Cognitive Function Hot Button

Mandy,

Have you ever undergone any neuropsychological testing?  I did once when I was complaining about having more difficulty with my mental abilities.

Here's a rundown of the shortened (90-minute version) neuropsychological evaluation testing which can give a little indication whether someone with MS is loosing function, or not.

Cognitive Function, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neuropsychology

You inspired me!!  Thanks.

You did a wonderful job, as usual, in describing the areas of loss I have been experiencing over the past few years, "Looking into the matter further, I learned that cognitive function as it relates to MS has to do with memory retrieval; organizing and planning; focusing and concentration; language skills; and visual perception."  

A neurologist I saw for a few years did an EEG and said she saw changes in the brain waves of the area of my brain that controls the "executive functions," which include the functions on your list.  One way I am affected is in being organized and getting out the door. And of course I don't always do things to help myself.  For some reason I insist on changing bags to match my outfit.  Go figure!  I have reduced the changes to just black or brown, rather than the bags I have collected over the years and just like, but I am sure Manhattan would not close if carried a black bag and wore brown shoes.  And who notices anyway? It's in the basket of my blue scooter.  Wait, does that mean I should have a blue bag?  I must have 25 pocketbooks up in the top of my coat closet and refuse to send them to the thrift store as did so many of my suits and high heel shoes. Could it be my last attempt to remain fashionable?  Am I waiting for the day that I can quick change pocketbooks and run out the door sure I have all I need and ready for all possibilities?

I've already written about my speech, vision and reading problems in other posts, but I thought I would share the getting out the door dilemma with you.  I realize it isn't that big a problem and I am making light of it here, but it does worry me.  How bad will my ability to organize, to speak the appropriate words, to read, to see, to live independently get?  And how long will it take?  I don't sit and fixate on these questions but as your post said, it would be foolish to ignore them altogether.

Have a good day!