This one is tricky if you live alone because it creates confusion and loss of memory,and there is no one around to notice the changes and suggest you get help.
Truthfully,I can't remember when or how it started. Or even how long it has been going on. All I can really tell you is that somehow,due to luck more than anything else,I started to come out of the "fog of confusion" and my short-term memory began to start to function again
The prime symptoms I noticed were a severe lack of appetite that had me forcing myself to eat a little because a little bit of food was all I could force down. Even then,I was only able to eat things like soup and was lucky to be able to eat a whole can. Most would end up getting poured down the drain because I would be full by the time I ate half a can. I would put saltine crackers in with the soup to add the salt and solidity that I felt I needed. The immediate result would be diarrhea that would come in sudden bursts. Sometimes I would have to run to the toilet again maybe 10 minutes after leaving it and thinking I was done.
Sometimes I couldn't even eat the soup,and would eat a few saltine crackers to fill up on.
For some odd reason I don't seem to have lost a pound,but my pants that used to be tight now fall off. I ended up having to punch new holes in my belt in order to keep them up. Still haven't figured this out out.
The confusion was/is unbelievable. I got to the point where the only way I could get anything done was to put it in an alarm on my cell phone because taking notes just wouldn't work because I would forget to read them. Or even where I put them.
When the alarm on my sell phone went off,I had to respond immediately or I would forget right after shutting it off. Sometimes I didn't remember long enough to respond after the alarm was shut off. This is NOT a "fun feeling",especially if you live alone and there is no one to remind you.
I would also fall asleep and sleep like a log with no warning. Even while watching an interesting tv show. Generally,I would wake up 2 to 6 hours later and then not be able to get back to sleep until I fell asleep once again with no warning a few hours later.
I had zero control over any of it.
I eventually became aware that this was a problem that wasn't going to go away,and went to a local clinic to see if I get some sort of treatment other than a bed at "The State Farm for Fools". They ran blood tests and called me the next day and told me I have Anemia and that they had already made an appointment for me at a clinic at the hospital.
This was yesterday afternoon,and IF I made a "reminder note" on my computer,phone,or scratch pad,I have no idea where it is because I can't find it,so I am going to have to call the clinic when they open this morning.
Ok,just happened to remember where the note was and found it. I have no appointment,but am supposed to call the cancer clinic that treated me for Stage 4 Lymphoma this morning to make an appointment for tests. Not likely to lose the note again because it is hooked to the rear of my cell phone case by the belt clip,and my phone gives an alarm at 9 AM and PM for me to take my meds.
Yes,my current short-term memory really IS that bad,thanks to whatever is going on with me now.
The fact that the clinic I went to was a GP clinic and they immediately tied my anemia to my cancer is a little scary. I was told a couple of years ago that I had incurable Stage 4 Lymphoma (I am a VN Agent Orange Vet) and there was nothing more they could do to treat me unless I was willing to take an experimental pill not yet approved by the FDA. I started taking them,and 3 weeks later tested negative for cancer at my next PET or CAT Scan. Still taking the pills,but now it is starting to sound like the cancer may have returned or why else would this other clinic immediately associate the problems I am having now with the cancer that went away a couple of years ago?
Anyhow,I guess I will find out after I make and attend an appointment at the cancer clinic.
BTW,it was a big relief to get this news because I was thinking I was losing my mind,and that is something that can not be "fixed".
I will try to remember to update this thread as I learn new information about what caused it,if it can be treated,and what the treatment is to maybe help any of you who are going though similar things,or know someone who is.
