Hello

I just browsed in here from the chronic pain forum. Hope I'm not intruding. Most of the cognitive functions you complain of (listed below) are impaired by pain, too. And fatigue, hunger, sleep deprivation, low blood sugar, high blood salt (thirst), low electrolytes, high blood cortisol (stress), low B12, low iron, low or high body temperature... in short, imbalance in any homeostatic body system.

So, one of the things I do to clear my thinking, apart from taking modafinil, is make sure the demands of all my body's homeostatic systems are met. I sleep as much as I want (it's pretty much my first priority), eat healthy (low fat, low sugar) so I can eat whenever I want, and am never too hot or cold. To reduce stress I've cut back on the number of vexatious people in my life and replaced them with warm understanding supportive ones, and always leave myself plenty of time.

Doydie, that hug from your grandchild, apart from feeling so good, raises your pain threshold which improves these cognitive faculties - the "executive functions".

Tkrik
visual memory is shot
ability to grasp details waivers
calculation abilities are below average

Kitty
I find it's worse later in the day so fatigue has got to be playing a big part of it.

Snoopy
Yesterday was not a good day for me (tired, cog, running in slow motion)... Instead of putting people on hold I was putting the reciever back down without pushing hold first I was disconnecting them... On the other hand, I was doing the same thing last week without a problem...I hate when I have "off" days

FinLady
Can't tell ya how many times I forgot stuff in the washer recently. I have gotten into the habit of repeating aloud the chores I need to do.
paying attention to the road is hard

braingonebad
I think cog fog is just as complicated an issue as fatigue, with just as many causes and potential ways to ease it. Sounds like a good start, trying some supplements. After all, that can't hurt. And I notice if I keep my electrolyes balanced, my brain works a bit better. It's not great, but better. I always seem to need extra potasium.

kicker
I get overwhelmed by home tasks I once had no problems with, following directions (especially written assembly or complex computer stuff). Short Term Memory (STM) not very good but Long Term Memory (LTM) pretty good. I struggle with, but am not as good as, at organizational skills, but physical barriers contribute to this problem.

sabimax
memory issues without a dx makes it hard to explain... but I can always say I am deficit on the memory testing I had done years ago

doydie
But I'm fine as long as my Grandkids still love me!

Twinkletoes
I had to have DH reset my alarm clock so that it would ring in the a.m. instead of the p.m. I just couldn't figure out how to do it

Hi there ahcole, and welcome to the Stumble Inn. Please don't feel that you're intruding because we're a very friendly lot and welcome anyone from any forum.

May I say that I remember oh so well the days when I remembered everything ..........

I'd like to say that but it would be a fib.

I seem to forget more than I remember lately. I cannot remember simple words, and there are times where I can't remember what I was doing moments ago.

I've even forgotten my loved one's names and where they lived, or what their association to me was. For example I'd say to my hubby... the little boy, you know the one... the one we love most who lives down the road. That would be our only grandson.

2 years ago I had a high powered job, with people's lives in my hands. I could do many things at once. Now I have trouble remembering my own name let alone some-one else's. Now I'd be afraid of forgetting something important enough to put their life at risk. Now there are times where I think my memory is my worst enemy.

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.