I've got the typical MS cognative problems.....word recall, keeping up with multiple conversations, etc. But has anyone experienced physical problems related to cognative issues? Here's an example: When I was driving (I'm not now due to this episode of ON) I'd get to my destination and have to really think about the order in which to do things to exit my car. Put the car in park, turn off either the A/C or heater.....depending on the weather, turn the car off, put the emergency brake up, take the keys out of the ignition, gather up my cane, purse and anything else I was taking with me, open the door and get out. Seems simple enough, huh?

Well, I'd turn the radio ON, try to turn the car off before putting it in park, forget to set the emergency brake.......it's like I know what to do but the tasks get scrambled up in my head.

It's very aggravating, even when I'm alone but I did it once when DS was with me. He didn't need to say anything. The look on his face said it all.

Just wondering if I'm alone in my confusion or if others have similar issues. I hope you don't.....but it'd be nice to know I'm not alone.

I know whereof you speak
I do the same thing... It's the processing difficulties.trying to think of tasks in order sometimes is like looking at a bunch of puzzle pieces and not knowing where to begin...

Kelly, you are not alone in that one. I find that repetitive actions I have done for years, now require me to step through them slower and with more attention.

SO far the car I can handle... I think driving a stick shift for so long taught me to concentrate closer on my driving and car operations. It's stuff in the kitchen that has me worried. I no longer use my stove. Most of our meals are cooked in the NuWave oven which has a timer. In the bathroom, it is forgetting I just sprayed cleaner on the shower walls. The next person getting in the shower usually slips and slides around because the stuff is still on the floor! OH and leaving wet clothes in the washing machine until they stink to high heaven! I'm learning to use reminder timers!!

I am currently in the middle of a nice flare that includes a major cognitive dysfunction. I cant walk and chew gum at the same time. I have stopped driving when I am anywhere near a flare, because I wouldnt be able to trust to put it in gear, or park. I cant answer email, and hear the playing TV at the same time.

Long after my DH is in the house, I am still in the car, making sure the phone is unplugged, the Ipod is off, and in my bag, the GPS is off, and in my bag, I have picked up whatever I dragged with me, and so on. it takes me 10 times as long to do the simplest of tasks.

I hate this disease!

ugh...I feel for you Kel...I hate this particular thing.

I was once at an open house for my ds...probably four years ago. I
had to go to room 227...but when I looked at the signs, one said rooms
199-211 this way and the other 211-232 that way. I couldnt figure out
which way was 227.

So much for all the advanced math in my past.

hugs to you Kel...this stinks!

Thanks, ya'll. I hate it that all of you have to deal with this, too.

Sox, I know exactly what you mean. I can look at something and know that I should know what it says or understand what it means.....but I have to really concentrate and it still takes me a few seconds before I comprehend.

I was in the grocery store and saw a sign for the lottery. It said GA LOTTO. When I first looked at it I couldn't figure out what it said. It may as well have been written in cryptic letters. I kept looking at it.....trying to make sense of it.....and finally it just "took". I don't know why or how but it finally made sense to my brain. That was the scariest cognitive incident I've had since being dx.

If I walk away from it, it ceases to exist. Now, I try to stand by the door when I've let the dogs out. Too cold to forget them, out having a potty.

Oh, Brain, I can relate to this!! I put a pot of water on to boil to make sweet tea and totally forgot it! Wanna know what caused me to go back in the kitchen? The smell of a dry pot on a gas stove flame!

I have since gotten a LOUD timer that I set whenever I use the stove or oven. I use the timer on the stove, too, but it's not near as loud as the one that is portable.

Now my concern is that I will forget to set the timer!!

I have the house full of *Post-its* and a loud timer too. Since my hearing is not good do to constant ringing or hissing I have a hard time hearing the teapot too Kitty.

It whistles but I only hear it if in the room. If in the bathroom I don't even hear the phone. I used to hear things before the dog did, not anymore.

As for cognitive problems, they are awful when I relapse. Word recall, spelling and, I can't have multiple items making noise when I am trying to do things like my bill paying. I mess them up. The electric company could get a check meant for the gas company. Oh the fun!