Can't remember well and can't concentrate

[tejj]

I have a very difficult time remembring things, I have to make a list to avoiding forgetting important things (everything).  I also have a terrible time trying to concentrate on anything.  I am a college student so this severely hampers my performance.  I am 21.  I do't take any medications, don't take any drugs, don't smoke, I dirnk occasionally about once a month.  I have know idea what is wrong.  Here are all my symptoms:

Trouble focusing my eyes
Fatigued all time even after sleeping
trembling hands which I have had from at least 7th grade
trouble breathing always congested
overall lack of energy thus lack of desire

My father seems to have most if not all these problems as well.  Any help is greatly appreciated.  I have been tested for diabetes and hyperthyriodism which came back negative.

[LiloKuo]

I have the same symptoms as tejj, but I've never had any "Amalgam fillings."

The trembling hands I've had from 7th grade as well, but always thought it to be Benign Essential Tremor.
My body can't hold a position for a fixed amount of time or I start to shake. I noticed that if I am walking, the shaking is minimized - but that's been with me ever since 7th grade.  (Now I'm in college)

Recently, I for some reason have lost my ability to concentrate. My vision is blurry. I can never get enough sleep. I blank out at simple stuff.
I go to Staples, and can't even navigate my way through the store cause I forget what I was doing.

7 weeks ago, I was normal, but then I went on a two week vacation, tanning in the sun, swimming in the ocean, and swimming in chlorinated pools. I came back 5 weeks ago. At first I was out of it - I just thought that was my brain being in "vacation mode", but STILL, after a month or so - I am STILL out of it. I can't think at all. In just two weeks I somehow forgot everything.

I go to sleep at 8 AM and wake up at 11 PM - and I'm still sleepy/out of it.

I've noticed that I can function by instinct - but if I have to stop "and think" about something - I can't do it. I feel empty headed, like my brain isn't there, or like I am far away watching a movie of myself doing tasks. 7 Weeks ago it was different, I felt a tingling in the front of my head when I was thinking, but now I don't feel anything when I'm thinking O_O I feel like a distant entity

Things that I used to be able to do before I have trouble doing nowadays.

Had I contracted Mercury poisoning whilst on vacation somehow?

I don't think it's my thyroid - it doesn't look like it's swelling at all.

About the thing referring to functioning by instinct:
If I do 1+2, I know it's 3
If I try to do 12*12, I know it's 144 from memory.
Now if I try to do 13*13 - I have trouble, so I must write it out on paper because I cannot put anything in my short term memory. It's like I have no access to it.
So when I write the stuff on paper, I can break it up into forms that my instinct knows:
13*13 = 13*10 + 13*3 = 130 + 39 = 169
I used to be able to do this stuff in my head with ease without having to write anything out 7 weeks ago =/

I'm 19 - and I'm guessing my issues can be caused by anything, ranging from mercury poisoning to blood clots in the brain (heck - it could even have been a micro-stroke).

I went from being a pro at math to like "Alzheimer's" or something in two weeks =/

[Link]

I know you said you think you've solved your problem, but there is one thing you might want to consider, if you haven't already.  Have you ever had a bump on the head -- regardless of whether you were knocked unconscious or not?  Even a mild traumatic brain injury -- such as whiplash from an auto accident or heading a soccer ball incorrectly and/or repeatedly -- can result in these symptoms long after the incident is over and forgotten.  Might be worth seeing a neuropsychologist...  A lot of people think it's the amalgams in the teeth, but the symptoms you describe can be the result of any number of disorders.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

You may be having a low grade depression. I suggest you go to your student health service and ask for a mental health consultation and psychological testing. That will give you the answer..you may also have a mild form of add, thats why the testing is important.

[zy-stuck]

well i've got a pretty busy mental history --> zyprexa and cipramil for a psychotic break down after drug induced psychosis. anyhoo my memory was never that sharp , but now I found I cant even remember how to do my own tie, or swim ... and basic math is pretty much out of my league now -- I used to win prizes for my math skills. Well i guess i chose this path and there really isnt much hope for me, is there much use in seeing a neurological specialist for this type of problem? anybody actually recover/rebuild their memory when its degraded to this point? :P
oh well sh*it happens

[Almont90]

That problem seem to be a description of thyroid problem. Doctor’s don’t check there patient well enough to tell them that it could be thyroid related.  Your thyroid is one of your body's most important glands. When your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can cause you to feel nervous or tired; make your muscles weak; cause weight gain or loss; impair your memory: This can occur to women and men (both). More info

HYPOTHYROIDISM (Underactive thyroid)

The most common cause of hypothyroidism is Hashimoto's thyroiditis. In this condition, the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the thyroid gland.

Common symptoms of hypothyroidism are:
Fatigue or lack of energy                                  
Weight gain
Feeling cold or Sensitivity
Dry skin and hair
Constipation
Slowed thinking
Depression
Puffy face
Forgetfulness
Dizziness
Muscle weakness,
Swelling of the thyroid gland in the front of the neck, called goiter.
Memory, Concentration

HYPERTHYROIDISM (Overactive Thyroid)

Jitteriness, shaking, increased nervousness, irritability
Rapid heart beat or palpitations
Feeling hot
Weight loss
Fatigue, feeling exhausted
More frequent bowel movements
Shorter or lighter menstrual periods
Bulging eyes,  Double vision or loss of vision

As I said before that this can happen to women and men and doctor's over look at some of these problems. hope this was a help to you and some veiwers that have Slimier problems.

[tejj]

It is not depression and I dont need herbs.  I finally think I figured it out.  I think it is mercury poisioning from my amalgam fillings.  Which I am getting removed asap.  Here is the address which has all my symptoms.

www.newtonlabs.net/NaturalRx/AmalgamDetox.htm

[pinky to rebecca]

I have been on an herbal kick for a year now. For your condition, I would suggest you take ginseng (energy and stamina), ginko biloba (concentration and improved circulation in the brain) and perhaps garlic (improved circulation). Try it and see if it helps.

[TJWho]

Well,
I've had similar problems lately. The doctors say that it is depression and that they can treat it with medication. I've heard so many bad things about depression medications that I do not want to start taking them again. I took paxil (paroxatine) for a few months but it wasn't good for my sex life.
My symptoms are that I cannot concentrate on my studies. Anything that takes any thinking at all right now just seems impossible. I used to be able to remember things easily and retrieve them from my memory , but now it takes me a while to remeber things. Even while speaking, sometimes I forget what I was trying to say and I constantly find it difficult to retrieve the word UI was looking for. As a result, my confidence level has gone really low, I have gotten to the point where I almost have given up on my lifelong career goals. I don't know if I can keep going to school like this.  Has anyone experienced this??