Long term stress and short term memory loss (depression, thyroid, MRI)

[Jude1948]

I never thought it would come to this, but I am very frightened. My husband just retired after a very demanding job. Over the past few weeks, with family problems looming..... Older son has marriage problems, and younger has other issues, which I cannot mention. My husband has always been on top of everything, military, grad school........he saw me through my depression several years ago. Now suddenly at 65, he cannot remember simple things and his short term memory is terrible. We saw his doctor yesterday and they are running thyroid, B vitamin, and folic acid tests. Had a brain MRI this afternoon. No results yet, of course. He knew the retirement was coming, but he was in no way REALLY prepared. This came on within three weeks. The doctor did put him on Lexapro, and also thought that he may have sleep apnea.

If any of this is familiar to any of you, please give me your thoughts.

As I said his stress level has been extreme.
Thanks

[jaijai]

I don't know but it could be that it's the combination of stress and some depression due to that stress and also due to retiring.
Don't men tend to have a difficult time when they no longer work because, more so than women, their identity is so very tied to their career and to their ability to provide?
I imagine that a man could feel a bit lost and purposeless when they retire.

[stepka]

Originally Posted by Jude1948

I never thought it would come to this, but I am very frightened. My husband just retired after a very demanding job. Over the past few weeks, with family problems looming..... Older son has marriage problems, and younger has other issues, which I cannot mention. My husband has always been on top of everything, military, grad school........he saw me through my depression several years ago. Now suddenly at 65, he cannot remember simple things and his short term memory is terrible. We saw his doctor yesterday and they are running thyroid, B vitamin, and folic acid tests. Had a brain MRI this afternoon. No results yet, of course. He knew the retirement was coming, but he was in no way REALLY prepared. This came on within three weeks. The doctor did put him on Lexapro, and also thought that he may have sleep apnea.

If any of this is familiar to any of you, please give me your thoughts.

As I said his stress level has been extreme.
Thanks

The fact that this has come suddenly makes it sound less like alzheimer's (as I'm sure you're worried about) and more like something else is going on. Stress is a killer and he should definitely be dealing with that--B vitamins are great for stress related issues. If he eats junk food, that should stop until he gets a handle on things--I was under a lot of stress these last 6 months and the thing that put me over the top was overindulging in sweet foods one weekend and then I had a meltdown. Has he been put on any new meds besides the lexapro? Is he overweight? If you are worried about dementia, the latest studies are showing that people with the worst blood sugar control are most likely to get it so make sure you have a handle on it.

[Jude1948]

Doctor called last evening . Rushed him to emergency. They found a large mass the size of a plum at the back of the brain. Son stayed and called me at midnight. Going to leave for the hospital soon. Those who do, please pray that it is treatable. and he will come home to me.

Thank you.

[Jude1948]

Originally Posted by Jude1948

Doctor called last evening . Rushed him to emergency. They found a large mass the size of a plum at the back of the brain. Son stayed and called me at midnight. Going to leave for the hospital soon. Those who do, please pray that it is treatable. and he will come home to me.

Thank you.

Thank you for all your prayers.........it is the worst news, cancer and one that will take his life. He will start chemo and radiation in a few days. I am not in the mindset to explain particulars, but we hope he will be with us for about 2-3 months. Enough time to get affairs in order and say goodbye.

[stepka]

Oh hun, I am so sorry to hear that and my prayers will definitely be with you. I won't bother you with questions as I know you have too many other things to tend to, but feel free to check in when you need some stress relief yourself and please take care of your own self to the fullest extent possible b/c you need to be strong. And take those B-vitamins!

[todd00]

I'm so sorry. I've read that Transfer Factor has been used by those with various illnesses and helps boost ones own immune system. Seems to help some during Chemo I've read. I have tried it with a pet I lost to cancer. I included a link for some information on it. You might also look on the Earthclinic website for other things that might help his condition. I don't believe doctors know it all or are even sometimes all that smart. As you will need support you might join Daily Strength, they have people struggling with almost every ailment you can imagine there. It might be helpful to share and have others there to support you. Look into a support group, both local and via the net. I wish there was more I could say or do to help.

Cancer Remedies
Online Support Groups and Forums at DailyStrength
Transfer Factors And The Immune Response in Humans and Animals

[Dollydo]

I am so very sorry, I understand, I lost my husband to cancer.

[Soda120]

Jude 1948, I'm so sorry. Wishing you and your family the best.
Please take care.

[Jude1948]

Thank you all. He will consult with oncologist on Monday and go from there. The hope is to slow it down and extend his life with some quality to it.