FacebookTwitter
Hatrack River Forum   
my profile login | search | faq | forum home

  next oldest topic   next newest topic
» Hatrack River Forum » Active Forums » Books, Films, Food and Culture » Need some health advice - Updated!

   
Author Topic: Need some health advice - Updated!
Geraine
Member
Member # 9913

 - posted      Profile for Geraine   Email Geraine         Edit/Delete Post 
I need a little bit of health advice. Over the past 6 months, I've been forgetting things. I've become increasingly frustrated with it. Just in the past two weeks, I've forgotten the keys in my car three times, left my lights on four times at night, and this morning I left two netflix DVD's I had to return on the top of my car when I left home.

I'm never in a hurry when I do these things. I simply forget. My wife finally called me from work Tuesday to say that she is worried about me, because it seems like every day I'm forgetting simple things. She has gone out to the garage a couple of times to make sure I've turned off my car lights.

I'm afraid it is affecting my job as well. I work in the payroll industry. When I forget something, one of my client's employees may not get paid, or a mother may not get her child support. I try to make notes for myself and put everything in my outlook calendar, but it doesn't seem to help. There have been times when clients have called telling me they never received an email I was supposed to send them when I swore I did. When I go back into my email, I discover I never sent it.

I am just getting more and more frustrated and now others are noticing it as well. I don't know what to do. I get plenty of sleep and have a fairly low stress level. I feel like I should see someone about it, but I don't know what route I should take. Should I see a counselor? A neurologist? A family practice physician?

A little background information. I just barely turned 30. I am a little overweight, but I try to eat healthy. I don't drink or do any drugs.

Has anyone experienced anything like this or have any suggestions as to what I can do? I'd appreciate any advice.

[ June 23, 2011, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: Geraine ]

Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Stephan
Member
Member # 7549

 - posted      Profile for Stephan   Email Stephan         Edit/Delete Post 
It could be psychological, it could be physical. Either way, go see your primary care physician first.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Samprimary
Member
Member # 8561

 - posted      Profile for Samprimary   Email Samprimary         Edit/Delete Post 
If it is a concern to you and others have noticed it and independently brought it up, schedule an appointment with a neurologist to describe the issues and get a recommendation for what to do next. Ask your wife and others for a timeline of when they first noticed issues so that you can describe them in detail.

In the meanwhile, try to replace passive activities with stuff more mentally engaging, interactive, and/or physical. Exercise is good, and trade TV for pretty much anything else, even video games.

Posts: 15421 | Registered: Aug 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Strider
Member
Member # 1807

 - posted      Profile for Strider   Email Strider         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Stephan:
It could be psychological, it could be physical.

In what way could something be psychological and yet not physical?

Not to say that a problem couldn't be addressed by a psychiatrist, just making a point.

Posts: 8741 | Registered: Apr 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Geraine
Member
Member # 9913

 - posted      Profile for Geraine   Email Geraine         Edit/Delete Post 
Well, I do play games quite often, mostly games such as League of Legends that require quick thinking and strategy. I do need to work out more. There are two or three shows I watch on TV, but other than that I don't watch much. I also read frequently. I can't think of anything I'm doing differently than I was six months or a year ago, but maybe I am and not realizing it.

I appreciate the advice. I'm going to schedule an appointment and see what the doctor says. Hopefully it is just something simple.

Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
DarkKnight
Member
Member # 7536

 - posted      Profile for DarkKnight   Email DarkKnight         Edit/Delete Post 
You may want to see a counselor too
Posts: 1918 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Stephan
Member
Member # 7549

 - posted      Profile for Stephan   Email Stephan         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Strider:
quote:
Originally posted by Stephan:
It could be psychological, it could be physical.

In what way could something be psychological and yet not physical?

Not to say that a problem couldn't be addressed by a psychiatrist, just making a point.

True, I suppose things like stress are both.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Stephan
Member
Member # 7549

 - posted      Profile for Stephan   Email Stephan         Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Geraine:
Well, I do play games quite often, mostly games such as League of Legends that require quick thinking and strategy. I do need to work out more. There are two or three shows I watch on TV, but other than that I don't watch much. I also read frequently. I can't think of anything I'm doing differently than I was six months or a year ago, but maybe I am and not realizing it.

I appreciate the advice. I'm going to schedule an appointment and see what the doctor says. Hopefully it is just something simple.

What are you thinking about when you forget things? I forget things a lot myself, and blame it on my imagination wandering.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Belle
Member
Member # 2314

 - posted      Profile for Belle   Email Belle         Edit/Delete Post 
I went through a very frustrating time with my memory when I was going through chemo. I forgot important things - like something scheduled for my daughter several months in advance, that would have meant a lot for her academic career. [Frown] I just forgot and we didn't go.

When you are under a lot of stress both physical and emotional stress, your memory doesn't work as well. Check with a doctor to try and find the underlying cause. Good luck!

Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Shanna
Member
Member # 7900

 - posted      Profile for Shanna   Email Shanna         Edit/Delete Post 
I'd see your family physician first. There might be some basic tests they can run to see if any numbers seem off. Forgetfulness is one of a list of things trying to get diagnosed at the moment. But my memory seems to be improving now that my iron levels are being supplemented with vitamins. But I also had some nasty brain fog that was contributing to my inability to remember anything.

From there I'd let them decide if a specialist might be advisable. Forgetfulness could be attributed to so many things so you might as well let your GP narrow things down.

Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Jake
Member
Member # 206

 - posted      Profile for Jake           Edit/Delete Post 
Geraine, I experienced something similar last year (I was 38 at the time. I'm 39 now). At first I thought that it might be my imagination, since I've always tended somewhat toward absent mindedness, but as it got worse there was no denying that something was wrong. I was pretty scared, honestly, and was pretty stressed about it as well.

My doctor ran some blood tests in August and determined that my levels of vitamins B12 and D were incredibly low. She had me start in on those, and while I saw a bit of an improvement, it was marginal, and I continued to be worried that something else was wrong.

When I went in for a follow up blood test in November, the numbers were better, with vitamin D levels being at the low end of normal, but B12 levels were still below the threshold for acceptability. Honestly, though, my taking of the pills hadn't exactly been like clockwork--I've always hated taking pills, and I often forgot to take these.

In November I switched to a sublingual B12 pill, upped my dosage of D, and really committed to taking them daily. I also started eating healthily, exercising 5 days a week, and making sure I was getting 7 hours of sleep a night (up from 5), though I started in with the sleep thing a bit later--early to mid-December, probably.

At the tail end of December I noticed that I was once again retaining the little details that for most of the past year would have dribbled from my mind like water from a sieve. I was on vacation at the time, and was concerned that it was either an environmental toxin that had been causing the problem, or that it had been caused by stress, and that when I went back home I'd develop memory problems again. I was pretty relieved when I didn't.

A recent blood test showed that my B12 and D vitamin levels were both solidly within the healthy range. I'd also lost about 30 pounds as a result of all of the healthy eating and exercise. I'm not sure if the return of my memory is attributable to just one of these factors, or if it was the combination of all of them, and I kind of wish that I'd changed one variable at a time, so that I would know what was actually responsible for the improvement. In any case, though, I got better.

Posts: 1087 | Registered: Jul 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Geraine
Member
Member # 9913

 - posted      Profile for Geraine   Email Geraine         Edit/Delete Post 
Thanks Jake. I am overweight and I do need to eat healthier and work out more. I get blood taken every year and had an EKG done six months ago and I am healthy, just overweight. I don't know if those tests look at vitamin levels however.

I'll make an appointment with my family practice physician. I have also been told I should see a sleep specialist too. I snore very loudly and I am wondering if this is affecting my sleep, as at times I feel fatigued and can't really "wake up" until late afternoon.

Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xavier
Member
Member # 405

 - posted      Profile for Xavier   Email Xavier         Edit/Delete Post 
That sounds like sleep apnea (which you probably already know).

You'll probably want a sleep study done. Mine was 100% covered by my insurance.

Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
katharina
Member
Member # 827

 - posted      Profile for katharina   Email katharina         Edit/Delete Post 
That sounds exactly like both an ex and my aunt, both of whom were overweight, both of whom had memory problems, and both of whom were diagnosed with sleep apnea.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Xavier
Member
Member # 405

 - posted      Profile for Xavier   Email Xavier         Edit/Delete Post 
Yeah, given the given combination of factors (loud snoring, being overweight, fatigue, memory problems) the diagnosis is almost too easy.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Jake
Member
Member # 206

 - posted      Profile for Jake           Edit/Delete Post 
quote:
Originally posted by Geraine:
I snore very loudly and I am wondering if this is affecting my sleep, as at times I feel fatigued and can't really "wake up" until late afternoon.

Prior to my weight loss, I was snoring too. I suspect that I may have had sleep apnea degrading the quality of what little sleep I was getting.

In any case, I hope that your doctor is able to identify the problem, and that taking the steps necessary to correct it isn't too odious. Let us know what you find out.

Posts: 1087 | Registered: Jul 1999  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Geraine
Member
Member # 9913

 - posted      Profile for Geraine   Email Geraine         Edit/Delete Post 
I have been thinking about going to sleep specialist for a while now. A co-worker of mine went to one and said that it was life changing. He sleeps better, doesn't snore anymore, and feels like he has more energy during the day which really motivated him to work out more.
Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
Geraine
Member
Member # 9913

 - posted      Profile for Geraine   Email Geraine         Edit/Delete Post 
Just to give you all an update. I went to a neurologist who spoke to me about my symptoms and sent me to a lab for a sleep study. I had wires hooked up to me all over the place so they could get good readings. It wasn't comfortable, but I was able to sleep.

They called me back a couple of weeks later to go through another study, this time with a mask on. I slept decently enough, but when I woke up I didn't feel any different than any other day. Then I got my things and went outside, and realized that I felt amazing.

A few more weeks have passed and I was able to get my own mask last night. Luckily my insurance pays for most of it (I think I paid $23, the lady told me that most people pay over $300)

I asked for a copy of my results and I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. At one point in the first study I stopped breathing for almost 50 seconds.

I used the mask for the first time last night and today I feel really good. I actually feel like my mind is clear and that I am fully awake. It is an amazing feeling and I can't remember the last time I ever felt this way.

Thank goodness for science. Between Lasik, my sinus surgery a few years ago, and this, I'm starting to feel like a normal person!

Thank you for all the advice you all gave me. It really kicked my butt into going to the doctor to get tested.

Posts: 1937 | Registered: Nov 2006  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
rivka
Member
Member # 4859

 - posted      Profile for rivka   Email rivka         Edit/Delete Post 
Cool! Thanks for the update, and enjoy getting a good night's sleep!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003  |  IP: Logged | Report this post to a Moderator
   

   Close Topic   Feature Topic   Move Topic   Delete Topic next oldest topic   next newest topic
 - Printer-friendly view of this topic
Hop To:


Contact Us | Hatrack River Home Page

Copyright © 2008 Hatrack River Enterprises Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.


Powered by Infopop Corporation
UBB.classic™ 6.7.2