From the article: Cognitive Dysfunction as a Symptom of Multiple Sclerosis
Most of us with multiple sclerosis (MS) have had frustrating experiences caused by MS-related cognitive dysfunction – we forget to take the dog to the vet, we leave out the best details of a story that we are telling or we can’t remember how to spell certain words. However, sometimes things happen because of cognitive slips that are embarrassing or downright dangerous. This is a place for you to share those “my-face-is-still-red” or “that-was-a-close-one” moments with people who truly understand. It is also a chance to hear from others and remember that you are not alone. And that it is not your fault.
Share Your Story
Solutions?
- Hi, I was diagnosed this year, am 20. I've always had my head in the clouds but the last two years have been awful- I can't think straight, I feel disconnected, I forget things, etc.... I've been searching for answers on how to improve or heal from cognitive dysfunction from MS, and no one is providing solutions besides doing Sudoku! Does anyone have any answers, things we can do to help strengthen our brains??? Thanks everyone, good luck :)
- —Guest Lola
getting lost in my home town,took a car
- I am ALL that is described. I have to ask people to repeat themselves. Please slow down & then there is the 'apology' as I stammer and stutter. Words are words now. Where ware wear. Write,right. lone loan. been bean.I often don't realize the difference when writing.I don't know if I took medication even if the bottles are in front of me so I take them out & put them back in a bag when done. I get lost in my own town & don't know where I am. THAT is FRIGHTENING. The best was taking someone elses car. They were parked near each other & looked the same ..The clicker didn't work but the key did. I wondered when my Mom cleaned out her trunk. I was pleased. The car didn't smell right , whatever. Brakes were low & kept reminding myself to tell her .I didn't recall them being low. Delivered my groceries. Delivered hers. it was cold. Walked home. Police called. I said uh oh. Did I open sugarfree cookies & leave em? Turned out I took someone elses car. My Moms was still there. I returned car
- —Guest Stephanie
What happens in Vegas...
- Went to Vegas on a business trip. The hotel was in one of those sprawling noisy casinos with a couple of hotels. I went to my room once. In the first place, I had a hard time reading the map to get to the room. Key didn't work. Angry, I got a new one at the desk. Still no go. The housekeeper was up there and let me on the room: which was occupied. I went back to the front desk, livid that they screwed up. My bad. I was at the wrong one of the hotels. So embarrassing.
- —Guest Dr.Demyelination
Cognitive Crash
- I don't know how I haven't read this before. I am sitting here crying, because nobody has ever really understood this before and put words to it. Thank you. My scariest cognitive dysfunction moment? I have lived in my home for 26 years. I had been to the grocery store, ran into somebody I knew, and they were following me home so we could visit. I didn't turn onto my street. I missed it. There was only ONE WAY to turn! There was no other street after it. I was horrified, embarrassed, scared...what else can I say?
- —Guest Dingy
how can we sure ?
- how can one be sure that short time memory issues are not age related.. I have had such issues for a while but call it denial, I prefer thinking it is related to aging... I am 46 and was diagnosed 6 months ago.
- —Guest constance
After reading the stories
- I can really empathize with a lot of them, and see myself here as well. But I am really glad that although I have some short term memory loss, I have not lost my writing or analytic skills. At least, I don't remember losing them. LOL. I am now 62 and thought I might be getting Alzheimer's but now I think it is MS. I certainly can't remember names all the time, and don't always remember what I am going to do. I lose things often, but my general excuse is "The cat ate them!" But I do understand not wanting to talk. At my age, I am afraid if something comes out wrong people will think I do have Alzheimer's.
- —Guest CathyC
Teresa
- I have MS which is attacking my short term memory loss. To the point that I accidently left a store with $3.00 in candy because a phone call came and distracted me, to the point that I slowly walked out of store forgetting I was there, that I had a bag I needed to pay for, I was in another world. When store staff came out and stopped me It took seconds to re-group in my mind as to knowing who they were, where I was, and what was going on. Once I gained back that memory I said oh I'm sorry, I forgot, I have MS that is affecting my short term memories. They said "everyone says that, all you petty theft people say the same stuff" They called the police and I was issued a citation, I have an actual court appearance April 20, 2012. I need help and direction!! Please Help me!!!
- —Guest Teresa Richardson
I'm embarrassed
- When having a discussion with one of my very intelligent, long-term friends, I will make a statement. She "seems" to attack me with questions such as "what proof do you have?", etc. Of course, I can't back them up because I can't remember just where or why I've formed that opinion. Hence, I have since pulled away from my VERY good friend of many years. I don't like feeling like I'm stupid or "thinking like a teenager", which she has said to another friend.
- —Guest dimples
Words are leaving me.
- I once was a lawyer - a litigator. Words -- spoken and written -- were my tools. I loved words. I loved all of the amazing things one can do with words-- crafting beautiful sentences, connecting those sentences into tightly-woven paragraphs and those paragraphs into persuasive arguments, written and spoken. I was good at what I did. I decided cases at my state supreme court and was considered for federal judgeships. I traveled the world. Now, I have a difficult time following conversation at a dinner party -- a very difficult time. I am quiet rather than saying something "off" or ill-timed. Words are becoming my enemy.
- —J.Emma
Green light stop?
- As I was driving up to an intersection I couldn't for the life of me remember if I should go through or stop for a green light........lost in space I kept going. Thank God the light was green! Needless to say, I rarely, if ever drive anymore. Its terrible being "retired" at 42 when you love working. Oh well, there are worse things for sure. God bless you....... This is quite a journey.....
- —Guest Loopdelu
Where was I?
- Where was I? I first noticed it was a MS issue when I was making bread with the bread machine and my mom asked me a question while I was adding the flour. I TOTALY forgot where I left off and could not for the life of me remember? I botched the bread pretty bad and had the rude awakening of a life time ( many more to come, I'm afraid)...I was diagnosed with MS for 7 years by that time but had on going sx like this since the beginning, just did not see it at that time. It STINKS.... makes me cry,I used to be so sharp.But I have not given up despite the heartbreaking lack of understanding from people I once was very close to.... Love yourself and celebrate your personal strength even if those around you don't see it, YOUR WORTH IT....I know I am!!!
- —Tkaye4
forgot having conversation
- haven't been diagnosed ,being evaluated,all points lead to MS on several occasions my daughter came home and spoke with me about her night at work ,so she goes to bed and I forget speaking to her ,so each time I called her on her cell phone and asked was she okay and why she wasn't home yet and if she was okay,she said MOM! I am in the bed asleep don't you remember we talked a couple of hours ago ? sometimes when she comes in ,I speak to her and have to go look out of the window at her car to see she's at home because I forgot that she came in, It took me about 15 minutes to write this
- —Guest carolyn
embarrassed...
- I sometimes don't know if I'm sitting on the toilet or not..I look, I see the darn thing, but I'm still afraid to relieve myself. I have to call my daughter and asked her if I am sitting on the toilet...geeezzz
- —Guest Tinkle
Looking stupid
- I was pulling up for valet parking the valet attendant was using her arms and hands alot. Ididnt think to wind down my window to hear her. I said look she must be deaf. Idid not realize my window was up, didnt think to wind it down to hear conversation.
- —carolineka
What did I ask?
- I will ask someone a question, and when they answer me, I don't know what or who they are talking about. I have to ask THEM who I wanted to know about. I fake it, but then just can't grasp the conversation and have to ask.
- —Guest Martha
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