Cognitive Dysfunction

By theresag79 Saturday, May 30, 2009

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I don't post often. A lot of the fellow MS'ers that post often have very informative or entertaining post. I have neither. But I just would like to let my feelings out today....because I have no one else to talk to about them. I mean who wants to hear a person complain about their MS except others that are dealing with the same thing.

I have just moved. GOD has blessed me with a place to stay when I didn't think I was going to have a place....along with other things I didn't think was going to work out. GOD is my source of strength. I just had to give HIM a shout out real quick because I am so grateful.

Well my move has caused me the greatest mental fatigue. Merely Me's post on flutters was exactly how I have been feeling over the past week. I was having an awful time comprehending and processing information. I couldn't think straight. My reaction time was slow. I felt stupid. I felt bad. My mind was in decline. I felt scared. I couldn't imagine being this way all the time....or worse....what if it get's worse? That is the scariest thought. I'm so angry about it because there's nothing I can do to correct it.

Is there anything I can do to correct it?

My husband has also been stressed and my cognitive problems have confused him. He thinks I'm just not paying attention or.....I don't know what he thinks actually....but he is an impatient man by nature so you can imagine how he has reacted...or maybe you can't but it hasn't been pleasant. Which makes me feel worse and has stressed me out even more. I feel like I'm on the verge of crying all the time. But I can't help it if I have to make you repeat something over again because you were talking to fast the first time and I couldn't process what you were saying. Or if I forgot something you were saying. Or if I just can't understand your conversation. And the bad part is I can't articulate my feeling correctly at the time and then by the time I can figure it out..it's already done and over with. Maybe no one understands what I'm saying. But I'm fustrated. *Sigh*

Can anyone give me some advice?

How do you deal with your cognitive dysfunction?

I tried to get my husband to read Merely Me's post so he can understand but he barely glanced at it. I'll keep praying for him.

I'm a little depressed right now, can't you tell? Oh well. Everything will be ok. My depressions only last for a little while. Praise GOD. If I didn't have HIM on my side I wouldn't be able to survive.

New Symptom

Comments (8) | Add comment

Hollyk

5/30/09 9:14pm

You should ask your doctor about Aricept; I commented ealier on someone elses post about it. Aricept is a drug they discovered that works for alzheimers patients; however, they also find that it helps some MS patients-it is worth the try.

I started a few months ago; it takes a week or so before you start clearing from the fog; but by the end of 1 month; you almost feel normal. It cleared the fog for me but didn't help the memory or my misspeaking. I had to stop taking it for a bit because it was causing me to get sick. I think that the increased dosage is responsible though. 5 mg is perfect-it even helped my constipation (which adds to the cognitive loss).

I know how you feel about impatient husband...my husband has pulled further away from me. I've been praying; but it is so hard to keep from losing it sometimes. I thought he'd be the kind of person who would be supportive...anyway, he gets very frustrated at "what I remember and what I can't" as if I had control over it.

Keep praying; MS allows us to come to Christ as little children; we finally are forced to realize that we are not in control. Peace be with you!

theresag79

6/ 2/09 11:24am

Hollyk

Your words were very encouraging

Lisa Emrich, Health Guide

5/30/09 9:37pm

Theresa,

I hear you, and better yet, I understand you clearly. The cognitive aspect of this disease is certainly frightening. I used to be extremely quick and able to handle many things in my mind at once. I never needed reminders for things because I had a somewhat photographic memory. Not anymore.

As for your husband, maybe you could get him to read this post - "Beginner's Guide to MS: Cognitive Function, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neuropsychology" - which links to some other posts here and also to this excellent article.

Fortunately, people around me are accommodating (most of the time) and my loved ones are understanding. I am the one who gets the most frustrated because I know how I once was able to function. Although I underwent cognitive testing 3 years ago and "passed" ok, I think that the result would be different now.

On a personal note, if I were writing here just for myself, the choice of topics and tone would be different. Please don't ever feel like you are alone in your experience. I enjoy reading your posts. Thank you for sharing and saying what many of us feel.

theresag79

6/ 2/09 11:25am

Thanks Lisa

tellnhelen

5/30/09 10:30pm

This problem may be creeping up of me as well..samll instances so far... I would like to suggest a couple of things that may help you stay mentally alert....Post more; I know you have opinions about some of the issues raised on this site. Believe it or not just the cognitive exercise of posting alone will help you. Second, get yourself a Sodoku book (or just look at them in the newspaper)...learn how to do it and then do it (It's not as difficult as you think).....Try out Ma Jong Tiles on MSN games (It's just a matching game..follow the rules).... basically I think you can slow this process by challenging yourself in mental but fun ways....I look foward to reading what ever you want to post about...In the mean time..Good Luck....May God Bless

theresag79

6/ 2/09 11:23am

tellnhellen,

thank you for your suggestions.

5/31/09 12:48am

I was having a lot of problems a few months ago and eventually was tested by a neuro-cognitive specialist who confirmed my problems. I can really relate.

I have a job where I am supposed to do research and formally present my findings to the group. Several of us analysts will sometimes work together on projects. I was unable to work up to par and didn't want to get into trouble so I took over responsibility for scheduling the meetings, getting coffee, printing documents, etc. This was work I could handle and still allowed me to remain productive and help the group. Maybe you can do something similar. If you just moved I'm sure there is a lot of cleaning and straightening up that needs to be done. Work on the easy (non-thinking) stuff for awhile.

Something else that I do is keep a small notebook handy. I make lists and jot down things to help my memory.

Remember to eat, drink water, and get plenty of sleep too. I suffer from depression and there's a strong connection between depression and cognitive problems. As described to me by one of the docs I see - We just don't have enough memory or brain power to handle everything. Depression and anxiety takes alot of the capacity away and doesn't leave us with much to work with. As mentioned above, it is really helpful to me to post here and either vent or just give some encouraging words to others. Knowing that others have the same problems is very helpful and works both ways when you post.

Prayer is always good, but sometimes I find myself praying selfish prayers or getting too negative. Step back and get your perspective sometimes.

Stay in touch,

theresag79

6/ 2/09 11:29am

Thankyou

I'm keeping busy, thats for sure. I have a lot of things that need to be unpacked and put away. The notebook idea is a good one...I'm going to use it...thanks

Cognitive Dysfunction

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