Memory loss months before concussion
 

Hi,

I am 3 and a half months into my concussion and today I was thinking to myself and it feels as if from January 2012 to July 2012 have been erased from my memory.

And after my injury in July 2012 my memory is no longer saving anything.

Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks

Not for that long, but I did have 4 days of retrograde amnesia. My TBI accident was the Monday after Thanksgiving (a Thursday holiday in the US) 2010 and I have no memory of the holiday or anything that weekend. I also have about 5 weeks after the accident where there is no or very limited memory of that time.

Are you receiving any treatment for your memory problems? Often speech and/or occupational therapists can work with you on mental exercises that can work toward improving memory.

Short term and immediate memory struggles are not uncommon after a head injury. There are different types of memory that you may consider as you try to understand your symptoms. There is auditory memory, visual memory, tactile memory, olfactory (smell) memory, etc.

You may find that if you experience an event in more than one memory style that you have better recall. For example, rather than trying to remember from just an visual input, make that informational auditory too by saying the information out loud so you hear it. The full benefit comes from what is called multi-sensory learning. In an educational setting, that means seeing, hearing, and writing it down. This is often the value of taking notes because it combines all three.

The amnesia of before your concussion may come back once you have learned how to sort through your struggling memory. Speech therapists have exercises that can sometimes help.

Before my most recent injury, I had a photographic memory that was almost bullet proof. When I lost the photographic ability, I had to learn new memory skills. I struggle to this day when I think I can rely on my memory as if it is still photographic. It is difficult to break old memory habits.Many find they need to write reminder notes and make lists. It may be helpful for you.

If you have any specific memory struggles, post them. Somebody has probably learned a skill to help with that struggle.

btw, A great amount of what many consider 'recovery' from a concussion with prolonged symptoms is rather a learning of new skills to overcome the lost or weakened brain function.

My best to you.

Memory
 

I picked up a digital recorder. Has 4 folders for organizing and records about a 1000 hours. Cost me 35 bucks. It is small fits in my pocket. It is handy and problematic at the same time. Basically I use it when I visit Drs.

My wife got me one of those years ago. I just forget to use it. I do have the sound of wolf pups yipping for their momma in the middle of the night recorded on it.

I wish I had a one touch voice record on my cell phone. There are pens that have both voice and video record functions. I have considered one of those to have at the ready.

When someone asks what my worst symptom is, I reply, "I forget."