Short Term memory loss

Hi. I know that's a very disconcerting experience.

That being said, I think most people in their 60's experience it to some degree.

How is your overall recall? Are you forgetting things now and then, or a whole lot?

Have you had it checked out? You might have impaired blood flow to your brain, which could mean a clot or some blockage that could lead to a stroke. (I had one at age 60.)

After my stroke, my brain MRI showed overall capillary damage "consistent with age" -- whatever that's supposed to mean. Now that I'm 65, I'm pretty absent-minded, but a lot of that I think is due to the fact that I just don't go many places, and I really don't have much interaction with real, live human beings. I'm not getting enough mental exercise, you know?

@kuriousmind @scottrl
I am 54 and noticed cognitive decline about 6+ months ago. I had 3 surgeries 2022-2023 and wonder if anesthesia had anything to do with it. I also wonder if blood flow and oxygen impact my ability to concentrate and focus/think/read. I cannot work now and applying for disability which makes me depressed since I have 3 degrees and worked in a challenging profession. I am a single parent of a teen and his sole provider (no family or support system). This makes me scared. I am going to a neurologist end of April to get tested for MS and CIDP due to my long list of symptoms. I need an MRI of my brain to see if anything shows up plus EMG/nerve conduction testing. I wear a cpap for sleep apnea and don’t seem to be able to take in deep breaths since having a bad case of Covid in 2022.

@kuriousmind @scottrl
I also have a hard time finding words when I speak and walk into rooms and totally forget why I am there. If I am talking to someone, I either forget what they said or what we are talking about. It is also noticeable that I get agitated more easily in conversations or when there is too much noise. I used to live to read but I am finding it hard to read a book or any lengthy text. Depending on the results of the brain MRI and other nerve testing, I may ask to get a cognitive test. If I am showing signs of cognitive decline, I want to do whatever I can to stop or slow down the decline.

Hi kuriousmind, my huband had cognitive decline and would fall and couldn't get up. He's 71 avg. weight but was a heavy drinker. He went to 4 neurologists and they each did an EMG test. The first said he had Parkinson's so we started medication. The second said he had CIDP and so we started the infusions. Third said he didn't know. Fourth said stop drinking, He did and is back to normal. I guess my point is do your google research and learn as much as you can about your problems because doctors make mistakes...good luck !

. I have the same cognitive symptoms I have had extensive testing. My MRI showed mild atrophy and PET showed spots of damage Prior to the testing at Mayo my local neurologist kind of shamed me about complaining that I thought something was very wrong. They think the damage was from nOH lack of oxygen. I had a neuropsychiatric test and it showed MCI. I did pretty well on half and extremely low on the other. I don’t have dementia because I can still take care of myself. The neuropsych put a nail in it and helped me understand what was happening in my brain and how it was related to nOH and I felt validated that my complaints about my brain were way

@juliesheff5
Thank you for your message. I had to look up nOH since I wasn’t familiar with the acronym. I seem to have many of the symptoms and will ask my new neurologist end of April about PET scan in addition to MRI/MRN.

Did you ever get tested for small fiber neuropathy with a punch biopsy (usually done taking sample from thigh and calf)? I tested positive with SFN which I understand can affect the autonomic nervous system.

I was tested for that. I have small fiber and large fiber neuropathy. I really am not clear about what that means. I have the tiniest symptoms in my feet

I'd be scared too, if I were you.

If it helps, my experience after the stroke was not dissimilar to yours -- aphasia, irritability, fear, insomnia.

With time, I got better. Not being able to read was terrifying. I was reduced to reading kids' books for a while. I could recognize words, but couldn't piece the meaning together into sentences. With patience and practice, my comprehension and speed came back. I'm about back to where I was pre-stroke.

Aphasia is much improved, too.

Worrying about it all was making it worse. I had to learn to trust the recovery process. I think I said "this too shall pass" with every breath for about three years.

Be patient, don't give up, and celebrate every bit of progress!

May God bless and keep you, @scottrl !! May He give you peace each day. Thank you for sharing your experience with me.