Black Holes

Rex_Mundi

Last week, two close friends asked me to go to the doctor. They told me I am acting strangely and forgetting some things we talk about.

It never occured to me before that there was any problem, but since last week, I have noticed that I do have 'black holes' in my memory. A couple of times, I have logged in to MSE, looked through my posts and found words/posts I have typed that I have no recollection of. This scares me. Last night my smoke alarm went off (I thought for no reason), but when I looked in the oven, I was surprised to see two burnt pies I had turned to cinders.

I am otherwise very fit and healthy. I have a drink once or twice a week (my favourite pub visit is an early afternoon couple of pints while sitting quietly reading the Guardian......I very rarely stay out late). I'm not on any tablets. I take a couple of painkillers if I have a headache. Very rarely (every few weeks), if I'm around friends, I might have a spliff (the only illicit drug I agree with......not any tablets or powders). I find it hard to believe this rare spliff affects me day to day. My work and studies are going very well (very good exam results and always good feedback at work). Bills and daily living don't seem to be affected because I live well and don't have any debts.

These black holes are scaring me now. I think they may have been going on for a while. About a month ago, I recieved a text from a woman telling me 'see you later....don't let me down tonight'. A couple of things worried me about the text. What was she on about? (I still have no idea) Who is she? (Even though I had her name and number in my phone address book). During a disagreement with a friend a few weeks ago, I physically threatened them. This is very very very out of charactor for me and a situation I am still apoligising for even though they have told me to stop apologising because they know I am acting abnormally.

I hope I'm not going crazy. I'm only young (ish.....47). Doctors next week, let's see what they say.

Mojisola

Rex_Mundi wrote: »

I hope I'm not going crazy. I'm only young (ish.....47). Doctors next week, let's see what they say.

There's a range of possibilities. Your GP is the best place to go for advice. Good luck.

aliasojo

Rex_Mundi wrote: »

I hope I'm not going crazy. I'm only young (ish.....47). Doctors next week, let's see what they say.

You wont be going crazy. Your symptoms could be down to all manner of things, some serious, some not at all. Doctor is definitely the best person to advise.

Try not to worry (although I know that would be hard).

Btw....did you remember to send me that fifty quid you promised me?

Rex_Mundi

Mojisola wrote: »

There's a range of possibilities. Your GP is the best place to go for advice. Good luck.

Thank you.

I do realise that my GP is the best place to go. I don't even know why I started this thread. I think it's because I am very scared they will find something majorly wrong with me. I rarely get ill and normally only go to the doctors every few years for a quick check up.

Rex_Mundi

aliasojo wrote: »

Btw....did you remember to send me that fifty quid you promised me?

LOL.......Nice one.

I'm sure I remember posting that last week

Bangton

Good luck at the Doctors..I agree with your friends that you should definately go. It must be a very scary situation for you...but it certainly doesn't have to mean your going crazy.

Keep us posted..?

MrsManda

It sounds like you've got some good friends. I know it's scary - I had something similar 2 years ago though I had had medical problems before but like other posters have said it's not necessarily anything serious so try not to worry too much before you get to see the doctor.

It's worth asking your friends to make a note of anything they notice which is a bit 'off' along with the time and date. If you notice something yourself (such as the pies and alarm) write it down with the date and time. It's really difficult doing it for yourself as much of the time you may not notice or remember so getting your friends to help is valuable.

The notes may be helpful to yourself when you need to explain things to the doctor as well as helping the doctor gain a greater understanding. Is someone who has noticed your strange behaviour able to come to the doctors with you?

*hugs*

Caroline_a

I would ask a trusted friend to go to the doctors with you. You need this sorting as soon as possible, and if you forget the appointment, you'll be back to square one. Not a flippant suggestion, a genuine one, by the way.

flutterby_lil

Caroline_a wrote: »

I would ask a trusted friend to go to the doctors with you. You need this sorting as soon as possible, and if you forget the appointment, you'll be back to square one. Not a flippant suggestion, a genuine one, by the way.

Good point!

Maybe take someone for support and so they are aware of the outcome. Are you married, children, parents? Can any of them help out and escort you?

Hope it is nothing too serious.

Good luck.

katym79

Although i doubt the occasional spliff is the root cause, its not going to hurt laying off it for a few months to see if it makes any difference?

lostinrates

Op. i have, as a result of a medical condition, memory loss including black holes.

Definitely takpe a friend ond or a tape recorder with you, and explain to the doctor. Learn to make notes about important things. If i don't have a list i can even forget to brush my teeth, so i have a daily list and tick everything off.

Incidentally, if i were inyour shoes i would stop drinking and smoking for the time being, might not be an issue but it might be...why not try and see? In any case nneither even in moderate amount are great when you are acutely stressed IMO. Fwiw, drinking moderately does not impact on me, but i gave up for a while while i was really ill, and that certainly didn't harm me! I know i was asked a lot about drug use history.

Even if you do have gaps in uour memeory you can live a pretty normal life. . Some years after this i am making improvements all the time. Dh often asks if i rememebr some things and sopmetimes the only memory i have is of him telling me about it on previous occasions, which is quite funny if you feel safe and secure and that you have someone to rely on to tell you the truth!

Try not to worry til you know what the causes could be.