So, just a question for my MS friends out there. Okay, maybe more than one question. How do you handle memory issues when you are too young to blame it on aging and your children are offering to drive you places so they can feel better about everyone arriving safely?
I think that since I have had more time to dwell on this subject with summer school being over and real school not starting for a couple of weeks, I am more concerned about it. I have been trying to do at least part of a crossword puzzle every day, and maybe getting in some leisure reading. I cannot take the heat, and when I do I pay dearly with spasticity and tightness in my legs. Maybe that contributes to my cognitive issues as well. I guess my anxiety comes from lack of short term memory lately, like forgetting a verse I just read or what I was going to do after I brushed my teeth. (I did brush them, didn't I?) If someone out there has something reassuring to pass along to me, I'd sure appreciate it. I try to use my sense of humor to survive somedays, but today this just doesn't feel funny at all. My husband said to go to the store and get a pad of paper and write everything down. That's what he does. I am sure that would help if I could just find my car keys...
First off, you aren't alone! I am still officially in Limbo; but this was one of the many symptoms that attacked me first. I actually was tested and lost an official 30 points on my IQ. (Thank God it was 137 to begin with). I thought I was going crazy and I was only 39 at the time. I am 42 now and thank God (always) I have gotten some of it back. It does seem to get worse during exacerbations and ease up during remission; however, I have never gotten back to where I was.
Stress makes it worse for sure...keep finding the humor in it; it helps!
I was a farm girl and started driving at age 12; I was a natural and until this thing hit me, I was a very good driver. I still am ok; but there are times when I need to let my daughter drive for me...I just have a hard time staying between the lines. If she is not around; I don't drive at those times.
If one of your kids has a nintendo ds, get a game called Brain Age. My neurologist recommended it to help with cognition. When I started, my "brain age" was 83! I was able to get it down to 50 within a month of starting it. I need to start it up again; I haven't used it in a long while; but I've gotten enough cognition back to feel like myself again. I used to walk into the pantry for "something" and sit and stare until the shelves melted into each other before I realized I had walked in there to begin with.
Take care; and keep up your positive attitude...sorry that you had to wait so long for an answer! :)
Hey hollyk, better late than never I always say. Thanks so much for your comments. I do have a son with a DS so I will have to put it on my Christmas list! Heck, I don't think I am brave enough to take an IQ test so kudos to you.
I would agree that things are worse during an exacerbation. Since I am on Tysabri, my neurologist orders an MRI when my thinking gets discombobulated. When it comes back okay, I feel relieved, but then have to get through this valley before I can stay in the lines. Thank goodness, school has begun and I am in full (well sort of full) swing once again. Oh, and my 16 daughter always drives when we are together. I make her nervous.
Rock on 1968! (I am 42 and my wii fit age is 68:( I think I look pretty good for a senior citizen. Thanks again for sharing!