Not getting at anything. It's likely something very simple and fixable. Electrolyte levels for instance. Please don't imagine something fierce.

Have you been super busy lately? Have you been trying to catch up for the time you lost during your recuperation? You have also been very concerned about your mother. Stress may be a factor. Your mind is prioritizing as it is being pulled in a lot of different directions. My daughter is about your age. She owns and runs a huge therapy practice plus has two boys ages 17 and 10. Despite being very organized, she complains about not remembering. Last year she mixed up the dates when school started. She is healthy. To ease your mind, go in for a check-up with your doctor. For now, just take it easy and blame the gremlins.

I felt weird and "not myself" during perimenopause ... so it's not uncommon for stress and hormones to mess with your mind, and it will eventually be over!! By all means make an appointment with either your gyn or regular doctor to discuss specifics. Then, RELAX. Try real hard to RELAX. You are already taking the first steps to figuring out what's going on by asking here on the KT forum, and that is good progress already.

I strongly urge you to see a doctor. Primary care physician, Ob/Gyn, start with whichever one you are most comfortable with. Then follow their advice. You are obviously stressed out over this, (who wouldn't be?) and the stress isn't going to help at all. So get yourself to someone to put your mind at ease. Seeing a doctor now and finding out you really didn't need one is a whole lot better than seeing one six months from now and finding out you should have seen one now.

Rusty

Check out bioidentical HRT and get a hormone panel done (including thyroid). Hormone replacement is usually for estrogen and progesterone but many find it‘s the missing testosterone that affects memory, and tiny doses of testosterone help a lot.

Ah. Wouldn't it be great if it was an easy fix? I'll look into it.

Ha! Super busy? YES! It was bad before, but the new, current stuff kicked it up exponentially.

Didn't you just have surgery? I just read up on it and your particular surgery (if I remember correctly what it was) is linked with short term memory loss.

"After the surgery, many say they notice a change in their cognition, or 'brain-fog.'"

Best to check with the doctor and I hope it is temporary!

Anesthesia can cause temporary memory issues for some people. Surgery can also affect thyroid hormone levels. If your physician wants to check your thyroid levels at the very minimum have the Free T4 and Free T3 levels checked. The TSH test is worthless junk and not to be trusted.

IF you're worried get it checked out. If it is stress then it might be something as simple as taking a few minutes a day to try to quieten your mind.

How is your sleeping? Are you waking rested?

When I went thru menopause (some 23 years ago), I was also frustrated by memory loss. Not everything, but I had an excellent memory for numbers.

It did come back, more or less. I may not be as sharp as I once was, but I no longer have to write e everything down. I hated menopause. I didn't have bad periods, and my main dislike of it was feeling flat every day. I rather liked the ups and sometimes downs of a regular cycle.

What anesthesia did you receive during your surgery?

This happens to me sometimes, not frequently, and I haven't gone through menopause yet. So it could be that or something else, as some have suggested.

I'm thinking it's the anesthesia. I read that it sometimes takes a while to recover its effects. Believe me, you are not alone. I walk into a room for a reason which flies out of my mind and then I have to retrace my steps and it will come to me.

A couple of weeks after having a cyst and f tube removed I was driving close to my house and needed to turn into the driveway of a grocery store, which I'd done hundreds of times before. All of a sudden, I couldn't remember which lever to hit for my turn signal. It FREAKED ME OUT!! I had to look down and make a decision as to whether to use the left one or the right one. I'd guess it was the residual effect of the anesthesia I'd received, first, then hormonal changes next. This was at almost 20 years ago. :)

I now find the memory problems are kind of cyclical, and usually accompany some hot flashes. I'm almost 10 years out from menopause, but still they come. Sigh.

Cute, Elmer. :)

I too liked your comment elmer.

I'm going with the anesthesia theory. It's been really bad since the surgery, and seemed somewhat sudden. Every time I think I'm back 100% from the surgery! The next week is ever better. I don't think I realize how much recovery there is still going on. I feel great, I'm released back to normal activities, etc. I had general anesthesia and it always does a number on me. So maybe it's worse since it was a longer surgery and I am older now.

Thanks!

Since you are so adamant that you can't remember ANYTHING anymore, I agree just go get yourself checked out. But short-term memory loss can happen when you are too stressed, too busy, chemical or hormonal imbalance, and I agree, anesthesia could cause some problems, too. I started having some problems with short-term memory during the change but it's gotten worse since - that was over 15 years ago. My biggest problem is little non-important things like "what did I come in this room to do?" or "what did I need at this store?" . I think it's because my mind goes 90 mph all the time (always has) and it's tired now. Also I get ready to say some specific word and can't remember it. And I mean over and over again. One word that this happens with every time is the word---I'll have to come back for that, I can't come up with it. Man, it's like that brain cell that contained that word developed a thick wall around it and it can't easily be let loose into my train of thought. It's kind of worrisome but everyone says it's normal. I just tell DH that if he has to put me away to put me someplace that has a sewing machine so that I can still make my quilts, and if possible find a place where I can smoke all the pot I want. I haven't done it since 1975 but what better way to spend my final dementia days??

Anything. I'll pick up my phone to look up something. Work, something interesting I heard on tv, to text my son... and it's gone. I have no recollection and it doesn't come back no matter what. It's driving me batty.

Sorry, I'm not unsympathetic about your concerns. I just couldn't let the obvious opportunity to say something silly pass.

I definitely would consider going for a checkup if you can. Don’t stress out. I know, easier said than done but anesthesia will take longer to get over as we age. It very likely could be related.

Just to make you feel better, a couple years ago when I was starting peri I spent 15 minutes looking for my cell phone while I was talking on my cell phone. I did not have recent surgery.

While the struggle was real trying to find those stupid eyeglasses (how am I gonna drive without them for a week?! How can I watch tv? Am I really losing my mind?) I'm already much better. I love jokes and suggestions.

Already greatly cheered!

My little joke to myself in these situations.... “The old grey matter. She ain’t what she used to be”.

Hey Spanish, I've got you beat. I was talking on the phone for support for my Dell computer and the guy said I needed to do such-and-such so I had to put down the phone to do it. So I get back on the phone and I'm saying "OK, I'm back - hello??" Nothing. Again. So then I thought "oh, crud our call got dropped" and I looked at my phone to see if it was still connected - I was trying to talk to him with the TV remote. - !!!!!

This has been an ongoing issue for me for years. Brain fog set on about by blood sugar problems due to having migraines. Or at least that's what the tests reveal. Actually they reveal that it could be nothing else so we always come back to my migraines. Although I tested clear for brain lesions the last few times. As long as I take lots of flax oil I seem to be able to function better. It must be because flax oil makes my blood slippery and so it gets to my brain better.

Go get tests. Eliminate all of the possibilities. At the same time take really good care of yourself. Eat what makes you feel physically the best. Every time you start to stress go to your quiet place or whatever works for you.

Tell yourself a different story or even no story about what is happening to you. Self-talk or no story talk works for me to an extent.

Good luck and all the best. Oh yeah and get a string to put on your glasses so that it can hang around your neck.

Worked great for me when I had to take my glasses on and off more frequently.

The best thing I ever did was go to a very expensive optician to get an eye exam and was measured for my glasses so precisely that it works looking down and straight and looking up. I seldom have to take off my glasses to see close up anymore.

I had to take the eyeglasses off. I was working on my hands and knees, leaning my head to the side... I was adding quarter round to the baseboard in my utility room so that it looks better and closed up any holes. It's always so cold in there!

I lost my glasses years ago, can't even remember how long ago it was maybe 10 or 12 years? For 2 hours!! I had set them down and couldn't find them. I was legally blind at the time, couldn't see a foot in front of my face. It was then I decided to finally have laser surgery on my eyes. I had wanted it for years but was afraid of something going wrong. I just felt so helpless and didn't like that feeling at all.

I do misplace things now, seems to get worse as the years go by. Stress can be a part of it. You could just talk to your doctor about it and they may run some tests or they may reassure you that it's perfectly normal. I've brought up the same thing with my doctor.

Do you by any chance take a medication for blood pressure? I was put on a calcium blocker at one point and it was not long after I was having serious problems with my memory. I was always foggy and somewhat "lost". The only thing that had changed was that medicine. I started researching it and found that it was a very common side effect for many people. I talked to my doctor about it and she said oh yes it definitely does that to some people. She changed me to a beta blocker which I had used and did not have problems with. Within a few days I felt like I was back to my "normal". It was quite scary.

It is incredibly scary and frustrating to have something so debilitating happen so quickly, isn't it raven?

Nope. Just asthma/allergy stuff. This really is a recent thing and right on the heels of the surgery, I bet that's it. I'll talk with my surgeon.

Co-worker had that following surgery. Another co-worker also had weird stuff like that when switching meds. Said they had gotten in the car to go somewhere and half way there didn't know where they were going, so turned around and went home.

If I were really worried, that would be where I was going. What if I forgot where I parked the car, or my credit card or how to get to where I was going, or how to get home?! This is sort of like "trying on" dementia. I don't like it.

I already hated watching my Mom go through true dementia (mine is either temporary or pseudo, not it). She's past the scared part. She just shrugs whenever you say "Don't you remember this or that?". Shrug. I say, no worries! to her, and we go on to the next topic of discussion. She's ok with it.

Elmer, testosterone deficiency can cause memory, energy, and concentration issues in men, too. I'm sure that you're keeping up with that during your regular physical, right? I wouldn't want you to lose your razor-sharp mind!

;-)

Aw, I appreciate your concern. I was just funnin her, I haven't had a memory problem yet.

I do get annual physicals and just had this year's a few months ago. I am 100% compliant with other follow ups I'm told to do. Nothing was mentioned about major changes in or anything being off with the various blood tests.

Anesthesia and being thrown off the bridge into instant menopause. That will do it. You should try chemo on top of that for really spectacular mind fog. It should get better over time. Still you have work to do. You need to work your mind. Do some games. I started with simple crosswords I do Sudoku. Seven little words? Anything to give your mind a work out. It will help. You want to do things that work your mind in new ways. It really really makes a difference.

elmer, you've been like my big brother all day. I mean that with the greatest affection.

I still have ovaries, so it's not full blown??? menopause yet. Dang close. I did send my surgeon a long note. We'll see what he says.

What's cool? My Surgeon interned where my baby sister (six of us. She was born in Hawai'i) was born and did undergraduate or med school where my boy is right this moment??? Really obscure and kinda cool since the chances of either one are like 0.05%, much less both. I mean, this surgery took place at a Level 1 Trauma center and my sister was born at a military facility and my son is at a TN state school. My surgeon and I were meant to be.

Yes, anesthesia is a big culprit. And Versed! Versed is administered in many (if not most) surgeries and procedures, and it can have a residual effect on the memory. It is, after all, a memory eraser.

Also, as others have suggested, you might want to get your thyroid checked. My recent bout with shingles was treated with gabapentin, and that ended up depressing my thyroid function. Memory loss was the most alarming symptom, but I had all the others too. I felt as though I was moving through molasses most of the time. Fortunately it has resolved, and I hope yours will too.

Glad I could lighten the mood, rob.

You know how kind words and compliments mean more coming from some people and less when from others? I hope you feel better soon.

I once lost my glasses in the house for about 6 weeks....fortunately I have a spare pair. I'd forgotten I went up to the attic to find some old paperwork, took the glasses off up there (I need to take them off to read) and left them up there. That was kind of crazy.

Another time I did better and only lost them for a day...I was messing with stuff in the buffet in the DR and had taken them off and accidentally pushed them under the buffet so they were completely out of sight. That was a tricky one to find!

I started recognizing dementia in my MIL when she lost track of time...she was doing things like wandering the hall looking for breakfast at 10 pm. Or things she knew quite well suddenly were a mystery to her...she started cutting up her underwear with a scissor to make them easier to get on???

You've gotten great advice and suggestions here. And of course see a doctor if it gets worse. There are tests they can administer re memory that could help put your mind at ease.

Most important, try not to worry...stress will make your situation worse. I'd suggest going for a massage...it is a great stress reducer and can help work whatever out of your body and system, and besides it feels great. Never underestimate the power of human touch.

It is the anesthetic....no doubt about it.....evidently that can take 2 yrs to get out of our systems

Agreed with everything that's been said so far. Did anyone mention sleep? You said you were busy? Stressed? If your sleep patterns are not good, that can definitely cause brain fog too.

I was completely ready for work when I looked down and there sat my facial cleanser and untouched washcloth. I'd already put my makeup on. I am fully regimented with the order I do things and that I missed it completely just boggles my mind. I merely laughed at it and went on my way. (but I remembered my deodorant ;)

I spent 15 minutes looking for my cell phone while I was talking on my cell phone. I did not have recent surgery

I've done that - looking for my tv remote. It was in my hand!

be sure your doctor checks things like B12 and D.

I've had what you are going through and it was alarming when it first started in my early 30's. Now in 50's. Turned out it was caused by early onset menopause due to an autoimmune condition. I found it embarrassing to say the least and frustrating to no end. To find a physician who believed it could be The Change at my tender age was a challenge.

I don't try to answer the phone with the tv remote control anymore. ; ) But I do resort to calling people Hey There, or Hi You more than I would like. The names...poof, all gone. I find aerobic exercise, pristine diet and various supplements help, but my previous amazing brain is not looking like it will return to it's glory of yesteryear. But again, at least I don't try to answer the remote control anymore lol.

The first clue for me back then was that I would put my make-up on but forget mascara and go to work. Co-workers would look at me like what's wrong with you? (I work in a beauty field) I was like, what?? They would say, did you forget something? I was like what ARE you talking about? They would say to me, go look in the mirror. I was aghast. I f o r g o t mascara! It sounds silly, but in the beauty field, you go nowhere without your mascara. And if you do, there is something very wrong with you.

The doorway to any room also erases memory of why you went in there. lol. Not funny, but it's true.

I agree with the others about having your thyroid and hormone levels checked. Both can cause a myriad of issues. Sounds like you had general anesthesia recently...that can do it too like the others have said. I used to be mom friends with the wife of an anesthesiologist. He told me how what he does for a living is a mystery. Taking people to the brink of death, but keeping them alive during their surgeries then bringing them back to the normal world all in the same day is greatly not understood, but they do it. Memory loss does in fact happen for a long time in some people.

I hope you find relief soon. Try not to worry too much, but have it checked out.

I list Versed among my 'allergies' just to prevent having it administered *ever*. No one pays attention when I say it has given me brain fog for months after a colonoscopy, so I say it makes me 'agitated'. (Having to lie to avoid it makes me agitated!)

Versed was commonly administered for colonoscopies, except that doctors would refuse it...to avoid residual brain fog. (Some of us are more important than others, eh?) Now, I am told that it is no longer in common use for colonoscopies.

Propofal, anyone?

Chisue, I do the same thing!

For my second cataract surgery a year ago, I requested no Versed this time, thanks to Susan's warning. Whatever they used, it didn't make me foggy(any more than my normal forgetfulness like why did I come in the room? ]

It is coming back! Someone asked me a phone number today, and it came out, not the total blank I've been. No more walls? I hope. I'm gonna hold on to that glimmer of hope. Seemed better at any rate. Maybe I'm over the hump.

I've been trying to be patient. That it took so little time since I posted, maybe more patience is in order (even though it's been WEEKS)?

Happy. Much happier. Whew

Hurrah! So happy for you, and may it continue to go well.

I’m happy for you too. It’s scary to have those moments. Take good care of yourself!

Happiness and positivity are good antidotes.