Looking for some help with a diagnosis.

[belle59]

Hi,

I have been suffering from a lot of memory loss recently, not remembering what day it is, where I am meant to be going, what I am meant to be doing, etc. I also have a lot of trouble remembering the names of items.

I have been to my doctors but they brushed me off and said it was nothing to wory about it, but I think differently.

I have been having a number of other symptoms too, including anaemia, a constant headache (for about 2 months), neck pain and recently some diarrhoea.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I am at the doctors again tomorrow, but I feel like I should be going in with some ideas as they don't take me seriously.

Thank you!

[belle59]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I am taking iron tablets for the anaemia, but I have had B12 deficiency in the post so I will mention this in case it is connected.

I have also been suffering from a lot of fatigue, I sleep for around 8 hours a night and can easily have 2 naps during the day. This is a total change which happened a few weeks ago, until then I would sleep around 7 hours a night and not nap and I didn't feel tired at all.

[allmymarbles]

When seeing the doctor I would concentrate on the headache. They will take that more seriously. It is probably connected with your memory loss in any case. If you just mention losing words, etc., they will merely tell you you are getting older, or some such nonsense. As for the anemia, isn't that being treated?

I am sympathetic to your short-memory loss because I was afflicted with this several years ago. In my case it was caused by devastating insomnia. We found the cure for that and my memory problem disappeared.

[caregiver222]

In terms of your neurological issue (substantive loss of memory, juxtaposed with a "headache") the "Standard of Care" in the United States would mandate, in any hospital, you undergo both an MRI and an MRA immediately, or alternatively, the less desireable CT.

The anemia would mandate a consult with a hematologist, because there are many possible reasons for anemia besides simple iron deficiency.

As for how you can assert yourself in such a situation with a bureaucratic health care system, I have no answer, but bear in mind "the squeaky wheel gets the grease".