When I would visit my doctor, I would say, "I'm not trying to brag, but I used to be a really smart person. Since this RSD came along, I am not anymore..... and I miss it."

I worked 13 years at the same hair salon and was considered "the brains" there. I was the top Colorist Consultant, for both my colleagues and the clients because I was a genius when it came to both math and science. I could look at a person and pop a guaranteed to work formula in a matter of seconds, and multi-task like crazy. Lots of times, I never even had to keep a record of a clients haircoloring formula because I had an AWESOME memory. All that changed after I had my car accident that changed the RSD. Both co-workers and clients became frustrated with me (let alone, me being frustrated myself) because I couldn't "pop" formulas out of my head like I used to. And my ability to multi-task went out the door! I went to working on 5-7 clients at once to snapping at people saying "I can only do one thing at a time" because if I didn't concentrate on what I was doing, I would FORGET what I was doing!!!

Also, you brought up a great point about this problem being from meds or RSD itself. I believe it is from a combination of both, or even from RSD or meds alone; my reasoning behind this thought is because I have gone on long periods of being on meds and long periods of being on NO meds.

Great post........ the problem with the short term memory is truly a hard, frustrating problem in my life and I really wish I could just accept it

Vanna