I have never really had didactic memory but at the same time one skill that got me through school was occasionally being able to mentally go back to my notes during testing and sometimes being able to reread the part of the page mentally.

I totally understand your feeling, straw, of of wondering how you managed to get your degree then all of that info disappeared like dust in the wind. I often wonder how real my past is. Is what i remember real? Is my history just the matrix? Am i still in the matrix?

I graduated high school in '03, graduated community college in '05 with an AAS in biotech, and graduated college in '07 with a BS in agronomy. Because i am a female living in the midwest that chose to go to a slightly smaller university in Missouri instead of going to iowa state university for my BS i have never used my education. The fact that i have never really had social skills doesnt help. I bomb interviews 9 out of 10 times. I feel like i remember nothing of my education.

I have never been super great at juggling several things at once or too much complex info at once, but in the last several years its gotten harder. I drop everything sometimes. I space out and have to be reminded of stuff. Simple tasks im supposed to be doing. Ive never really thought of it as being dementia symptoms as much as distracted thinking and forgetfulness. Ive always been a bit all over the place. Easily distracted and at times inattentive.

My sweet, sweet Straw! Your research and intense intellectual curiosity are a beacon here, and no doubt other places where you touch lives. I have no doubt Covid will teach us much about disease mechanism, and ideally, bring relief to those of us who suffer from fibro. I am frightened for the “long haulers,” as any of us with invisible illness can attest, health care of mystery illness is more than abysmal. We see the racism, gender bias, sexual minority biases inherent in our worldwide healthcare systems and watch over and over as often we affirm antiquated ideas. Has Covid revealed the broken and damaged places so we may break through? Are the vaccines and their speed in development a new beginning?

The agony of loss of brain function, brain fog, is hard to describe and impossible to quantify, especially when simply obtaining acknowledgement, nevermind testing or treatment within the medical establishment is next to impossible. I can quantify it in my own lost income and socioeconomic status, but without solid research it is a pity party of one, and for the most part, I am left to cope alone. Because brain fog remains immeasurable, your symptoms and loss, and mine, are rarely addressed. I do not even include t in a list of my symptoms with any medical professional, although I admit my fear of dementia is also large. I refuse all medications in the class that add to fog, even if they as designed to reduce pain.

Thank you for the copeous reading and research you do. I hope this new virus leads us to new anti-viral solutions that treat neurological symptoms.

I'm new to the group and as I read the Q & A especially this this one I'm crying. I try not to dwell on the pain but my cognative function really gets me. I use to have a photographic memory and now I'm leaving things in unusual places and not being able form sentences. I'm currently on long term disability and have no clue how I can go back to a highly demanding career that requires me to be on my toes all the time and always being available after hours. I worked so hard climbing the ladder in a male dominanted industry being the first female project manager in the company. It is such a blow to the self confidence to think I may need to change careers after 15 years and work a job that pays half the salary so my brain can keep up. I've worked with a Occupational Therapist and try to keep my mind sharp always writing notes, puzzles etc but it doesn't seem to improve the constant fog I'm in. Any tips or recommendations that may help?

You truly express your thoughts very well Straw34, Wishhorse, and PhyerPhoenix. I wish I could reflect my thoughts at this time of day. 💝💞💞💗💗💗💜💜💜💜

This is another screenshot of the article I just posted.

Sound familiar? 🙄