Most of time is spent at home now. I'm dangerous at work and it wouldn't be fair of me to be looking after others with half a brain in operation.
i was trying to name the shelter thing out the side of the house where the pool is and we can fit the car into... ummm... that would be the car port then.

I've said it before though. i find it quite liberating at times. i'm no longer in charge. and i no longer have to remember everything for the two of us. i have the perfect excuse.

Hi Koala and Pud's friend. I've just done a bit of cruising around the MS area and it seems fatigue and cognitive problems are the most complained-of symptoms for you guys as it is for us chronic pain folks (after pain).

The cognitive deficits in both communities include,

• forgetting why I just walked into the kitchen, what it was I was in the middle of saying, what I wrote at the beginning of this post, etc.
• difficulty concentrating
• difficulty overriding habitual, impulsive behaviour.

But there are many more complaints here about groping for a word than you will find in the chronic pain posts and there are some complaints about lack of self-discipline and poorer ability to calm one's emotions among the chronic pain people but none here. You guys may be a lot less neurotic than us! (But we are fluent with our ranting and whinging)

Do MS patients routinely get regular neuropsychological testing?

Anthony
In the Dome Café

Marshmallow head is the worst. It is my biggest fear, because sometimes I feel like I'm crazy. I have a weird issue with keeping track of money on my wallet: I see money that isn't there. I've come to understand I'm remembering a previous time of having a $10 bill in there. I don't know if that makes sense. It is so unnerving. Mis-remembering is almost worse than not remembering at all.

My cog fog really kicks in when I'm stressed, my memory short circuits, I get nervous about losing my job for it. I work in a law office I can't make mistakes or forget things. Toss in PMS or some other stressor and I'm about ready to flip out.

I have trouble coping with this one. If I had to take a less stressful, demanding , and therfore, lower paying job, I'd feel I'd let my family down. I haven't been tested yet, but sometimes I'm not sure I want to see any "evidence" of serious problems.

Hi Ahcole! You are not intruding at all. You brought up some very valid points. Adequate rest, nutrition, and managing stress can help everyone.

Cognitive issues for many of us MSers has a lot to do with the lesions in our brains and the location of the lesion. Additionally, at least for me, the issues come and go just like my other MS symptoms.

Fatigue is also a contributing factor. Our bodies and brains have to work harder in order to function. For me, the fatigue feels like I am coming down with a bad cold and all I want to do is lay down and go to sleep. This is a daily occurrence.

Pain certainly effects cognitive issues as well. When in pain it is harder for people to focus and concentrate. Once the pain is under control, things clear up.

Not all MSers get the neuropsych testing. However, there are advantages to having it done as there are ways to compensate for the issues we have, usually through a speech therapist.

I have to say that I got my results back and I am so, so pleased. Despite some impairments, I did well overall and have made some improvements since my initial testing in 2006. Somewhere along the line I have repaired, rewired, or have naturally learned to compensate for loses. For instance, my right hand (dominant) is severely impaired. I would have never known that as it functions fine. However, I definitely noticed it during the testing (dexterity). I have learned to compensate, unconsciously, and really have to work my brain to get things accomplished in my daily life.