<p>I used to be an excellent speller and now I have to stop and think how to spell the simplest words. I actually use different words because I can’t figure out how to spell them. Yesterday I sent my son a note with “paid” spelled “payed”. This started with menopause. I am simply not as smart as I used to be.</p>
<p>Everyone is right here-- its all possible. Could be normal aging issues (benign senescent forgetfulness-- doesn’t that sound pretty?) medication issues (Topomax for example, is notorious for causing word-finding difficulties similar to the Tegretol side effects described above-- we call Topomax “Dopamax”), possible age related effects on the previous chemo side effects, etc. There has been some battling in the literature as to whether menopause really causes these symptoms or whether its is the side effect of disturbed sleep, etc that really causes the cognitive complaints, etc. Sleep problems definitely do contribute to these issues, and combined with age, meds side effects, pre-existing underlying learning issues (even if not formally diagnosed) can all cause these issues. The question is-- are these problems irritating or are they starting to become debilitating? If you are worried about the possibility of developeing Mild Cognitive Impairment, I agree with others, go get baseline testing, so that you can either be reassured that you are fine, you can be given some recommendations for compensatory strategies, or you can rule out early cognitive issues. If you meed referrals for good neuropsychologists in your area, feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>I had a TIA (mini-stroke) in my 30s–after that I noticed that I would blank out on really simple words. I’d been a pretty good speller. H would see me paging through the dictionary and want to know what I was looking up–he could tell me how to spell it–but I was too embarrassed to ask him for a 1st grade word. I’ll blank out on names of things/nouns. I’m always saying to the kids, "Bring me a (pause) uh, um, you know, the, one of those, that . . . THING that is (color) and made out of (material) and is about (size) that you use to (do something). I use the word “thing” a lot. Lately I’ve written down some phone numbers incorrectly. I’ll SAY the number correctly. I’ll even READ it correctly, too–but that’s not what is written on the page–not even the same digits sometimes. Scary. Several times I would’ve SWORN that I put a “lemon yogurt” in my grocery cart–but when I take it out at the checkout, it has magically changed into “strawberry yogurt!” I’ll randomly put something down in my house–an important paper, my wallet, etc. and have NO memory touching it. My kids will say, “But mom, remember when you said/did . . .” No, I don’t. I tell them that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. I just don’t remember. I’ll start to panic about having left my purse somewhere, and there it is, hanging up by the door–though I have no memory of bringing it home/hanging it up. </p>
<p>I can see why people used to (still?) believe in poltergeists/evil spirits, etc. but I’m gonna stick with hormones/age/stress.</p>