I was laid off from my job in December. At first I was really angry - I had always been such a good worker. Great performance reviews, raises etc.

But now that I have had time to reflect, I know I was not doing the job like I used to. It was taking me 3-4 times as long to get things done because I would recheck my work and find some small thing I over looked and then redo my work, only to find something else I over looked. I caught all my mistakes, but before my RSD got so much worse, I would have flown through my work and not even bothered to check myself.

For me, it is not so much short term memory - at least I don't think so. My 86 year old Mom lives with me, and her memory is failing. She can't remember what we had for lunch an hour after we ate, sometimes doesn't even remember that we ate at all. My "brain" issue does not seem to be in the same way she has.

My problem seems to be understanding and comprehension. Since being off work, I have tried to take a couple online computer courses - simple ones. I can't seem to "get" it at all.... I used to be able to take a course online and hardly take any notes. Now I can't figure out what they are trying to say to be able to take a note.

I can read a novel, and have to go back and re-read parts again because I missed the drift of the story.

I love the show 24, which has lots of plot twists and turns. When it started a couple weeks back, I recorded it on DVR... and have played the first few episodes over and over because I can't seem to figure it out this year.

I have taken 30 mg a day of Namenda for the last few months --- it helped me a lot a couple years back when I was on it. Now, it doesn't seem to be helping much at all. I am on a couple high blood pressure meds, but that is all. Nothing else has really helped enough to warrent taking it.
Jules

Dear Jules...

I am sorry about your job loss but understand your lapses as I got em too.. our lack of focusing and missing the throughness of our earlier days... Plus I respect your honesty... I just find this topic so amazing as we all can relate to our lapse in mindfulness in some way..My Mom is 80 yrs. old with moderate demensha... I can understand the "oh my..I lost that one" feeling that she and many others experience... I also relate to your lack of attention to detail that was once yours... I would think of taking a short cut on my work and that was NEVER ever my style!!!! Always first time thru with the best quality.... At first I blew by this pretty easily but now it is real and I ain't laughing quite so much at myself as I once was..Once again.. and thanks RSD..yur a real sweetie!!

All concerns may be real enough, but that's one reason why I'm so encouraged by - and keep citing - Schwartzman RJ, Alexander GM, Grothusen JR et al, Outpatient intravenous ketamine for the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome: A double-blind placebo controlled study, Pain 2009 Dec 15;147(1-3):107-15. Epub 2009 Sep 23, FREE FULL TEXT AT http://www.rsds.org/2/library/articl...n_Pain2009.pdf (suggesting that with the right protocol, outpatient infusions of ketamine may be useful in chronic cases afterall).

Please look at this particular article closely, if you haven't done so already. If larger trials bear these particular results out, we might be on the verge of a cure, in which case it would no longer be an "experimental treatment" requiring, among other things, the complete absence of any psychiatric "co-morbidities," including but not limited to mood disorders due to underlying medical conditions (DSM IV 293.83).

There is hope yet.

Mike

I have this same problem since I started Lyrica, but I am newly diagnosed so, don't know if it is the effect on the limbic system or the Lyrica.

And then. . . I have this same problem since I started Lyrica, but I am newly diagnosed so, don't know if it is the effect on the limbic system or the Lyrica.

And also. . . have this same problem since I started Lyrica, but I am newly diagnosed so, don't know if it is the effect on the limbic system or the Lyrica.

Oh. . .did I tell you that ever since I started on Lyrica, my memory has gone to hell in a handbasket!

I am newly diagnosed so, don't know if it is the effect on the limbic system or the Lyrica.

LOL sorry to be a smart-***! we all need laughter to get through. But seriously, I am considering switching from Lyrica to neurontin. Does anyone know if they have the same side effects?

Gentle hugs to all,

Kelly

I felt horrible on both Lyrica and Neurontin, but I generally I thought Lyrica was worse. I am now taking Topamax (I suffer from head pain more than anything else), and depression is a major problem for me. I don't know if it's the meds or the pain or the RSD or a combo of all three that's causing the depression. Hard to tell. In general I think the meds are taking a toll and I'd like to toss them all and get back to my normal self....

Good luck, Sandy

Hello Sandy..
I agree the meds are big butt kickers and caring with them large side affects... The least you can take and still live with RSD and not havingto cross your eyes in pain the better off you will feel as far as meds interaction..As you probably read, I am not taking any meds as I have such a sensitive tummy.. part of me is relieved that I don't have to think about the harshness of the meds on my system.. but then again RSD naked is a killer ... so where we going here..happy medium I guess.. some meds to take the edge off but not to take too much...then again over time the effectiveness of the meds does wear off.... Oh dear!!!

Enjoy your day, Sandy..

KS

This is a real good topic! I too suffer the mental anguish of losing my mind.

Back in the days of working I was a dynamo, never needing to write anything down. I could remember every detail of everything I heard or seen. I even had 3 assistants, one was my personal marketing assistant, the other was the Food and beverage assistant, and lastly was my IT personal assistant.

They had nothing to do because of my uncanny ability to remember dates, numbers, names, everything. So I was always trying to find little jobs for these people to justify keeping them LOL. Plus if I deleted their job it would make it hard for the next directors to rehire an assistant.

The meds DO cause problems with the memory because I was on all the meds that have been mentioned in this thread for a few years. When I lost my insurance and was not able to get anymore the withdrawals were terrible, but as my mind cleared...well it was a whole new world!

I noticed that I could think clearly, and remember some things. My wife, family, friends all welcomed me back to their world as they realized I was mentally back with them. I had no idea I was gone, but they assured me that I was LOL!

Because of this I take the least amount of meds possible, because once I was a bit more clear minded I realized the meds werent really doing the job anyways. I was only hurting a bit more taking only a norco instead of all the long acting morphine, neurotten, and the likes. I learned I have to pace myself, and try not to let the pain get out of hand.

Easier said than done most of the time, but if I watch it I can keep the pain to a 5 or 6 which is bearable to me after almost 10 years of this RSD stuff.

I do dream of having the mental capabilities I used to, but at least am glad that I can enjoy talking with my wife, playing with the grandkids, and building/fixing computers. Things that were almost impossible, or completely out of the question on meds.

Lately I have been thinking about retaking the Ca real estate exam. I took it about 3 years ago and passed even on all the drugs! In fact I finished a 3 and a half hour test in just under 20 minutes LOL!!! The proctor was freaking out when I told her I was done, she told me I should look it over to make sure. I told her I checked it over twice and wouldnt change anything. So it should be a breeze now that im almost on zero pain meds!

I guess the best advice I can give...that is if I was going to give any LOL! Would be to not beat yourself up, just live everyday to the fullest. Dont worry about tomorrow until it arrives, and if you need to take meds to have any kind of a life, then take them and dont let others mentalities about pain meds faze you.

Hi I am the exact same way now days i just can't remember much but a few weeks ago i started taking zinc and thats seemed to help a bit.

Funny thing happened on my way thru the daily RSD posts.. I saw a post I started a mere 3 years ago... memory loss.. Loss of direction. Now I can honestly remark how this delima stands today, 3 years later and with my ever changing, worsening RSD, I can say my memory loss has worsened. But, with the daily struggles of my RSD, my memorie loss is not my biggest concern. I guess, I incorporate my mindless forgetfulness as part of my life now.. Like into the Rollin RSD ball.. My RSD has taken weaves and turns that I never thought I could be strong enough to hang too, but I have. Just to say that as I look back RSD has taken me on a very bumpy, scary ride but Im honestly a stronger, made of Steele kind of person because of my RSD illness. I have learned to appreciate the moment and not to place expectations on tomorrow. I also know I can survive anything that comes my way.. Because I have survived my RSD for almost 6 years now.. And I am still smilin.... Hugs to you all my old friends and those who have recently joined us.. Please, never give up... Hugs..Kathy