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Concerning symptoms for about a week, what should I do?

Posted , 4 users are following.

mochibuns
mochibuns

Hello there, I'm very new here and hope I'm posting in the right place.

I've been experiencing some very disturbing cognitive symptoms for just a little over a week now and really need help knowing what the next step is, and if anyone else has felt this way and what happened for them.

I've been having problems with mental confusion. My surroundings feel very unfamiliar to me. Even in my own neighborhood, I find myself looking around and feeling as if I've never been here before even though I have the vague knowledge that I have. I'm able to understand that my home is my home, and my family is my family, but even those things feel unfamiliar to me.

In addition to that, I've been having trouble with my speech, and finding the right words to use when talking to anyone. I have to use simple words and phrases in order to not trip over what I'm saying. The thing is, I'm able to articulate myself well now while writing, and seem to have some lucid moments mixed into all this.

I've also had some problems with short term memory. I would be able to answer any questions about the past with perfect clarity, but could not describe my day yesterday in detail at all. I'm only able to recall bits and pieces of the previous day, and cannot recall any information about the day before that.

I've been experiencing right sided headaches that present as sharp pain with a feeling of pressure, and right sided eye pain to accompany it. The headaches are frequent, but they're not the worst I've had. I do feel a bit of numbness in the left side of my body, specifically my face and left leg.

I know that the above symptoms can coincide with a stroke, but I feel wary of even considering that, because I am an otherwise healthy, young person.

All of this came on suddenly, and is getting worse over time. I was in the car when I first noticed it. I became very unfamiliar with my surroundings and for a moment, did not know who I was. I was able to recover from that and thought maybe it was just anxiety, but every day after that, the confusion has become worse. I no longer feel like I can attribute these issues to an anxiety attack.

I haven't hit my head or suffered any kind of injury or trauma which could relate to this.

This issue is incredibly embarassing, and I haven't been able to tell anyone I'm experiencing it.

I don't have access to a family doctor right now, due to temporary circumstances and was considering going to the ER because I really can't live this way anymore, but I'm concerned that my ability to articulate my problem in an appropriate way might make doctors believe I am making it out to be much more serious than it is. I've read that if a person has mental/mood changes and confusion they should be seen immediately, but I'm not so far gone that when a doctor asks me for the date, and if I know where I am, I wouldn't be able to answer them in a clear fashion.

Any help on this front would be amazing. Even just some reasurrance that going to the ER would be the right thing to do would make me feel tons better. I just feel stuck and don't know what to do from here.

Thanks for reading.

1 like, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • ptolemy
    ptolemy mochibuns

    Posted

    Why don't you write down your symptoms when you go to the ER and show it to them?
  • DawnDedee
    DawnDedee mochibuns

    Posted

    You are describing me.  All of this has been happening to me.  I have had an MRI of my brain and everything looks normal.  Dementia was ruled out.  The ER could not help you.  You need to find a good primary care doctor, an interalist, who can listen and order tests and then if needed make the proper referrals in the direction he thinks would help you.  This will take time.  Sometimes a true diagnosis can take up to a year to complete.

    So, in the meantime, ANXIETY can cause all of these symptoms.  I know that I suffer anxiety, so I am taking something to help with that and I am training myself to relax.  Meditation.  Slow deep breathing. Panic attacks can cause these symptoms also.

    I hope you find your answer.  Write any time you need to.

    Sincerely,

    Dawn, USA

    • DawnDedee
      DawnDedee

      Posted

      I meant an "internalist"
  • manda08392
    manda08392 mochibuns

    Posted

    Interesting, I had these exact symptoms as a result of side effects to a medication but it doesn't sound like you are on any. Since you don't have access to a family doctor right now but hopefully will soon then I would recommend writing down all the symptoms (hell, print out your post) so you don't forget anything and taking it to the ER just to rule out any exposure to anything.

    How long is the temporary inaccess to a family doctor?

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