[Anonymous]

#1077145

It is frustrating and scary when we have memory problems like that. I’ve been going to school to get my associates degree in Computer Specialist and have had the same thing happen to me. With Word also and I’ve taken 3 classes in Word and was certified. Yet sometimes when I was taking a test it was like the test was written in Chinese and would get a very low score on it.

There was one day where I wasn’t feeling my best and was under a lot stress. I was driving and had to make a left turn at a stoplight. I couldn’t not remember how to turn left! It was very frightening.

I’ve had these memory problem for years and have struggled through many of my classes because of memory issues but I have been able to do it. I will be graduating in Sept and have been able to achive many things.

We need to learn how to deal with these. Realize that it doesn’t happened all the time. We need to know not to be so hard on ourselves. I think that is the hardest to overcome.

It will get better for you because now you are going through a big change in your dosage. Just take deep breaths and relax. The next hour will be better.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1077146

Just read your post. I am a couple of years post diagnosis and just coming out of a hypo phase. I couldn’t resist posting a couple of strategies for memory (I am a speech-language pathologist) that I use with my clients.
For your planned events such as teaching a course, keep index cards with reminders on them. Day planners and having paper and pencil handy when you talk face to face or on the phone to make notes as you speak will also facilitate memory.
I was lucky because I had an efficient co-worker who would email me when important meetings were coming up and a wonderfully supportive assistant who took over when I just couldn’t function any more. I would put sticky notes with reminders on my computer monitor. My assistant called them my squirrel notes.
It’s frustrating but it does get better.
Molly

[Anonymous]

#1020425

I just had the worst experience and I’m so embarrassed. First let me say that before I was “officially” diagnosed with Graves I was noticing that my memory was getting worse. Couldn’t remember names and sometimes the word I would say would not be the word I was thinking. Similar but not the right word. Last night I was watching TV with my daughter and a commercial came on and I said something about the object being a pretty shade of “pink” even though I knew it was green.

I am an instructor for a training center. Today I was teaching a one-on-one class in Word. I know that program inside-out. I’m even certified in it. I couldn’t do anything. I was fumbling all over and when I would try to recover it just got worse. I finally told her I had been sick and asked her to reschedule at no charge. I’m so embarrassed!! And a part of me is scared a little.

It seems like this was worse when I was “hyper”. I am on Synthroid now and we’ve had confusion over the dosage the last few weeks so I was taking too low of a dose and now my dose has been doubled to what it was before the confusion.

Has anyone else had this problem? Now I’m afraid to teach another class. I am so thankful for this site. I have so many questions. I don’t want to be a bother but I’ve gained more information about Graves in the last week than I have since I was diagnosed in October 2005. Thank you. –Teresa

[Anonymous]

#1077147

Thyroid imbalance does create memory problems. Once you get onto a stable dose things should normalize for you. The fact that you are having problems finding the “right” dose of synthroid is no doubt making things take longer to correct.

Stress added to the out-of-whack hormone issues can also create memory issues.

Are you pushing full speed ahead, or have you allowed yourself a wee bit of slack through your illness? If it has been full-speed ahead, your body may be telling to slow down a bit. It’s scary when this happens, because it makes a person feel truly vulnerable — perhaps for the first time in their lives. But hyperthyroidism makes us completely, totally ill with all body systems running inefficiently. We need to be stabilized at normal levels of hormone again, for months typically, to allow things to heal. While all of this is going on, you need to find ways to do the things you have to do, that allow you some rest. Eliminate unnecessary tasks, either by ignoring them or delegating, and find a simpler way to do the necessary ones for a while. Ruthlessly prioritize. Take time, every single day, to relax, to pamper yourself. Treat yourself the way you would counsel your best friend to treat herself, if she were as ill as you are/have been. And while your memory is wonky, make notes, lists, whatever helps to keep you on track with those things you need to do.

There are good days ahead. It just takes some time.
Bobbi — NGDF Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1077148

Thank you so much Bobbi, Diane and Bwell for the advice, tips and questions. So sorry it has taken a while to get back with you and thank you. The tips and tricks have been helpful. Bobbi, your questions about am I taking care of myself, really hit a nerve with me. The answer is “No, I have not been.” I guess it’s denial, because I’ve been trying to pretend that nothing is wrong. It seems like when I try to tell my partner at work or my family, what I think is happening to me, they usually respond with something like “oh that happens to me all the time, don’t worry.” I know they mean well, as that is the kind of reassurance I tend to give others too.

I am working on taking some time for myself. The other day I went to get my hair done and I usually take a training manual with me or some type of work and this time I did not! I actually looked at the magazines at the shop. Felt like a little vacation!

I have put the tips and tricks to use regarding my memory. I have note cards by me and an outline with me when I teach. I am trying to slow my speech down a little in hopes that what I am thinking comes out of my mouth. I fear teaching now (I used to love it)but am hoping that this too shall pass.

Thank you all again for this site. Thanks to Jake, too. I know I haven’t talked with you directly but I understand you were instrumental in putting this site together. I’ve learned more from this site than I have from my doctor. So please bare with me as I continue to ask my questions. You guys are making a tremendous impact in a lot of lives and I can’t thank you enough. –Teresa

[Anonymous]

#1077149

I haven’t been on the board for a while and was happy to read this post. I have had a lot of migrains and take topamax & have had a lot of memory problems with it. My TSH continues to be up and down for who knows what reason. Had RAI in 2003. The last time I had it checked it was 6, time before that 0.2 and seems like it has been like that for the last 18 months. Each time my dose goes up and down a little. Makes you sort of emotional when it is so up and down so often. Anyway…. I have been so Embarrassed with my memory and thought process in general, I think sometimes people think I am lossing my mind. I didn’t know thyroid caused this. I have started to isolate myself from people because you really can’t tell them it’s you thyroid, or migrains. They just think your some sort of nut. They other day I went with 2 friends to lunch, just a dumb hot dog place and just had a hard time getting out what I wanted and the jerk serving the dogs gave me a hard time. Then one of the girls with me sort of laughed at me. Really hurt my feelings. The other friend with me understool and later I talked with her and let my feelings out about it. You just don’t want to be around anybody. I am sure it is a combo of the thyroid/migraines/tomamax. Just good to know the thyroid can also be a cause. Thanks for listening.
Denise

[Anonymous]

#1077150

You are right when you say it is a combo of thryoid/migrain/topamax. The med you are on does cause a lot of memory problems. I was on that once also and my memory was must worse.

I can understand what you were going through with placing an order. I’ve been at resturants before, carry-out or it-down, and have said the wrong words or simply can seem to speak at that moment. It is sad that that guy had to be a jerk about it.

It is easy to isolate ourselves when things like that happen. Try not to do that. When you memory issues come forward just try and laugh about it, or if you can’t do that just don’t say anything and ignore those that do. They will soon just realize that is a part of you. I’ve had memory issues for a long time and you can’t isolate yourself forever.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1077151

Are you off of it now, if so when you did go off did things improve?
Denise

[Anonymous]

#1077152

I presently am off the medicine now. I think it was a year or so that I went off of it. My memory issues improved slightly, but I still have them.

Diane B On-Line Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1077153

Denise,

I was thought to have migraines and was put on Topamax for a very short while. Turns out it wasn’t migraines but the Topamax is a very strong drug. My endo and internal Dr’s told me the side effects and to talk to my neurog. about getting off. I did and feel much better. Just google side effects of Topamax and you will be so surprised. But don’t just stop taking at once you could have a seizure, ask your Dr. is the best thing to do.

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