Aa
Numerous worrying symptoms
I am a 19 year old university student at one of the top universities in the UK. I have always been an extremely able student, have until recently had a very strong memory, and the ability to concentrate hard on my work, and produce work of the highest standard. I have always been a straight A student.
Over the last few months, I have developed a number of symptoms that are beginning to worry me. Initially I thought it was just a bout of the blues or mild depression, but recently a number of things have begun to worry me. First of all, my memory is getting progressively worse, especially in terms of recalling recently read facts. In addition, in conversation, I often forget what the person I am speaking to has just said, resulting in embarrassing repetitions. During the past month, I have noticed that my vocabulary and word recall are beginning to suffer to the extent it is becoming embarrassing in my work. Strangely, my speech has become slightly slurred on occasion (non-alcohol related). Also, my sense of taste is reduced and less specific.
Secondly, I have been experiencing sensory problems. Hearing deficits mean that I often have to ask people to repeat what they have just said. In terms of my eyesight, I have noticed an large increase in visual noise and floaters, and often find it difficult to focus on objects. When I see a bright object, I sometimes get double vision in my right eye (with the double image maybe 10 % the intensity of the actual image), usually at night.
Thirdly, in terms of fine motor movements, my handwriting (which was never good I admit) is becoming illegible, which has never been a problem in the past, and the rate at which I can write has also been severely reduced. I have also noticed fatigue and muscle weakness.
I am extremely worried about all of this, and any advice anyone could give me would be appreciated.
Over the last few months, I have developed a number of symptoms that are beginning to worry me. Initially I thought it was just a bout of the blues or mild depression, but recently a number of things have begun to worry me. First of all, my memory is getting progressively worse, especially in terms of recalling recently read facts. In addition, in conversation, I often forget what the person I am speaking to has just said, resulting in embarrassing repetitions. During the past month, I have noticed that my vocabulary and word recall are beginning to suffer to the extent it is becoming embarrassing in my work. Strangely, my speech has become slightly slurred on occasion (non-alcohol related). Also, my sense of taste is reduced and less specific.
Secondly, I have been experiencing sensory problems. Hearing deficits mean that I often have to ask people to repeat what they have just said. In terms of my eyesight, I have noticed an large increase in visual noise and floaters, and often find it difficult to focus on objects. When I see a bright object, I sometimes get double vision in my right eye (with the double image maybe 10 % the intensity of the actual image), usually at night.
Thirdly, in terms of fine motor movements, my handwriting (which was never good I admit) is becoming illegible, which has never been a problem in the past, and the rate at which I can write has also been severely reduced. I have also noticed fatigue and muscle weakness.
I am extremely worried about all of this, and any advice anyone could give me would be appreciated.
In addition to the above poster, I can tell you from graduating university years ago, that that level of schooling can wear you down really quick, with all the studying and info and rushing around. Most people in advanced school look like prisoners of war, dark circles under the eyes, nonresponsive, with even A students like me failing an entire course - in my major - because I didn't know what in the world the teacher was saying.
You are 19 years old, lots of energy. It is only natural that you will give this thing everything you got. So, when you have a problem with classes, it can be VERY frustrating. Frustration can lead to a kind of depression. Therefore, you gotta do what us old people do, and that's SLOW DOWN, take a nap once in a while, do a physical activity several times a week where you break a sweat, eat a big meal every single day, drink extra water, and at a certain time in the evenings, that's when you wind down and follow your urge to sleep and go to bed.
Also, instead of dragging all your homework to your room, stop after the last class and go to the library and study there, as much as you can get done, and then go eat, exercise, enjoy some friends or TV, take a hot shower, dim the lights and do something relaxing like reading, and go to sleep.
I know, this sounds too simple, and how can just an ordinary worn-out person have all these symptoms? Well, I can tell you from experience, step back from your world and look down on it... I say to you, just exactly what do you think you're doing, pushing yourself around like that? Of course you want to graduate cumma sum laude, but the problem is, you ain't in lower grades in a community no more; you're playing in the big leagues now, and unless you learn easily and quickly and have lots of down time, you're chasing a rainbow.
Be realistic in what you can do, becuz when you take your good grades into the public workplace, but then you can't keep up THERE either, well, then your grades don't relfect your true person, and you will take on jobs that will literally run you into the ground and kill you. This is known as having a heart attack. Give yourself a break, accept who you are and work with that, and TRY to have a little fun along the way. I know, it's counterintuitive, sometimes that's what truth sounds like, too easy to be true. Yes, you SHOULD give your best, but don't give it ALL. Save a little for you.
You are 19 years old, lots of energy. It is only natural that you will give this thing everything you got. So, when you have a problem with classes, it can be VERY frustrating. Frustration can lead to a kind of depression. Therefore, you gotta do what us old people do, and that's SLOW DOWN, take a nap once in a while, do a physical activity several times a week where you break a sweat, eat a big meal every single day, drink extra water, and at a certain time in the evenings, that's when you wind down and follow your urge to sleep and go to bed.
Also, instead of dragging all your homework to your room, stop after the last class and go to the library and study there, as much as you can get done, and then go eat, exercise, enjoy some friends or TV, take a hot shower, dim the lights and do something relaxing like reading, and go to sleep.
I know, this sounds too simple, and how can just an ordinary worn-out person have all these symptoms? Well, I can tell you from experience, step back from your world and look down on it... I say to you, just exactly what do you think you're doing, pushing yourself around like that? Of course you want to graduate cumma sum laude, but the problem is, you ain't in lower grades in a community no more; you're playing in the big leagues now, and unless you learn easily and quickly and have lots of down time, you're chasing a rainbow.
Be realistic in what you can do, becuz when you take your good grades into the public workplace, but then you can't keep up THERE either, well, then your grades don't relfect your true person, and you will take on jobs that will literally run you into the ground and kill you. This is known as having a heart attack. Give yourself a break, accept who you are and work with that, and TRY to have a little fun along the way. I know, it's counterintuitive, sometimes that's what truth sounds like, too easy to be true. Yes, you SHOULD give your best, but don't give it ALL. Save a little for you.
Maybe you should see a Doc in your country. I know it will take time to get in for a visit, so make appointment now, well in the morning! Write down all your symptoms now and add to them if you forget. Better copy your message above email it to yourself and print it out. All the information is listed there and your concerns. You might want to visit your opthamogolist (Eye Doc and not the guy for glasses) also for the vision problems.
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