I feel awful tonight because I completely forgot to go to an MRI (a new type) last night. I knew all day it was that night, and then it went out of my mind. Just remembered late tonight when a friend was talking about taking her mum to an appointment.

I feel awful and useless. This is the second MRI I miss (it is a rebooked appointment from January...I missed that one because I didn't see the appointment letter that was sent through the mail).

I know an MRI will not advance my healing...but my new doctor wanted to see if there was particular issues on the DWI MRI.

Does anyone else get down on themselves when they mess up? I am so tired of having to say sorry for being late in things, for forgetting things, for having a house that is a huge mess, etc.

My spouse said he forgets things all the time....but it doesn't seem like the same type of forgetting. And I can't forget the reason for the forgetting!

Sigh.

It sounds like you may need to establish some memory aids. When I have an important appointment, I write it on the refrigerator then set my cell phone alarm for 15 to 30 minutes before I have to leave. I usually also set a second alarm for 5 minutes before I have to leave 'just in case.'

I plan on forgetting rather than try to rely on remembering.

Mokey,

I do this too. Two weeks ago I messed up two events. I set up a ride for myself with my mom. I looked at the calendar on my phone and immediately texted her the time and it was an hour off.

The other was a gal from my support group texted me to go to lunch. I texted yes and some info but never sent it. I must have gotten distracted cause I was in the middle of typing a sentence and wouldn't ya know I forgot to finish. Why am I still surprised.

I have many more examples. Sadly...and I do beat myself up over it because I'm expecting the person I used to be. This IS who I am now...I should be nicer to myself! Hey, you too! You have a brain injury.

How about a post it on the bathroom mirror or the fridge. I'm in the fridge all day long getting cold water and then u can guess why the bathroom mirror.

I carry my phone at all times and check my daily schedule like an obsessive person now.

I like what Mark said. "I plan to forget."

Oh, Mokey, I almost laughed and cried because I do this all the time. I have three children so I had to come up with systems to change. Kids were being left at school, and it was becoming a safety issue!

I have an iPhone, and I program it with alerts everyday. Where I parked the car even becomes an event in the calendar. I create and event called car and I put in the pin with the address!

I put the MRI appointment date, time and address as soon as I get the piece of paper in the mail or I am schedule at the doctor's office, because I know that I will put that piece of paper down and file it away to oblivion.

I have a calendar with pockets and I file the information associated with the appointment for that month in the pocket.

A friend who has MS told me about another system which has been very helpful:

1. Write down everything in a calendar as soon as it comes in the mail.
2. Everday write down your to do list on a note card and rubber band it to your iPhone
3. Cross off your to do list. What you don't finish, write on your next day's list.

Even when I was first at home and never left, this was important, because the days blended into each other, and I forgot everything. Grocery lists, doctor's appointments, where kids were, etc.

It's so hard! We use to be able to keep everything inside our noggin! Now nothin' is inside the noggin! My Aunt says that's the key to happiness!

Hey mokey,

Oh boy, I do this all the time too!! I put notes on my desk and by the coffee pot so first thing in the morning I know what I have to do that day, I have to go over and over the notes then get upset trying to remember where the darn notes are! I've even walked around with sticky notes on my arm then forget they are there, it is a huge problem.


Mark has a great idea with the timer so hope that helps you.

Yes, I get very upset (does not help) because I used to be able to remember everything in my head, 5 things at once but not anymore so this is the "new us"

Hugs...

Hi all,

I can relate to the memory fails. I had two big appointments last Thursday, and my daughter's big appointment was this Wednesday. I had diligently put them on the big desk calender and on my phone.

My reminder's, however, went off for my own appointments while I was there ( I put in the wrong times), and we almost missed my daughter's appointment because I put in the wrong day. Her doctor's office called and asked if we were still coming. So maybe I have a bigger problem with accuracy of information. I still have a lot of trouble with numbers, and transposing them.

I try not to use too many notes, because I lose them too easily. I finally broke down and got a pill organizer because I kept forgetting when or if I took my meds. Ugh.

Timers are life savers. I don't really have a good fix for memory. Just relieved to see I'm not the only one. Take care, M-i-m