank, I find it difficult articulate the actual memory problem but I find it hard for me to remember short term and long term things. I am unable to follow a conversation or to remember what has been said too. At times I find it hard to find the words to describe what is happening.

I am not sure if anyone else has had these sorts of problems.

@Faith-and-Hope

I am going to ask for a PET Scan (brain) - I would say if I had a scan, this would almost exclude anything that was not caused by depression or anxiety

Plus I think you can have a ultrasound of neck to check blood flow to the brain (blockages in arteries in neck)

I do have low hormones and low thyroid

I've had MRI-2014 (normal) & EEG-2016 (normal)

I am not sure if it would be better to see a psychiatrist or psychologist for cognitive testing

Hi @Former-Member,

so sorry that you're having a hard time of things and feeling down right now. I wish it wasn't this way. I hope you can find a way to relax for a bit and let the stress and anxiety you are feeling flow out for a bit. You've been doing really well but don't forget it's always going to have steps forwards and backwards. This might be just a little step back but once you find ways to deal with your stresses and depression again I know you'll take great leaps forward. I also wanted you to know once I start adding more in my life I know I'll struggle with memory hugely too. I'm starting a class called focus this term to help improve memory, concentration and focus through the mental health team as that is an area that we've identified needs to be worked on. Once things build up I lose all ability to remember really simple everyday things, like which key opens my car, how to tell the difference between my shampoo and conditioner (I forget I need to read the label to work it out), how to make coffee is another of mine too. So don't worry too much for now with some of that stuff, just try to use the strategies that you know helps to reduce anxiety and depression. I'm hoping you'll find it's not too bad again. But if you are feeling better and it's still a big issue for you definitely get it sorted with your GP or specialist.

Sending loads of hugs, thinking of you 💜🤗

---

@oceangirl73 wrote:

@Faith-and-Hope

I am going to ask for a PET Scan (brain) - I would say if I had a scan, this would almost exclude anything that was not caused by depression or anxiety

Plus I think you can have a ultrasound of neck to check blood flow to the brain (blockages in arteries in neck)

I do have low hormones and low thyroid

I've had MRI-2014 (normal) & EEG-2016 (normal)

I am not sure if it would be better to see a psychiatrist or psychologist for cognitive testing

---

Hi @Former-Member

I had low estrogen/progesterone (menopause) - this alone can cause the memory and cognitive problems you are describing that you have, And tests are saying they are low. This is the area to correct first my friend as both menopause and thyroid can cause the problems you are having, including anxiety and depression in some women (mine was chronic due to menopause and thyroid disorder). It can make a person very sick and vague. Memory can be hugely effected and depression can also result. Menopause symptoms can pass in time but thyroid will only get worse and would keep putting the hormone levels out. One effects the other, the thyroid gland regulates the whole body and if inflamed, slowing etc can be serious. It also caused in me anxiety and depression.

Have you had extensive thyroid tests (nucleur testing/ultrasound and a full thyroid antibodies blood tests?). Those are the only tests that are full proof with testing for thyroid disease along with seeing a specialist (endocrinologist). The latter is usually the best to see also for menopause/hormonal imbalances as well if they specialise in it.

Natural hormones, healthy eating etc was not enough to correct my hormone levels and hormone replacement was necessary. I have been on them without a hiccup for 6 years and do not intend to come off them anytime soon as physically I feel great. I am also on thyroid treatment and together my symptoms improved greatly. Without them I have the problems you described severely. I couldn't function like that, especially with the stressors I face at home everyday and decided it was the best course of action. Any risk of cancer, heart disease can be monitored regularly, but truely they are small risks and the benefits I have received by having these problems corrected enhancing my quality of life far outweighed the risks for me. That is what has to be weighted up when making a decision with any treatment.

I have never had a health problem on them for 6 years now and there is cancer/stroke in my family. It's weighing up the pros and cons when treatments can produce a slight risk, whether you can go on like this or not; - you have been suffering this way for a long time my friend and it's not passing but sounds like it is getting worse. It may be time to give these treatments serious thought and consideration.

When suffering serious symptoms as you are please trust the experts who medically "specialise in those areas that are low". Everyone can have an opinion but putting your health in the hands of those specialists is the safest way to addressing and correcting those imbalances. Natural therapies/ideologies or GP advice is just not enough sometimes - trust the experts.

If it were me I would be correcting what I know is wrong with me first knowing these low levels can cause my symptoms and correcting that satisfactorily as the first step. With these symptoms being typical of low hormones and thyroid how would a psychiatrist/psychologist help? The psychiatrist can give ADS and physchiatric meds to mask some of the symptoms but if it is caused by physical triggers will not fix it and it could make it worse (e.g. ADS can in some adversely effect the thyroid gland over time). My friend has the neck scan for blockages due to heart disease/stroke being a risk factor genetically - to my knowledge that is what those tests look for.

Wishing you health and healing ❤️

.

Hi @Former-Member

Good to hear from you my friend and you seem better within yourself.

I remember you telling me a while back about your estrogen/progesterone (menopause) and thyroid and how much it impacted you and also how you have managed despite these health problems.

I've had ultrasound, full thyroid antibodies blood test but no other tests- in terms of thyroid. I have had MRI normal and EKG normal. I have had very basic cognitive testing (normal)

I generally try to eat well and exercise as much as possible. I am hopeful that hormone replacement therapy will probably help me, and take the edge of my anxiety and keep me from tipping over so to speak from both the depression and anxiety. I have started and I stopped taking it. I think I am better tackling these problems with the HRT.

I agree, I am trying to correct what I know is wrong with me first and the low hormones needs to be tackled first. I am interested to know more of what might be the physical triggers - does that mean underlying medical condition? I think staying away from AD mite be worthwhile for me at this stage and to get everything else under control because I don't want my thyroid to become worse.

I did go to Drs today- blood sugar elevated, urine normal, blood pressure good,

He as ordered some more tests I can't remember those ones off the top of my head but also given me some tests on my kidneys too. He is seriously thinking of referring me to see a neurologist, and he will be able to do further testing- the pet scan will give me peace of mind.

Hi again @Former-Member

Thanks for your message.

I am struggling but I did get out today, I went out for lunch and next door they had a surf shop and I got a rip curl top for 5 dollars so that was a bargin. After I went to the Dr and he gave me a form for some blood tests- I need to fast for it and probably try to have it done tomorrow morning.

I am just seeing this like you said a step backwards, and I do know I will move forward again. You are right about when you start to add things to your life that your memory is affected too, I guess probably because of increase anxiety and stress. That makes a lot of sense.

I am glad you are starting a class to help with your thinking and I am glad that your needs have been heard and you are being given some help and support that is great. I am looking at some apps on my mobile (peak). I think they run something similar at the clinic I attend and I will have a look at that too. I have signed up for art therapy again. I really didn't do much last time.

I will hopefully have my blood tests back next week (mid week).