Any others with RSD have memory/ concentration problems?
 

Anyone else have problems concentrating or remembering things?

It has gotten really hard for me to concentrate, and read/ understand some things... math is hard, I get so lost with things... I also can't remember stuff as well. Anyone else?

Thanks.

yep

unfortunatly - it sucks and seems to be a large part of the disease - from what I understand it's because of disruption in the limbic system which causes difficulty with memory/ concentration AND THEN you add the pain to it and it just insane. Oh and then add the meds!!!!

I also empathise on the blankets eating your legs.... hate it hate it hate it hate ite hate it.

Grrrrrr

hope things improve - I find I write everything down.. and have post it notes everywhere, also my carers make a list of everything to achieve each day so that I can try and stay focused on what I am supposed to be doing. I find that setting a couple of minutes apart each day to organise does help with the memory thing. Have you tried using mnemonics ? sometimes helps?

Take Care!

Rosie xxxxx

*raises hand* Oh me, me, me!!! LOL I've got big time memory problems and I hate it!!! I used to have a good memory and now I mostly forget things, sometimes right after they're said! Note writing for myself is a hit or miss. I'll make a list and then the list goes missing and i forget anyway! LOL I just make an effort to remember to do something and if I forget, oh well.

The worst part, at least for me, is forgetting words. I'm talking to the hubby and forget, right in the middle of the convo what the heck I was talking about. Or I can't think of the word for something and I know what it is. Hubby has gotten good at knowing what I mean or guessing what it is I want. I either point or name the color of the thing I want. It's very frustrating and makes me cry sometimes as well. I've written most of my life and though I haven't written a best selling novel or anything, I've always labeled myself a writer. Written lots of poems over the years as well. It's hard because of that for me because I've always prided myself on being so eloquent and now it just doesn't come out that way at times. I'm adjusting and as long as I don't completely loose my mind........oh wait.......my mind ran off a long time ago so too late! :p

You're not alone in this! I read some medical article that talked about how pain affects the mind, as frogga said. Your brain gets so involved with processing the pain signals that it's hard to leave room for anything else and as a consequence leads to forgetfullness. So true! Those little neurons in there firing away, screaming fire! fire! and here we're trying to think of what the heck that contraption is that keeps food cold is! Oh right, refrigerator! LOLOL

On a bit of a sassy tear today. I'll go now.......*exit stage left* OW! Dang table.........*mumbles to self as I leave the room*

Hugs,
Karen

Dear IHH -

Hi there. I am sorry to hear of your report of memory/concentration problems. I understand how frustrating that can be. Over the past few years, on this board and its predecessor, I've posted versions of this information a few times, but it doesn't hurt to repeat it again, hopefully in a streamlined version.

First of all, you have to be sure that the issue doesn't lie with the medications you're on. I know this to be an issue with two of the meds that I’m currently taking, Baclofen and Neurontin. However, because I am no longer working, it's an irritation I am willing to put up with in the name of pain relief.

That said, there is however, a substantial body of evidence that show's the chronic pain alone can lead to the loss of gray matter in the brain. Please see, "Chronic Back Pain Is Associated with Decreased Prefrontal and Thalamic Gray Matter Density," A. Vania Apkarian, et al, The Journal of Neuroscience, November 17, 2004 • 24(46):10410 –10415. The abstract of the article is as follows:

The role of the brain in chronic pain conditions remains speculative. We compared brain morphology of 26 chronic back pain (CBP) patients to matched control subjects, using magnetic resonance imaging brain scan data and automated analysis techniques. CBP patients were divided into neuropathic, exhibiting pain because of sciatic nerve damage, and non-neuropathic groups. Pain-related characteristics were correlated to morphometric measures. Neocortical gray matter volume was compared after skull normalization. Patients with CBP showed 5–11% less neocortical gray matter volume than control subjects. The magnitude of this decrease is equivalent to the gray matter volume lost in 10 –20 years of normal aging. The decreased volume was related to pain duration, indicating a 1.3 cm3 loss of gray matter for every year of chronic pain. Regional gray matter density in 17 CBP patients was compared with matched controls using voxel-based morphometry and nonparametric statistics. Gray matter density was reduced in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and right thalamus and was strongly related to pain characteristics in a pattern distinct for neuropathic and non-neuropathic CBP. Our results imply that CBP is accompanied by brain atrophy and suggest that the pathophysiology of chronic pain includes thalamocortical processes.

For a free, full text copy of the article, click here: http://www.jneurosci.org/cgi/content/full/24/46/10410

The tie-in piece to RSD/CRPS is “Decreased Levels of N-Acetylaspartate in Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex in a Case of Intractable Severe Sympathetically Mediated Chronic Pain (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, Type I),” Igor D. Grachev, et al, Brain and Cognition, Vol. 49, Issue 1, June 2002, Pages 102-113. And the abstract of the article is as follows:

In our previous in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H MRS) study we found reduced levels of N-acetylaspartate in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of chronic back pain patients. This study tests whether these chemical abnormalities can be detected in other pain states. Using H MRS, we measured levels for N-acetylaspartate and other identifiable chemicals relative to creatine in four bilateral brain regions, including dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, and thalamus, in a case of intractable severe sympathetically mediated chronic pain [complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) type I]. The subject's chemical variations in the brain were compared to the same regional chemicals in 10 normal subjects (age- and sex-matched). Univariate statistics showed reduced levels of N-acetylaspartate in bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and increased levels of myo-inositol in left orbitofrontal cortex of the patient with intractable severe CRPS type I. These data support our original hypothesis that depletion of N-acetylaspartate in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex is a chemical marker of chronic pain, indicating for neuronal degeneration. Unpredicted changes of orbitofrontal myo-inositol may be related to the specific mood/affective state in an extreme pain perception. This is the first report, which identifies chemical markers in the prefrontal cortex for objective measurement and monitoring of CRPS type I. This information might lead to valuable insights into diagnosis and future effective interventions of CRPS type I (e.g., prefrontal brain stimulation).

A copy of the Grachev article is attached to this posting.

For this reason, my doctors put me on Namenda (mementine), a so-called NMDA receptor antagonist – like ketamine – that was approved by the FDA roughly three years ago for the treatment of mild to moderate cases of Alzheimer's disease. I now take 30 mg. a day, along with all of my other medications. While it isn't perfect, I can tell the difference in terms of my conversational abilities and the like, on the days in which I miss taking the meds in my haste to get out of the door in the morning, where I still drive kids to school 5 days a week. Importantly, I am not personally aware of any negative side-effects from the Namenda.

I hope this is helpful to you, and at the same time is not too overwhelming. You may wish to discuss these articles with your physician. I remember that Apkarian piece generated a sensational amount of attention when it came out a couple of years ago.

Good luck.

Mike

I hate the convo stuff - it makes me sound so dim! well.. it's sorta green and red but not really and it's sometimes gold and spiky...... (anyone guessed yet)
Over the last year or two I have developed a tonal language that mum and the carers can understand (And some mates) - esp in the morning when my tablets haven't kicked in so the pain is unbearable and i can't really talk very well..)

I sound like the soup dragon off the clangers!

do you get patches when you can't reember what happened? I have lost an entire year to that (when I was 17) and still get it sometimes where I find I have an hours block where I don't know what happened - very weird!

bizzarely ketamine hasn't helped me - maybe that's cos my brain is like a colander anyway without adding meds etc!

take care

rosie xxxxxx

I think the memory problems are horrible. I didn't know wheather it came from the RSD, Fibro, or Depression.

Since Bill passed, I have to take care of the bills and I have already forgotten to pay some. I am trying to decide wheather to turn them all over to Susan to take care of along with my check or keep trying to do it myself.

I use to be really good in Math. That's a joke anymore. I was just telling Susan I need to get a calculator so when I go buy groceries I don't go over my budget. I use to be able to almost figure to the penny how much I was spending.

I forget what day it is. I forget appointments. It's just unbelieveable how much these diseases suck out of us.

You are definately not alone in this.

Ada

I don't have RSD but TOS instead- same problems - not as much now that my symptoms have calmed - but during the worst of it --YES !!:eek:
I thought I was getting Alzheimer's, ADD , couldn't think of or say the words I wanted to say.
Forget about crowds and following conversations - :eek:

hits home
 

I freaked after I recited grace at the table.My kids thought I had lost
my mind.I put it together but it missed some parts.They thought this was funny.I just went along with the kidding. Later the tears poored.
You know kids if there is a crack to fill they fill it.:confused:
siccy

I can't remember hardly anything when I have problems with RSD. I search for a word that I can't think of. I can't pay attention in school or do tests very well. My teachers are awesome though, and they totally understand when I can't do work.

memory
 

I think I have developed serious ADD- Word finding difficulties and memory problems

We joke about it but it is really frustrating!

Debbie

Thank you, Rosie!! :hug:

What are mnemonics? :confused:

I wonder if it is the RSD doing this to me, or the meds??? :confused: Maybe both?

Mike, thanks for the info- very informative. I appreciate that. I hadn't read it before.

Thanks for the support and experiences, everyone!:) You are much apreciated. :grouphug:

My friend gave me a great little notebook for Christmas so that I could remember my days/ life!! It's called Me! A Personal Journal, from the Write It Down series. By www.JournalsUnlimited.com
Another good tool for the memory slippage is by DayTimers Inc. They've just created a calendar pak for Brain Injury recovery that looks so wonderful it made me drool!! I'm sure it would be terrific for people with memory and concentration decline. it has color coded tags and a helper pak too.

One long stuttering apology?!
 

This is the worst and most distressing part of RSD for me and I am not adjusting to it well at all - it just got very bad very quickly for me over the past year. I often find I'm unable to follow conversations and seem to have lost a lot of logical processing and if i start to get upset it gets even worse - it's like my adrenalin goes into complete overdrive and every fire alarm in my body starts to ring.

Anyone have problems with speech - stuttering? I find that when my brain is in overdrive trying to deal with the pain, i start to stutter a lot, or just get stuck and can't talk at all. Suggestions for communication systems to help with this?!

Most people don't seem to understand this is due to RSD so it's 'good' to see others having the same issues - it's so hard to explain it to other people and I know some can't understand that because I'm in pain my brain gets stuck - that doesn't make sense to them! But the worst part is hurting even the people I know DO understand it - by misunderstanding or forgetting or seeming like I'm not paying attention or over-reacting - because even though they do know it's my RSD, sometimes it's hard even for them to see the real me underneath the way my brain is acting right then.

<sigh> sometimes it feels like living with RSD is a constant set of apologies to the people you love

Ummmm,

I forgot what I was going to say.

Nevermind...Vic

I have trouble sitting still or standing to have conversations with people also. My pain level gets out of control and I have to leave the conversation or start popping meds in front of whoever I'm talking too.

Everybody keeps telling me not to beat myself up or the things I do but I can't help it. I was never so messed up until I got the RSD and Fibro.

All of you that have good mates to help you through this need to let them know how much they are appreciated. I think about that now with Bill. He put up with be being sick since 87 and waited on me hand and foot. I did spoil him too so I don't feel guilty about any of that but I tell you what now that I look back I wonder how in the world he put up with me.
Ada

I was going to say also about my memory and not knowing the right words to use, what's good is I now have everyone trained around me to finish my sentences for me, even my PCP. I always thought I never made any sense but now I know that I must make a little sense at times or they couldn't fill in the blanks for me. LOL

Forgetting
 

Yes!

What was I saying LOL

I walk into rooms and forget why I went there... I mix words up all the time and say up when I mean down and such. Also, I totally forget what I am saying. CRPS, what a wonderful thing!

Rain :D

I honestly didnt know this whole memory thing was in correlation with my rsd!!

this thread may have honestly just saved my life!!!!

i can't remember anything for the life of me. Nothing. And its frustrating and often times verrrry embarrasing. When i was younger (elementary/middle school) i had a mind like a steel trap. I never studied for anything because if the teacher mentioned it in notes i would just be able to remember it and could easily recall it on a test. Not so much anymore. I cant remember what the teacher says long enough to write it down in my notebook, let alone what she said two weeks ago!

i also cant do math worth a darn. I used to be pretty good, i got all As in my math classes til the second semester of my sophmore year. Funnily enough, i didnt develop RSD till the second semester of my sophmore year. Crazy, eh?
I wish i would have known about this being RSD related earlier because i ALWAYS got yelled at by my last math teacher because i honestly couldnt remember what he just talked about. He would show me a problem and i couldnt for the life of me tell him how he did it. Even if he had explained it less than a minute ago. I felt soooooo stupid. I can never remember anything anymore and it drives me crazy. Thankfully i passed the class (with a C-...) and now im done with math until college. yay!

I lose chunks of my day too. I cant remember what i did saturday night. At all. I dont know if i went out, i dont know if i stayed in, i dont know where i was. Thats very scary.

I find it kinda humorous though, because me being in High school, i know my fair share of partiers. They'll come to school Monday morning and ill hear the typical "Did i see you this weekend, i was soooooo trashed i cant remember where i was or who i was with!!!" And i laugh to myself because i have to say those same things, except i didnt have a drop of alcohol hahahah! I dont need to drink, i have rsd!

i stutter a lot now too. my friend (with benefits i guess...) is always teasing because of it. And the fact that i cant ever remeber what we were just talking about. If there is any sort of pause in the conversation i cant recall what we were talking about. And finding the right words... oh wow. This is how i explained a toothbrush to someone yesterday.
"its one of those things, you know, with the spikes, for your mouth, in the morning, with the spikes"
i generally just get blank stares and a few "do you do a lot of pot?"

i honestly thought i was the only person in the world with those problems
im kinda happier now!!!

anna

Hi Anna,

It's good to see that learning that some of your problems may be related to RSD; and you're not the first to wonder what is going on in your brain and whether you might be losing it. But that isn't the end of the story; at least I hope not.

RSD will not be incurable forever: at the least, we can expect the future to bring better and longer periods of remission, perhaps a continuing series of treatments to be repeated as necessary so our lives can continue uninterrupted by symptoms.

Meanwhile, you don't have to keep having major memory or speech problems. You can't do much against the RSD, but later onset stuttering is often easily overcome.

My career in social work began at a rehab hospital that focused on brain injuries (trauma, stroke, etc), where speech, processing and memory were severely impaired, and I had the opportunity to see for myself how speech/inhalation therapy could help patients with moderately severe brain damage overcome stuttering. Your type of stuttering is mild in comparison and most likely easily treatable.

You don't need barriers to social interaction compounding the social isolation imposed by physical limitations, and I hope you and your parents will start looking for a speech therapist who will help you solve this problem. The sooner the better: stuttering quickly becomes a habit, and habits are more easily broken sooner rather than later.

Occupational therapy can help you find ways to improve your memory. Not many people can tell you what O/Ts do, and so may never consider the possibility that one could help them. I don't know exactly what they do or how they do it, but my patient's cognitive scores increased after seeing them, and that impressed the Hell out of me.

I don't care if they dance around half-naked chanting ancient Hindu mantras, whatever they do helped brain injured patients remember things better (they helped in other areas too).

You have a future, and that future will be much brighter if you do things now to overcome these two problem areas in your life. I hope you and your parents will look into what can be done today to make tomorrow better...Vic

Chronic pain and exhaustion is going to make people stutter, lose concentration etc - try getting someone that's just run a marathon to talk to you in a concentrated way - alll they can think of is finding somewhere to collapse - you will often see that they are repating the same things again and again and not taking in what you're saying. They may also mess up words and confuse ideas.

what we live with every day is a marathon and more - I am exhausted before I get out of bed, and so sore I can't think. Mornings for me are not for speaking, I can't get the words out. I am lucky that my mum, carers and some mates can tell my soup dragon communication and understand it. (It is amazing how much you can transmit through "mmm" "meeerr", facial expressions and eyes...

Even when my brain has woken communication can still be hard, I miss words from sentences, mangle them together and get myself totally confused, I miss words when I'm re-reading or re-read the same sentence 10 times. Sometimes I just don't talk because I just get it all wrong and it can get really embarrasing... or when the words come out upside down. However, I have a diagnosis of dysphasia which I guess explains it all. For me it is worst in the morning and late at night... I think most of it is related to pain and dystonia.

Sleep deprivation can also affect speech and concentration--> if you don't sleep you will have a poorer memory and isues with sleep. Look at new mothers... as they develop the insomnia generally related to babies they lose their ability to remeber information, tell people that they are foggy, confused, and that time just dissapears - like you Anna I find that I miss patches of the day - but I find mine are linked with pain.

Interesting though.....

Unfortunatly examiners don't give you extra consideration for having no memory!

Rxxxxxxxxxxxxx

I forgot
 

I couldnt remember if I responded to this post (which I did already) I am a speech pathologist and I work with many people with Memory and Cognitive impairments! Its getting tougher though with this ADD thing creeping in- I have a hard time- The OTs I have worked with do not work on memory- the speech therapist help by using compensatory strategies (ie, keeping a calender, journal etc-) I really dont think there is a way to improve memory but if patients have an injury that is resolving they may see improved memory (not like us)...

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

In the period following my arm break, I was sent to OT as well as PT. They did indeed work on memory (serious memory testing with cards and stuff), it was all very interesting - I was extremely impressed with the range of challenges they were working on, and in truth I hadn't a clue before I went there quite what they did, apart from teach you to relearn specific motor/physical skills if you were in rehabilitation.

It was through the OT experience that I discovered I responded much better on a lower dose of neurontin than was being prescribed at the time, and my memory scores improved significantly once I'd had the dose adjusted.

Anyway, this is what Wikipedia says about OT:

"Interventions used by occupational therapists to achieve greater independence by clients include rehabilitation of neuropsychological deficits (memory, attention, complex reasoning), motor function, sensory function (vision, perception of touch), interpersonal skills (e.g. social skills). The medium of treatment usually involves the use of purposeful activities, which have some meaning and relevance to clients' lifestyle (these are also called 'occupations' and include routine behaviors associated with work, leisure and self care.) Occupational therapist also work in the field of mental health.

Another important area of intervention is by means of environmental manipulation to maximize ability (such as environments for wheelchair users) or afford the desired behaviors (e.g. set up the environment so that it contains cues to compensate for memory impairment).

Occupational therapists might work in a hospital, skilled nursing facility, school, outpatient clinic, or in the client's home as in home health. Some occupational therapists also conduct research to assess new techniques, rate the effectiveness of existing services and investigate other areas into which occupational therapy might be beneficial. Additionally, there are some non-traditional roles such as consulting with lawmakers and doing home accessibility modification and ergonomic assessments of work environments."

all the best :)

hi
 

It seems there is not a clear line between the speech therapist and OTs when it comes to working with memory- Hay but the more the better! Its not a battle between OT & ST- we can work together- as with any disiplines -it depends on the individuals...

Debbie

This memory thing for me drives me nuts. I put my sweet n low container up in Nov after Bill passed and still have not found it. Last week I bought a jar of sugarfree jelly and I put the jar up and have not found it at all. I went to the store yesterday to buy another jar and forgot to get it. I can write things down and forget to take my list with me. I write things on the calender and forget to look at it.

At times I think my mind is getting better and others I think I'm getting worse.

Forget concentration. I cannot concentrate on a book or article long enough to read a few pages. When someone is talking to me I am only half listening.

If someone is here with me I sat and just think that I wish they'd leave so I can be alone. I donot like being around people. I can't keep my mind on what they are talking about.

Ada

I've had RSD for 8 years now, but and have definitely noticed some of the impairments you all describe. I do not seem to suffer as much, though - and I wonder whether that's due to the fact that I've been treated for severe ADD since I was 8.

When I don't take my ADD meds, I can't concentrate, hold a thought pattern, engage with people well...anything. I wonder now how much of that is my RSD and how much is my ADD!

BroadwayBaby,
 

I thought for the longest time that I might have ADD but the Drs. have said no to that one. IT apparently goes with the RSD.

Ada

regarding word and skills lost
 

I have noticed my own lack of ability to concentrate since I have been diagnosed. I believe some of it is due to our medication but I think the brain has been overwhelmed with pain receptors in addition to normal thought processes. I am making notes for my "to do list" so I don't forget; have handed my checkbook balancing duties to my husband, and generally force myself to concentrate on whatever is immediate. I live with my calendar in hand. This is a terrible disease; it is almost like dress rehearsal for Alzheimers

wow...it's not only me.....i try to explain to others that my brain is working,when i try to talk,but somehow the connection is not making it to my mouth..i start to talk and the words just don't come out or they come out all wrong...feel foolish and go back to being quiet and just listen and fade into the backround..
i havae to check 3-4 times for where i put things..car keys,pocketbook..sometimes leave house and have to return home to take off slippers and put shoes on...
use to read at least 2-3 books a week..now i read the same words over and over,then the sme sentence..reading is no longer enjoyable anymore(add it to the list)
i write everything down..all the time..even the smallest of things these days--so afraid i will need the info at some point and won't remember it..
been in a really bad,bad place lately...trying to fight the depression and pain from taking over--not helping--
wish so many others wouldn't depend on me to always be there--but they do--can't let anymore people i love down--i am trying so hard.. feel like i am failing..
my great friend just had a baby girl****such a beauty**** so proud of her to have so much strength (she is mostly on her own--baby's father out of state and out of mind) i am trying to be strong for her and help her as much as i can--phone calls--at least 20x's daily...she wants me to be her god-mother...can i accept knowing i am unable to function most of the time??? sorry this has gotten very long...
wish my dark thoughts would ease up some...losing what little sanity i have left...........sorrry-----linda

Just wanted to post a quick aside here - I know how careful we all have to be about supplements and such, but have any of you tried Fish Oil and/or Flaxseed Oil?

It's basically just an Omega-3 supplement - similar to drinking a glass or two of red wine.

Anyway, Omega-3's were recommended to me by my doctor. Although the studies have been inconclusive on many subjects, omega-3's have been shown to promote cardiovascular (emphasis on the vascular) health and to aid neurological function. They aid in the repair of damaged cells, and have been shown to have effect in treating everything from Huntington's to bipolar disorder.

As for me - when I increase my intake (I take supplements and drink red wine), I notice that I'm more likely to maintain a positive outlook, have an easier time staying focused, and my circulation improves. None of these effects are drastic, but they are definitely noticeable.

Again, taking supplements can be problematic depending on your specific medicines and medical conditions, but it might be something to talk to your doctor about.

Best!

Me too, despite my 30 mg. of Namenda a day.

When HubbyWithRSD put up the thread CNN Report - Has everyone seen this? [http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...d.php?t=12819] I realized that I had no memory of seeing it!

This I lay personally credit to my Baclofen, which is a pity because it's the best anti-cramping/spasm medication I've taken yet.

Mike

I was thinking also that this memory loss and concentration problems could be due somewhat to the depression we go through with these illnesses. I think most everyone on here deals with depression due to the pain. Could this attribute to the memory loss and lack of concentration.

I am still looking for my jar of sugarfree blackberry jelly. I have torn the kitchen apart and I am beginning to wonder if I didn't throw it away. I am such a mess anymore.

I am anxious to see if the VNS will help with these problems as well as the depression.

Ada

Mike.....

[QUOTE

This I lay personally credit to my Baclofen, which is a pity because it's the best anti-cramping/spasm medication I've taken yet.
[/QUOTE]

Do you find Baclofen affects your memory - maybe that's what up with mine?! I take 110mg a day - (along with other stuff as needed - diazipam and triphenydriyl for muscle relalxants and various opiods for pain etc etc etc).

in what way does it affect it?

Thanks

Rosie

Rosie -

When I was still trying to practice law, my neurologist put me on Baclofen. At most, it would have been 40 mg./day. Within no more than a day or two it became clear that I was forgetting too much stuff. Specifically, a computer access code that I had punched in every morning for two years was suddenly "gone." Two days after going off Baclofen, it reappeared.

Now, this may seem trivial, but I was never the most organized guy, and I compensated for it with a good memory, to the point that I could due a week's billings from the top pf my head, not that it represented the best practice (usually because I invariably underestimated the time anything other than something really public like a court hearing or the like would take). But there were other times when I needed a decent short term memory as well, such as when I would have a seemingly incidental telephone call and then - days later - key details that didn't make it into my notes had to be recalled and put down in a sworn statement for submission to a court.

So that when this issue popped up with Baclofen, I just jettisoned it without a second thought.

Now, however, as I sit hear in my quasi-dotage, I can afford to be a little forgetful and am learning how to tell people with no shame that they look very familiar but I just can't place then. (And pray that it's not an administrator form one of my son's schools with whom I met the week before.) Yup, it's down to that. Pride goeth before the fall.

Mike

hi there..
 

I too take baclofen 40mg..
I am pretty sure my doctor said that that was the maximum dosage they could put me on.

take care

It seems my higher brain functions are mostly unaffected, however this doesn't seem to include things like math skills. My memory is getting killed by gabapentin but should return if I quit it. I'm often distracted by pain, discomfort, and worry.

Memory what????
 

I think we all get stuck in this rut. Now what was I talking about. I used to be famed for my memory and now..... The best thing to know is you aren't alone. I don't take any meds for this, I exercise my brain. Word games, memorization exercises, etc. I figure by the time I am 60, I can really pretend I am a crazy lady and no one will care! :D

Hey Micheal - thanks!!! I have been on baclofen for so long now that I have no idea what is the meds, the pain or the exhaustion!!!!! I can see how it can be difficutl though! Luckiy I usually have my minions (carers) with me and so they write everything down - it means that I have to have a diray on me and mark every day etc etc and then I know where I am. I have fughes of forgetting everything... for instance my new computer training I have forgotten to go to twice so far...... and names! it's awful - can never remember them...!!! or speech for that matter - especially in the mornings.. everyone gets used to playing "what's the word".. so frustrating! I really don't feel I can come of baclofen at the moment though - it is part of a cocktail that reduces my spasticity to a level I can handle... (without it the dystonia spasms dislocate my joints (Which are lax from EDS) and that then makes my RSD evil........

Sandel - the max dose you can go on is 110mg - BUT.... if you are on other stuff (Heart meds etc? ) it might mean you can only tolerate a lower dose!!

Does anyone find that you remeber really stupid stuff?

Rxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok, I know this is an old thread, but can I just say - ARGH!!!!
I'm actually having a good day - the weather is beautiful and my pain level is low....and I CAN'T CONCENTRATE!
I've been sitting at my computer for....3 hours, now, trying to write a paper. I have ONE page done.

Ok.....done whining.

Does this happen to you guys?

Yeah, but I had ADHD(Inattentive) long before I had RSD.

Mike

Ditto, Mike - which is probably what's wrong with me today. :)

BB, I take flax seed oil, fish oils and evening primrose oils. Good for you~
"Those with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, or other auto-immune disorders. Omega-3s may help relieve the inflammatory symptoms of such auto-immune diseases by suppressing the immune response. Thus, they can help reduce the joint pain and swelling of rheumatoid arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation says the supplements are worth trying. Clinical studies suggest about 3 grams of omega-3s a day." (http://www.wellnessletter.com/html/ds/dsFishOil.php)