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Sudden brain fog and memory impairment
exactly six weeks ago while I was out shopping I suddenly felt this cloudy sensation descend upon my brain and my vision became cloudy as if a film had been placed over my eyes. subsequently I have noticed that my short term memory has become really bad (an event that happened yesterday would seem like a week ago)my speed of thinking and word recall have also worsened. Two weeks after my sudden onset of brain fog and cloudy vision I started getting headaches behind my eyes and muscular pain( i don't know if the muscular pain has anything to do with the fact that I have remained in bed since my brain fog started) I am an outgoing 34 yr old male with good health (I Play soccer for in a local league). Since my problem began I have become bed ridden with no interest in anything.I have used B complex, ginko, chelated magnesium and calcium, omega 3 fish oil to no avail. I have had several blood test and all have come back normal. My GP has written to a neuro but it might be months before I get to see one. Since the sudden onset of my symptoms my condition has not abated or improved. I don't konw if it is relevant but two days before the sudden onset of my symptoms I was at a party where I consumed a great deal of alcohol. I felt fine the next day and it was the second day after that my sudden brain fog began. I have no numbness or weakness in my limbs and I am not overly tired ( I remain in bed because I feel like i am operating at 50% of my normal ability). I am mystified by the sudden onset of symptoms.I.e one minute I was fine and the next I am different. What can it be?
I cannot give you a clinical diagnosis over the internet, as this forum is purely educational - you should followup with th eneurologist as soon as you see him.
Alcohol withdrawal can produce similar symptoms that are usually apparant a few hours after cessation of alcohol, so 48 hours is a bit long for this to iccur unless more alcohol hhad been taken in the interval. I dont know how much alcohol you take but long term alcohol use is associated with short term memory loss and the ability to form new memories (called Korsakoffs syndrome). This is more related to a vitamin deficiency in chronic alcoholics over many years. It is mainly irreversible - so avoid the evils of alcohol if you can.
The lack of get up and go might suggest that something else was embibied during this party such as ecstasy like drugs which can results in a distinct syndrome with a lack of interest in things. I dont know if this is compatible with your case.
Another alternate explanation is depression which could be either drug related or non-drug related. Have your doctor check for this also, as treatment is important.
Your headaches should be evaluated promptly too to rulout a 'red flag' headache, that might signify a serious underlying problem - the worse headache of your life, neck stiffness, loss of consciousness, focal neurological signs like weakness or clumsiness of one side of the body, might suggest this
Good luck
Alcohol withdrawal can produce similar symptoms that are usually apparant a few hours after cessation of alcohol, so 48 hours is a bit long for this to iccur unless more alcohol hhad been taken in the interval. I dont know how much alcohol you take but long term alcohol use is associated with short term memory loss and the ability to form new memories (called Korsakoffs syndrome). This is more related to a vitamin deficiency in chronic alcoholics over many years. It is mainly irreversible - so avoid the evils of alcohol if you can.
The lack of get up and go might suggest that something else was embibied during this party such as ecstasy like drugs which can results in a distinct syndrome with a lack of interest in things. I dont know if this is compatible with your case.
Another alternate explanation is depression which could be either drug related or non-drug related. Have your doctor check for this also, as treatment is important.
Your headaches should be evaluated promptly too to rulout a 'red flag' headache, that might signify a serious underlying problem - the worse headache of your life, neck stiffness, loss of consciousness, focal neurological signs like weakness or clumsiness of one side of the body, might suggest this
Good luck
do the muscles in your forehead feel stiff ??
no the muscles in my forehead feel fine but when i bend down or get up suddenly I feel a bit lightheaded and sometimes get pain behind my eyes
hi maybe you have a sinus infection.
can a sinus problem cause memory problems and cognitive deficits? if yes what is the specific sinus problem called?
malden, I'm not the doctor so don't listen to me, but, i can tell you some things that maybe helpful....getting light headed when you standup is due to a drop in blood pressure in your head. it's also known as syncope (or near syncope). there is a test known as a tilt-table test which evaluates this condition, however due to you other conditions this may not be the best way to go first. I see you had an MRI of your brain, you may want to go after a repeat of the MRI with and without contrast, along with an MRV (venogram) of the brain at the same time, and perhaps an MRA of your cervical vessels.
The venogram would reveal any thrombosis in your blood vessels. You will also want a thorough blood testing for liver problems, B12, and Lyme disease to name a few. an ANA screen, TSH and free T4's would also be good to do
one more thing, a chest x-ray and echocardiogram would probably also be a good idea because problems in that area can sometimes cause syncope
okay, one final comment. i noticed you play sports. i would want an urgent evaluation for arterial disection if i were you... if you have had any injuries or falls (even seemingly trivial ones) prior to this starting, you should be evaluated on an urgent basis
thanks citizen t for your advice.
I have not had an mri yet(still waiting to see a neuro) I have had several blood test which have come back normal.would routine blood test have detected any probs with thyroid, liver or lyme disease?
I have not had an mri yet(still waiting to see a neuro) I have had several blood test which have come back normal.would routine blood test have detected any probs with thyroid, liver or lyme disease?
It depends on which routine blood tests you had. Lyme disease is a specific test, as is Thyroid and Liver function. To be honest, you shouldn't have to wait to have an MRI done. You NEED to have one really soon. If you can't see a doctor soon enough, go to the ER and they will scan your brain by CT. DON'T WAIT!!
You could have an abcess or anything...time could be of the essence...just get up and go to the ER right now. a CT scan is painless and quick you'll be back home in no time and can relax if you find it to be normal
Thanks citizen t
I have been to the ER twice and on both occassion I have been examined and given basic neurological test and told that I should go to my GP for referal to a neuro as they can find nothing wrong (i am in the UK and they are very conservative over here as regards using CT scans and MRI). I might take your advice and go in again as my condition is not improving.I am just getting fed up with the condescending attitude from Doctors at the ER. Thats why I have posted on this forum to see if the neuro and the public could help.
I have been to the ER twice and on both occassion I have been examined and given basic neurological test and told that I should go to my GP for referal to a neuro as they can find nothing wrong (i am in the UK and they are very conservative over here as regards using CT scans and MRI). I might take your advice and go in again as my condition is not improving.I am just getting fed up with the condescending attitude from Doctors at the ER. Thats why I have posted on this forum to see if the neuro and the public could help.
Too bad UK docs are so conservative and condescending. It is really a shame. With your symptoms of memory problems, pains behind your eyes, vision changes and fatigue, you may need to be checked for a "demyelinating disease" in your brain (for example, Multiple sclerosis). You would need an MRI of your brain for that. Try to find a neurologist who would see you sooner and have your GP talk to him/her. Don't waste your time in the ER unless your symptoms worsen. But you're too young to sit on symptoms such as these for long. Perhaps, get another GP if this one puts it on the backburner?
to be honest,
if i were in your shoes, i may exaggerate a bit to get things rolling..
if i were in your shoes, i may exaggerate a bit to get things rolling..
Hi Malden,You won't like me for saying this,But as you're on the other side of the world, I should be safe. GET OUT OF BED!!!!!!
It truely is the worst place you can be! And this is said with the upmost respect and empathy for what you're going through. If you feel you're only operating @ 50%, then find something you can do with whats left. If you don't, you will get terribly depressed. Believe me I know. You need to accept the fact that it may be some time before you know anything about what is going on and while this is a terribly difficult time for you, you need to keep yourself busy in some way so you don't have so much time to think about it. I have been waiting to see a neuro for 6 months now - my appointment is next week at last. During this time I've had some terrifying symptoms - same as you and couldn't walk, speak, swallow properly or even sit up unsupported for a time. My eyes are now slightly cross eyed and my foot is numb, but I've had to wait 6 months because I'm not dying - its probably only MS, and while thats a big deal to me, its not to them. If I had stayed in bed for 6 months, I'd be a cot-case by now, but I'm not. In fact I'm doing quite well thankyou. I'm working every minute that I can and having as much fun as possible because life is precious! and I never appreciated it as much as I do now. I know its dammed hard and scarey and not fair and all of those things, but this is your life. Go to the doctor and tell him/her you want tests done to rule out anything life threatening now. Surely thats not unreasonable. Then at least with those done you will have some certainty while you wait. Good luck to you Malden and please take this in the way its meant. I wish you well.
It truely is the worst place you can be! And this is said with the upmost respect and empathy for what you're going through. If you feel you're only operating @ 50%, then find something you can do with whats left. If you don't, you will get terribly depressed. Believe me I know. You need to accept the fact that it may be some time before you know anything about what is going on and while this is a terribly difficult time for you, you need to keep yourself busy in some way so you don't have so much time to think about it. I have been waiting to see a neuro for 6 months now - my appointment is next week at last. During this time I've had some terrifying symptoms - same as you and couldn't walk, speak, swallow properly or even sit up unsupported for a time. My eyes are now slightly cross eyed and my foot is numb, but I've had to wait 6 months because I'm not dying - its probably only MS, and while thats a big deal to me, its not to them. If I had stayed in bed for 6 months, I'd be a cot-case by now, but I'm not. In fact I'm doing quite well thankyou. I'm working every minute that I can and having as much fun as possible because life is precious! and I never appreciated it as much as I do now. I know its dammed hard and scarey and not fair and all of those things, but this is your life. Go to the doctor and tell him/her you want tests done to rule out anything life threatening now. Surely thats not unreasonable. Then at least with those done you will have some certainty while you wait. Good luck to you Malden and please take this in the way its meant. I wish you well.
Malden,
zzzzzz is right...she sure has a positive attitude and Id really like to talk to her.....I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.
So, why dont we both try to adapt her philosophy!!!
Ive had symptoms for 18 years...no diagnosis!!!
zzzzzz is right...she sure has a positive attitude and Id really like to talk to her.....I need to stop feeling sorry for myself.
So, why dont we both try to adapt her philosophy!!!
Ive had symptoms for 18 years...no diagnosis!!!
thank you both.
its just that I am finding this so hard as I am an outgoing person who enjoyed life to the max and now I feel worthless!! Its amazing how life can change so quickly. I managed to get to A and E (ER) today and recieved more hammer and tuning fork treatment. I was told once again that they can see nothing wrong and as I was not foaming at the mouth (little joke!!!) they have no power to order a CT scan or MRI. I then went to my GP to insist that something be done and he has now drafted an urgent letter to the neuro to see me as soon as poss ( in England this will probably mean weeks). I am considering going to get a CT scan done privately but it is so expensive over here (CT scan is around $1300 and an MRI about $2600). In the past six weeks since my symptoms began I have now come to realise how difficult it is for so many people to get the right care when they become ill.
its just that I am finding this so hard as I am an outgoing person who enjoyed life to the max and now I feel worthless!! Its amazing how life can change so quickly. I managed to get to A and E (ER) today and recieved more hammer and tuning fork treatment. I was told once again that they can see nothing wrong and as I was not foaming at the mouth (little joke!!!) they have no power to order a CT scan or MRI. I then went to my GP to insist that something be done and he has now drafted an urgent letter to the neuro to see me as soon as poss ( in England this will probably mean weeks). I am considering going to get a CT scan done privately but it is so expensive over here (CT scan is around $1300 and an MRI about $2600). In the past six weeks since my symptoms began I have now come to realise how difficult it is for so many people to get the right care when they become ill.
BTW sally what are your symptoms and what tests (if any) have you undergone?
Yes it is amazing how life can change so quickly. We all resist change, but sometimes its forced on us and the only choice we're left with is to accept and embrace the new, or resist resist resist. Sometimes it helps if you have a faith - like acceptance of god's plan - if thats what you believe - I just like to believe that I'm here to learn something this time round and that there is a bigger plan.
When I was 19, I thought I had it all. I was a rowing champion, a road cyclist, had a great job and my favourite past-time was showing off at the gym. Well, one day I was in an aerobics class (advanced of course - up the front, showing off as usual)and suddenly I ran out of energy. I couldn't do a thing. At first I slipped to the back where nonone could see, but soon had to leave and go home to rest. I couldn't believe it. Turned out I had to spend six months in bed and man did I feel worthless. I didn't know who I was anymore - if I couldn't be miss ultimate fitness freak then surely I was nothing!. So I tried to get fit again and every time I started to make progress, Bang - back to bed. Naturally I had bouts of pretty bad depression until I stopped trying and took up painting to pass the time. Since then, I have never been completely well and when I've come close, its never lasted long. I've spent the last 5 years in terrible pain most days and of course this latest thing has come along, And yes there have been times when I've felt terribly sorry for myself and angry that theres never been a diagnosis that can give me any real answers. Its only now that the symptoms have come together to fit a particular picture and I'm now 37yrs old. And you know what I'm doing? - I'm painting and I'm bloody good at it too. But I've waited all these years to love and appreciate it because I was angry that I had to give up my super body for it! But painting is perfect for me because its something I'll always be able to do one way or another - look at Freda Carlo - she did it lying down in bed. I'm not saying you should paint. But look at yourself - who are you besides this guy who lives life to the max? Why do you have to do that? Could it be that your body is simply saying ENOUGH!? Well, better stop filling up so much space - thought I would have reached a word limit by now. Anyway sweetie, Its great you went and pushed for something to be done - good for you, you'll at least see the neuro quicker now - sadly, its the ones who jump up and down who get ahead. Your health system is much like the one here in NZ - slow. But at least you kow they've found nothing that suggests anything life threatening in their tests so far aye. All the best.
When I was 19, I thought I had it all. I was a rowing champion, a road cyclist, had a great job and my favourite past-time was showing off at the gym. Well, one day I was in an aerobics class (advanced of course - up the front, showing off as usual)and suddenly I ran out of energy. I couldn't do a thing. At first I slipped to the back where nonone could see, but soon had to leave and go home to rest. I couldn't believe it. Turned out I had to spend six months in bed and man did I feel worthless. I didn't know who I was anymore - if I couldn't be miss ultimate fitness freak then surely I was nothing!. So I tried to get fit again and every time I started to make progress, Bang - back to bed. Naturally I had bouts of pretty bad depression until I stopped trying and took up painting to pass the time. Since then, I have never been completely well and when I've come close, its never lasted long. I've spent the last 5 years in terrible pain most days and of course this latest thing has come along, And yes there have been times when I've felt terribly sorry for myself and angry that theres never been a diagnosis that can give me any real answers. Its only now that the symptoms have come together to fit a particular picture and I'm now 37yrs old. And you know what I'm doing? - I'm painting and I'm bloody good at it too. But I've waited all these years to love and appreciate it because I was angry that I had to give up my super body for it! But painting is perfect for me because its something I'll always be able to do one way or another - look at Freda Carlo - she did it lying down in bed. I'm not saying you should paint. But look at yourself - who are you besides this guy who lives life to the max? Why do you have to do that? Could it be that your body is simply saying ENOUGH!? Well, better stop filling up so much space - thought I would have reached a word limit by now. Anyway sweetie, Its great you went and pushed for something to be done - good for you, you'll at least see the neuro quicker now - sadly, its the ones who jump up and down who get ahead. Your health system is much like the one here in NZ - slow. But at least you kow they've found nothing that suggests anything life threatening in their tests so far aye. All the best.
Im 38...had symptoms since 21. Im not rushing for a diagnosis because ive been doing well so far with only very mild symptoms and im too afraid of the diagnosis of ms. Ive never been a strong person and right now im having very bad marital problems, so instead of focussing on that ive been focusing on my possible ms because i dont want to deal with my marriage issues. I also have 2 beautiful daughters ages 8 and 11 and they need their mommy!!! I do believe in a hire power and pray to him to make me well and heal me....It helps but i need to have even more faith...
I actually wuld like to take up painting...maybe i will!!
Keep up the great attitude and take care of yourself...you still should excercise if you can...yoga maybe, and take vitamins, and get enough sleep...
I actually wuld like to take up painting...maybe i will!!
Keep up the great attitude and take care of yourself...you still should excercise if you can...yoga maybe, and take vitamins, and get enough sleep...
Hi Sally. You say you've never been a strong person, But I think it takes a strong person to recognise and admit that they're paying more attention to health issues because they're avoiding dealing with marital issues. You could give yourself more credit girl. I have a 6 year old daughter so I know how scarey it is to think that you may not be able to be the parent you want to be, but I've realised lately that there is still so much I can do. My daughter used to complain often that it was'nt any fun having a sick Mum and I'd feel pretty useless focusing on the big long list of things we couldn't do together. But lately I've taken up swimming - never thought I'd be seen dead in a swimsuit, but I got over myself and now the water feels so good and we have so much fun, that I really don't care. And it helps my muscles alot. I tried yoga, but found I siezed up after it - probably pushed myself too hard. But swimming is great because I'm supported by the water and my girl is so happy that I'm finally doing something physical with her.
I will say this to you Sally, its not easy being a single mum - especially when your health isn't good, so if you can do anything at all to be happy in your marriage, do it. Maybe you would be better off getting tests done? at least then you'd know. But then, I'll be honest with you and admit that sometimes I think I've been more afraid of being told theres nothing wrong and that its all in my head, than I am of MS. Is it like that for you?. I think that since the symptoms got so much worse, its given me a bit of a reality check. Life is precious etc etc. And of course it helps being a mum, because I have to get up every morning no matter how bad I feel and do what needs to be done so every day I think "well, I managed to do that, so surely I can manage this". Anyway, I'm rabbiting on again - They'll probably ban me from this site soon for using up too much space. It certainly does me good to do this tho - kind of reinforces my stance - sort of like a possitive affirmation I guess.
Best wishes to you sweetie - I hope you can get things sorted with hubby.
I will say this to you Sally, its not easy being a single mum - especially when your health isn't good, so if you can do anything at all to be happy in your marriage, do it. Maybe you would be better off getting tests done? at least then you'd know. But then, I'll be honest with you and admit that sometimes I think I've been more afraid of being told theres nothing wrong and that its all in my head, than I am of MS. Is it like that for you?. I think that since the symptoms got so much worse, its given me a bit of a reality check. Life is precious etc etc. And of course it helps being a mum, because I have to get up every morning no matter how bad I feel and do what needs to be done so every day I think "well, I managed to do that, so surely I can manage this". Anyway, I'm rabbiting on again - They'll probably ban me from this site soon for using up too much space. It certainly does me good to do this tho - kind of reinforces my stance - sort of like a possitive affirmation I guess.
Best wishes to you sweetie - I hope you can get things sorted with hubby.
Hey Malden- How are you doing? Are you feeling any better? Do you have a neuro appointment yet?
thank you for your concern zzzzzzzz.
I feel pretty much the same but thanks to your inspirational messages I have perked up a bit and managed to get out of bed and do things.For a few weeks I have been dealing with this on my own but coming on this board has helped me realise that there are tonnes of people worldwide dealing with difficult illnesses as best as they can and trying to make the most of their lives . I have finally been able to get an appointment in March which is not terrible as I thought I might have to wait for months.Thank you for your concern. How are you? I hope you are fine and in good spirit? Best regards.
I feel pretty much the same but thanks to your inspirational messages I have perked up a bit and managed to get out of bed and do things.For a few weeks I have been dealing with this on my own but coming on this board has helped me realise that there are tonnes of people worldwide dealing with difficult illnesses as best as they can and trying to make the most of their lives . I have finally been able to get an appointment in March which is not terrible as I thought I might have to wait for months.Thank you for your concern. How are you? I hope you are fine and in good spirit? Best regards.
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