Forgetfulness

[grettal]

Hello can anyone please give me advice.I have mild COPD.Is forgetfulness a symptom.Iget it quite bad and get very frustrated and upset with myself.Worries my family also.

[BenHall1]

Hiya grettal,

TBH, no I don't ........ my only Mild COPD problem is tiredness but then, my treatment plan is to inhale Easyhaler with Sabutomol as required and get much more exercise. I do static exercise once a week with a group and weather permitting I push myself walking, both trying to increase my pace and my distance. So no wonder I'm tired. I need to make my lungs work.

I'd be interested in the comments of others.

John

[Welshcatlady]

I don't think it is. I am very forgetful but that is because I have Fibromyalgia and the forgetfulness is called 'brain fog'.I saw my GP about it last year, and he carried out some tests and there was nothing wrong with my brain - hence the brain fog.

If you are concerned about it I would see your GP.

[Ergendl]

I improved my diagnosis from moderate to mild COPD after following good advice from here, but haven't noticed forgetfulness as a symptom. With a busy life I can be a bit absentminded and have to use calendars and diaries to remember appointments and things, but that's just because so much is going on.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Ergendl]

How did you get it down to mild please?

[Ergendl in reply to Mopsey1897]

Firstly, I took the lived advice of people on here who had my condition and similar. Some things worked for me, so I kept them. Some things didn't, so I stopped them.

I started and still run a weekly singing for lung health group, brought my weight down to a healthy weight, eat more healthily, take my meds as instructed, and try to walk 8000 steps per day (originally 10,000 steps but my body is not as able now). I avoid people with colds and coughs, and use products like NasalGuard Cold and Flu Block, Vick's First Defence, and a salt lamp to counter possible infections if I have to be in a crowded place.

It sounds a lot, but I did it a little bit at a time, and it's all become a part of my way of life now.

[Mopsey1897 in reply to Ergendl]

Thanks Ergendl, sensible things to do.

[H-the-99 in reply to Ergendl]

HI, I just read your post regarding getting your COPD down to mild. I have COPD moderate to severe, I would really like any recommendations on how to reduce this condition.

Cheers.

[Ergendl in reply to H-the-99]

Improve your fitness, try to attain a healthy weight, use diaphragm exercises to improve the muscles that help you breathe, take your meds as advised and do any other necessary health-related actions like clearing out the mucus from your lungs every day. Avoid people with coughs and colds like the plague.

[H-the-99 in reply to Ergendl]

thankyou for your reply, I’ve taken note of what you recommended,

Cheers.

[ParrotsOfPenzance]

Have you had your oxygen levels tested? low oxygen levels can cause confusion. I thought I was suffering with early onset dementia but it turned out to be lack of oxygen in my blood. Not uncommon with COPD

[peege]

What does your GP say? S/He is likely to do blood tests first to eliminate other reasons, ie vit D deficiency, B12 deficiency, low thyroid etc. as well as check O2 levels & BP

[Greenthorn]

HI Grettal - I have read the replies sent to you and agree with the consensus of opinion. I have just posted an account of my work as a hospital volunteer and there are some amusing, and sad, stories about memory. If you feel up to a long read I recommend you relax and read with a nice cup of tea!

[Alberta56]

I use a notepad to counter forgetfulness. We have to remember just too many things these days.

[Numptybrain]

I struggle badly day to day since I had a brain haemorrhage. My husband has to administer my medication or I’d forget, I can’t remember what I was doing 5 minutes ago, it’s awful and a lot worse when I’m ill like now, I’m only 62. I got referred to dementia clinic who done loads of repeat tests over months, thankfully it’s not dementia but it’s definitely cognitive impairment caused by brain damage and unfortunately can turn into dementia. I’m just hoping it doesn’t.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Alberta56 in reply to Numptybrain]

Fingers crossed for you. xxx

[Numptybrain in reply to Alberta56]

Thank you xx

[Ern007 in reply to Numptybrain]

Hope you are soon feeling better xxx

[Izb1]

You need to speak with your gp and see what he suggests.

I saw an article the other day :-Scientists found sniffing rosemary can increase memory by 75%. Rosemary breaks down a chemical in the brain known as acetylcholine. This allows nerve cells to communicate with one another more effectively.

Not sure how effective this could be but worth a try x

[kev60]

Hi, I have COPD (emphysema) although my breathing is okish it has been classed as moderate as I have so many holes (large air spaces) in my lungs. I have never heard of memory problems with COPD ,but I suffer with memory loss . I lost almost a year of memory but the hospital were not worried ( I forgot where I worked and the people I knew). I was tested for Parkinson’s and other conditions but it’s been put down to my FND. It is funny when I turned 60 every problem was put down to old age lol although I know this not to be true. I ended up buying a large pad of post-it notes as I have to write things down ( often I then forget about it). If you are worried talk to your gp , they will ask questions and if you have markers (family history)they will refer you to neurology . There is always brain training ( mainly puzzles) you can do online, I tried this but kept forgetting what to do and when to do it. I find it strange I can remember most medical issues but day to day is a problem like I will ask my wife if she wants coffee an forget it until she asks where it is lol. Hope you get the answers you need, good luck. Kevin

[anng1814]

Hi Grettal,

Could it be more related to the menopause, as opposed to COPD? Just a thought - I hope it doesn't offend you.

[NieceByMarriage]

I have moderate COPD going by my lung function tests, although my physical symptoms are generally not that bad. I do not need supplemental oxygen and I can exercise vigorously so long as I warm up adequately first. A sudden need to rush upstairs is a whole other story! I am in my mid 50s but have recently got over 18 months of very poor health culminating in hospitalisation for pneumonia for 10 days including ICU. Plus, given my age, menopause is at play although I have been on HRT for some time. Since the hospitalisation (11 months ago, now) I have noticed a cognitive decline. My short term memory is not what it was. It's not problematic but I notice the difference. My general "processing speed" has always been fast, and still is, but is maybe not quite as fast.

[Ern007]

I have moderate to severe COPD and I have a poor memory sometimes, which I don't blame on COPD but poor sleep and to many drugs.