Guest guest Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 Sheila- I know how you feel. I can't remember names anymore & it's embarassing. I asked my friend the other day what her son's name was. Duh! I've known them for years! I also have issues with just forgetting what I'm talking about right in the middle of a sentence! Sometimes I just try to play it off like I'm a dumb blond. I really hate it. Hang in there, Miaja** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 Hi Sheila! Some of it may be " fears " , and some of it is our condition, I'm sure. I started college a few yrs ago and did great, then came the types of problems you're describing. Actually, I was always the " write it down " type of person, but the way you're describing the short term memory loss (very short term!) and all the other stuff, it sounds just like me. I quit school when all the physical symptoms and depression started coming up repeatedly. Quit school with an " A " . There WAS a broken relationship problem, yet, it was the physical that was overpowering me the most. It went downhill from there. I am now 52, going on 53, but I don't think age really has to do with it. Some of the opportunities, when it comes to age, may have a little something to do with it, but that just depends on where you are and the attitude of your particular community. One thing for sure, if you don't continue seeking it, you will never know, but I know what you mean by the concentration, etc......I am undiagnosed, but I know that I have these problems. I don't want to pin it on one thing (though, if it is, there's the solution), but I'm really thinking that the weaker adrenals are usually very involved here, along with the thyroid axis. I say that because, adrenally compromised people usually have some of the same chemical traits, thus, personality traits. I know you've been into Dr. Lowe and sites like that, and they say basically the same thing----that these personality traits seem to be particularly common to people whose adrenals can't weather a whole lot of stress. When it's like this, just going and getting a new hairstyle or even looking forward to an event can be stressful, with the inability to focus and all the other things you talked about. I can't really prove it, but this is what I believe. I haven't proved it with my own self-ordered tests yet because other tests, which I know are related, keep getting in the way. Yes, they're all part of the same/similar issue. I'm just now waiting for new antibodies test papers because I have put this one off and have been testing for everything else, as I go. There's no telling until I can prove it. Just walking out of the college parking lot and into the building became a strange issue that I can't explain. Forgetting where to go, even though I'd been there 100 times, and then getting a rapid heartbeat, when everything goes just a little awry. These are things that didn't happen to me during a time when I was HYPERthyroid! I had more of a tendency not to really care what anyone thought and to be able to " make a path " in my mind, very quickly. The types of things you're describing about memory describe me exactly. They say not to let these things bother you, but if you have a chemical thing going on inside you, it is easier said than done. This is why I think that we may actually be STRONGER people, sort of an " against greater odds " sort of thing. With me, it's not agorophobia, but it is something vaguely similar. I WANT to take action, but when I do, it's like it is when you're having snowballs thrown at you. The coping mechanisms are now, literally physically, different. Where I used to be able to stand or sit in a shouting crowd of people, now that makes my mind and chemistry do weird flipflops. I want to run, but it's not really because I think mentally that I can't stay, it's more physically impossible. I do suspect adrenal issues. After all, who knows how much investigation has really been done on ADHD children and adults, when it comes to this. It's seems that it's just generally not believed by the medical profession. It's not like it's the ONLY issue, but I believe that all these things are very closely related to each other. I've found that, if I split hairs on it all, I will run myself quite insane. Tx brain fog > Has anyone in here found their brain fog symptoms have cleared up? > The Armour has helped with most of my symptoms except this one. > > Brain fog maybe is different for everyone; people experience it to > greater or lesser degrees, as well as in different ways. > > For me, the brain fog has been severe. One aspect of the brain fog > has been my problem with words. I've had a huge vocabulary most of > my life; words have have always been my thing. When I was six years > old, I would read my dictionary for fun!! (Yeah, I'm a real geek, > huh!!). > > Anyway, my college entrance exams back in 1990 had me at the top of > the scale for reading comprehension and English. I also love > writing! The words just pretty much always came to me. I've been > writing poetry and lyrics since I was 12. I've written several > childrens' books (haven't illustrated them yet though). I've also > written one book and in the process of another. > > So, here I am, a person who is very articulate (can't believe I > remembered THAT word!!LOL) and then find that my tongue is tied all > the time. I can't express myself the way I used to. > > I forget simple, ordinary words...like shoe, like violin, like > counter... > > I fumble around for words so badly that when I speak I'll be in the > middle of a sentence and forget a word and end up > saying... " Uh...uh...uh... " > > English is a second language to my husband, many of my co-workers, > and most of my friends. Their vocabulary seems better than mine!!! > At least they're not fumbling around for those simple words. > > At least in this forum, ya'all don't see how I'm dealing with this. > It may take me awhile to reply to a post because I'm trying to > figure out the word. Or I try to find an alternate word. > > Also, I can't remember names of people I've known for years. I've > called my husband by the wrong name. At our best friends' wedding > when I was toasting the bride at groom, I called the groom by my > husband's name...at that's captured on film!!! With couples, I often > reverse the man and woman's names...calling my girlfriend by her > husband's name and vica versa. > > My memory is also affected in that I forget short-term events. I'll > have a conversation with someone and have no idea we had that > conversation. My husband tells me I tell him the same things over > and over, but I just don't have a clue. > > I'm only 40 years old, and all this brain fog stuff came up on very > suddenly, just like my other hypothyroid symptoms. > > Then, I've also developed a lot of problems with concentration that > previously were not this bad. I've always been kinda flighty and in > my own little world; however, I was a great listener. > > Now I have problems listening to people. It's hard to describe, but > it hurts because I have to focus so hard. Sometimes it feels like > I've got all this stimuli just coming at me so fast and furious it > literally makes me dizzy. what's weird though is I hate > silence...like the library. > > Anyway, I get very hyper too. I have all the ADHD symptoms and was > diagnosed with such a few months ago; however, the psychologist said > he can't determine if the ADHD symptoms are due to my thyroid > problems or not. > > Sometimes I just feel like I'm gonna burst inside if I don't move > around. I'm seeing my counselor at the campus, and we don't sit down > and talk...we go walking, and that helps me think!!! It really does! > I feel like I can remember things better and learn better if I'm > moving around. > > I get lost a lot...you know can't focus on a conversation. I'll be > talking about one thing it triggers other memories, subjects...and > just go with it. > > Sometimes the things I forget really scare me....like getting lost > in the hospital parking lot. I've been parking there for years and > sometimes just can't find my way out 'cause I'm lost. How? It's not > that hard? Or I'll be driving the same route to work I've taken for > years and get confused. > > I've left the stove on and forget to lock my car. Now I triple check > to make sure. After I check, if I don't say outloud " Sheila, you > locked the door, or Sheila, everything in the kitchen is off, " I > forget that I checked and have to check again. > > It also takes me forever to learn something. I used to be a quick > learner. Hah...not anymore. I really struggle. > > I'm scared to change jobs because everything will be new and I > wonder how hard it will be to pick it up. I'm scared to interview > because of how I stumble around for words. > > I used to be confident that I would get into grad school, but now I > really wonder if my GRE score will be high enough. > > I wonder how I'm going to deal with learning. Right now I'm taking > algebra, and I've always had problems with math, so it's no big > surprise that I'm really struggling. But what about my geology > class? Am I gonna be able to memorize the vocab? Will I be able to > learn the material? > > After I get through my algebra (two more classes to go), I have two > statistics classes, one more foreign language class, geology, and > the rest are senior level classes. Senior level classes are pretty > tough. I've taken some, and just the reading alone is enough to kill > you...not to mention the papers (which USED to be so easy for me). > > I'm so confused academically and terrified of failing because of all > these memory problems. > > I have gotten numerous academic awards and had several scholarships > in the past. In fact, I just got something in the mail a few days > ago, inviting me an awards and recognition program where I will be > recognized and presented with a certificate (I'm receiving a High > Distinction Award). > > > Anyway, I've gotten this award before. It's been 7 or 8 years since > I've been at UK (University of Kentucky)...I had transferred to U of > L (University of Louisville). This award is based on my past > academic success. I guess the last semester I was here, I qualified > for this award and am getting it now. > > I'm not going to the ceremony though....just asking them to mail me > my certificate. I know I'm deserving of this award, but I'm > depressed about my current state of mind (brain fog) and problems > with cognition. > > I'm a psych major...obviously, listening is like the single most > important skill you can have. If i am able to complete my education, > I can't imagine being a clinician....can't sit in a chair all day!!! > I wanted to study recreation therapy, but it's too late now...no > more programs like this in my area. > > I have thought if I get through my senior year of college, maybe I > could work as a special needs teacher. They're so desperate for > these kind of teachers, you can work right away without a master's > degree. They give you 10 years to get through grad school. > > That kind of job might be good for me, but I don't know...might be > WAY too stimulating. But I would be in a position to teach kids in a > way that might be helpful...like doing some teaching during physical > activity. Many ADHD students are like me...they learn better if they > can move around. > > I just am scared that I won't be able to retain what I've learned > and that I'll fall flat on my face. > > anyway, I am considering dropping out of school altogether. Tuition > is going up AGAIN, and it's very difficult for me to work and go to > school. then when I graduate, I will probably make less money than I > do now (I think I'll make a little more as a teacher). > > Well, sorry for this long post and for rambling. This brain fog > stuff really weighs on me...you know. sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 Sheila, SO much of what you had in your post is exactly the same for me. I was always VERY articulate, great at grammar and spelling, etc. This is the most disturbing symptom for me, too. I keep thinking I am only 43, and if things keep going like this, pretty soon I am not even going to be able to stay by myself for a few hours because it will be too scary. I already rarely drive -- even gave up my car -- because I get lost or confused about where I am or where I'm going or how to get somewhere. The other day, after a long day at work (exhaustion definitely makes it worse), I was standing in front of my building waiting for my husband to pick me up, and the bus pulled up and stopped. For a minute, I thought, " Am I supposed to get on that bus and ride that home? " I felt panicked for a minute, and then I remembered that I was waiting for and that he would be there to pick me up soon. After the bus pulled away, I kept thinking, " What if I had not figured out in time what I was SUPPOSED to do and I had gotten on that bus???? " I have never ridden a city bus in my life!! I wouldn't have had a clue what to do if I had done that. It is very, very scary. I have a job that I LOVE, and wonderful bosses who are very sympathetic to all of my health problems. I am so lucky. However, I worry constantly that the day is coming when I won't be able to keep working or even take care of my grandchildren (if I have some). I also have trouble tracking conversations now, too. If someone says something I need to remember, I have to write it down AT THAT INSTANT or it is gone. Forget about people's names... I can't remember them at all. My son always says to me, " Mom, you JUST asked me that. Don't you remember? " He teases me about it, but I think it scares him, too. My husband is pretty good about all of this most of the time, but I made the mistake of asking him one night what he would do if I got to the point where I couldn't stay by myself... whether he would put me in a nursing home. His response? " Is that free? " HA! I will never let him live that down!!! Anyway, you are not alone, and at least you are on Armour now. I can't even get my doctors to add Cytomel to my Synthroid yet... they just keep upping the Synthroid. So you're ahead of me!! Try to stay positive and hang in there. Jo > Has anyone in here found their brain fog symptoms have cleared up? > The Armour has helped with most of my symptoms except this one. > > Brain fog maybe is different for everyone; people experience it to > greater or lesser degrees, as well as in different ways. > > For me, the brain fog has been severe. One aspect of the brain fog > has been my problem with words. I've had a huge vocabulary most of > my life; words have have always been my thing. When I was six years > old, I would read my dictionary for fun!! (Yeah, I'm a real geek, > huh!!). > > Anyway, my college entrance exams back in 1990 had me at the top of > the scale for reading comprehension and English. I also love > writing! The words just pretty much always came to me. I've been > writing poetry and lyrics since I was 12. I've written several > childrens' books (haven't illustrated them yet though). I've also > written one book and in the process of another. > > So, here I am, a person who is very articulate (can't believe I > remembered THAT word!!LOL) and then find that my tongue is tied all > the time. I can't express myself the way I used to. > > I forget simple, ordinary words...like shoe, like violin, like > counter... > > I fumble around for words so badly that when I speak I'll be in the > middle of a sentence and forget a word and end up > saying... " Uh...uh...uh... " > > English is a second language to my husband, many of my co-workers, > and most of my friends. Their vocabulary seems better than mine!!! > At least they're not fumbling around for those simple words. > > At least in this forum, ya'all don't see how I'm dealing with this. > It may take me awhile to reply to a post because I'm trying to > figure out the word. Or I try to find an alternate word. > > Also, I can't remember names of people I've known for years. I've > called my husband by the wrong name. At our best friends' wedding > when I was toasting the bride at groom, I called the groom by my > husband's name...at that's captured on film!!! With couples, I often > reverse the man and woman's names...calling my girlfriend by her > husband's name and vica versa. > > My memory is also affected in that I forget short-term events. I'll > have a conversation with someone and have no idea we had that > conversation. My husband tells me I tell him the same things over > and over, but I just don't have a clue. > > I'm only 40 years old, and all this brain fog stuff came up on very > suddenly, just like my other hypothyroid symptoms. > > Then, I've also developed a lot of problems with concentration that > previously were not this bad. I've always been kinda flighty and in > my own little world; however, I was a great listener. > > Now I have problems listening to people. It's hard to describe, but > it hurts because I have to focus so hard. Sometimes it feels like > I've got all this stimuli just coming at me so fast and furious it > literally makes me dizzy. what's weird though is I hate > silence...like the library. > > Anyway, I get very hyper too. I have all the ADHD symptoms and was > diagnosed with such a few months ago; however, the psychologist said > he can't determine if the ADHD symptoms are due to my thyroid > problems or not. > > Sometimes I just feel like I'm gonna burst inside if I don't move > around. I'm seeing my counselor at the campus, and we don't sit down > and talk...we go walking, and that helps me think!!! It really does! > I feel like I can remember things better and learn better if I'm > moving around. > > I get lost a lot...you know can't focus on a conversation. I'll be > talking about one thing it triggers other memories, subjects...and > just go with it. > > Sometimes the things I forget really scare me....like getting lost > in the hospital parking lot. I've been parking there for years and > sometimes just can't find my way out 'cause I'm lost. How? It's not > that hard? Or I'll be driving the same route to work I've taken for > years and get confused. > > I've left the stove on and forget to lock my car. Now I triple check > to make sure. After I check, if I don't say outloud " Sheila, you > locked the door, or Sheila, everything in the kitchen is off, " I > forget that I checked and have to check again. > > It also takes me forever to learn something. I used to be a quick > learner. Hah...not anymore. I really struggle. > > I'm scared to change jobs because everything will be new and I > wonder how hard it will be to pick it up. I'm scared to interview > because of how I stumble around for words. > > I used to be confident that I would get into grad school, but now I > really wonder if my GRE score will be high enough. > > I wonder how I'm going to deal with learning. Right now I'm taking > algebra, and I've always had problems with math, so it's no big > surprise that I'm really struggling. But what about my geology > class? Am I gonna be able to memorize the vocab? Will I be able to > learn the material? > > After I get through my algebra (two more classes to go), I have two > statistics classes, one more foreign language class, geology, and > the rest are senior level classes. Senior level classes are pretty > tough. I've taken some, and just the reading alone is enough to kill > you...not to mention the papers (which USED to be so easy for me). > > I'm so confused academically and terrified of failing because of all > these memory problems. > > I have gotten numerous academic awards and had several scholarships > in the past. In fact, I just got something in the mail a few days > ago, inviting me an awards and recognition program where I will be > recognized and presented with a certificate (I'm receiving a High > Distinction Award). > > > Anyway, I've gotten this award before. It's been 7 or 8 years since > I've been at UK (University of Kentucky)...I had transferred to U of > L (University of Louisville). This award is based on my past > academic success. I guess the last semester I was here, I qualified > for this award and am getting it now. > > I'm not going to the ceremony though....just asking them to mail me > my certificate. I know I'm deserving of this award, but I'm > depressed about my current state of mind (brain fog) and problems > with cognition. > > I'm a psych major...obviously, listening is like the single most > important skill you can have. If i am able to complete my education, > I can't imagine being a clinician....can't sit in a chair all day!!! > I wanted to study recreation therapy, but it's too late now...no > more programs like this in my area. > > I have thought if I get through my senior year of college, maybe I > could work as a special needs teacher. They're so desperate for > these kind of teachers, you can work right away without a master's > degree. They give you 10 years to get through grad school. > > That kind of job might be good for me, but I don't know...might be > WAY too stimulating. But I would be in a position to teach kids in a > way that might be helpful...like doing some teaching during physical > activity. Many ADHD students are like me...they learn better if they > can move around. > > I just am scared that I won't be able to retain what I've learned > and that I'll fall flat on my face. > > anyway, I am considering dropping out of school altogether. Tuition > is going up AGAIN, and it's very difficult for me to work and go to > school. then when I graduate, I will probably make less money than I > do now (I think I'll make a little more as a teacher). > > Well, sorry for this long post and for rambling. This brain fog > stuff really weighs on me...you know. sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2004 Report Share Posted April 11, 2004 Amen, Gail. Re: Re: brain fog Sheila, Just to let you know from another member, sweetie your not alone at all, I was training for a job a few months ago and everything my trainer said to me went in one ear and right out the other, I had to ask her things over and over again, and she would say, My god Gail, I just told you! I was wondering if I was loosing my mind, maybe I was getting Altzhimers, Naturally the job didnt last long and I was fired after 4 months, in retrospect, I cant blame them, I was like in a fog all the time and it appeared that I didnt care, but I was trying to hide the condition, and tried so hard to get the training instructions,, Seems like some times when people talk to me, instead of hearing words of conprehension,, all I hear is bla, bla, bla, okay understand? and I go,,, yeah sure,, but I didnt get any of it. Today, as a matter of fact, I simply went to the grocery store in the same town I lived in for 44 years, I pulled up in the parking lot and just sat there, thinking, what was I suppose to get, was it Bread? milk? I think thats it,, no theres something else but couldnt think what it was,,, When I got home it was laundry detergent,, simple, I felt like such a idiot. Were all in this together,,, were not stupid, or retarted, or dumb,, were just sick. And in need of answers. Gail in Ga. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 18, 2004 Report Share Posted April 18, 2004 sheila, i'm sitting here feeling so badly for you about school--i know how important it is to you. it couldn't have been an easy decision. these are the times when this disease really angers me the most--when it interferes with our goals. hang in there, hillary Re: brain fog hi , I'm a little behind on my mail...LOL! sorry. i meant to reply to this a long time ago. well, you can certainly understand what I'm going through. hopefully you'll be able to get your adrenal tests soon. anyway, I've decided not to enroll in fall classes. I'm ending my academic career. it's taken awhile to come decision, but i think it's the right one. i'm under constant stress with school and two jobs. i'm not sleeping, tuitition is going up,. when i get through these 7 classes i need to graduate, it'll be 2007!!! then my GRE will probably not be high enough to get into grad school with these memory problems/brain fog issues i have. i HAVE to have time to relax!! otherwise, i'm afraid i'll just fall apart. take care. thanks for sharing. hugs, sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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