I don't notice myself doing this as much as my wife does. If I'm tired, I stare off thinking of pretty much nothing. Heck if I can do that intentionally as my mind goes a mile a min. It's like saying don't think of butterflies. The moment I try not to think about something I am thinking of nothing but the taboo thoughts.

However, my wife keeps catching me with a vacant stare (far more often when I'm tired). What's more, she says it's happening ever more often. So...she had me promise I would ask if anyone else does this more with MS than they did before.

Anybody else finding themselves taking more time to contimplate the nature of the universe in really, really general terms (my euphimism for staring off)?

posted on MSworld too...hope that's not taboo

Yes, yes, yes. I like to put a positive spin on it, and say I am able to meditate now and keep my mind clear. Unfortunately, I'm not meditating so much as sleeping standing up with my eyes open.

I've been doing this for about three years, and has noticeably increased the past year. Of course, it could be caused by other things: peri-menopause, medication side effects, but I think its MS.

Sometimes we just have to stop and rest our weary brains a bit. At least I know I do. Sometimes I get "sensory overload" and have to just take a mental break and regroup.

When my husband had his stent put in, he became withdrawn and a little depressed. He would get 'lost in thought' and I'd have to poke him to get his attention. He's better now, but still gets distracted occasionally.

I think that a major illness or trauma in your life can cause this, and it's basically the brain processing new information about your health. It can be tough to absorb! It's okay to be a little depressed about it - that's normal. Just don't let yourself get into a vicious circle of depression.

When I'm fatigued, I just lie down! On the couch, usually. Then it's pretty obvious that I'm tired.

Staring into space used to be called just plain ole daydreaming. I think we all have suffered from it at one time or another. I would suspect most of us daydream, or if you prefer, stare into space, at one time or another.

Guilty as charged. It's not unusual for my DH and I to be watching TV and he'll ask me what a character has said and when I don't respond, he looks over to find me "zoning out". He usually snaps his fingers to bring me back to reality. LOL It happens a lot more for me when I'm tired. I am even able to do this at my lunch break while looking like I'm reading the paper as I did today. hehe My co-workers probably think I'm a slow reader or something as long as it takes me to "read" a section of the newspaper sometimes.

I think mine is more like Kelly's - sensory overload and I just have to take a break for a moment.

Well, first of all let me say how sorry I am for anything you are going through and hope you get relief and soon.

But just recently I mentioned that to my Neuro and he had me see another neuro in his office who specializes in seizures and sleep disorders. The inside of my head would shake too whenever I was falling asleep or when I was already asleep.

So he does another EEG it was ok. Did a sleep study and yes, I have a mild case of sleep apnea BUT...what he really thinks its part of narcolepsy. Seems when we dont sleep well enough at night, or..when we dont get enough oxygen, we "Make up" for it by taking moments during the day or micro sleeping which looks like we're dazing off. I will see him next week to verify his thoughts as a possible DX.

ASK your doc, just in case you are having a lack of oxygen or any other kind of symptoms. My MS neuro missed this for years.

Good luck, let us know!!

Jan

OK... my turn.
When the MS snuck up on me, my neuro did a EEG (?)... (the test with all the wires stuck to your head... like William Hurt in Altered States).

Anyway, turns out I had a mild form of epilepsy. As soon as he started quizzing me on it, I remembered times when someone had to 'snap' me out of it. And feeling like I was suddenly hypnotized or stoned.

But that's just me...

The thousand yard stare. I used to get it playing vidoe games too much now that those are a no no I think at work I get it from looking at the monitor too long. In my office it's probably unnoticed but I'll snap out of it and sometimes it's been 5 minutes or so. At home it's hard to say I think I tend to close my eyes and drift off more than I used to though I don't really fall asleep. It's funny though, I even stop hearing the tube. Generally I think it's my melon saying "break time" we'll get back to you shortly.

I do this too, and I really enjoy it. I have everyone close to me trained to not talk to me when I zone out like that because I find it so pleasurable and relaxing.

Usually I am staring at something inadament, but there are probably times that I inadvertantly stare at a person or situation.

I'm not sure if this is normal, or at least MS-normal, but I have never worried about it as a medical problem. Perhaps I should though.

Cherie