Hi Everyone-

I am a 39 year-old married female living in central New Hampshire who has been having memory, concentration, word fishing, etc. problems since 2003. I was a math major and actuarial analyst who now has a hard time with basic math and cannot learn new things anymore. Since I had a lot going on, it was treated as depression. Well I tried antidepressants and all it did was make me suicidal and put on a ton of weight. I went from running 50-70 miles a week and training for a marathon to fat and suicidal.

I left my job because I could no longer work with complex mathematics and was unable to pass exams required for my job. I need to get back to work as we really need the $$ but I am scared to even interview and I am worried about not being able to learn even the functions of a basic job. Since these problems started, it takes me 10x as long to do everything. When I was still at my other job, I would work 13 hour days-not getting payed extra-just to barely keep up. I would recheck things 30 times and still have errors. This is not how I was before.


Everytime I talk to my docs about the memory, concentration, etc. problems I am treated as it is in my head, I am stressed, depressed etc. I switched PCP's and was treated the same. I tried to make a neurologist appt on my own but I was told it has to go through your doctor. I begged for help but was told to try new pills and meditation/stress relief.

So in addition to these memory problems since 2003, in the past year I have had hand numbness and tingling, balance and coordination issues,headaches, dizziness, constant itchiness. I also have weak legs and my right leg "gives out" About two weeks ago, the numbness/tingling spread to my feet, tongue, lips, etc. It now sticks around and does not go away during the day. When it was just my hands, I only had it at night. I went to my doc with these new symptoms and was finally taken "somewhat" seriously. I had an MRI which came back normal. I am currently awaiting a call about an appointment with a neurologist. I just want to find out what is wrong so I can fight this with every ounce of strength that I have. I am fearful that the neuro will treat me like a "head case" like everyone else has. I am so frustrated. I am also concerned because my mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's-early onset- at age 51. She had symptoms in her 40's. She is in the last stage now. My sister died in 2006 and had many mental problems.

Thank you for listening. My writing skills have deteriorated as well and no matter how much I proofread-I always find an errors-so I apologize.

I look forward to offering support to everyone in any way that I can. If anyone has any advice or information that they think may help me, I would appreciate it.

Thanks-

Flyersfan

Your writing skills don't seem to have deteriorated much at all, although it may have taken you longer to write your post. I, too, suffer from the memory lapses which you have described, and I used to be pretty smart myself. A lot of what you feel is probably what a lot of us feel, a fear of the unknown, and maybe a lack of self-cofidence because you are not sure where your mental boundaries are any longer.

I've suffered from some of the other symptoms you describe. My right leg giving out, numbness, balance issues, headaches, itchiness, but I also suffer from chronic pain. It's scary. My illness began seven years ago, and since then I've seen 28 docs and been to 8 hospitals, with no diagnosis. I've even had exploratory surgery. That doesn't mean it will take that long for you, I hope, but it can take time. One of the most important things you can do, especially because of your memory impairment, is to keep a journal and write down your experiences every day. It took me a while to figure that out, and to realize that skipping only one day can throw things out of balance. If you go to a specialist with a written description of your problems, then it gives you more time to think it out as you're writing it. And since most doctor's learn to speed-read anyway, they often see a pattern on paper when they might just be confused by your words. Just remember: shorter is often better and more informative.

I wish you lots of luck, Flyersfan. Whatever you do, don't stop pushing as hard as you can, and do lots of research yourself. Good luck!

Idealist-

Thank you so much for the reply and sharing your experience with me. I am so very sorry for what you have gone through. I hope that you are able to get an accurate diagnosis soon.

Thanks again

Flyersfan

HI Flyersfan,

Welcome and I am sorry about what you have been going through.

I have a couple of thoughts. Has your doc tested you for a B12 deficiency? If so do you have copies of any of the results. Just asking becasue it sounds like some of your symptoms are neuropathy related and a b12 deficiency could be connected. Also B12 deficiency in older people I believe has shown up in thinking and cognitive deficiencies. And some people cannot absorb b12 properly and todays docs are not up on the latest levels and where they really sould be. For example in the rest of the world anything under 500 is considered deficient while its considered normal here.

Even if you do not have a B12 test you might want to go out and get some methyl b12 and give it a try to see if it makes any difference in your symptoms.

You might also want to post in the PN forum and describe some of your symptoms there and someone might be able to give more insight. Here is the link.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/forum20.html

Hi Shelley,

Thank you so much for the welcome. According to my PCP my B-12 is normal. They ran a lot of bloodwork and I am going next week to see her and I am requesting copies of all my bloodwork then so I will be able to check the specific numbers. I will look into the methyl B12.

I will also make my way over to the forum that you mentioned.

Thank you so much!

Flyersfan

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk!

Thanks for the welcome herekitty!

Flyersfan

hello and welcome to neurotalk ... i am so sorry you are having a hard time getting doctors to listen to you ... been there done that ... seems that alot of the doctors would rather say its all in your head rather than looking for the causes .... sometimes it is serious and other times it's as simple as a deficiency .... and yes sometimes it is in your head but not in the way they are implying ...anyway ... i hope you find some answers soon ... again ...

Hello and welcome to NeuroTalk. Great to see you have come to be with us. Just let us know if we can be of any help. We are all here to assist each other as possible.

Again welcome, looking forward to seeing you around.

Darlene

Hi FranksAngel and Darlene-

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. Everyone here is helpful and friendly and I have been given great info so far!

Thanks!

Flyersfan.