Cognitive Issues Getting Worse!
 

I am really beginning to get worried. My cognitive issues are getting much worse to the point that I am really scared. I am constantly walking two or three steps and forgetting where I am going or what I am looking for. It seems that I am turning around in circles all of the time and with someone with balance problems that iis not much fun.

I am CONSTANTLY looking for my keys, cell phone, medicine, and etc etc etc. Today I was taking my grandson to meet my daughter at the Dr. office where I have been about 50 times and is very easy to find and all at once I didn't know where it was and I was just about 1/2 mile from it. I got really upset. Things like this is happening to me all of the time more frequently.

I have got to where I can't spell anything so I keep a dictionary next to my computer so as not to embarrass myself when I post. Does anyone else have these problems this bad? PLEASE HELP!

deb46

Deb -- I used to have the same problems - I know this sounds goofy -- but I read an article in a MS World monthly report that indicated that fish and blueberries help MS symptoms -- blueberries especially with memory --I saved it and it read:

DIET & DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS IN MS
You've heard the expression 'you are what you eat.' But what if you
have MS? Can you alter the course of the disease through diet and the use
of dietary supplements? Some MS professionals say there is virtually no
connection between diet and MS, while others suggest that the disease
course can actually be modified via dietary modifications. While the
controversy continues, people with MS are left wondering what they can do,
on a daily basis, to live well with MS.

Consequently, Allen Bowling, M.D., Ph.D., and Thomas Stewart, J.D.,
M.S. PA-C, both of the Rocky Mountain MS Center in Englewood, Colorado,
have reviewed over 50 published scientific and clinical studies on the
subject and developed what they believe are "reasonable and generally
safe practical suggestions for those who are interested." One such
practical suggestion:
"Increase intake of fats that are rich in n-3 fatty acids, which
include EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ALA
(alpha-linolenic acid). Sources of n-3 fatty acids include:
· Fatty fish (especially salmon, Atlantic herring, Atlantic mackerel,
bluefin tuna, sardine, and cod). Fatty fish are the richest sources of
EPA and DHA, the kinds of n-3 fatty acids found in fish. Some of the
studies conducted among people with MS involved amounts of EPA and DHA
that would be difficult to obtain from dietary sources alone. The
American Heart Association recommends two servings of oily fish per week for healthy adults. However, the FDA recommends that pregnant women or
woman who may become pregnant consume less than 12 ounces of fish, on
average, per week due to concerns about mercury contamination."

"We have tried to present complicated information in a precise manner,"
the authors write. "We believe that this information should be made
available to people with MS so that they can form their own conclusions."

To learn more about possible disease-modifying strategies, such as
changes in fat intake, the role of vitamin D and calcium in MS,
immune-stimulating supplements, and more, visit http://www.ms-cam.org.

The authors state that those who chose to consider dietary approaches
to MS should do so in addition to, rather than instead of, FDA-approved
medications.

GO WILD FOR BLUEBERRIES!
Researchers from around the world are finding that blueberries are
powerful disease fighters. While low in calories and sodium, blueberries
are a good source of dietary fiber.

When compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables, researchers at
the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Human Nutrition Center found that
blueberries ranked #1 in antioxidant activity. Antioxidants help
neutralize harmful products called 'free radicals' that can lead to cancer and
other age-related diseases.

The high antioxidant level of blueberries may also play a role in
anti-aging. Neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to
laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in mental capacity, a finding that may
have important implications for humans. Accordingly, researchers found
that diets rich in blueberries significantly improved both the learning
capacity and motor skills of aging rats.
Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have identified
specific compounds in blueberries that promote urinary tract health and reduce the risk of infection. Berry juice may also play an important role in
reducing or preventing the incidence of urinary tract infections by
preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of the
urinary tract.

Other studies show that blueberries may alleviate eye fatigue and
improve vision. In other studies, extracts of bilberry, a variety of
blueberry, have been shown to improve nighttime visual perception and promote quicker adjustment to darkness and faster restoration of visual acuity after exposure to glare.

So, toss some blueberries in the blender with your favorite juice and
frozen yogurt for a breakfast smoothie. Or sprinkle them on your cereal,
yogurt, salad, or cottage cheese. To learn more about the benefits of
blueberries, visit http://www.blueberry.org.

Now -- I have been eating blueberries for breakfast for the last year -- you can buy them online -- or at Cosco, Trader Joes or a health food store. It has been working wonders for me.... this may not work for you -- but its worth a try. I also eat fish about twice a week -- you can even buy the small cans of pink salmon and just eat it right out of the can with crackers.

Its worth a try.

Oh -- and also Deb -- Exercise your mind -- play memory games on the net -- I will PM you a website that is free and fun to play on. Keep your mind working and forcing you to think. I know this also sounds goofy -- but it work -or at least it is for me. :) Gail

A link
 

http://www.nationalmssociety.org/Bro...MindMemory.asp

At the bottom of the article is another link to solving cognitive issues. Maybe something in these links might be of help.

Like someone mentioned before, games help keep the mind sharper. I plan card games daily for this reason.

So sorry Deb, for your cognative issues with MS.

Good advise to excercise your mind/memory. A lot of people on LDN have bosted that it helps make their minds clearer. I have not had any serious cognative sx with my MS, but I am on LDN. Maybe it's helping me with that?

Are you possibly in a flare, and that's why your cognative stuff is ramping up? Or a pain med side effect, messing with your brain. The wrong med can also cause this.

Good luck, Dear. I hope you find a solution soon.:)

Hugs,

Just got the latest issue of MSFocusyesterday. The issue highlights Cognitive changes and also alerts us to several books that are in print on the topic of MS and cognition.


If you don't receive the magazine, you can get free subscription if you have MS by calling 1-888-673-6287 or go online to request it at www.msfocus.org
It is the official publication of the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation.

:) Hi Deb,

I can relate to everything you have posted as far as the challenges of be severely cognitively impared. When at the MS specialist office for a second opinion I got the President wrong, the month wrong, and even my own age wrong. Needless to say when she saw the atrophy in my brain she ordered a Neuropsych Eval.

I took it and it was the most grueling four hours since I can remember. I scored in the lower 25% overall and in some areas in the >-1 percentile. The neuropsych who administered the overall results suggested that I might want to try the new Alzheimers med Aracep but felt at this point it really wouldn't do me any good.

My suggestion for you is to have your neuro order a Neuropsych Eval for you so you know how severe the problem really is. It will confirm that it is not all in your head that's for sure.

Keep us informed and take one day at a time. Write a lot of notes to yourself.;)

I've had those problems all my freaking adult life. Sometimes I just stand in the middle of the room and scream. I swear to God that I've wasted a good percentage of my life just looking for keys, books, where I put the milk (in the cupboard, not the fridge), and all the rest.

I can usually get where I'm going, but then I can't find the way back. Aaaargh. Strangely enough, now that I'm an, ugh, senior, DH and friends are now getting like me. After years of making fun of me, they want my sympathy--sorry folks, now you know what it's like--suck it up and be thankful you didn't have to go through this your whole freakin' life. If you hadn't put me down all those years, I'd be more sympathetic.

So, the good news is that you may never get any worse. However, if this is a big change for you, please run, don't walk, to get help. Like the others have said, there's a lot you can do to help, but knowing what's going on will help more than anything else.

I wish you all the best--no one deserves to put up with this cr*p.

Hi Deb,

I had a terrible time with cognitive issues too, until I got on LDN. In fact, that was one of the primary reasons I had to leave my job; I had become way too unproductive to feel good about continuing to take a paycheck.

I have a good education and have had a great career in management. I prided myself on being able to multi-task and analyze things . . . but I could barely hold a thought, for close to 2 yrs after my last big attack (and several little ones). It was really depressing. :(

Things are considerably better now, although I am not 100%. Usually I function at about 75% now, and the odd day at about 25%. It's a far cry from where I was at one time though, so I am grateful anyway.

I hope you improve, Deb. I know how upsetting this is.

Cherie

it's always somethang
 

must be the time of year or something. Ive really been having a hard time finding my way while driving. no multitasking at all. so bad the doc set up a brain like test I did part of yesterday for 4hrs. add numbers try and rember things, not so good. had a blood draw done to look for..long chain fatty acids..
stuff. short term memery is crap. same thing, stand in the room looking for what??? it is frustrating. more so for my wife also. the doc had some time with her too. so now more tests. something else besides ms..just great..ah.