Worried about my husband's forgetfulness

[Kimbox]

He was diagnosed on 2013 with type 2 and was fine. His memory and list of other symptoms started 6 months ago

 

[Indy51]

I seem to recall reading that the standard B12 test isn't a particularly good measurement - you might find this article useful:
http://chriskresser.com/b12-deficiency-a-silent-epidemic-with-serious-consequences

You listed his tests but I didn't notice ferritin or folate on the list - I'd also be asking to have those tested. B12 deficiency is definitely associated with long term metformin use, so I'd be pushing for further tests.

 

[Mike d]

Then no idea @Kimbox

Sorry. Might be related or might not.

 

[Kimbox]

I will look into that his folate was high... But they say that is of no concern.. Iron levels are good.

 

[graj0]

I do believe the Chantix gave him the strokes- the time line correlates with his memory issues- Chantix is bad- and i think it's the culprit of alot of his problems. especially since all blood work is coming back normal.

Hi,

sorry to hear of your husbands health problems but your message had two thing that caught my attention. I'm not a qualified doctor so I can't tell you what's going on but maybe I can suggest something that you can look into further.

Strokes - my mother's vascular dementia is down to two major strokes and several un-noticed minor strokes. I don't know what happens when younger people have strokes but I'm guessing that the same sort of damage to the brain MIGHT occur. It will different with every patient but possibly that is the connection, the memory issues could be related to the strokes, rather than the Chantrix.

Chantrix - I had heard things about this drug because a friend was going to try it to give up smoking and asked me to look at it (she doesn't do computers. There's a lot of stuff, some alarming, and I would only suggest reading and making your own decision on what the affects are, although it sounds like you already have. The possible side effects do not look too good.

Hopefully the doctors looking at his memory and doing the tests will be aware of the strokes and him taking Chantrix, they should know best. Is he still taking Chantrix? It seems to work well for some and cause problems for others which quite honestly, and something I can say with confidence (my wife is a patent agent specialising in pharmaceuticals. As such, she knows more about a drug than the inventor), is the same with all drugs. Even the Glaxo chief executive said that drugs don't work for a large percentage of people taking it.

I hope you get to the bottom of it soon.

Regards

Graham

 

[Lesleywo]

Hi Kimbox

Have you heard of MTHFR? It is a genetic mutation that can cause strokes, miscarriages etc. I was tested for this mutation by an integrative doctor (most normal GP's won't know much about it) because I suffer from depression and my Folate levels were about 4 times the top of the range. Also Homocysteine levels can be high which can lead to heart disease. It sounds complicated but it's easy to treat .. basically you just take a supplement of B vitamins that are already 'methylated'. The reason for the high folate and sometimes B12 levels is that the body is missing the methylation factor and so it just sits around in the blood stream.

I tested heterozygous, meaning I have one mutation kindly donated by one parent ... my sister is homozygous, meaning both parents gave her a copy of the gene so she is more at risk than me (funny though cos she doesn't do anything about it .. she also had 2 miscarriages).

Check out this link http://www.methyl-life.com/symptoms-of-mthfr.html. It's definitely worth looking at, especially given his history of strokes.

I do hope you get to the bottom of it.

 

[Paul59]

Lchf diet? Assuming that's low carb something...??????

Yes it is, has he increased his fat & protein intake at all to compensate for the lower carbs?
How long has he not been having the fried foods?

 

[Kimbox]

I try to make sure he has more protein.. but not on a specific diet He has been off fried foods for a month.. and nothing white as well. and started exercising and has lost 13 lbs- it's a start he has about 47 more to go

 

[Kimbox]

I have never heard of MTHFR. I will look into and check out your links. I haven't a clue as to what that is and what doctor to ask about that. Most Dr's are not that helpful because of his past history and just write him off stating all his problems are because of past drug use.. Which could be true however I think It would have come on gradual rather than just waking up one day with your brain out of sorts. But what do I know.. I am just a wife,..I don't have a MD behind my name.. Although one dr that stated that... didn't want him to see the neurologist and I demanded that he see him so he relented and the Neurologist said that isn't his issue- they found the mini strokes on a MRI- and the dr feels something else is the cause not his past history- not with all the symptoms he has.

 

[graj0]

. . . . has he increased his fat & protein intake at all to compensate for the lower carbs?

Surely that's something of a personal choice rather than an essential thing to do?

 

[Paul59]

Surely that's something of a personal choice rather than an essential thing to do?

May be so, but may also be a reason for the memory loss. As it's been said, increasing fat when cutting carbs can reduce certain memory problems.
My be if some fried food was introduced things may turn around for the poor chap but stay off the white stuffs.
It's only a thought.

 

[Jaylee]

Most Dr's are not that helpful because of his past history and just write him off stating all his problems are because of past drug use.. Which could be true however I think It would have come on gradual rather than just waking up one day with your brain out of sorts.

Hi Kimbox.
Sorry to hear about your husbands issue.
I have been folowing this thread having had a T2 elderly father with vascular dementia. & now a "norm" mother with short term memory issues. Though no behavioural problems in my mum..

The "past drug use" you reference? Could you elaborate please?

 

[Kimbox]

He did meth for years... Been clean for over 5 yrs. Memory was rock solid prior to 6 months ago... This wasn't gradual. He just kind of woke up that way one day...he will tell you he didn't do it for recreational use..he was in blown research... He did a lot of it ....and large amts of it... He did have an accident where he fell and hit his head about 4 yrs ago.. It was a pretty good hit...he slipped and hit his head on a septic tank he was installing. Didn't know anything for 20 mins although he was not knocked out the whole 20 mins... Have wondered if that could be a cause as well

 

[graj0]

May be so, but may also be a reason for the memory loss. As it's been said, increasing fat when cutting carbs can reduce certain memory problems.
My be if some fried food was introduced things may turn around for the poor chap but stay off the white stuffs.
It's only a thought.

That's interesting, I'd read that low cholesterol is a problem and it's one of the reasons there are arguments against taking statins. I can testify for the brain fog which hasn't really gone now I don't take statins.
My brain is a worry, I managed to put some petrol in my diesel car tonight, luckily only 86p worth before I smelled the problem as it were.

 

[graj0]

He did meth for years... Been clean for over 5 yrs. Memory was rock solid prior to 6 months ago... This wasn't gradual. He just kind of woke up that way one day...he will tell you he didn't do it for recreational use..he was in blown research... He did a lot of it ....and large amts of it... He did have an accident where he fell and hit his head about 4 yrs ago.. It was a pretty good hit...he slipped and hit his head on a septic tank he was installing. Didn't know anything for 20 mins although he was not knocked out the whole 20 mins... Have wondered if that could be a cause as well

Sadly, you can't ignore meth use as probably being the cause of all his problems now. The following is from an organisation called "Foundation for a drug free world":

Long-range damage


In the long term, meth use can cause irreversible harm: increased heart rate and blood pressure; damaged blood vessels in the brain that can cause strokes or an irregular heartbeat that can, in turn, cause cardiovascular2 collapse or death; and liver, kidney and lung damage.


Users may suffer brain damage, including memory loss and an increasing inability to grasp abstract thoughts. Those who recover are usually subject to memory gaps and extreme mood swings.

The problem with mini-strokes is that you don't recognise them at the time but damage is occurring to parts of the brain that affect different parts of us as human beings. In my mother's case it was her memory first and later her behaviour.

I think you've probably got all the answers, the major thing is how to work with the issues that are now present.

 

[Mike d]

I would hate to think that @graj0 is right but I would not have a clue. Never done drugs in my entire life. No sermons from me (last thing you need), but I hope he gets well. Mike

 

[graj0]

I would hate to think that @graj0 is right but I would not have a clue. Never done drugs in my entire life. No sermons from me (last thing you need), but I hope he gets well. Mike

There's no sermon intended from me either.

 

[Mike d]

Know that @graj0.

Trust @Kimbox reads the same.

 

[joey62]

hello everyone,im been diagnosed 5 wks type 2. unfortuately this is just another string to my bow.I was diagnosed 8yrs ago with a very rare autoimmune disease.Also since i am both B12 plus vitamin D,I had a mini stroke,Iwill spare you all the rest lol.What i can say is too i was tested for early onset dementia at the age of 44.I am now 53 and really struggling with short term memory loss,I cant believe somethings i forget,such as,if i didnt have photos of my grandchildren around me i forget these important things,another is if i have phone calls if i dont write it down im forgot.i have important events stickers on wall calenders every where.i take at last count over 40 tablets daily then now 4 more a day,i am 52 now but feel a lot older,short term memory loss can be dangerous too,my husband still has to check wether im turned the cooker or such off properly,Iknow its hard for our partners constantly having to treat us like children ,every body who has to care for a spouse deserve a medal for strenght and all GOD BLESS OUR CARERS.

 

[graj0]

I get very annoyed with myself and the things that I forget. I'm always being told by my GP that it's perfectly normal to have the brain of a goldfish (I think their memory is actually better).