Is it possible?

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:54 pm

Hello,

Is it possible for my cognitive, memory, and overall functioning to continue to decline at a steady rate as opposed to staying at the same level? Reason for me asking is I've noticed that my memory, concentration, and focusing have really been off lately. It's been difficult to function in my everyday life because of these issues.

I will give you an example: Earlier I was at McDonald's getting lunch. The cashier handed me a bag when I first pulled up to the windoe. I set it on the seat to grab the drinks and other bags she was handing me. For some reason I forgot she had handed me the first bag and asked her where my burgers are?

On top of that I'm having more and more difficulties with word recall. It's like my brain just shuts down and I can't for the life of me remember what word it is I want to use. This also happens when I'm trying to remember people's names, movie and song titles, etc.

I'm really worried this is getting really serious and that it will be impossible to regain my intelligence, memory, and my efficient articulate way of expressing myself. Any thoughts???

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:07 pm

Have you seen your doctor?
If this is sudden, it MUST be addressed quickly.

LSAT · Post by **LSAT** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:08 pm

Since we don't know your age or medical history, it would be hard to guess...Besides...why guess...see your doctor.

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:52 pm

chunkyfrog wrote:Have you seen your doctor?
If this is sudden, it MUST be addressed quickly.

Yes, I've seen my doctor. I have been experiencing these issues for awhile now. It just seems like they are intensified.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 8:58 pm

Tell your doctor you want a referral to a neurologist or gerontologist for testing. It's important, and not everything can be blamed on OSA.

bwexler · Post by **bwexler** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:01 pm

I would have Vitamin B12 levels checked. It is a simple blood test. B12 deficiency can mimic Alzheimers, either of which can present the symptoms you describe. I recommend you get it checked out promptly. If your current doctor can't or won't figure it out, maybe you should forget him/her and find someone who can.

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:18 pm

Julie wrote:Tell your doctor you want a referral to a neurologist or gerontologist for testing. It's important, and not everything can be blamed on OSA.

Hi Julie,

I am currently seeing a neurologist, he is the one who finally listened to me and my symptoms, and ordered a sleep study. He feels a lot of my issues will go away with treatment of my OSA.

Julie · Post by **Julie** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:28 pm

Well... I guess you'll see. It's not uncommon to forget things you think you should know instantaneously... it's like the very act of trying to bring it out closes the door! Very maddening.

BlackSpinner · Post by **BlackSpinner** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 9:39 pm

You are also more aware of your symptoms now because you are waiting. Everything will feel worse. It is like those silly puzzles, once you have seen it you can't unsee it.

kteague · Post by **kteague** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 11:12 pm

FWIW my mental capabilities steadily declined before using CPAP. And once I started CPAP, it was not therapeutic and my condition plummeted rapidly over several months. Before things turned around I lost my career and it became unsafe for me to drive or even cook for myself. I had to carry a notepad at all times, to the point where I'd jot down keys words as people spoke and as I replied in a desperate effort to not forget what was being said. Lost words were common, and I compensated by using descriptives. Like, if I couldn't find the word I'd keep describing it until either I finally found the word or the other person got what I was saying.

Is everything back to how it was before all this started? Not totally. My sleep disorders have been longstanding, spent more of my adult life with them than I had without them, and aging has to be factored in. But I have enough presence of mind now to know when I've left a preposition dangling. I drive in the outlying areas of a large metropolis, not knowing the town. Take buses and trains. Cook.

As you go forward, make sure your treatment is indeed therapeutic and you are consistent. Get plenty of sleep as your body and brain heals. Give yourself good nutritional support to help the healing process. I think it's entirely reasonable to expect to see some restoration of your thought processes.

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:46 am

Julie wrote:Well... I guess you'll see. It's not uncommon to forget things you think you should know instantaneously... it's like the very act of trying to bring it out closes the door! Very maddening.

I hope it helps!! It's just so frustrating having all of these issues!! Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:48 am

BlackSpinner wrote:You are also more aware of your symptoms now because you are waiting. Everything will feel worse. It is like those silly puzzles, once you have seen it you can't unsee it.

Thank you for your response Blackspinner. I agree with you 100%. I think my anxiety is getting the best of me.

mzdawn74 · Post by **mzdawn74** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 1:53 am

kteague wrote:FWIW my mental capabilities steadily declined before using CPAP. And once I started CPAP, it was not therapeutic and my condition plummeted rapidly over several months. Before things turned around I lost my career and it became unsafe for me to drive or even cook for myself. I had to carry a notepad at all times, to the point where I'd jot down keys words as people spoke and as I replied in a desperate effort to not forget what was being said. Lost words were common, and I compensated by using descriptives. Like, if I couldn't find the word I'd keep describing it until either I finally found the word or the other person got what I was saying.

Is everything back to how it was before all this started? Not totally. My sleep disorders have been longstanding, spent more of my adult life with them than I had without them, and aging has to be factored in. But I have enough presence of mind now to know when I've left a preposition dangling. I drive in the outlying areas of a large metropolis, not knowing the town. Take buses and trains. Cook.

As you go forward, make sure your treatment is indeed therapeutic and you are consistent. Get plenty of sleep as your body and brain heals. Give yourself good nutritional support to help the healing process. I think it's entirely reasonable to expect to see some restoration of your thought processes.

Thank you Kteague for sharing your own personal experiences with this condition. It does bring some comfort in hearing that you share some similarities with me as far as symptoms, and that you have definitely had some improvement in your condition.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 6:34 am

My disposition and mental faculties improved with cpap; but I still have brain farts.
--one of the reasons I make no effort to hide my gray hair.
Gotta have my excuse!

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