Posted by DesertFlower:
Jana,
I have this too, the forgetting of words and names. I have always had a great memory...remembering almost every word, every event in the past, with an exactness that surprised even me. Not now with MG, now I remember things but not in exact words, just a general meaning. I hate it when I can't think of words when I am talking to someone, this happens quite often. Usually I remember the word I wanted to use but it is later in the day or even the next day, long after my opportunity to say it.

Now that I think about it, this word memory loss started about 4 years before I got MG. I wonder if it is MG related. It makes me sad to think that it is. I was hoping it was from stress and that it would go away. I suppose that stress, injury or sickness can cause memory problems as well as contribute to getting MG, so they might be indirectly related. My word memory problems started directly after a traumatic event in 2004 so I thought that was the cause.

What can we do to improve our memory? This really scares me, I feel like I am losing myself.



Quote:
Originally Posted by jana
When some of the other MGers first started talking about this, let me tell you that I FREAKED!! I am known as the "brain" in my family -- not that I am that smart -- that is just my "role". (I'd rather be the "pretty one", but my sister has that cornered -- LOL.) I was losing my physical strength, my ability to talk, I had already lost my ability to work -- now I was going to lose my ability to THINK?!?!?!? Well, so far, mine ONLY seems related to words and names. I do "lose" them -- especially when I am tired or need another Mesty. But, I have NOT (knock wood) noticed any lag in my math or logic skills. So, I feel OK about the situation. It is INCONVENIENT -- and perturbing -- but, certainly something that is not all that uncommon with "normal" people. When I was still working, people who were NOT ill were constantly coming to me asking for names or using me as a living thesarus.

Here is a link with some info:
http://www.docguide.com/dg.nsf/Print...2569F50071AAB8

I simply do not know enough about the brain or about chemistry. I wonder if the "location" of words in our brains has something to do with the problem -- or the chemicals needed to "process" words/names??

ANYONE??

I can still measure and build things -- and figure out Algebra problems. I could NOT help my niece with her college Calculus this weekend -- BUT, it has been more than THIRTY years since my last Calculus course, so I think that is certainly excusable -- LOL!!

I can still figure out the shortest routes to get places -- my mapping skills are intact.

All of this is a mystery. Why SOME parts of the brain seem to be affected -- while others are untouched??

I know that acetylcholine is lacking in Alzheimer's patients -- and Mestinon helps us KEEP acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction -- but, beyond that????????

Now that you mentioned it I have had constant "brain farts". I always thought that it was my oxygen saturation levels but lately it has been getting worse while my oxygen sats are fine. It has even gotten to the point were I would get to a room and forget why I am there, lol.

Jana,

thanks for starting new thread!

And I agree totally with Alice about that research paper.

On brain fog: I think it can be related to degree of stress and fatigue - not just the chemical reactions in the body. And I think a certain 'dullness' begins to creep in when oxygen levels get challenged.

What I was experiencing wasn't a fog or an inability to think a word, but rather not being able to get the word from my brain to my mouth and out into the room!

Almost like somebody punched the pause button!...and everything just stops for a bit.

Probably doesn't make much sense - but that's the only way I can describe it.

Sue

Here is a web site about memory loss that I find useful:

http://www.answers.com/topic/memory-loss-1

Jana, I can be going along talking and . . . what was I saying?

There are LOTS of things you can do to get your brain happier. That stupid thing that doctors said Rachel had, called cortical plasticity? It is actually good to try to maintain your brain plasticity!!! Or think of it as a flexible brain.

http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2007...lasticity-pbs/

PBS has had some great shows on how to both understand and improve brain function. Creativity is one of them. Nicky, reducing stress is another.

There probably is some physical (NOT psychosomatic) reason for why a lack of acetylcholine makes you less able to think clearly. I'm not smart enough to lay that one out.

I know what you mean, Jana, if I lost my ability to be creative and think well, I would go nuts like you. Or if I lost my eyesight. I've had a lot of things "taken" from me due to this disease but that would be the worst. Good post!

Annie

I want to add to this discussion that although I do have loss of words I DO think for me it is because of stress and trauma. I don't think it is because of MG. I have been reading about it and thinking and have concluded that those doctors are wrong about the connection to MG and memory loss. MG does not cause memory loss in my opinion-although the stress from MG may.

You can always improve your memory by learning and using your brain. Don't let the depression or stress bring you down to the point of not doing anything, that is when the memory losses occur.

Well its nice to know I'm not the only one who has brain problems.
When I was first diagnosed I remember forgetting things, mainly the names of things. I was sitting talking to my boss, looking at a mug, thinking "I can't remember what that thing is called, I know what it is and what its for, but no idea what its called" Kinda freaked me out. I also forgot where I had been working for the last few years, no idea where it was, but I knew if I kept driving, I would find it, that really freaked me out.

Now if I have a brain freeze, I just go with the flow, the people I love and know, promt me or just smile, people I don't look at me like I've got problems, but I know better.
Kate

Hey guys,

Another possible cause of brain fog is sleep apnea, which is common for people with MG. Irritability, morning headaches, feeling unrested, and cognitive difficulties are some common symptoms.

Hello my Jana friend..
You know, I noticed my memory for words when my MG symptoms started. I was, I don't know, afraid, embarrassed to say anything to my doctor, or those around me. And then, when I went to the MD clinic, they told me, it was very common for MG'ers, or those with Neuro muscular diseases to have this problem. So, then I asked all kinds of questions. And I was told that many, not all of their MG patients seemed to have this problem as well.
I felt so relieved, cause I was thinking Alzheimer. I have noticed that being on Prednisone has helped it.
I can't help but to also think that there might be a co-existing autoimmune that goes along with MG, that has not been discovered yet. It's something I've wondered about for a long time.
Sometimes, I have to visualize the object, and see the name, and then say it. It's so odd.
Love Lizzie