I'm a Mess
 

Really. I seem to be losing my short-term memory. It's scaring me, badly. I have a neuro appt this Thursday, and I want to find out what's wrong, but I'm scared of what it might be. Hopefully, it won't be anything serious and he'll be able to pinpoint what's causing this incredibly bad memory problem and give me a quick fix. I would welcome a course of IV steroids, and I hate IV steroids.

I'm also having bad muscle spasms. I'm on Baclofen, but maybe it quit working.

I'm not sleeping much. The insomnia hit the second week of October. However, I was having the cog problems before then.

I wanted to cry :Sob: on your shoulders a little bit. Thanks for listening to me.

This junk can be so frustrating! Sometimes I wonder whether the toll is worse physically or emotionally. It sure is senseless. My cog phases come and go, so try to stay encouraged that a good spell is just around the corner. :)

Even when we don't have answers, we have shoulders. Sob away.

i'm so glad you have an appt so soon to see your dr.

i have short term memory problems also. i've been on namenda and i feel it helps but it's far from perfect.

i hope you get some help from your dr.
please keep us posted.

Being anxious about it can cause the problem to become worse, too. At least it does for me. The more I worry about it the more things I tend to forget things. It's a vicious circle.

very true, i did that in the beginning my aniexty was making my cog fog worse, I hope you are able to get a hold of this cogfog... Make sure you right down your questions for the doc, and not being silly, but dont forget to bring said questions, I have left my questions on the night stand more than a few times. Hang in there and have a good doc visit

I'm sorry that you are having these MSy problems. :( I hope the Doc has some answers for you and can help you out with some good drugs..:)

Hang in there, AMN is right, things can change for the better in a nano second.

:hug:/

Hi Azoyizes

So sorry to hear of your difficulties.

Lack of sleep can have a substantial impact on short term memory - so hopefully, once you can get your sleep cycle back on track, things will improve in this regard.

All best wishes for Thursday.

Merle

I have to agree with what AMN said in that the cog fog tends to come and go.

I retired from work last year because of ill health, but cog fog was one of the big reasons that I decided it was time for me to go.

I was a critical care nurse and it got to the stage where I was terrified that I might forget something really important and therefore put some-one's life in danger. I could not take that risk!

My memory has been a little better lately, but I know from experience not to get a false sense of security. Some days I remember, and some days I don't. Cog fog is one of those things that just might return at any time.

I hope your's doesn't last long, but I too am pleased that you have an appointment with your neuro soon. It sure can't help to get some expert advice.

Sorry you're going through this. I agree, though, the foggy brain is (for me) the scariest of all the MS symptoms. In fact, it was probably my first symptom, since I spent a couple years complaining about my forgetfulness to various doctors who gave me a quick memory test, patted me on the head and told me I didn't have Alzheimers. Somehow that never made me feel any better.

Of course there are a lot of things you can do to help you when memory fails, post its, computer reminders, notes on the fridge, in the car, a day planner, or the computerized equivalent (whatever they're called, I can't remember). My first six months after diagnosis I carried my planner with me everywhere like a security blanket. I had colored paper clips and tabs on various pages, etc. Everything I could do to make sure I didn't miss an appointment I did, in triplicate.

Of course, there isn't much you can do when you forget the word for "chair" or the name of your boss; only time will help you cope with those issues, I guess. I'm still waiting for my sense of humor to help that. When humor fails me, I just honestly say, "sorry, my MS is in the way, and I can't remember ......"

Like other MS sx, jello brain tends to come and go. It gets worse with heat, stress, or illness, and is another one of those things to try to overcome. And when it can't be overcome, come here and vent, then take a nap.

Hang in there. Just when you think it won't end, it does. :hug:

Just wanted to send you good vibes for your appointment tomorrow!! http://i283.photobucket.com/albums/k...ygoodvibes.png Please let us know how things go. :hug:

Thanks to everyone who posted on this thread.

I saw my neuro yesterday, and I'm feeling much better about things. I didn't mention what I thought it could possibly be, but he said he was leaning toward either a thyroid problem, a sodium problem, UTI, or maybe even slight depression.

I am scheduled to go Monday for blood work and a urinalysis. He has prescribed Ambien CR for one month to get rid of my insomnia. He increased my Baclofen by one pill in the afternoon to help with muscle spasms.

He will see me back in one month, and we will go from there. Just walking into his office, I felt a sense of relief.

So, I took an Ambien last night and slept for seven hours. Wow, did that ever feel great! :)

That's great.....I'm glad you're feeling better. What a difference a day makes! :)

I hope the tests all come back OK and that whatever it is is easily correctable.

Well, I'm glad to hear that. One day at a time with this blooming lovely disease--that's how you have to take it.

But if the cog problems stick around, you might want to consider going for neuropsychological testing to see where exactly they are and if there are any good suggestions for compensating that the neuropsych has for you.

:hug: Here's hoping the meds make a good improvement for you.