WOW Dave~ Interesting and informative! I can relate to some of what you said and think I should try and slow down when I'm trying to remember things, so I process my thoughts better.

I'm like RW and have taken to making myself many notes. Now, if I could just remember where I put those notes.

Thanks for your input; it's helpful..

Dave, welcome to NT.

I also like what you said about slowing your thoughts down, and I will try it.

At my last neuro exam, he asked me to hold my hands out and count backwards from 100 by 8's. I told him I couldn't do it, and I couldn't once I got out of the 90's. So, then he asked me to count backwards by 10's. Okay, that was pretty easy.

I'm fortunate in that my family has lots of patience with me when my thought processes are slow. Although if I give my dog the wrong command, he sometimes just stands there and stares at me. Poor baby!

RW, I liked what you said about doing things a different way instead of running into the wall again and again.

I just get so frustrated with this cog fog and I know everyone else does, too. I used to be a medical transcriptionist and by the time I had to quit transcribing, among other things I was having a very hard time remembering most of what I needed to know. And, I loved my job.

I'm like Sally. I do things like Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, memory games, and such. I think that helps, at least a little bit.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. This is a really great, productive site. Think I'm going to pitch my tent under that tree there. Hope my solar powered camp fire does'nt scare anyone.

Now then, you all have great ideas on how to keep your brain active. Some I knew about, but others I'll have to try, assuming I remember.

You know, there is one thing we can do that no one has mentioned. I think it is because if we use it, we then have to admit that is a problem in this area. That is, when you realize you are having a cognition problem, simply admit it to whom ever you are talking with. If they are new to MS, then briefly explain the problem and assure them that everything is fine, it will just take time to recover. I do it all the time, and it really gets easier each time I do that. Sometimes my audience can clue me back in, other times we will simply take a break and crack jokes. But admitting there is a problem, calmly without getting angry or embarrassed, will greatly improve the situation possibly allowing you to get back on trac. The thing is, remain calm. Cognition is not painful at least, and there are things that can be done to overcome it.

MSDave

I notice (from time to time) that I have trouble recalling words. I know what I'm trying to say....just cannot find the correct words. Usually I'll start a sentence then stop mid-sentence because the word I'm looking for escapes me. My son or whoever I'm talking to will usually step in with the correct word and I can finish my thought. Usually it's just a simple word, like "garage" or the name of a TV show or actor. It's very frustrating.

I've also found that I will put things away or look for things in the incorrect spot....like finding the flashlight in the fridge or looking for the juice in the dishwasher !!

I don't do this all the time but it seems like it all converges on me at once. Then, I'm OK for a period of time.

It's scary when it's happening....but at least I know I'm doing something incorrectly and I don't continue to look for the juice in the dishwasher!!

What you are describing is something called "Verbal fluency," and it more often than not shows up as what is known as "tip-of-the-tongue" phenomenon. As the phrase, and you described, the word, even though it is a simple one you have used all your life, is on the tip of your tongue and try as you might, it simply will not come out. The way to deal with it.... well you are already doing one of the best things - get it out in the open and discuss it with others who are in the same boat. That way we can all forget what the problem is together. No, the idea is to compare notes and strategies on how others deal/cope with the problem. By so doing, you realize you are not alone in this, and knowing that helps you calm down a little and relax. Again, sharing with those you are talking with, also removes the angst, and thus the stress. Sometimes, this act alone will produce the word you are looking for. If not? Let it go and it will pop up later..... like 2 in the morning.

MSDave

One thing I forgot, in all of this, there is no competition; no "well my cognition is worse than your's," or "I have dealt with this longer than you, so I know better...." We are all on the same ship, going the same direction. This ship is a working one, and as such, it takes all of us working together to make the ship head into calmer waters.. Hmmmm Not bad for an guy who wasn't in the Navy. (I was in the Army, a much better... op's, bragging.

Dave, I was an RN before all this MS thing came along. I guess my favorite thing about being an RN was to educate. So I don't mind at all tellling whoever I am talking to that my inability to find my words is due to MS. Usually when I tell them waht word comes to my brain and what the concept is we will work it out. This may be a salesperson, or the drywaller that is doing my family room right now. I definetely am not one to keep my MS a secret. It is my duty to educate people about MS. I know what misconception I had about it when I was first told I had it.

Also my level of frustration, fatigue. noise level, etc really affects this mind fog. I just call it sensory overload. I can go back to reading posts for ,say six weeks ago when I was so frustrated with our contractor. My posts were short and not a whole lot of insight available to my brain. I am now relaxed and I think better.