Memory - Still Looking for Ideas
My memory document is a work in process still - maybe forever...
I have been following my memory symptoms for almost two years, and I'm witing a paper on my experience. The paper will explain the character of my symptoms and why they don't show up, for example, in conversation and standard memory testing (I had it) which is meant to determine if you have dementia.
I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy Type 2, but I now believe it should be Idiopathic Hypersomnia. That's because recent studies have shown that they are really the same thing, and they both have nothing to do with the real Narcolepsy (Type 1). That is another discussion for later.
What I want to do here is list some of my symptoms that I believe come from memory errors., and see if anyone with any type of hypersomnia has the same or similar symptoms. Here goes:
- Not finishing simple tasks - once I tried to get a cup of coffee from the kitchen 5 times. I never got any coffee.
- Setting things down and never remembering where they are. I spend much of my day looking for things.
- Don't remember habitual tasks - for me one is letting the dog in and out. Is he in or is he out? Who knows!
- Knocking things over and dropping things way more often than usual.
- Projects involving lots of small tasks are very difficult for me to finish, for example, I did a do it yourself install of wainscot on my living area. There were all kinds of pieces and all types of tools. It took me about ten times longer than I thought it should have. Easy tasks happen a huge number of times a day such that they make larger tasks extremely difficult
- Hours in the grocery store. Way too long
- Don’t realize how much time has gone by while doing something
- Interesting and thankfully my Driving is not affected
If someone is interested in replying I may ask for their permission to add their symptoms to my list (no identifying info on my list). I would like to hear what your diagnosis is.
Thank you very much. -Tim
Stimulants can treat narcolepsy and ADHD.
Also you should check your hormone levels (thyroid), blood sugar and blood pressure, sleep hygiene (including quality of sleep), and vitamin intake. You may benefit from taking electrolytes and B vitamins (morning) and magnesium (night). Sleep meditations can help if you’re short on time and tired. The sleep aid TrustRestamine works super well for short term night time sleep solution. My body tends to need more rest when it’s fighting stress or sickness or if I’m depressed and lonely on top of insomnia and narcolepsy. Exercise like a walk in the morning helps though you’ve probably heard it all. Carbs and sugars make you sleepy and groggy. Also if your house has mold.
This is all great advice,
. Thanks for sharing. - Lori (Team Member)
That sounds like ADHD. I have ADHD and narcolepsy with cataplexy and I have all those symptoms. Short term memory loss and poor executive functioning lists of tasks are terrible my brain shuts down and grocery stores are nightmares without a list. They’re super overstimulating too. I also have time blindness, I try to set timers to keep track of how much time is passing doing certain tasks and frequently use lists and calendars so I know exactly what I’m doing or what I’m supposed to do without getting confused. Also different types of music helps me get up and go to sleep and feel safe or a sense of movement and urgency.
Hi
. That is an interesting list. I have a feeling you are going to find that others experience the same things. Thanks for sharing the results of your journaling. Are you learning ways to cope? - Lori (Team Member)
