Lived Experience Forum

[Former-Member]

Hi again @Former-Member

Thanks for your message.

I am struggling but I did get out today, I went out for lunch and next door they had a surf shop and I got a rip curl top for 5 dollars so that was a bargin. After I went to the Dr and he gave me a form for some blood tests- I need to fast for it and probably try to have it done tomorrow morning.

I am just seeing this like you said a step backwards, and I do know I will move forward again. You are right about when you start to add things to your life that your memory is affected too, I guess probably because of increase anxiety and stress. That makes a lot of sense.

I am glad you are starting a class to help with your thinking and I am glad that your needs have been heard and you are being given some help and support that is great. I am looking at some apps on my mobile (peak). I think they run something similar at the clinic I attend and I will have a look at that too. I have signed up for art therapy again. I really didn't do much last time.

I will hopefully have my blood tests back next week (mid week).

[Former-Member]

As always @Former-Member you are doing what you need to to take care of you. I think I can learn lots from you with this. I tried to get into art therapy but it has finished as they lost the staff member who took it but I'm ok with the classes I got into. Here's hoping your tests all come back ok. It sounds like your GP is very supportive with all this. 

Take it slowly @Former-Member, I know you'll bounce back again but it's so hard when we fall. I fell really hard this time and I am at the very first step again to climb up. I'm sure you'll race me back up again soon. 💜🤗💐😘

[Former-Member]

@utopia Thanks for your message.

I am glad to hear you are improving since stopping the sleep tablet. I have stopped the sleeping tablet a while ago (2012) but I am still struggling but also had some other problems on top of the sleeping tablets. I've had thyroid problem and low hormones which could play a role in this too.But I believe the pivotal point was the sleeping tablet.

Its good that you listen to your body and did what was right for you. I think having memory affected it really does affect your quality of life in a huge way and takes away your enjoyment of life and your ability to connect with others.

I am looking at some apps on my mobile and doing some sudoku- I think it will help.

Another activity is to pick a letter of the alphabet and come up with the most words in 60 secs(Verbal fluency) i have been doing this one on and off for a while.

Tell me as many words as you

can think of that begin with a certain letter of the alphabet that I will tell you in a moment. You

can say any kind of word you want, except for proper nouns (like Bob or Boston), numbers, or

words that begin with the same sound but have a different suffix, for example, love, lover,

loving. I will tell you to stop after one minute. Are you ready? [Pause] Now, tell me as many

words as you can think of that begin with the letter S. [time for 60 sec]. Stop.”

[Former-Member]

Im just trying to do what I can and that seems to be working atm @Former-Member. I am hoping you find more peace of mind this year and you start to have more good days then bad days. I think I read that you are seeing the therapist twice a week- I hope that is helping.

I am trying to take it at my pace and to move slowly forward. Hopefully we can both bounce back soon. We will get back on the starters block soon enough. I am just cooking Kira up some chicken sausages- that seems to be distracting me atm.

[utopia]

Soft shell soda string sing singlet shorts sandles solo sand sound sofa stool seat seatbelt sun suntan snide stupid silly stuff.
I didn't use a timer but I guessed 60 seconds. Are you going to mark my results now @Former-Member?
When I struggled with words daily in 2016 - my son would act as my interpreter. Very frustrating when he didn't know the wird I wanted.

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member

Good to read that you are going to give HRT a real go under a specialist - it takes several months and correct dosage to bring the hormones up to a satisfactory level again. Keep at it - there were no side effects with them for me.

Its Good that you obtained a correct diagnosis for low thyroid - was that under active or over? Are you on treatment for it.

Hormonal/thyroid imbalances can be triggered by stress like anything else. Thyroid can be also caused by smoking (which I know you don't do) - but these inbalances can be purely genetic and unavoidable triggered by environmental factors such as air pollution. We can't control everything and treatments are necessary. It helped me control the symptoms dramatically. 

Please do not go off ADs if depression is a real concern until the latter is under control. Always follow the advice of your medical professional there. Once you have addressed the thyroid and hormone imbalances you may then find you improve, that's when you consult with your doctor whether to wean off ADs or not.  Everything has mild side effects but the benefits can far outweigh these and they settle down usually as the body adjusts so don't be concerned as that worry can cause psychosomatic symptoms and then it gets complex.

Thinking of you my friend - let us know how the HRT goes. Hugs 🤗 

[Former-Member]

P.S. @Former-Member - the only med I take now is a sleeping tablet because of the stress I am under. I have to say they helped my depression and anxiety through the sleep I gained from them and the low dosage I stick to. If people abuse them damage can occur but in low dosages they should be okay over a short period of time. Life saving for me. All meds have a long list of side effects as every possible one has to be documented for the supplier to be covered under law - but one doesn't necessarily have to suffer any of them if taken responsibly.

Everyone is different but I doubt very much that they would of caused your present problems - especially given you have been off them for several years now. It would most likely be the current health problems with low hormone/thyroid that you have now that has not been corrected. And any unresolved stress can exasperate  memory problems, anxiety and depression. It can become complex. There is much information available about the link between menopause and memory loss 

[Former-Member]

Hi @Former-Member

I am going to try the best I can and next week is going to be all about self care- it does sound boring but I need some routine/structure back in my life- and this should help with this.

I have underactive thyroid- I am on treatment but I have only just started it may need adjusting.

I am seeing specialist next Friday and I may chat with her some more about my treatment plan and also if I can't reduce symtoms next week, I may think of what else we can do to manage and also some short term and medium term goals in terms of my treatment.

I may even think of going into hospital next wk.....

[Former-Member]

My thyroid is under active too - it will take time for your thyroid to adjust to normal. It took several months for me and adjustment of dosage until I started to feel better. I still have regular blood tests to check the levels. You will find in time you will improve. It won't happen by next week - i know it can seem difficult currently but in time you will gradually start to improve on HRT and thyroid treatments. Try and reassure yourself of this if you feel anxious. 

I remember the chronic anxiety I suffered from menopause before I began treatment - this anxiety itself can cause memory issues. It can be a vicious cycle. You will know what is doing what once you have your hormones and thyroid levels under control. 

Routine is vital for sound mental and physical health - that's not boring. Having no routine is. I need more routine too - stress can put me out. And I am under a enormous load currently.

[Former-Member]

People in the media after disasters get praised for living and coping with PTSD/after effects of trauma, but people surviving CSA and other abuse have to hide it because no one wants to know. You're not allowed to mention it. No one gives you kindly looks when you have flashbacks, no one talks about your courage to go out to a public place or attend a family picnic. You have to hide and hide. It's not fair.