Memory loss, hair loss - not stress/depression related?

Stress and depression can be surreptitious, even if you don't think you have these things you might, in fact, be suffering.  Apart from the hair loss I have been having exactly the same symptoms: foggy brain even if I sleep a lot; forgetfulness which is extremely worrying; complete short term memory loss at times; coordination issues; trouble concentrating.  My spelling and memory, like my wit in general, are acute so to feel like this is massively disconcerting.  A few weeks ago I had a longer than usual migraine which I thought was the culprit but the symptoms have not eased.  I have had a great amount of upheaval lately, lots of moving around etc and can only put this all down to lack of sleep and sheer stress plus a little bit of depression.  I know that when I lived in Japan for a year my memory function was poor and I think it was because I was stressed and unhappy; the body/brain has to compartmentalise in order to survive so it prioritises and other functions become the poor relation.  Worrying about it makes it infintely worse too as you start to make yourself forget things, almost like a placebo and therein lies the vicious circle.  It would be interesting to hear what came as a result of your tests. I am hoping that a feeling of security in my new place, some more brain stimulation and routine and PROPER SLEEP will help.  It will come in time, I know, just in the meantime I have to ride it out and not worry.  I hope that anyone else who feels this way is improving.

Hello

Are any of you still active? I'm a 17 year old male and have been having similar symptoms for the passed 5 months. I've had MRIs, millions of blood tests, I even had a spinal tap. Doctors can not find the cause. They think I'm crazy cause I keep going back to them asking for help. My memory is so horrible I can barly remember events from yesterday! You can count on me forgetting I ever wrote this about an hour from now. I'm desprate! I'm failing in school and can't function normally! Have any of you found you're cause for these symptoms? I understand It's a bit far fetched to be looking for the cause online but I don't know what else to do!

I've been away from home for weeks at a time since this started so I know its not carbon monoxide like Chris2. 

Any replies are highly appreciated.

Hi, I've had all of the above for numerous years with bloods etc clear. Last year I ended up v I'll and did not recover well. Go then decided to tell me that I have ME and that it's hard to diagnose as no test and usual ones have to come back clear. Brain fog worse when tired or stressed and stress isn't always what we think off. I was worried that it was going to be MS as my dad has that and lately my balance is off and I've been falling over. Back again next week for a review but best advice is to keep going and beat their door down. Good luck everyone x

Has any of you ever found out what causes the symptoms? Any of you ever got better?

I`m having the same problems, first I noticed it in the late 90s while sitting in the bus In London. Suddenly I got this brain fog and strange feeling when exposed to artificial lights. Did not make much of it back then and symptoms got better fairly quickly as far as I can remember. Then I got it again in early 2000, this time more severe light sensitvity, brain fog, lightheadedness. It went away after several tests at the doctors. The one test that got me total relieve from the symptoms was at a Nurologist who meassured my brain waves and said it was all Ok. Then in 2009 I got it again but noticed as well mild memory probelsm withthe brain for. Again a scan at the "brain doctor" showed no signs of a problem and after that the symptoms got better again. But now I have it really bad with more sever memory trouble, and the light sensitvity is very bad, so is the brain fog. Concentrating is real complicated too.

Hi, I am having some sort of fits I dont remember anything after i have them, i get foggy in the head my eyes roll to the back of my head, its not epelepsie, sorry  for the spelling, I dont even know my husband i have put my washing in the freezer and my milk in the washing machine. Can any one help me no, im not stressed and the doctors are putting in down to depression for i lost my son 12 years now and i feel i am ok. this is getting worse each day. Loraine 

Hi,

Have you had your thyroid checked?  Brain fog and hair loss are often symptoms of this.  I'd contact a good endocrinologist who is willing to prescribe natural desiccated thyroid.  Just my first thoughts.

best,

sharon

I notice this post is now over a year old, so I am hoping you can update what has happened. I am going through the exact same thing, all blood tests are perfect, but I lose time and things. I also have trouble with simple tasks and memory. I am currently having EEGs, MRIs and CT scans, and I am waiting for the results. I feel as if I too am going mad! I would love to hear an update from you, please!

Hi,

I have experienced many of these same symptoms: fatigue that does not resolve with sleep or naps; hair loss of around 50% within 12 months; hedaches all the time; decrease in mental accuity and feeling of having brain fog; inability to concentrate or pay attention to work, school, conversation, television or movies for more than a couple of minutes; irrational and abnormal irritability; loss of coordination; and probably more

I have undergone two surgeries in less than 2 years. The first was to reconstruct tendons in my ankle and hte second was to remove my gallbladder. 

My doctors and I have been attempting to track down the source(s) of my condition(s). There have been severl series of blood tests and several specialists who have been able to do little other than eliminate possibilities. I am waiting to see my doctor next to follow up on the latest blood tests which did uncover a severe Vitamin D deficiency. This was not found included in the earlier test series, apparently the levels of this nutrient are not commonly tested. Also, I have, slightly low potassium levels (Vitamin K) slightly elevated calcium, parathyroid hormone intact high by a small margin.

Once the results came back, after some study, I decided to start taking Vitamins D & K while waitng to see my doctor. Within 10 days my hair has almost completely stopped falling out and looks much healthier overall (the shine has returned). I cannot say whether I feel a lot better, but there may be some improvement in my level of irritability. I have been extremely busy with relatives visiting, so I have been missing out on the rest I feel I desperately need. But, I have managed to care for them even though I am exhausted at the end of the day.

I did neglect to mention earlier that the severe Vitamin D deficiency surprised me because my diet contains a high amount of Vitamin D fortified dairy and I spend at least some time outdoors in the sun a few days each week. I am definitely looking forward to seeing my doctor next week for a definitive answer, though i think for me the problem lies with my parathyroid glands.

Hope that helps someone else.

 

I would go see a different Doctor it definitely sounds like your thyroid, coming from someone who has hashimotos it may take a few tests to catch it either that or your doctor is older & thinks a TSH over 4 is still considered "normal" you should ask for your TSH results

Hi

I cant believe people are having the same issue as me. I have been struggling with sentences, words,

I do not see errors iim supposed to pick up in my work anymore and crunch came thursday when i was sacked for all the errors. I am so stressed about it and upset now as i never make mistakes but my brain is not functioning as it was. I was putting it down to stress but after collapsing and being unable to talk a few years back it has gotten worse. I have been to drs had scans but still it goes on and my vision is getting worse. I dont know what to do anymore.

Have your Dr check your thyroid levels, brain fog, memory loss and hair loss are a few of the many symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Hello, did you ever find out what was causing your symptoms?