Question: Hi. I will try to condense this as much as possible. I'm a 52 year old female, 2 1/2 years post menopause, only chronic problem being treated for is restless legs. Symptoms that began more than 1 1/2 years ago, short term memory loss, difficulty concentrating, occasionally using the wrong word in a sentence, even when concentrating to say the right word I still say the wrong thing. (trying to say broom and kept saying balloon). Cannot do simple addition or subtraction or things such as writing a grocery list if there is other noise in the room. Constantly catch myself telling the kids to "be quiet so I can think". Got lost driving twice while going to very familiar places. Knew where to turn but just could not make myself do it. Cannot remember names, appointment times, what was just told to me on a phone conversation that happened just 30 minutes ago.
Went to ER two times in past 1 1/2 years when totally confused. Admitted and had lots of scans and tests. Was diagnosed as TIA, but nothing showed on the tests. Last hospitalization was 1 year ago. Symptoms getting worse.
Chest xray showed nodules on thyroid. Ultrasound and biopsy showed not to be cancer. Appt with endocrinologist about 3 weeks ago shows vitamin D level of 15. Iron and B12 are OK but showed that the absorption rate is low. Put me on vit b complex and iron, over the counter, and 50,000 of vit d twice a week. Other symptoms that have been experiencing about 2 months prior to seeing the endocrinologist are light shortness of breath, feeling very hot, tremors, extreme fatigue (for 2 years), difficulty sleeping (sleep study OK. Shows woke many times, but from joint pain). Also sweating a lot. The last several weeks, I am experiencing times of extreme heat throughout my entire body. This is the grand daddy of all hot flashes. It lasts for hours and hours, sometimes 10 or 12 hours. This is a heat that causes me to not be able to work or function doing small tasks. I sweat buckets. Mainly sweat from head, neck and chest, but have noticed even my legs sweating heavily. During these times of heat and sweating, I become mildly short of breath and now more recently become very nauseous. Today, the heat and sweating have lasted most of the day after a horrible night. Now, within the past few hours I had the sudden onset of a horrible headache. Involves my whole head. If I shake my head I feel like my brain is hitting against my skull. Headache worsens when laying down. Meds: paxil 20 mg, Mirapex .75 mg, metformin 500 mg 2 x daily, also the vitamins. endocrinologist ordered an evaluation by neuropsychologist for early onset alzheimers. That appointment is 2 months away. Not sure if all this heat and sweating, etc, is connected to the issue with brain function or not. Sorry this was so long. Trying to give you thorough information. Thanks