Short term memory issues
 

So I'm over one year now and besides other symptoms (most of which are getting somewhat better I believe), I still have some short -term memory issues that are bothersome.

I don't seem to forget things within the day too much, but I forget important things that are from, for example, one - three days ago.

This makes it tricky with any testing they seem to give me. My neuro psychologist says my scores back in August of last year (before going back to work and having a relapse) showed average to above average scores. Honestly I don't remember how I was back then.

What I do know is that when my husband and I go for walks I say things like " look at that house! Is that Blue?" "Has it always been blue?" And he'll tell me I've asked that on 3 or 4 different occasions. I feel embarrassed (linking an emotion to it) and then I remember it possibly the next time.

1 more example is my sister visiting Croatia. She posted 7 pictures on FaceBook. I was so excited and looked at them, they were the neatest looking places! They were very uncommon looking places, and 1 picture was even a "selfie" and my sister never does selfies. Anyways, I went to put a nice comment about them and as I was scrolling down I ran across a comment that caught my eye...because it was from Me! I had already commented....by the date about a week and a half earlier. I thought how strange it was, not just that I didn't remember commenting, but that the pictures didn't seem at all familiar.

It isn't Just these examples. It happens many times that my son or husband explains that we already had a conversation about something I feel the need to talk about.

It's frustrating, and no tests are going to see these things if they involve remembering within the same day, which they all seem to.

I worry about them sending me back to work because I know that I do not have a good enough memory.

I'm thinking about changing what I do for a living.

I guess I just wonder if there is some kind of test that can test memory but not within the last hour or two. Something that would test over a few day span....if anyone knows.

And if anyone else experiences this as well.

Thank you very much for reading. :)


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I don't know how a long term memory test would work except that some NeuroPsychs spread their tests over 2 or more days. They may have a long term memory test.

If your short term memory is OK but long term is not, you may have sleep issues that need to be addressed. Daily memories get stored into long term memories during REM sleep. Inadequate REM sleep will limit this. Sleep apnea can often be a culprit.

There are a variety of coping mechanisms that can be used. Note taking, lists, etc. can help. Research shows that using smart phones and tablets with calendars, quick notes, voice recordings, etc can be helpful.

Thanks Mark. I am using a calendar and a note book. The calendar is on my phone so it's with me all the time. They help, there is just a lot that you don't write down, like family conversations etc.

My neurologist is having me do the sleep apnea test next week, and he's already tested my thyroid (apparently that can cause reduction in thyroid), but it came back ok. I was really hoping it was that simple.

Perhaps the sleep apnea test will show something.

I think you may have told me about the memories converting during REM sleep already. I apologize if this is the second time you're telling me this. :)


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