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I don't know if I've said anything about this before but I feel like I'm falling in the rabbit hole and don't know what to do....


I am having periods where I can not recall anything that has gone on - for very long times. I have done this at least 4 times where I can not remember doing anything, like a couple weeks ago, I took my husband to have a procedure done at the hospital and I remember walking down to the room with him, I remember holding his hand but from the time he went back to the time we got home, I have no recollection of what happened. Another time, my mother took me to a dr's appt and I do not remember that AT ALL. This has happened several times plus I'm having trouble with thoughts, completing tasks, forgetting where I am going or stopping in the middle of a sentence - forgetting what I was saying or can't remember things that happened 5 minutes ago.


First is AD hereditary or genetic? (or are those two words the same?) My father has vascular dementia and has had several strokes. Does this increase my likelihood of having it?


I do have a neurologist appt next week, so I'm hoping they'll take my concerns seriously. I'm only 50 so I figure if something IS happening maybe they can start something to keep it from progressing quickly.


Am I right to be very concerned about this or am I just a normal 50 year old that can't remember sh*t?

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I am so relieved that you are following up and have the appointment. Are you menopausal? Are you under large amounts of stress? I will tell you right now that this doesn't sound like dementia, but sounds to me, anyway, like severe and profound stress reactions. No doubt the neuro will send you for MRI unless something pops out clear to him or her. That will relieve your mind a bit, I think, but this sounds for all the world like a severe situational stress reaction. I will be so wanting an update from you, and hope you will update us after your appointment. Remember that being menopausal will make any of this just that much worse. Be as specific as you are able with each incident. When it happened and under what circumstances, how long lasting, whether any memory came back later. Every patient is a mystery; remember that, and give them all the symptoms you are able to help in diagnosis. Hugs to you.
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No need to jump to the AD possibility before you discount any other stress or physical issues with your doctor.

But because you asked... sibling studies indicate that AD can be inherited, but you are not guaranteed to inherit it. Perfect example is my 2 living aunts ages 97 and 100 who have lived together their whole lives (except 1 year), neither ever married or had kids. Neither ever smoked or drank much. Medditerranian diets. Worked at the same company for almost the same amount of time. Ate the same food, went on the same vacations, exercised the same amount. Different personalities: one extrovert (97 yo) the other introvert (100 y0). The 97 yr-old has total dementia and the 100 yo is clear as a bell. Same parents. Same life. Different outcomes.
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I would get myself checked out medically, but also be aware that stress causes intense and often strange reactions, including forgetfulness, difficulty functioning, and more.   I experienced this toward the end of my father's life, and thereafter.   It took a lot to return to normal, and it wasn't easy.  It still isn't.
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I was having a lot of this - plus quick sharp headaches - and was tested for Lyme. Hope it's not that. My test was positive and brain fog goes along with it. Would be driving and couldn't remember if I had done an errand or not. Other things can cause it too - like thyroid disease, adrenal gland problems, infections.
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I have had the same problem and after being thoroughly checked out, turned out it is always due to stress. My brain simply shuts down when I am overwhelmed. 63 years old and I am just now learning to say 'no' and to take care of me, first.

But you need to be sure it's not TIAs or something serious. Mine was "stress". The hardest thing to deal with and nearly impossible to get people to understand.

Good Luck!!
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Stress can do horrible things to us. You are wise to see a neurologist,, just to rule out things. It seems as though we think the worst first. Please let us know how you make out. We care.
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It is so awesome that you have the insight to reach out and ask the questions. I'm 55 so here are my thoughts:
1) could be early onset dementia
2) you are not too young to have had a stroke or other cardiovascular event including heart attack, and women's symptoms are different
2) could be related to menopause / hormonal changes
3) could be related to another health condition or medication so you need a complete physical with your primary care including blood work
4) could be stress

Please let us know what the diagnosis was. These things do feel scary when they start to happen.
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You should also have your thyroid checked, as underactive thyroid can cause mental and emotional problems. Infections such as Lyme disease can cause severe cognitive symptoms. Have thorough testing done by a neuropsychologist or neuropsychiatrist, since the mini mental status exams done by MDs doesn't pinpoint deficits very well.
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AlvaDeer Jul 2019
Great suggestion!!
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Brain fog and hormones from menopsuse will do the same thing. Still get an MRI. Just the stress of thinking it's something worse, can cause symptoms to be worse. Prayers and hope you find out what is going on. It can be scary. Your body and subconscious is trying to tell you to take care of yourself.
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I went thru menapaus in the middle of a divorce and my life was a mess, became anemic. Your symptoms sound like about what I was experiencing. I have anxiety and sometimes a friend may ask me what I ate for breakfast and it takes me awhile to remember. I try to do multiple things at once and burn food. Every day I spend a great deal of time looking for something around the house I've misplaced. I've been this way all my life or else I'd really be worried. Anxiety and stress can cause all kinds of symptoms. For your peace of mind get checked out.
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