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Memory Problems

imvein

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imvein Newbie
imvein
Posted

Hi everyone! I an new here and have been secretly wondering what is happening to my memory? I have always prided myself on being "quick" and remembering everything and LATELY...I am in a FOG! What has happened? I have been struggling for 7 years with multiple symptoms including: nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, migraines, Raynauds, constipation...it goes on and on, with no real diagnosis. I have always wondered about celiac or gluten intolerance, but have been told that since I do not have diarrhea, it can't be celiac disease. BUT, I went gluten free about 3 weeks ago and I FEEL BETTER! (Except the memory!). So, I am sticking with this..I mean, what do I have to lose? (already have lost my mind LOL), Just wondering if the memory loss could be part of celiac? Not sure what to think. Any responses would be great!

Have a terrific day (well, nite!)

Jill

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salexander421 Enthusiast
salexander421
Posted

I'm not diagnosed celiac (still undergoing testing)but I definitely know that gluten affects my memory. I'm only 28 so I can't blame it on old age :P I definitely noticed a huge change in my overall mental clarity when I was gluten free. To me it's more of a recall thing than a memory thing though. Sometimes someone will ask me something and I can't think of it right away but 10 min later I'll remember it. It feels like I'm in a fog all day.

dilettantesteph Collaborator
dilettantesteph
Posted

My memory improved greatly on the gluten free diet, but it took awhile. I think that memory problems fall under the "brain fog" category.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Hi everyone! I an new here and have been secretly wondering what is happening to my memory? I have always prided myself on being "quick" and remembering everything and LATELY...I am in a FOG! What has happened? I have been struggling for 7 years with multiple symptoms including: nausea, vomiting, bloating, abdominal pain, migraines, Raynauds, constipation...it goes on and on, with no real diagnosis. I have always wondered about celiac or gluten intolerance, but have been told that since I do not have diarrhea, it can't be celiac disease. BUT, I went gluten free about 3 weeks ago and I FEEL BETTER! (Except the memory!). So, I am sticking with this..I mean, what do I have to lose? (already have lost my mind LOL), Just wondering if the memory loss could be part of celiac? Not sure what to think. Any responses would be great!

Have a terrific day (well, nite!)

Jill

Many people with celiac do NOT have GI issues like diarrhea.!! Some have constipation and bloating. This is a mistake on the part of medical "professionals" who think that's the main symptom. Fatigue and neurological symptoms manifest first in many people. Or thyroid disease. Some have NO symptoms--it's called silent celiac.

Of all the many bizarre and debilitating symptoms I have with this disease, the short term memory loss bothers me most. Well, that and feeling like I am in a fog. I call it "vaseline head". I used to be able to read 3 books at a time, had quick recall, could multi-task easily....not the last 3 years! I stopped driving because I felt too slow and out of it. I was very upset by that!!!

In the last 5 weeks of being gluten-free, I do not feel so "foggy" and spaced-out. It's not all gone, but much better, so I am happy. Many people on here say this improved for them after being gluten-free.

Hope it happens for you and me as well! :)

  • 2 weeks later...
MsCurious Enthusiast
MsCurious
Posted

Yikes, that would be me! Used to be REALLY quick... now I can't recall things. I'll search for a word I know as well as my own name... and can't come up with it. It's more a recall thing with me, too.... not memory loss... and its SOOOO annoying! It's been noticable for about the last 3 months or so.

modiddly16 Enthusiast
modiddly16
Posted

It might also be worth getting your B12 levels checked. I just had to start getting shots because mine were way low and I was always a bit "off" so to speak with my memory. Celiacs are like 20% more likely to have a B12 deficiancy because of our difficulty to absorb things...I wish I would've known that 6 years ago :)

Honestly, I feel ridiculously better after just one shot. However, you don't have to be a celiac to have a gluten free diet help that brain fog...as mentioned a lot of people have gluten intolerences or other intolerances that cause those very symptoms. Not everyone has dirarreha!

AerinA Rookie
AerinA
Posted

Yep, this happened to me. It got way worse after I had my thyroid out, they called it mixedema mania I think, a symptom of low thyroid that mimics dementia. Well, they're getting my thyroid back on track and it's still a problem, in fact it was getting worse. I feel somewhat better after being gluten free for a month, I hope it keeps getting better but sometimes I worry I won't ever be as sharp as I used to be. Going gluten free has at least stopped the downward spiral and given some improvement. I'm trying to be patient. :)

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