Memory Loss in a healthy 20 year old male

Posted by canadamom @canadamom, Jul 30 10:46am

My 20 year old son started having short term memory loss over the last couple years. We have been to every type of doctor in Canada, but the health care system is so bad here now, that its very difficult to get any appointments or to find a doctor that can actually give a diagnosis. He's had multiple tests like CT, bloods and even Psychological Assessments. All of which have not come up with any medical reason for his memory loss. (they have however diagnosed him with ASD level 1, but he has never ever had Autism symptoms, he's an A+ student... so we aren't sure that is correct. )
As a result of the memory loss, he's had Depression, of which they also have medicated him for, but their not attending to the root of the problem, being the memory loss. If he had no memory loss, he's have no depression...
We are so tired of not getting medical help, we don't know where to turn.
I am hoping I can make an appointment with the May Clinic to see if they can do diagnostic testing on him and come up with some reason for his memory loss.
Has anyone here had short term memory loss happen and can recommend to me which direction we should be trying?

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celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 30 6:32pm

Has he had covid?

canadamom | @canadamom | Jul 30 6:43pm

In reply to @celia16 "Has he had covid?" + (show)

Yes, but only recently. This all started way before.

celia16 | @celia16 | Jul 30 7:12pm

In reply to @canadamom "Yes, but only recently. This all started way before." + (show)

I see. Did they do full labs, including those for vitamin deficiencies, like B12, and metal toxicity? I haven’t experienced memory loss, so I have no information on that. I can see why you are concerned though. I hope you are able to find help.

canadamom | @canadamom | Jul 30 7:59pm

Thank you. Yes they did a lot of blood work and nothing showed up. Everyone keeps palming us off to someone else and no one is really trying to get to the bottom of it and meanwhile his memory and morale is diminishing weekly. Its so frustrating and as a mother, very hard to watch, with no answers.

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Jul 31 9:09am

In reply to @canadamom "Thank you. Yes they did a lot of blood work and nothing showed up. Everyone keeps..." + (show)

@canadamom
When did the memory loss get noticed? Did he or someone else notice he was struggling with memory? Was there something that triggered the change (stressful event, change in diet or medications, change in sleep, change in social interactions, etc,).

Did he get an MRI of his brain or any other neurological testing? Has he had any eye or ear/hearing testing? Was he exposed to a virus that was dormant and got reactivated (like Epstein Barr)?

dlydailyhope | @dlydailyhope | Jul 31 9:15am

@canadamom
Did they talk to you about causes of amnesia to see if any of the symptoms or potential causes applied to your son’s case (see link below)? Has he ever had concussions? My son is 15 and had 2 of them plus has ADHD. I’m sure it is scary for you.
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/11826-memory-loss

canadamom | @canadamom | Jul 31 10:26am

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@canadamom When did the memory loss get noticed? Did he or someone else notice he was..." + (show)

We (as parents) noticed the memory loss about 4 years ago.. he was struggling to do his school work at the time and he was normally very quick at picking up new info and tests etc. He started having trouble retaining information long term for school and then it started becoming hard for him to do regular things at home too. He's a kid that loves information and is always learning everything he can, whenever he can. We've exhausted trying to find a stressful event, there was none (at the time) that stands out, other than exams. But, he was able to complete them successfully irregardless. No medications at that time either, no symptoms of depression, but regarding social interactions, it was during the covid shut downs, however he says that he started having the memory issues prior to that (this is just when we noticed the problem).

He didn't have an MRI, the doc's here didn't send him for one, they sent him for a CT Scan, of which turned our perfect with no issues to note. He's had hearing testing and all good there, was not exposed to any viruses that we are aware of, don't know Epstein Barr, will check that online today and see.. but nothing stands out.

canadamom | @canadamom | Jul 31 10:30am

In reply to @dlydailyhope "@canadamom Did they talk to you about causes of amnesia to see if any of the..." + (show)

No discussions about amnesia, the docs here are not trying to figure out anything other than giving meds for any possible issue they cannot investigate further. The system is under so much strain in Canada. No he's never had a concussion.
Sorry to hear about your son, being a parent is a struggle, especially when our kids have health issues.
Yes, it is scary and I wish I had a diagnostician willing to help us figure this out, it's been going on for wayy too long...