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Rather worrying memory/processing symptoms at 23 years of age
I have sudden memory and attention problems getting worse, I have no disabilities nor depression. I am perfectly healthy and have no relevant or noticeable physical symptoms. Recently, I experience (what can somewhat be called) agnosia and my vision has been tricking me although I have 20/20 vision: things that were there suddenly appear in my vision and I may mistake words for completely different words even after repeated reading, and I may wrongly identify an object I see and my vision of it shifts into what the object really is as if my switching is shifting from angle to another in the Necker cube illusion. For example, I may put two pieces of clothing next to one another to try to see if the colors go well together, but it would take me long to decide because I cannot process the information I see and have to pay extra attention "focusing." I kept reading the word "Verified" as "Verifida" although it was in a perfectly clear font and contrast, and only a while later did I SEE it was in fact "verified," even though I did re-read many times. I mistook frozen blackberries in a Tupperware for beaded bracelets (???), but once again my vision "shifted" and I could see they were blackberries. Sometimes, it takes me long to "see" (more like process the presence of) objects that were right there in front of me. The nearest appointment at a (affordable) specialist is not any time soon.
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@maryb1996 I was just explaining what the brain does to process images. It sounds like you're getting crossed signals somehow with different images than what you are looking at. I'm glad you're getting some help soon. Everything is very organized and mapped from the retina to the visual cortex in the brain.
Here's a fun fact about visual mapping in Siamese cats that I learned in my former research job. They are a type of albino because pigment is produced in the colder areas of the body, and they do not have protective pigment in their retinas like other cats have. That is the blue/green reflective color you see from a flash photo. The pigments in the retina contribute to the correct retinal mapping in the developing embryo. A Siamese cat has an abnormal segment of the visual cortex that is backwards and here is how you can test this. Throw something side to side past the Siamese cat, and the first movement of it's head is toward the opposite direction. Then because the cat moved it's head and everything moved past it visually, the cat looks the opposite direction again. This makes them act like bobble heads going back and forth as they look at things and follow motion.
Slurred speech is also a stroke symptom and it can happen if you're not getting enough oxygen to the brain. Then it could be a circulation or blood pressure issue, or a lung breathing problem that could contribute. Are you dyslexic? You probably would know that and this wouldn't be a new problem with language. Does any of this change when you are tired or wide awake? I suggest write down your questions and concerns so you can remember them at your appointment. Let us know what happens. Take care.
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3 ReactionsI, too, was hoping against hope that the symptoms you mentioned were not that of a stroke, or a "mini stroke" ,"TIA." We are complicated creatures, but with the proper examination and further testing, I know you will get some answers. Prayers and warmest thoughts go out to you during this time.
Mamacita
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1 ReactionHave you recently had brain surgery? I had all sorts of vision and memory problems right before and right after my brain surgery. Its been 4 months since surgery but I still have odd problems like transposing numbers and sometimes words don't come out quite right.
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1 Reaction@bjh369 It's been 5 months since my brain tumor surgery. I have these same problems that you describe. I don't know if it will get better or is this just the "new different".
We are now in the summer of 2021 and I am hoping that you are no longer plagued with symptoms that resemble simultanagnosia.
I have had it for many years before I was diagnosed but it hasn’t helped me with the condition. No MRI could verify what my problem was, and like you, I had 20/20 vision even at the age of 60.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. My best wishes that you do not have these symptoms anymore and they were caused by something else.
Have you had a PETscan? If not, you really need one! Even if your insurance doesnt pay for it, i would have it done!
I had one done at my own expense, and was found to havr a fairly rare disease that had taken 7 yrs. to diagnose!
I hate to say this, but with your symptoms, you could even have Early Onset dementia. They are finding it in people as esrly in their 20s, and even a girl as early as 4 yrs.old was diagnosed....BUT, IF that is what you would have, there is hope, as there are medicines to slow the progression, and with some lifestyle changes, you can live a productive, HAPPY life!