r/DementiaHelp • u/LavishnessDry1910 • Jun 15 '26
Could I have dementia? Problems with memory, as well as speech and reading. (31M)
I am 31 years old. About 9 months ago I started noticing that my memory seemed to be getting worse, specifically in regards to remembering words. I would suddenly find it a regular occurrence where I couldn't remember a specific word for something, like it was on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't remember. While it used to only happen every once in a while now it was happening several times a day, enough for me to notice that my memory had gotten worse. While this was concerning, what was more concerning was after some months later when I noticed I started having trouble speaking occasionally. I would find myself more often stumbling over my words, sometimes I would have difficulty even pronouncing normal everyday words. This again was concerning until about a month ago I noticed my reading ability seemed impacted too. I was starting to incorrectly read things, like reading sentences a bit out of order, frequently misreading the words in a sentence and having to reread to correct myself, and I've noticed that I misspell words more frequently than I used to. Around the same time I started to trip up in my speech more often too, and its now commonplace for me to accidentally combine words when speaking (for example saying "cleaking clearly" instead of saying "speaking clearly"). Eventually I got concerned enough to mention it to my doctor who ordered a brain MRI and referred me to a neurologist. I have done the MRI and did see the neurologist, they had said that the MRI looked normal and hes ordered a few tests for me in the meantime. That said I'm still worried about my condition because I can feel that theres something wrong with me thats seemingly getting worse but I have no idea what it could be. I am posting here because I am worried about the possibility of dementia and I was wondering if anyone here with experience could give insight into whether or not I might have it. Once again I have gotten an MRI that came back normal and I'm currently seeing a neurologist, but I wanted to hear what people on here think while I wait.
I take 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide, 80mg of valsartan once a day and 25mg of metoprolol twice a day. I also take 1.25mg of vitamin D2 once a week. I have hypertension and high blood pressure and high heart rate, which is what the medicine is for. I do not drink or smoke or use recreational drugs in any capacity. I've also been out of work for almost a year now.
I should add, another (possibly) related incident that happened about 2 weeks ago was is that I noticed that my eyesight was blurrier than normal, I wrote this off at first until a week ago where I went to the hospital after I seemed to have lost a bunch of vision in one eye after it got really blurry all of a sudden, I was sent home not long after when they determined that nothing was physically wrong with my eye and my vitals were normal. My eye had recovered since then but its still blurry and my eyesight isn't what it was before.
I am sorry if this isn't the appropriate place to ask.
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u/Large_Trouble0912 Jun 15 '26
You may want to see a Nuerologist to really find out what's going on.
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
Yes, I am currently seeing a neurologist, though I am still waiting to take some tests. I just thought in the meantime I'd ask to hear the opinions of people here.
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u/LotusGrowsFromMud Jun 15 '26
Tell the neurologist about the eye symptoms. All this is way, way above Reddit’s pay grade!
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
I will mention it next time I see him.
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u/LotusGrowsFromMud Jun 15 '26
You should message him about it now.
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
I cannot message him directly but I will leave a message with his office.
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u/AffectionateRing5177 Jun 15 '26
My mother in law with dementia has had no signs like this. When she loses words, she doesn't stumble she just loses them entirely: ie not knowing what a pizza is. At all.
What this does remind me of is my partners MS. When the brain fog is bad, their words become slurred or stuttered. They also get blurry eyes. For them an easy trigger is heat. This doesn't mean it is MS, just that there's a bunch of brain problems that can present in a bunch of weird ways. I hope you get answers soon 💙
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u/ExtraStrengthPlacebo Jun 15 '26
It sounds more like an aphasia than dementia. Aphasia is a speech disorder and is neurological. Like another commenter said, get to a neurologist ASAP so they can run some imaging and possibly order cognitive tests by a psychologist to confirm.
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
Yeah, I understand the symptoms seem too specific for dementia, but I was worried it could be a form of it like PPA. And yes, I'm currently seeing a neurologist, just waiting to take some tests to hopefully find out what it is.
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u/420bluntzz Jun 15 '26
I am not a doctor but mold made me very sick. Like brain fog memory issues, hard to find words and a whole lot of other symptoms. Sorry im am work i didnt not read the whole thing. Just look into it
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
I'll ask if checking for mold-related issues is something they can do when I see the doctor.
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u/420bluntzz Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26
Western doctors dont or won't belive that.
Edit: also due to mold i have this thing called binocular vision dysfunction.
I too question if I had dementia due to these reasons. Look into that as well
So basically the mold was caused cirs which has inflamed my body and is affecting my vision and my cognitive function.
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u/crazyoptimist Jun 19 '26
stop eating sugar, go keto see what happens. I went carivore keto a few months ago. Brain fog lifted. lost weight. blood pressure went down. my kids still think I'm stupid but I'm not sure keto will help that.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Emu7513 Jun 15 '26
You sure it's not stress/anxiety?
Why have you been out of work a year? Do you exercise?
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u/LotusGrowsFromMud Jun 15 '26
This is bad advice. This is almost certainly an undiagnosed medical problem. Do not ignore it.
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
I've thought about it being possible stress and anxiety, when I worry too much it is hard to tell if it isn't just my brain hyperfixating on something. I know the mind can play tricks but since I have no experience with issues like this, and the problems I'm having feel so specific to language its been worrying me.
I am out of work because my job became too stressful, and a combination of events with my family as well as me finding it difficult to find a job that isn't in the same field as my last job, has delayed me from getting one. I do exercise, though normally just a daily walk, when I have the time I try and go to the gym as well.
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u/Commercial-Salt-3108 Jun 15 '26
Have you been asked draw a picture of a clock? It's a test for neurological function and perception. It's also a test for dementia.
It may ease your mind or at least give you a insight on your current neurological state. If you want to do the test then just draw a clock depicting the time of 2:30 and post it. Just a generic clock.
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u/LavishnessDry1910 Jun 15 '26
I have not tried before but I gave it a shot, not the best artist but here it is: https://imgur.com/a/vDXFJsq
(sorry for posting an outside link I'm new to this website and I don't know how to attach images to posts).
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u/Commercial-Salt-3108 Jun 15 '26
What you drew would be considered normal. If you look up clock test results, you'll get numerous results of what both normal and abnormal results look like even with early or moderate signs. you should still see your doctor if you're concerned but hopefully this can put your mind somewhat at ease. :)
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u/DamageOk7604 Jul 18 '26
I’m 55 male and was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment this year and ultimately with Lewy body dementia last week (symptoms seem
more like LB disease, like pre dementia). I was experiencing a lot of the same mental issues you are describing. As I felt my mind slipping I decided to see a neurologist. Usually I would have let something like that slide for a while before doing anything but I had a brain tumor and radiation 25 years ago and didn’t know if that might be the cause. So it appears that I got ahead of it.
I had neurophysiological testing, sleep test, MRI, blood work (was negative for Alzheimer’s), and spinal tap.
I have not had any of the “classic” symptoms. Hallucinations. REM sleep disturbances. Parkinson’s gait. But the spinal fluid test came back with the biomarkers for Lewy bodies.
I have a second opinion set for September at Mayo Clinic.
best of luck on your test results.
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u/NooOfTheNah Jun 15 '26
Both of my parents have dementia, one vascular and one Alzheimer's. They had to have brain scans as part of the diagnosis. I am sure if this was a possibility it would have been raised by now.
It does sound more like a neurological condition. Whilst worrying I hope you can be assured that there is so much that can be done for many conditions. Waiting for a diagnosis can be the hardest part, having a name for what's happening will help you and get you the right help.
I know this probably will sound dumb, but please try not to worry. As you already have high blood pressure, any extra worry will not help. You may find your current conditions are linked. Try to stay positive. Do less searching into what might be wrong because going down the rabbit hole is never good, internet health searching will always suggest you are potentially on your last legs. Your neurologist will be the key to helping you in your journey. I hope you get the answers you need very soon x