Ask a doctor on the topic of Neurology

Aphasia and thickened scars, loss of intelligence and deterioration of short-term memory

April 14, 2022 | 100,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am looking for one or more possible diagnoses. I am particularly looking for a diagnosis that explains how my intelligence and short-term memory could have deteriorated and how mild aphasia could have occurred. I am 37 years old, male, white. I weigh 85 kilos at 185cm. Although much of what is written below may not be important for potential diagnoses, I will describe everything as detailed as possible.

-For completeness, I would like to inform you that I was in the Dominican Republic in 2007. This is probably irrelevant, but I don't want to leave anything out.

-I have never taken drugs and sometimes drink alcohol (as a student 20 beers per week, then 7 beers per week, today 1 beer per week if at all).

-I eat healthily with lots of fiber and vitamins.

What I noticed about myself until I visited a doctor is as follows:
-Around 2005, when I was 21, I noticed a deterioration in my intelligence. In 2005, this changed quite suddenly over a period of several months, and I really noticed that I was no longer able to learn well. I told my parents several times that I felt like I had lost 20 IQ points. Unfortunately, I couldn't even finish my studies (until 2007).
-In 2008, I noticed that things seemed to be going a little better, especially because of a new job where I constantly dealt with very intelligent and interesting people. However, it never returned to the way it was before 2005. But I could function well.
-From 2011 onwards, evening fatigue became noticeable. I often felt like a Li-Ion battery. Up to a certain point around 9 pm, I had full energy, and suddenly within 5 minutes, a fatigue set in that was unbeatable. This also happened sometimes when I was out with friends at a bar. Then suddenly I had to go home, otherwise I would have fallen asleep at the table.
Since 2012, I have also had problems with my breastbone. It wasn't swollen, but it often seemed to get stuck. In addition, various parts of my shoulders or spine felt pinched. According to my doctor, it was an inflammation, and he recommended taking Ibuprofen.
-In 2013, I felt like walking on clouds. I also remember very clearly feeling that my personality was starting to move further back in my head. I began to be more of an observer of my life than a conductor, so to speak.
-In 2013, I also noticed that words no longer came to me. At that time, I was just learning a new language, so I didn't suspect much at first. However, I now realize that it is still the case. By the way, I can still function because I still find a way to get around it.
-For completeness, I would like to mention that in 2013, I also had a major operation on an infected tooth, which caused my entire right side of the head to hurt and my eye to start tearing. The ENT doctor pointed out that it could be an infected 5th cranial nerve. I managed to handle this with a lot of antibacterial mouthwash, a lot of brushing my teeth, and a course of antibiotics that I happened to get for an ear infection.
-In 2014, my scars all over my body began to thicken, they came under pressure, and some began to itch. My dermatologist told me that she rarely sees this in white people, but rather in pigmented people.
-After that, I also talked to my family doctor (see next chapter).
-In 2017, I noticed that my short-term memory had deteriorated. Sometimes I was on my way to the kitchen to do something, and completely forgot what I wanted to do there. I noticed this very strongly myself. This is still the case today. I could clearly see the strongest deterioration after the 3rd Covid vaccination (not after the first two). This led me as a layman to think that maybe my own immune system has something to do with the situation.

Tests and diagnoses
-I had major blood tests done in 2014, 2018, and 2021, with some additional vitamin tests (B12 and D). In addition, I had full body and head MRIs done from 2014 to 2020. An ultrasound was also performed in 2014. I don't know the values by heart, but I will try to convey the conclusions as best as possible:
-B12 and later in 2022 also HOLO-TC were fine. HOLO-TC had a value of 76 in 2022. Folate was fine in 2014.
-Vitamin D was much too low in 2014. Since then, I have been taking tablets for it.

Dr. med. Frauke Gehring

Hello,

I am a specialist in internal and general medicine and I have looked at everything. I understand that you are looking for reasons, but they are not always easy to find. The thickening of the scars in particular is unusual, at least not known in relation to Lyme disease, but it seems to be related to it, as it decreased when you were treated.

Unfortunately, you did not mention whether the intellectual disability and aphasia (how exactly does it manifest?) were verified through tests. Hypothyroidism should have been ruled out, and apparently there was also no evidence of a circulation disorder or brain degeneration in the MRI (with contrast agent?). However, early onset Alzheimer's disease cannot be ruled out, so you should be tested regularly.

Ultimately, the symptoms you are experiencing could also be developed due to psychological stress and overwhelm. Sometimes we expect more strength from ourselves than we actually have, and when we push our minds too far, they rebel. That's why it's so important to have these losses verified.

It is not possible to know whether the Covid vaccine is to blame for the deterioration. It is not excluded, but there is no way to investigate it now, and ultimately there was no way to do so before (microclots in the brain would be proof, for example).

Sincerely, Dr. Gehring