Downsides of Cog Issues. . .
 

I was just wondering how many of you with cognitive issues have also lost confidence in your abilities. Losing bits and pieces (literally) can be so frustrating. While my intelligence is still there and my IQ is still high, I find that it is hard to handle many complexities that used to come so easily to me. My visual memory is shot, more than likely permanently gone, my ability to grasp details waivers, and my calculation abilities are below average as well as some other minor issues.

Lately, I have been thinking about going to work outside the home on a very part time basis or taking a couple of classes. I talked to the school several months ago, Disabled Student Services, and she brought up some very good points and it kind of discouraged me from not only taking classes but working as well. My neuro agreed with Disable Student Services not only on the concentration/focus issues but physical as well.

I did go for a follow up/more intensive neuropsych testing and will get my results in a few weeks. I did notice improvements in some areas but some really odd things happened while taking the tests and I noticed new things. Even the "tester" thought some things were "interesting." (Like being able to repeat numbers backwards quickly and accurately but not able to do them forwards.) Speech therapy, here I come. LOL

With us MSers, it is not like having dementia. We are aware of our deficits and know them where as those with some types of dementia aren't aware. I think because of that, it is harder for us MSers to accept these deficits.

I hope I explained that well enough. Stupid summer cog fog. :p

Anyhow, again, do you notice a lack of confidence/trust in your abilities?

I totally understand what you're saying. I hate cog fog with a passion. Some days it's nearly debilitating....others it's manageable.

The thing with me is that I can read something, understand it, but if someone asks me about it or wants me to explain something in further detail I'm unable to. It's like I can't put my thoughts into words. Or if I do manage to then I can't think of certain words once I begin speaking. :mad: It's so aggravating.

I find it's worse later in the day so fatigue has got to be playing a big part of it. I'm sorry you're struggling with it, too, but at least we know there are others here who experience similar things (unfortunately). We're not alone on this crazy ride!

Yes.

I'm in a little bit different position as you but have the same feelings you describe. I have a few things that can be blamed for cognitive problems and no way to know which one is the problem or if it's a combination.

Last year I was looking for a job but as we all know jobs can be hard to come by, especially when you have been out of the workforce as long as I have (MS is not the reason).

I ended up doing volunteer work. It was a way for me to see what I can and cannot do without the risk I would have with a paying job.

I do clerical work at an animal shelter. I enjoy what I am doing, the staff, and of course...the animals.

I was upfront with the Volunteer Manager as well as my immediate supervisor about the MS.

Having said all of that I have run into different situations where I will doubt my ability to have a regular job.

I do filing, microchip registrations and I'm currently being trained in putting together the "off site" adoption packets. I have answered phones but it's never been explained how to handle anything beyond basic information.

Yesterday was not a good day for me (tired, cog, running in slow motion). I knew why this was happening and it's not caused by MS. I went in to do what I usually do knowing I wasn't doing real great.

The problem started when I was on the computer doing the microchips and trying to answer the phones and help people (mult-tasking). Instead of putting people on hold I was putting the reciever back down without pushing hold first :eek: I was disconnecting them :eek:

On the other hand, I was doing the same thing last week without a problem...I hate when I have "off" days :mad:

The shelter has been known to hire volunteers and I figured if they were looking to hire me I probably just screwed that up :mad: :(.

So...confidence/trust in my abilities has at times taken a beating as well as my self esteem BUT I know I am doing the best I can under the circumstances.

I will continue to do what I'm doing because more times than not I am able to prove to myself I CAN DO IT.

TK, find something that will allow you to experiment with what you can or cannot do, you won't know until you try. Volunteer work can be a good way to do it.

Thanks for the affirmation, Kelly and Snoopy.:hug::hug: It is a crazy ride.

I have days that everything seems fine, I leave to go somewhere, hit the rode driving and realize I can't handle the stimuli coming at me and have to turn around and go home.:( I am hoping the speech therapist can help with that.

Empty nest is just around the corner and I have to work through some of these issues. I can take the bus but waiting for it to arrive in 100+ degree blazing sun weather is not an option.:mad:

Snoopy - OMGoodness! Your off day is exactly some of the reasons for my lack of confidence. However, yes, I need to do something and do have the federal grant to take some classes. I plan on doing anyhow despite the concerns my neuro shared with me as well as the lady at Disabled Student Services.

Have you ever thought of trying Amantadine?

Back four years ago, I was in a study for Amantadine. Although I do not have cog fog, the test was for that drug and I was given a series of tests before and after taking the drug.

I use it for fatigue but it seemed the primary use was for cog fog.

Cyn - I don't know anything about Amantadine but will ask the neuro at my next appointment. I have a follow up appointment in a few weeks. I go back to the neuropsych for the results of my tests as well as to discuss her recommendations. In the meantime, I will not only ask my brother about it but also do some of my own research on it. Thanks for the suggestion.

I understand T, I have some of the same issues as you. Driving gets harder and harder as time goes by.

I also have trouble with decision making :(. Today I went to buy hair dye and I swear if my son wasn't with me it would have taken me a couple of hours. I wasn't like this before the cog issues started. I don't trust my own judgment anymore. That can really make you lose confidence in yourself.

"The fog comes on little cat feet...and then moves on."

:hug: Trish :hug:

Sorry to hear about this. :hug::hug:

Totally understand what you're talking about. Cog issues is one of the reasons I left the workforce.

I have had more "D'oh!" moments than I'm comfortable with. Can't tell ya how many times I forgot stuff in the washer recently. :rolleyes: I have gotten into the habit of repeating aloud the chores I need to do.

Sometimes I have to turn around and go home instead of the planned errands when I find that paying attention to the road is hard.

Adamentine may be a good deal. I couldn't handle it since it actually made my fatigue and cog issues worse, but a lot of others have had good success with it. Due to all my fun with the fatigue meds, I've had to use the supplement acteryl-cartine (sp?). It helps sometimes.

Let us know what the neuropsych says. :hug::hug:

Thanks you guys. Most of the time I have a sense of humor about it all but when thinking of going to work or taking classes, I can't see the humor in it.:o

My neuro did mention that the Celexa that I am on may be causing some of the problems as well as some others. It is my understanding that the neuropsychologist will be able to tell if it is the meds. I know that when I 1st started on Celexa my PCP started me on a higher dose. It wired me up so much my brain was all over the place and it did not and still doesn't do much to break the pain cycle, the reason I am on it. So I can see how the Celexa may contribute to some of the issues I am having and would have no problem going off it not only for the cognitive stuff but the possibility it is causing seizure like activity.

In the meantime, I am going to try an experiment. I am going to supplement with vitamin b12 and b6 with folate to see if it helps with cog issues and nerve pain. I may even ask my PCP for a b12 shot to see if I have any improvement. (I see him next week). I'll let you all know how my experiment goes.;)

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.

what were we talking about?? :confused:

I am having one of those cant keep track days. Cripes! :o

I take Amatadine twice a day - for me there is some difference - dead to 1/2 dead, tried Provigil and as PCP says, I am a little hyper and like Ritalin and ADD/ and/or hyper kids, had an adverse effect, tired me down, not up.

Cog fog (I don't work) means 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. To put it briefly, this sucks.

ME ME ME and also struggle that my cogfog.. 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....

anyhow wanted you to know we understand, hugss,sarah

It very definitely leaves me with a confidence issue. My social life isn't the same either. I can't remember names, details of their life or anything. I won't let my kids live any further away than 3 hours cause I'm not sure I could make the trip. It would have been the reason I quit but I was in a big excacerbation and I never went back to work after. But I'm fine as long as my Grandkids still love me! Life can be very interesting, I am teaching my little ones how to play charades in order for me to get my words out at times.

Gosh, isn't that the truth. I don't have gkids but having my loved ones close helps.

This is my least discussed/talked about symptom.

My 84 year old Mom, 61 year old sister and me at 59 all laugh about this. Mom is just plain old, has had a couple of strokes affecting more her cognition, my sister has fibromyalgia and I have MS. So we say that between the 3 of us that we have a total of 1 brain. If all of us would be in agreement at any given time it would be nice though.

Trish, your 1st post hits the nail on the head for me. Last night 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. :confused:

Yup! I've done stupid things like this too! You know the solution to the problem; it's in the brain somewhere but just won't come forward to let you know. And all the little neurons in back are laughing as they play this trick with you. LOL j/k

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. :hug:

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.:(:mad:

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.