My brain

[Jane]

 
Hello.

I have MCTD and I am 73 (but feel at least 100)
I am having difficulty with remembering what I'm saying and grind to a halt. I also stop mid sentence trying to remember the word I'm looking for. So all in all I feel muddled. I take Hydroxychloroquine,Mycophenolate and Amitriptylene. This is ok..ish if I'm with family or friends but I think strangers think I'm about to have a stroke. I also watch television but my mind has wandered off so I have no idea what's going on.
Am I going batty ,is it because of the MCTD or is it the drugs?
My doctor says it's not Alzheimer's which of course is the big worry.
Help !

[SunshineDaydream]

Sounds like it could just be brain fog associated with autoimmune condition. Do any of the warnings on your drugs say forgetfulness or something like you are experiencing? If you're really worried about Alzheimer's, I think the appropriate doctor would be a neurologist.

[wendyoh]

Jane sorry to hear you are struggling with that. I can relate, I am 57, its not quite that dramatic but it is getting worse (brain fog). I think its part auto-immune for me, part possible-past concussions and also all the different meds they have tried me on at dif times last 25 years for chronic pain and fatigue (not currently on any except occasional herbs, supplements). I would think the amitriptyline could contribute to it, I don't know about the other ones. Does amitriptyline help you sleep? STay away from allergy meds as much as possible such as Benadryl as they are well known to worsen cognitive issues especially as we age.  Trust your gut on whats going on and definitely talk to professionals you can trust that seem to understand the holistic picture. I did a neuropsych this year because I was that concerned about my brain fog and she said I don't show signs of dementia, It was first eval I have had so she couldn't compare it to anything but I did notice a decline in how she characterized my intellect compared to the IQ tests I took as  a young person in school...so I may not have signs of dementia but I'm not as sharp as I was...........

[irish]

Jane, I would encourage you to have your thyroid checked if you have not already done so. Sometimes we can have hypothyroid even when we get older and this can contribute to memory issues. Irish

[Jane]

Thank you for your help.Yes Amitriptylene makes me sleep. I only take 50g as I don't want to be a complete zombie in the morning. I should probably increase the dose but I won't. My peripheral neuropathy is bearable at the moment. I will soldier on and hope I get used to the funny looks ! 

[susanep]

Many of us on here do worry about that too. I have. I do take meds that contribute, and do have the hypothyroid disorder, lupus, sjogren's, but I use to hear that it's no just forgetting, but not knowing what is in the peanut butter jar, and what we do with it. I hope that helps, but you can have more testing if you are more concerned.

Hugs,
susanep