Memory lost

[diguilio]

Hi I was dx. in 2000. I WAS TURNING NEW MEDS. TO CONTROL MY MS. now i am on tecifidera.....i can't walk and i don't work any more....but here is my question i can't remember things and that is really bothering me.....does any else deal with not remembering things...please help me

[wholenewworld]

Hi I was dx. in 2000. I WAS TURNING NEW MEDS. TO CONTROL MY MS. now i am on tecifidera.....i can't walk and i don't work any more....but here is my question i can't remember things and that is really bothering me.....does any else deal with not remembering things...please help me

I have had memory issues now for a couple years. I even got tested and diagnosed with ADHD. Been on Adderall for 7 months and although I can focus better, I still have horrible memory. Have you tried any of the medications suggested for memory/cognitive issues with MS? Also, is it short term or long term memory you have an issue with? For me it's short term. I went into the kitchen the other day to get my water bottle off the table and ended up rifling through my purse asking myself what the heck I went out there for!! I make notes, reminders on my computer and phone...whatever I can to help me make sure I get things done.

[REG53]

Yes, my short term memory is very bad and very frustrating. I haven't found anything that helps.

[Poppy7402]

I have dreadful memory problems. If it isn't written down, it doesn't get done/bought/any attention. My problem is mainly short term/working memory, making it impossible to work in my profession (accountancy) as I can't retain information in my memory long enough to do anything with it.

[MSW1963]

diguilio, my first neuro psych evaluation in 2000 resulted in dx of executive memory deficit = short term memory, and visual spatial skills deficit = getting lost in big box stores and around the block from my home.

The second evalv in 2005 included ADD dx, which might overlap with the executive memory dx., IDK.

Funny (not hahaha funny) part about both exams is I got great dx info, but nothing I didn't already know. The testing is based on your sx as you describe them to the neuro psych doc prior to testing. The testing in 2000 was pre-dx and very helpful when I was getting eye rolls and 'sounds like stress' or 'sounds like depression', plus I looked too darn good, I couldn't possibly have MS.

The advantage to getting tested, was for me, first having an official dx for cognitive sx and being taken seriously about cognitive problems, and 2nd getting neuro psych rehab. (which I wasn't offered) to develop skills to help with memory, like using post-it notes, to do list, etc.

BTW, each post of yours that I read seems that you continue to improve each time. Take care.

[pennstater]

Yes, I have both short term and long term memory issues. I know long term is not a common presentation for MS, but if short term memory is an issue, affecting working memory, combined with issues encoding it to long term memory, It can happen. I also have no sense of smell, which smell can be used to help in memory retrieval.

Have you had a neuropsychiatrist test? This can help determine what type of memory issues are a problem and potential compensation and/or medicines may help. You could have problems with focus/attention, encoding memory, and/or actually retrieving memory. I have been working with a neuropsychiatrist to help improve my working memory.

My neuro says the best thing for brain Heath are the same for heart health. Eat healthy, limit fat/sugars, good night's rest, manage stress, and get you heart rate up via exercise (whatever is feasible) to increase blood flow to brain.

Specific to brain, neuro said important to challenge brain by learning, even if frustrating. Learn a new language, an instrument, different puzzle types. Even trying different recipes and trying to use non-dominant hand to do things helps.

Both neuro and neuropsychiatrist are big supporters of neuroplasticity and the brains ability to rewire itself. On their recommendation, I have been reading "The brain that changes itself" by Norman Doidge. It is fascinating.

Neither tell me that I can recover all cognitive function lost, but that I can recover some. I just want to be able to read a book and remember chapter to chapter what I read.

I do feel your pain. It is do frustrating. I do feel like I was able to improve some with the work I have been doing with more factual stuff. However, anything more visual/spatial, about the same.

I highly recommend a neuropsychiatrist and then follow up either with them or occupational therapist to address deficits.

[pridej]

MEMORY

Yes, I have memory problems too. It is very aggravating especially when someone says I have selective memory. I am on Tecfidera also. I can't walk but I have arthritis in my knees, back & hips which prevents me from walking. Cognitive thinking is definitely a symptom of MS.

Hi I was dx. in 2000. I WAS TURNING NEW MEDS. TO CONTROL MY MS. now i am on tecifidera.....i can't walk and i don't work any more....but here is my question i can't remember things and that is really bothering me.....does any else deal with not remembering things...please help me

[hunterd]

I really can't add more than what has already been said. I can say that my MS specialist and the neuropsychologist, both stressed that it is essential to do activities that will your brain thinking, such as crossword puzzles, and any sort of memory game. And basically, it, it is a game where he you need to strategize to win it is good for your brain.

[Chirpy]

I'm quite interested by people posting on this thread that they sought dx of memory issues, and were dx with ADD,ADHD... can MS give you ADHD?

I already _had_ ADHD my whole life (before it was invented even), definitely before any MS (unless I've secretly had that the whole time and I didn't know?). I've been thinking my memory is worse, but it was already bad so its hard to convince people that that's a problem! I went and got baseline testing on cognitive functions so that at least if I complain about it in the future they can have something to reference it to :-D I've gotten really good at shamelessly telling people "oh sorry, I've forgotten your name...?" or playing "fun" games of "have you seen my..." can't help it, smile and carry on!

[SEAMSGUY]

My long term memory is not too bad but short term is bad and getting worse. Yesterday the TV remote was up on the kitchen counter and I got up four times to get it, sat back down the first three times because I couldn't remember why I got up. Fourth time "was the charm".