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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Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Aug 1 7:27am

@canadamom I’ve been following your Discussion and want to let you know that I can see how worried you are. I feel for you and if I were in your situation I would be wringing my hands with worry too.

I agree that memory loss in a 20-year-old seems very unusual and requires expert consultation. I had a consultant role in a Memory Diagnostics Center several years ago when I was a professor and we were never referred any patients in your son’s age group. The Center was affiliated with the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute (I’m not suggesting your son has early dementia - only that these folks are experts in cognition and memory) and so I attended conferences and had many consultations with their experts. I have added the web link to the Wisconsin site in case you can find information or someone to consult with.

Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute:

— https://wai.wisc.edu/

Here is what I would like to see: A team of professionals who sit down with your son and his parents and take a very complete physical and mental health history. Then, following up on that history they would order scans and tests and that may illuminate cause and hopefully treatment. This team will spend the time needed to do this work with you and will require added appointments and follow-up.

In what province do you reside? Here are two resources in
Toronto where I have had contact with researchers:

The Hospital for Sick Children:

— https://www.sickkids.ca/en/

Baycrest The Rotman Research Institute:

— https://www.baycrest.org/Baycrest/Research-Innovation/Research-Themes/Alzheimer-s-Related-Dementias

canadamom | @canadamom | Aug 1 7:59am

In reply to @intendtorecover "Has he been evaluated for ADD? Has his cortisol level been checked?" + (show)

When they assessed him, they came up with Level 1 ASD. However none of the ‘ologists’ think its related to the memory loss, but they have not tried to send us elsewhere to dig further.

Cortisol levels, not sure. I will go back in his tests and check, what would that show if they did?

canadamom | @canadamom | Aug 1 8:05am

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@canadamom I’ve been following your Discussion and want to let you know that I can see..." + (show)

Thank you so much for your response. I am in Vaughan, Ontario, we’ve been all over GTA seeing dr’s that are not connected and its been so very frustrating.

canadamom | @canadamom | Aug 1 8:08am

In reply to @naturegirl5 "@canadamom I’ve been following your Discussion and want to let you know that I can see..." + (show)

If you have connections to anyone who would finally listen and help, I would be eternally grateful

Helen, Volunteer Mentor | @naturegirl5 | Aug 1 8:30am

In reply to @canadamom "Thank you so much for your response. I am in Vaughan, Ontario, we’ve been all over..." + (show)

@canadamom Oh, good. You are in Ontario so that makes this easier. I'm going to see who I know that might be of help. This might take me a few days but feel free to check back here to see how I am progressing.

I saw that you are also interested in an appointment with Mayo Clinic. I know that there are others from Canada (Ontario, Manitoba, and Alberta) who I believe have managed to get their provincial medicare plans to help them. Here is the Mayo link to request an appointment:

Mayo Clinic Appointment Request:

-- http://mayocl.in/1mtmR63

Mayo Clinic International Services for Canada:

-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/international/locations/canada

tess21 | @tess21 | Aug 2 7:56pm

Could it be something as basic as B12 deficiency? Has he had complete bloodwork which includes vitamins and minerals, also any thyroid issue? Just a thought. I’m sorry you’re going through this and you get some help!

canadamom | @canadamom | Aug 2 8:03pm

Thank you :-), it is really tough.
No his B12 and D etc are all good and his TSH levels are good. Minerals, not sure what she’s tested but I’ve asked my Gp at his next test, to include minerals and metals (if thats how it’s tested).

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Aug 4 11:20am

Have any chemical and or metal analysis been performed on his blood? Is he exposed to cannabis?

canadamom | @canadamom | Aug 4 1:15pm

We will be checking for minerals and metals at the next blood test. No he does not use any type of canabis (nor is he exposed to) or other recreational drugs.

jenatsky | @jenatsky | Aug 11 8:34am

The only other oddity I can think of out of the box would be exposure to carbon monoxide, which over a long period can cause memory issues and mood issues too.