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Memory Loss in a healthy 20 year old male
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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Interesting thought, however when this all started, we were living in the caribbean and it still continues here in canada (2.5 years in canada). In the caribbean we lived with windows open while we slept and we’ve moved 3 locations over the entire time. Not sure how he would get that exposure.
Make sure he is not smoking a lot of weed. The marijuana these days is extremely strong.
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1 ReactionNo definitely not, he doesn't even drink alcohol. He’s very conservative and hates all that stuff.
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1 ReactionYou must INSIST on an MRI! If the MRI shows that all looks normal, then could be a psychology problem. You can get an MRI and pay for it at private clinics but it is expensive. Everytime I got a MRI, it costs the health care system in Canada about $3000. My fourth MRI, they would rather give me one than listen to me rant. Getting MRI's aren't good for you though.
@crawford
MRIs are safe. It is the CT scan which exposes you to radiation and not as safe. I have had many MRIs from head/brain to hips since 2017..
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1 ReactionI hear you. What is the danger? I have had numerous MRIS . What
Should i fear? I relax getting them which is rather funny. I am a high strung phobic personality. I actually fall asleep. I use it to meditate.
Please let me know the thread. Hugs to you! Best wishes.
What about a neurologist? Has he had any traumatic events even if you would not classify it as one? Is he getting enough sleep every night?what about speech therapist? They can assess brain functions like execution function. Procedural memory et c. What about a neuropsychologist?
He's been to a neurologist. He discussed all his issues and was dismissed without proper testing. This is what baffles us.... I have now insisted with our GP that he gets proper Neurological testing done and also an EEG. He has a sleep study scheduled next month as well. The problem here in Canada is that a lot of the Dr's are so overworked, that they talk to you for two mins and then either dismiss you with meds or tell you that they'll refer you to some other specialist and then it's months down the line before you hear from a specialist and then months after that before you even see a person.
What we need is a team of dr's in a hospital environment to go over all his information and past test and come up with a plan on how to address his memory issues... this seems to be an impossible feat and not available here... I don't know else to do. This kid cant remember the simplest things and even what he said yesterday at times... it's getting progressively worse and we have no help.
To answer your questions, no traumatic events, yes he sleeps very well. Getting an apt with a Neuropsychologist is virtually impossible, imagine it's taken us over a year now and he still can't see a Psychiatrist that is focused on ASD. We are so tired of the run around.. no one is getting to the route of the problem 🙁
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1 ReactionHe has been diagnosed with level 1 ASD, not sure re Cortisol level, will check.
Does your son take any meds or vitamins? Some meds do cause memory loss. Did he fall?