Memory loss, panic, smell disorder. ANY IDEAS?

Hello, my name is Gabriel, I am a 26 year old male. For the past year I have had several symptoms which recently have gotten worse. I can't memorize anymore numbers (my ID number, phone number, pin codes etc.). If I meet someone new, I can't remember their names. I put something down and 5 seconds later I can't find it. I am getting more and more clumsy, hands tremble, losing balance. In the beginning I thought it was something that will pass (I have always been a little forgetful and clumsy), but now it has gotten so bad that it has seriously affected my life. I have a constant state of panic and paranoia, thinking that I have forgotten something vital. Recently my sense of smell has become more acute and often I smell things that no one else can.

I have an appointment next week with a neurologist but I would be very greatful if I could get some insight until then of what it may be. I am very worried.

With gratitude in advance,
Gabriel.

[ggreg]

Gabriel,
You have a heavenly name.  Good think you're visiting the neuro, could be something amiss in your neurological system.  But there are a variety of other things, which the neuro will figure out exactly what is going on, probably following a few tests and so forth.  But I'll mention a couple things, to throw you a lifeline until you can get to the neuro next week.  

The basic things might include you have a sinus infection that has gotten way out of control, and another thing is you may not be getting enough protein or other vital mineral, either because of diet or some kind of malabsorption thing.  The "other" category might include if you were in an accident in the last few years, where you were perhaps injured, either slightly or majorly, either hitting your head or not, and that this impacted you quite a bit.  I would trace the pathways of each of those, but it's too involved for now.  Suffice it to say, you may indeed have some serious symptoms, but could be something fairly reasonable is causing them.

I can tell you this.  When you get a little panicky about forgetting everything, just do some deep breathing, breathe in really deeply, blow it out, breathe normal a few times, then repeat ten times.  This will slow the heart and thus any anxiety you might be feeling.  Also, review what you've been eating lately and try to keep up a diet of a variety of foods, plus drink enough water and exercise too.  Let us know what the neuro says, and if you want more info on the ideas I came up with, I'll share them at that point.
GG

[Dr. A. Srivastava]

Thank you for your question. There can be several reasons of such symptoms although without being able to examine you I can not offer you the specific advice on diagnosis and treatment that you need, but I would try to provide you some relevant information about your health concern.

Most likely possibility in your case could be a panic or anxiety disorder that you have faced during last event and currently experiencing. Cause of such panic disorder mostly remain unknown but in this disorder you may feel symptoms like shortness of breath, feeling of unusual smells of choking, pain in the chest, memory impairment, nausea, stomach ache, feeling dizzy, tingling or numbness, chills /hot flashes, bounding heartbeat or fast heart rate, sweating, shaking etc. even without any underlying disorder. This disorder needs to be thoroughly assessed by a psychiatrist first since this can occur repeatedly and without warning.  Treatments may include psychological and drug treatments, and depend upon extent of severity of symptoms. Most commonly psychological treatment tried is counseling, relaxation techniques and sometimes cognitive behavior therapy. ************** depends upon treating the underlying depressive illness through anti-anxiety or anti-depressant medicines.  In addition, try to rest in a dark & quiet room, meditate, have a balanced diet, regularly exercise and avoid taking unnecessary non prescription drugs to avoid recurrence of symptoms. Hope this helps!!

[gabihdc]

Thanks for the advice, I suppose most of it is stress related, but now I just got the results from the CT Scan and I have a diffuse cerebral edema. I have been scheduled for an MRI and an EEG. *Keeping fingers crossed*

[ggreg]

Wow, Gabriel, that's quite a diagnosis.  If you had a bout of meningitis, or hit your head, or your blood pressure is out of control, or you recently moved to the Rocky Mountains, then you can get what you got.  I suppose you've already looked up the whole thing by now.  But don't let online stuff bug you, including anything we say here.  We're here to support you as much as anything else.  I'm glad you are visiting your neuro soon, he'll be able to ask you some questions and get a history on you, and can perhaps give you some notion as to what is going on and so forth.  There are really good medicines that can make this go away quicker and many other treatments, too, which he'll want to give you sooner rather than later.  But I'm glad you had the presence of mind to get thee to a neuro, I'll look forward to what he tells you.  You're in good hands now, and I wish you God speed on this medical problem at hand.
GG