I can't remember things

LegacyUser

Hi

Not sure if this should go under medicine section or where but will try here anyway

Basically over the past few years I have found I can't remember things. I'm only 29 so I'm not suffering from alzheimers or anything! (at least I hope not)

But I find if I'm having conversations with people I'm not able to retrieve information that I know I should know. For example, we were talking about funny adverts. I knew I had just seen one of the funniest adverts I had ever seen that day, but then when having a conversation about it I couldn't remember anything whatsoever about the ad. And only remembered the next day.

But this always happens. If people are telling stories about when they were out drinking, I know something similar has happened to me but I just can't remember it. Sometimes I will remember at a later date but sometimes I won't remember at all.

And if someone is explaining something to me or telling me a story, while listening to them I will try really hard to remember what they said but I more often than not forget. I am getting alot of "but I told you this story already" lately, and sometimes I just pretend to remember. When hearing it again it will sound familiar but there is litle chance of me remembering the detail when hearing it the first time.

I did experiment with drugs for a few years and wonder if this has had an affect. Experiment is probably an understatement I had lots of sessions, some with prolonged periods without sleep. I wonder if this has affected my memory.

I know I should probably go to the GP, I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience before I try to explain myself to the doctor?

Thanks a million for any replies.

LegacyUser

Hi Op,

I have a head like a sieve most of the time, My mother laughs at my forgetfulness, i wouldn't be too concerned I often to upstairs to get something and come down with someting else then go back up and can't remember what I went up for. It depends on your stress levels too, I am worse when I have things on my mind. Don't worry too much, but if you take fish oils liek Omega 3,6 and 9 this could help especially if you don't get enough fish in your diet. One example of my forgetfulness.... I was working as a nurse in a hospital and an ex-neighbour died when I was on duty, I came home and told my mother about the death. A couple of years later I was reading local paper (Death anniversaries) and said to my mother, I didn't know X was dead. She promptly reminded me that I had nursed him on his deadbed. I am 37 now and this was a good few years ago.

In relation to experimenting in drugs, It depends on how long and how much you took, Drugs can have a big impact, so lets hope the fish oils are effective.

Porkpie

OP, if I wouldn't worry too much. I can relate to what you're saying. My memory lets me down too sometimes. I was talking to my sister the other day and she was able to recall details of a meal we were at a couple of years ago, what we had, the service, etc. I was pretending I knew what she was on about. Even holidays I was on years ago, I struggle to remember what the hotel was like, the nights out and so on. It can be embarrassing some times, but I just shrug it off and don't worry about it. My mate even used to call me goldfish!

Some people just don't have a brilliant memory, I don't think it's anything to worry about too much. You could try improving your memory, there are plenty of books out there which teach you how to do this.

Also, I reckon some of it is down to how people organise their thoughts. Some people are more inclined to remember past events if they think about them alot. I rarely think about the past, I'm always in the present and future. My theory anyway.

If it is really bothering you though, maybe you should see some kind of specialist, especially because of the drug aspect. But worrying about it certainly won't improve your situation.

Hope you remember all this

jellie

if its bothering you & worrying you then go to the doctor & get yourself checked out.

if theres something wrong then at least youll know about it.

if theres nothing wrong then youll have peace of mind & wont be worrying about it anymore.

Kevo

Def go to your GP.


I also think you may be convincing yourself that it's worse than it is. I find if I consciously think "remember that" I will often forget it. Concentrating on remembering something distracts me and I then am less likely to remember something.

LeotheLion

Too many disco biscuits
Wasnt it proven that MDMA causes memory loss

dny123456

LeotheLion wrote: »

Too many disco biscuits
Wasnt it proven that MDMA causes memory loss

Oh dear...

OP, i'm exactly the same. My partner always laughs when we rewatch films... its all new to me every time!

JamesAlex

he will probably forget her started this thread!

but seriously, there are plenty of brain exercises you can to help you remember, sometimes if we are not using out brains in this way the can become a little rusty. One quick and handy way to improve it almost 100% is to take 10 mins a day to recall what you did yesterday. and on Sunday try and recall memorable moments of the week. You will find if you make a game of it, it can be a fun way to eliminate this problem. Make sure you stay stress free and don't be upset if you can get it first few time, as stress lead to more forgetfulness.

Might I also recommend something like Dr kawasaki brain training for the Nintendo ds

kraggy

LeotheLion wrote: »

Too many disco biscuits
Wasnt it proven that MDMA causes memory loss

Dunno, can't remember

Seriously, Op I have the same problem. And I've also the partying thing in common with you too. Long sessions, little sleep. And I definitely think that that's why I have a bad memory.

But...I do find that the longer I've gone without partying, the more it comes back. So don't sweat, the longer your mind has to heal, the more you'll remember.

Firetrap

I find sometimes too that if there's too much going on, I get a bit forgetful. My theory is that we now have access to far more information than we ever did before and our brains aren't designed to cope with it all. What I find helps is to take some time out to clear my mind - cut down or avoid work/internet/computers/television etc. for a day or two and live life very simply for a little while. I also got an NDS with a couple of those Brain Training games on it. I've no idea if they really help - some scientists say they do, some say it's a load of rubbish - but I think they've helped.

You could be right though about the drugs. They can damage your memory. Your doctor will hopefully know more anyway.

the_syco

OP: heavy use of weed and hash is known to cause problems with the memory. Talk to your doc, or google the effects of the drugs you took.

Overheal

The examples you describe seem normal enough. But then I thought to myself "What if he doesnt remember all the times he couldnt remember stuff that was really important or worrysome?"

I'd see a GP if you think it merits concern. They can probably do up some standardised memory tests or something.

cafecolour

I've got similar issues, and for me it was mostly way too much drinking over the years (which can have significant negative effects on memory as well). Plus a bit of age.

Honestly though, I was always pretty bad at remembering things like that. Also I've gotten out of the habit of someone of them - for instance, when younger, i used to be really keen on relaying the previous nights session to people. Now, I'm much less bothered, so I tend not to really be remembering much of the details.

LegacyUser

JamesAlex wrote: »

he will probably forget her started this thread!

Just like yourself jamesalex midway through typing the sentence you forget if the op was a "he" or "her"

I find that reading books helps to exercise the brain instead of scanning through forums on the net and flicking through channels on tv helps.

I constantly forget peoples faces, names and conversations which makes me appear rude at times and very annoying for myself but you live with it.

mukki

i have no memory and a small businnes with well over 500 customers


you just have to be organised OP (bit like the film momento)
get a diary and write everything in it

its brilliant if you want to go swimming on wednesday, just write it on wednesdays page and you will go without once having to try to remmber it in the mean time,
you can even write in what you ate incase your like me and forget to eat meals

Carsinian Thau

Everyone's memory can be a bit dodgy from time to time.

If it's causing you distress you should go see a doctor about it*. At the very least, it can't hurt.



*=You have no idea how tempted I am to make a "if you remember" joke here. But this is PI. No room for funny business.


On the serious note again, if the doctor thing doesn't pan out, try the diary. But also, bear in mind that it can be a lot more difficult to remember trivial things than important things. It's possible (and probable in the case of tv ads etc.) that you just don't consider some things worth remembering and hence, don't remember.

JamesAlex

Unregistered wrote: »

Just like yourself jamesalex midway through typing the sentence you forget if the op was a "he" or "her"

I find that reading books helps to exercise the brain instead of scanning through forums on the net and flicking through channels on tv helps.

I constantly forget peoples faces, names and conversations which makes me appear rude at times and very annoying for myself but you live with it.

clearly a typo, and it would be bad grammar as the correct word would be "she" so who is a clever clogs now?

Nevyn

JamesAlex Unhelpful and off-topic posting will get you banned from this forum.
Do take time to read the charter which contains the rules and abide by them.
Have a nice day.
Thaedydal

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

trio

I partied a hell of a lot in my twenties and it really did act like a big eraser over large parts of it.

Around 29/30 like you, I started really noticing it and got very anxious. But over the last few years I've noticed I'm a lot better at remembering recent events, so my anxiety has passed a lot.

Those certain memories from my 20's are probably gone forever, but now that I have some distance I'm not that bothered any more.

I stopped messing with yokes (or anything, now that I think of it) by around 28 so I think that made a difference, but also I started buying those yearly diaries that you get in January and started really using it. Not as a "journal" but things like "Phoned plumber about dishwasher - says he'll phone back tomorrow".

That really keeps the worry down. I'd say I'd have a crap memory anyway, mind you -I was crap at remembering stuff in school. And I still forget loads of stuff if I don't write it down. Just that stuff really worsened it for a few years there.

LegacyUser

Op here again..

And "he will probably forget her started this thread!" lol, I remembered

Thanks alot for your replies it's been a great relief to feel normal. And that story about the nurse who forgot the man was dead after nursing him on his death bed - brilliant!

So I've started to try a few things and am going to see how this works before going to my GP

1) - Get a diary - have started this already and think it could be my saviour
2) - When listening to people, try to spend less time worrying 'will I remember this' and actually just listen. Living in the 'now' and not in the future/past.
3) - Exercise more and spend some time each day remembering memorable things perhaps while exercising.

I am also curious about hypnotherapy and mind mapping so will let you know if I try any of these and if they help.

Also, on the drugs thing, drugs are bad! Between 25-28 all I did was party. So that whole part of my life is a big blur really. So just like a previous poster, this memory may be gone forever, but as time goes on I will do other things with my life that I can talk about and I'll be more clear headed so hopefully will feel better about not remembering. And I don't know if they affected my memory permanently, but just like a previous poster they have certainly given me an anxiousness which I hope will go away in time and my mind will heal itself.

ps. if you see a similar post in a years time you will know the above hasn't worked and please insist I go to the doctor!