Memory issue?

[Cacoethes]

I did bring this up with my psych yesterday but he just changed the subject so I'm just gonna post here for ideas.

The last couple of weeks (same amount of time the voices have been worse) I've had trouble recognising people.
Like I'll serve someone at work, turn around to pour a beer or whatever, then I'll turn back and have no clue who I have just served. And if there's 2 people standing there, there's no chance of knowing who I was getting drinks for. It's a problem because obviously I need to know who I'm giving drinks to!
And I sometimes even struggle to recognise people I work with. I see the uniform and know I work with them but couldn't tell you who they were. That's only occasionally though.

I don't know if it's a memory issue or something else.
Like I said, its only been happening while the voices have been worse.
Do you think I'm right about the brain tumour and I have to do what the voices say to get rid of it?
Because that would make a lot of sense.

Sorry this turned out to be long!
Any help would be much appreciated

[Pomegranate]

Hi Beckie, just a couple of thoughts/questions….

- There is a strong link between disordered eating and difficulties with memory/concentration, so I am glad you have made an appt with your GP. Is it any better if/when you have eaten before the shift?

-Similarly, not hydrating enough can also cause memory/concentration issues

- Also, you said it has been worse since the voices have been and I saw from your thread that you’ve been really struggling with anxiety. Do you think the anxiety could be making it hard to concentrate/remember things?

Re doing what the voices say, I don’t think that’s the best idea tbh. For one thing, even if you DID have a brain tumour, how would doing XYZ eliminate it? I suspect it would just have consequences that you would have to deal with. Would it be something to discuss with your GP re their thoughts and see whether they can reassure you on that front? Or your neurologist when you next see them?

[Cacoethes]

Thanks for your reply Emma

I haven't noticed a difference when I've eaten but maybe that's just me not noticing
Whenever I eat I kind of try to immediately block out that I've eaten. Especially at work because I can't purge at work

I do try to stay hydrated at work due to the lithium

Anxiety could definitely be the culprit
I have been very anxious lately

I will definitely bring it up with my gp.
I don't see my neurologist until February
When I think about it I know that doing what the voices say won't cure a brain tumour but it's something I can't quite shake

[Zurg]

Could be stress as Well, Beckie. When i am stressed i mix up words, can't recognise faces properly and i suppose i appear somewhat drunk to people who don't know me well. I am unsure whether reducing your working hours for a short while is an option?? Do you have trouble relaxing when you're off/at home???

[Cacoethes]

Thanks Zurg
Could well be
I told my psych I was feeling stressed
I'm not quite sure what about though
I can't reduce my hours because I'm struggling with rent/bills as it is. And my hours have already been cut down (apparently everyone's have because its been quiet lately)

When I'm off I don't feel as anxious.
It's mainly in the lead up to going to work

[Auror.]

sorry if dumb question because obviously there could be medical causes, especially if this is new so definitely agree with telling gp and neurothing, so don't want to speculate on that front. but do you struggle with dissociation at all? it's okay if not! i just know sometimes when i'm really struggling with losing time i will have similar occur.

re the voices, idk what they're saying. but i know they're usually full of **** and have never been right or trustworthy before. so i'd highly doubt anything they are telling you. they're kind of dicks.

[Cacoethes]

Not a dumb question

I don't think I have dissociation
I definitely used to years ago but haven't for a long time
But maybe I'm just not noticing it?

That's true. They're generally not right about things
They haven't specifically told me I have a brain tumour though
That's what I think
I can't explain why tbh
But its the conclusion I have come to for some reason

[Auror.]

you could always try the whole grounding/mindfulness stuff and see if it makes a difference? but definitely bring it up to the medical humans. especially about the brain tumor because i am sure they would have ways to check that.

[Cacoethes]

That's a good idea
Thanks
I'll bring it up with my gp on Tuesday

[Auror.]

at the very least if it doesn't help that'll be something you can tell the gp. and if it helps then yay! i do hope you can figure it out though, that sounds really scary.

[Cacoethes]

Thanks Camden

It is scary
And quite embarrassing too

[Cacoethes]

Ok I've just made a connection and quickly googled
I've not taken my iron tablets in a couple of weeks and apparently low iron levels can cause heightened stress, anxiety and affect cognitive function.
But surely it would take longer than this for my iron levels to drop?
Idk

[Auror.]

I don't know, but if it's a thing you are meant to take you should start taking them again! And that would be relevant info for gp!

Do you think you can start taking them again?

[Auror.]

Like, I think that question would be an actual medical human question Beckie. I don't know that we would be able to know how quickly you would notice a difference or could really say with any certainty. Your GP definitely could.

[Cacoethes]

I am meant to take them but they were giving me a really dodgy stomach and it was just really inconvenient to have the effects of them

That is very true!
Another question to add to the list for Tuesday

[Auror.]

I don't know if you are allowed to take them with food, but is that something you could try if it is not going against advise? It would be all the more reason not to purge if so.

Also, maybe until then you could ask a pharmacist human about cutting them in half as a compromise? I don't know if that's safe to do so that's why I wouldn't say to do it without asking someone, but maybe if you took half you would not have as many side effects and it would be better than nothing until you can talk to the GP?

[Cacoethes]

I have taken them with food before and it makes no difference.
It'll be ok until Tuesday
I've gone this long without them
I just couldn't deal with having to rush to the toilet every 5 minutes, especially at work!