Memory Problems

keki03 · 03-15-2004, 06:30 PM

I don't know if you'd necessarily call it memory problems, but sometimes it seems like I forget things I just talked about or just did. I guess it's normal to forget where you put your keys, but sometimes I think my memory is getting really really cloudy. I have to force myself to seriously sit and think and retrace my steps and I was wondering if anybody else was having any sort of "brain fog" type stuff going on.

Amy_53405 · 03-16-2004, 01:42 AM

I have that exact same thing happen to me all the time and notice if I eat "bad" foods it is worse.

Japan · 03-16-2004, 06:13 AM

Could you be insulin resistant? Brain fog is just one of the symptoms of IR...

Britsky · 03-16-2004, 06:56 AM

I also have the whole forgetfulness issue, I thought it was just me. Do you all suppose maybe this could be limked to the PCOS issue because it deals with hormones and they determine the functions in the brain? I have been thinking about asking my doctor about maybe having the adult onset ADD/ADHD because I always have to be moving, can't sit still and forget things ALL the time.

keki03 · 03-16-2004, 11:01 AM

I'm a little relieved to see that I'm not the only one who has this problem. I really thought I was going crazy for a little while. Japan, I was diagnosed with diabetes, so do you think that could be the cause? And I had been wondering if I had ADD now, also, but I wanted to do a little more research to be sure.

dberg · 03-16-2004, 11:34 AM

Oh thank goodness. I was starting to think I had beginning stages of Alhzheimers.

I hate when I can't remember simple words - like what something is called - or when I see something and call it by the wrong name. GRRR

SuZiE.B · 03-16-2004, 11:40 AM

Im like that too dberg. But the most annoying thing for me is when my boyfriend is talking to me and he says do you understand and I say yes and then he says what did I say then? Im like umm I forgot. He thinks I am ignoring him and wasnt listening BUT I WAS!!!

Its funny though sometimes but he thinks its not HEHE

hobbitcutie · 03-16-2004, 03:50 PM

Wow, i didn't know memory problems were a symptom of IR!! That would explain a lot...it doesn't make sense for a 17-year-old to have a foggy memory of something she did only a couple years ago, does it? I can just BARELY remember things i've done two or three years ago that all of my friends have clear recollections of. It's kinda weird. Glad to know i'm not the only one!

BKuntz · 03-16-2004, 04:38 PM

I'm with Amy--If I eat too many of the wrong foods (for me mostly sugary stuff like candy, cookies, etc) I get that way.

I've just learned to listen to my body--if it makes me sleepy or disoriented, I know not to eat it.

Beth

Japan · 03-16-2004, 06:33 PM

Quote:

But the most annoying thing for me is when my boyfriend is talking to me and he says do you understand and I say yes and then he says what did I say then? Im like umm I forgot. He thinks I am ignoring him and wasnt listening BUT I WAS!!!

That is the exact same thing that is driving my DH crazy too. He always thinks I'm not listening. I am - I just am really quick to forget again, and it's not my fault. I noticed this got a lot better on Metformin, and now that I'm off it, it came back strong...

Quote:

I hate when I can't remember simple words - like what something is called - or when I see something and call it by the wrong name. GRRR

This is also a problem that I have, and it's driving me nuts, especially when it's a word of my native language. Now that I'm pregnant, there are days when I feel I'm completely losing my language. Well, languages. It can be frustrating...

Japan · 03-16-2004, 06:35 PM

Here is a list of IR symptoms I copied from my copy of "The Insulin Resistance Diet" by Cheryle Hart & Mary Kay Grossman. They call these 'health conditions' instead of symptoms, and some of them are not really scientific, but I think it gives you a good idea of what to look for if you suspect you may be IR. Also keep in mind, not everyone has every symptom.

* A family history of diabetes, overweight problems, abnormal cholesterol or triglycerides, heart desease or stroke

* Frequent cravings for sweet or salty, crunchy snack food

*The need to eat often or eat excessive amounts of food

* A difficult time losing weight even if you exercise or cut back on your food intake

* A problem with weight gain even when eating small portions

* Weight gain mostly around your waist

* Skin tags on your neck, chest, breasts, groin area, or underarms

* A history of irregular menstrual cycles, especially skipping months

* A history of PCOS

* High triglyceride levels

* Low HDL (the "good" type of cholesterol) levels, that is, lower than 35 mg/dl

* High LDL (the "bad" type of cholesterol) levels, that is, higher than 130mg/dl

*High or borderline high blood pressure - even during pregnancy

* The feeling that you are addicted to carbohydrates

* The feeling that you have no willpower when it comes to dieting

* Jitteriness, difficulty thinking, headaches, or nausea that goes away when you eat

* Hypoglycemia

* Afternoon fatigue

* Type II diabetes, borderline diabetes, or abnormal glucose tolerance tests - even just during pregnancy

* High uric acid or gout

* History of having blood clots in your legs, lungs, or brain

* A doctor telling you that you need to eat less in order to lose weight, yet those close to you are amazed at how little you actually eat

* The belief that you are at least 30 pounds overweight

* A Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher (and my book has a chart to figure out your BMI, but there are also websites to do this online)

* Native-American, Asian, African-American, or Hispanic ancestry

I typed up all the 'health conditions', even knowing weight is not an issue for you. Maybe someone else will read this and weight is an issue for them...

Anyway, if you checked a lot of symptoms on that list, you may want to get tested for IR as well, while you're at it.

*************************************************
I hope this helps.

jamim · 03-16-2004, 07:52 PM

It seems my memory problems didn't start until after I started taking metformin.

Evyllgrrl · 03-16-2004, 08:59 PM

In the fall, my boss pointed out that I seemed like I was being more forgetful than usual and said she was worried that I wasn't eating enough. I thought about it, and I realized that I probably wasn't eating enough while I was at work. At that point, I was having trouble finding things I wanted to eat for lunch. I have a lower carb, higher protein eating plan, and for some reason all I was eating around lunch time was fruit and veggies--almost totally skipping protein. I adjusted my eating a bit and made lunch a priority and it seems that I am able to keep track of things much better now that I am eating better. That's not to say I'm totally avoiding the "fog," but at least I'm better a lot of the time.

I think most of the women here can attest to how important what you eat is to treating PCOS--I'm pretty certain eating wrong was the source of the brain fog in my case. Maybe you can take a look at how and when you are eating and see if maybe you aren't eating enough in the morning or afternoon.

Good luck working it out--I know how scary it can be.

Heather

Chowns · 03-17-2004, 11:53 AM

I posted this study a while back about Vitamin B12 deficiency. This study does say that a Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause mild memory impairment.

http://www.soulcysters.net/showthrea...threadid=75736

I just thought I'd throw out there. After taking Metformin for the first two weeks, I noticed tiredness and memory problems. But after starting a Vitamin B12 supplement I am more energetic and have not had memory issues.

I hope this helps.

Blessings

~Chris