100

I'm now concerned I have early on set dementia at 41 years of age. I have ringing in the ears which I just read gives one an 67 percent greater risk of said condition. Also I've been having trouble with word recall which I did mention a lot to my pschy meds persriber. This problem had gotten away but came back suddenly. I've actually been worried about this for a while. I know it's probably anxiety but I can't help it. I to scared to mention to my doc what it its true I couldn't handle that. I'm terrified.
David

Dee74

Its common to have a bit of brain fog in early recovery and to have trouble recalling things.
Age is a factor too...I have a great memory - and even I have to reach for a word or a name sometimes.

Thats a long way from dementia.

Try not to obsess over it - chances are it will get better in time, David

D

100

Thanks that helps. I'm so exhausted with worries. David

fishkiller

I've been forgetful for as long as I can remember.
Quitting drinking has helped a lot but I still have trouble remembering what I did an hour ago sometimes.
I chalk it up to my overactive brain. Always thinking ahead about 10 different things instead of focusing on the moment.

I have a feeling you will be fine. I think dementia at that age is pretty rare.

biminiblue

David, maybe stop Googling diseases and illnesses if it's distressing to you.


Lots of people have tinnitus that comes and goes. Same with forgetting things, and having issues with finding the right work is really common in early sobriety. So are aches and pains.

When I was newly sober I could suddenly Feel my body and that was a new experience. I don't let myself go down that rabbit hole of health anxiety but it seems to be a common problem. Try to distract yourself with chores or exercise or preparing healthy meals.


Maybe you could join in on the PAWS thread, lots of similar stories there:

(For those tortured by PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms) and who fear they might go mad Part 3)For those tortured by PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms) and who fear they might go mad Part 3

Zebra1275

If ringing in the ears is a risk factor for dementia, I haven't heard it.

I have had a ringing in my ears for many years, which I attribute to loud road and roll music.

biminiblue

uh - edit!!

Word, not work.

I rest my case

TheSoberNord

Like @fishkiller said I've been a bit on the forgetful side far as long as I can remember and I've had a ringing in my ears for at least the last decade probably from loud music/concerts/shooting guns and thinking I was too cool for ear protection and I'm 42. I know addiction can mess up a lot and we can have a long road to recovery but let's not get too carried away, it doesn't mess up EVERYTHING.

Hawkeye13

Aphasia (trouble thinking of the word for things) is quite common in early recovery—I’m a Linguist and I have it too .

Don’t worry—fuzzy brain in early recovery is also very normal—your synapses are rebuilding and all will be much improved in a few months. I actually bought a daily planner to make notes of things I needed to remember in early recovery as the absent-minded professor, despite the stereotypes, is not preferred and I had to keep working at the time.

Just eat healthy, non-processed foods, drink plenty of water, maybe try some mindfulness exercises like meditation and yoga, and don’t forget that ice cream is your best friend in the face of great temptation to drink. You got this. . .

Patcha

If this is an ongong concern and not just a passing worry, do mention it to your doctor. There are medications and treatments that can help with dementia, if in fact that's what you have. Wouldn't you rather have a definitive yes or no rather than hanging in limbo with the fear?

VikingGF

100, it may be a good idea to not Google for a bit. Don't be too concerned about word-finding in the early days, especially if it comes and goes, that's not an indicator of dementia. Tinnitus is something you can ask your doc about if it continues, but the inner ear is pretty sensitive to many meds and analgesics. I know telling ourselves to stop worrying is like telling the wind not to blow, so distract yourself the best you can by taking a walk or turning on a good show or talking to a friend. My early withdrawal was so bad this time that if I was not almost fully engaged mentally, I was fairly sure I was about to have a heart attack or a stroke at any moment. Eventually I did talk myself out of these thoughts but it took about 55 days for most of my actual physical symptoms to go away. It was very challenging, so I know it's real for you- but distraction was my best strategy. Try it? Also, reading here that I was not alone with all these ridiculous symptoms helped immensely.

Hang in there, you will get through it and symptoms will settle down in time.

100

I just feel so tired and just want to do nothing. I don't feel rested after sleeping 12 hours and just want to sleep more even after 12 hours. I have sleep apena and use my cpac mabey 3 to 4 hours a night, as I have trouble sleeping with it. Before I got sober I was not using it at all. I know I need to use it more but it's so uncomfortable. I've been trying to get used to it for 4 years. With that said I think I might have had covid as I have mentioned before I'm going to as for an antibody test because I started going down hill after I had a fever two months ago briefly and had severely painful joints for 10 days where it was torture to stand. I had chills for one day as well. I was feeling great up till that point and all the symptoms and word recall problems with brain fog started at that point. My doctor brushed it off when I mentioned it and said it wasn't like likely. I don't want to call the nurse and get another appointment I practically live thier.
David

biminiblue

I doubt that they would give you an antibody test. Everyone who is vaccinated has antibodies, and if you have already had Covid, there is no reason to have the test.

You're in early sobriety and you're over-focusing/over-analyzing, like most of us do in early sobriety. Please take a look at that blue linked thread above that I posted....

https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums...-part-3-a.html (For those tortured by PAWS (Post Acute Withdrawal Symptoms) and who fear they might go mad Part 3)

KAD65

Dr. Google can have you convinced you're going to die within the hour. A real doctor can most likely set your mind at ease. In my own personal experience, I've been dealing with tinnitus for about 3 years now. I can also attest to the fact that stress and anxiety greatly interfere with clear-thinking and reasoning. It makes it nearly impossible to concentrate. So, worrying about whether or not you're suffering memory loss directly affects your ability to remember! There is also normal forgetfulness that comes with aging. I don't know how old you are, but at 56, I have noticed a change.

100

I also have been pretending to be fine and not tell anyone I'm close to that I'm not fine, and this includes people at my aa meeting. I just say I'm great when I'm not in reality. I also have been skipping meeting on my days off because I want to lay in bed all day. I just can't find joy in anything. I've been slacking on doing recovery work because I'm tired. I need to start my fourth step. I keep saying I will do it when I feel better.
David

ScottFromWI

I self-diagnosed myself with several neuro-degenerative disorders during my first year sober. I also found that I was literally able to manifest physical symptoms of some of them by obsessing/worrying about them so much. I hope you can seek some help for your health anxiety David, it was really a game changer for me when I was able to accept my condition and move forward on a solution.

dustyfox

David - you are doing so well. As others have said - try to stop over thinking, easier said than done I know, but distract yourself - maybe start reading a book, watching a really long Netflix series that keeps you hooked, walking, - something to help you relax. Do go to the doctor about your worries - it may put your mind at rest.

Patcha

How are you feeling today David?

100

I'm doing better and my thinking is clearing up as I was able to get restful sleep lately and I'm thinking more clearly because of it. I think a lot of these symptoms are caused by sleep deprivation because after I started using my Machine for sleep apena more consistently they have eased up greatly.
David

Patcha

That's good news David. I'm pleased for you. I have heard those sleep apnea machines are not very comfortable.