Working Memory
 

I had my neurocog assessment and the results were mostly positive. I have the typical memory and executive function disconnect issues for others in my age group with MS. That's the good news.

The bad news is, the problem is enough to effect my job! I've talked with my HR person about it twice, and my boss talked with her as well. As a legal secretary I have a lot of responsibility and stress. Lots to keep track of and follow up on. I can't forget to file something important or to make a call, etc.

I'm afraid I'm going to need to change jobs. This is the only job I know. I've been a secretary forever. Without a memory how can I work? I write notes to do things, but forget about the note. What other types of work can I do that doesn't require the same amount of attention, yet pays well?

I'm going to discuss the issue with my boss today. I forgot some things last Friday, which I'm sure he noted.

Wish me luck.

Hi,

I'm having the same problem. I write things down, but forget where I put them, that I need to go back to them..OR I find them and don't know what they are referring to.

Hopefully those tests will point out areas that can help.

How long was your test? I can remember things if I repeat, repeat, repeat in my head for short periods of time (1-2 hrs), but if I go off and do something else and have to come back to it. . .chances aren't good that I'll remember correctly.

Good luck with your issues. Hopefully your team will be able to come up with strategies that can keep you in your job.

Nothing but the best of luck, for you, Catch. :)

I understand exactly what you are saying. When I was working as a paralegal I was always forgetting things and since I was having difficulty writing and couldn't even read what I wrote to help me to remember it made it that much worse. I was taken out of work for many reasons but I found the cognitive issues to be the most difficult to accept and deal with. I wish you the best of luck.

I hear you Catch! :hug:

I was an RN when my memory started to fail me. I gave up work 2 & 1/2yrs ago due to several health reasons, but the memory loss being the most persuassive for me.

I was working in Critical Care. I had the sickest of the sick in my care, and I was afraid I'd forget something so important, that it'd cost some-one their life. I could not even consider risking that!

I do wish you luck as I know what it feels like to be on this end. :hug:

Catch, that is rough. I noticed that I had trouble multitasking, and with word recall while working, besides my tremors and writing like a kid again.

Where I worked the stress was plenty, which caused/ or didn't help my 3 to 4 relapses a year. This was my second career change. The first one lasted 15 years. Then the financial one lasted about 15 years. I had to quit.

I couldn't do a physical job, and then I had trouble with calculations and financial data, working directly with people who depended on my correctness.

I understand. I had a book I wrote in daily, because post-its got lost. At home now I use post-its, a calendar and a note book. :rolleyes:

It will be hard to find a job that pays well like yours. Good luck to you. I hope your boss is accommodating to your problem.

Wishing you the very best of luck in finding a job that suits your abilities perfectly! :hug:

im sorry, what were we talking about? :confused:

I know exactly how you feel. I cant walk and chew gum at the same time at the moment. I dont know what I had for breakfast, and I certainly cant remember phone numbers anymore. I would be terrible if I had my old job (was a prison nurse) I simply cant imagine the horrors and stress of trying to keep up.

Set reminders. Use works or word alarms with pop up notes on the computer screen to remind you. Get into a routine if you can. I find repetition helps. Each morn I get up at 7. I eat breakfast at 8 I walk at 8:30...I keep a good schedule and it helps keep me on track.

I hope you find helpers. Can you ask others in the office to help remind you? Hey, suzie, can you stop today at 3 and remind me to put the mail out? or make that phone call?

The talk with the boss went well. Obviously he knew there was something going on. We've agreed to just keep things as they are while I try to better organize myself.

I'm still working on that, though. I set computer reminders, take copious notes, use tons of post-its, and still forget things. At least no one will die if I forget to make a phone call, although my boss could be sued. So far I haven't forgotten anything super important.

I will make my first appointment today with the neurocognitive therapy group at UCLA. I've also found a couple of good brain/memory sites with free games that are supposed to improve your memory. I have my doubts, but I'll play.

Lady, Dejibo, Koala: When you found you had to change jobs. how did you figure out what to do? Certainly I have skills, but...my typing speed isn't going to impress anyone when I apply for a job at Walmart! I know I'm safe for the moment in my job, but in order to feel comfortable about my future, I need to have a plan.

I'm an RN with attention and retention issues but thankfully I'm getting so much better now that I'm off the Beta.
Looked into a career change when I was sure I could not be an in charge RN any more (and was dangerous being so). But in reality, if I couldn't nurse, I don't think I could do anything reliably. Went to an employment agency with little luck. I would drop 75% salary and be learning a new job.

I've taken the best part of the last 5 months off. Now that I'm on copax and feeling SO much better, i've started back in work and loving it. When I can manage it, I'll work. If not, I won't. (Agency work is great)

It's been really scary and threatening to my independence to be thinking of changing career/job. I'm just pleased I can pick up again.
Something will come your way. Even if it's nothing. Sometimes a break can be good. :)