Chronic pain/ autoimmune disease related to long-term and/or short term memory loss

Another Person · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009

I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (chronic colitis) when I was nine years old. I was in the hospital for three weeks, put on steroids, immune suppressants, colonoscopyed, c-t scaned, x-rayed, and mri'ed, the whole she-bang. It was a hugely tramatic time for me and it's a little fuzzy, but that is due to the ammount of pain I was in during that time. I tried to forget about because it was the worst part of my otherwise good life. But when I tried to remember my pre-pain life I found that I couldn't remember anything in the four years prior to it. It was like they hadn't happened. I couldn't remember anything about them. I couldn't remember meeting my best friend, losing my first tooth, any of my teachers, or any other memorable or nonmemorable things. Now i'm wondering if it was just the trama or if it's due to the chronic pain that comes with my autoimmune disease.

Also I'm in the middle of a flare up right now so I'm in constant pain and lately I've been having short term memory loss. I would forget whole afternoons or evenings. I'm also wondering if that could be attributed to my pain, my meds, or maybe something else?

ChyTay · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009

Oh man, that sucks. Have you ever tried dietary changes to see what happens? I have celiac disase, which when it comes to autoimmune diseases is the one to have because it basically goes away when you stick to the gluten free diet. I have seen a lot of people who have IBS, crohn's etc. find that their symptoms diminish when they cut out gluten, dairy or both. Definitely try that to see if it helps.

And I'm not familiar with chronic colitis, but celiac disease has memory loss as a symptom as well. I think it's likely related to your disease instead of the meds or the pain.

Jenny · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009

I am not a health expert, but I have an auto immune disease. SO NOTHING I AM ABOUT TO SAY IS THE GOSPEL OR MEDICAL OPINION> I experience the same thing. I realized I have depression. Once I started treatment for my depression my short term memory improved. I found I was really down dealing with the pain and the what if. I know that is not a medical opinion. Hang in there.

tinmuning · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2009

Short-term memory loss is one of the many possible symptoms of autoimmune disease. Because of the low thyroid and heart complications typical in autoimmune diseases, there is a decrease in blood flow to the left lobe of the brain causing an oxygen deficiency in the brain. This can lead to the memory loss and forgetfulness that is common in autoimmune diseases.