I don't know if I was supposed to see a neurologist every year/every other year after my stroke. I know cardiologist was on that list. Having a mild headache in the area where I had the stroke lately, more like a ice pick headache. Comes on for a second or two and goes away. Sometimes there's few of those in a row, sometimes several times a day, but some days none at all. The right middle area.
I've always had memory issues but forgetting to push the rice button after plugging it in started to become more frequent. Frequent enough that I put a little note on the outlet "Push Button" so I am reminded when I plug it in. David says, the fact that I put a note there, is a sign of things going downhill.
Another one is I fill up the electric kettle but forget to push it. This happens quite a bit. Or I push it but I forget to make my tea.
Apparently, I repeat myself more lately. And I don't remember what I heard the day before. Abby will tell me she told me something yesterday and I don't remember. David has mentioned this also. I used to think that maybe he thinks he told me but he didn't (cuz he is getting old too...) and I don't remember it because he never told me. That was my logic. But when Abby said it too, and she's young so her memory should be still fine, and it was two things that I didn't remember hearing, I began to realize maybe things are worse than I think.
They say you start to fish for words, normal as you get older, but at 48??? I couldn't remember the word "lint roller" the other day. Was trying to tell Shannon we had one of those in the breakroom cuz she had stuff on her clothes. You know, the sticky paper on a stick that you can roll on your clothes? Did a Google search, oh yeah, Lint Roller!
I forget the stove is on sometimes, haven't burned anything yet tho.
Read an article that brain ages faster after a stroke. And also certain medications can speed up cognitive decline too. HCTZ and Metroprolol both on that list. I need to get off those. But have to get BP under control first. Been trying to get my fruit in, walk Roscoe a second walk or go longer, not drink everyday, get at least 7 hours of sleep. Been craving sugar lately tho. Usually happens in the winter. Read that dehydration and cause cravings, so been trying to drink tea/warm water all day. Been pretty good at taking meds everyday, not so much with the supplements. Been trying to plank, do push-ups, 4-7-8 breathing when I remember. Feeling too lazy to try meditation again. Feeling blah and low energy lately. Not much motivation to do much but scroll through social media. Trying to read. Mind starts drifting.
Here's the article about BP meds and cognitive decline:
https://knowridge.com/2020/11/these-common-high-blood-pressure-drugs-linked-to-higher-risk-of-cognitive-decline/
They are part of what's called anticholinergic drugs. This articles says people with hypertension shouldn't use anticholinergic drugs. https://www.healthline.com/health/anticholinergics#side-effects
So for multiple reasons, thinking about seeing a neurologist. To get a baseline if I am to get worse, and also to see if there's anything that can be done to slow down or reverse what's happening now.
