I'd love to tear this apart and get to the bottom of the cause, but unfortunately going to that level of detail just isn't possible when one is working full time and seeking an online master's degree. Nothing jumps out at me as a potential cause in this case, so I'm going to have to turn this back over to you. Try disabling other addons, find some kind of pattern in the demoting. Get more information that can help us work through the issue with you.
Sorry we can't be of more immediate help, I understand the frustration.