Worrisome issue I had yesterday

[Fishytrout]

Wondering how others have dealt with this scary type of MS issue which occurred with me yesterday.

I had gone to a therapist appointment and throughout the appointment had an evolution of something FRIGHTENING. I could NOT think of the word I wanted to use, could not remember things and, by the end of the appointment I was highly disoriented. When I got up to leave I had foot drop and significant weakness. I improved, but still am weak in my legs, my cognition is NOT up to my baseline yet and I am VERY VERY frightened.

Please share YOUR experience with this type of problem and how YOU dealt with it.

Thank you in advance.

[jumangi]

Expressive and Receptive Aphasia

2 years before I was DX'ed with MS, I drove myself to the emergency room because I could not read words I had just typed into a computer, nor could I form sentences when speaking.

After several CT scans & MRIs and EEGs, it was determined that I had a mild stroke.

Primary symptom was with names of things, but during the worst of it, I could not recognize names of things people spoke to me.

It came and went for a couple of weeks and resolved itself w/o specific treatment. I still "feel" it occasionally when I can't come up with a name for something. I can just tell that it feels different than a simple case of forgetfulness. It is like I can't open a door, or see through a window. Even though I know what is on the other side, I can't get there.

I returned to the same neuro office when I started developing numbness in my hand and arm last year. When they gave me the MS news, the same doc that cared for my 'stroke' said we may have missed MS at that time.

So, no weakness w/ me at that time, but I'll pony up a 'me too' for aphasia.

Best Wishes,
Bill C.

[jumangi]

dang

I realized after I hit send that I hadn't said how I dealt with it.

No 1. Don't Panic

No 2. If possible, tell the person you're talking to wait a while. Breathe deep and calm yourself. If it passes, keep talking. If not, apologize and ask to talk later.

No 3. For those mild cases that come later. Ask for help. "Ok, I know what this is, but it's a noun. What's the word for something that's used to put out fires?" People get used to it, they don't make too much fun of you when you are older. If you are older, don't let them get away with the old saw "it's heck getting old" or "I'm doing that too now that I'm older" Gently tell them it is not the same, and you can tell the difference.

No 4. I'm not sure what this one is. Give me a moment...

[Thinkimjob]

This happens to me on a daily basis. As soon as I get too tired, everything falls apart.

Traveling to appointments, dealing with doctors or even a hour's lunch out with a friend.

Memory, completing sentences, moving, standing up, walking even with my walker, eyesight. Blurrk.

It's like a panic attack, except I'm not anxious, just overstimulated.

Had my first real haircut in an actual salon for two years last week. (Usually I cut the end off my ponytail, which isn't as bad as it sounds.curly hair covers a multitude of sins.)

It was just a nightmare. Had to hoick the wheelie walker over a step.

Hot water, music, bright lights, blow dryer. By the time I got back in the car I was shaking.

It goes away, but it keeps coming back. Have to go to the doctor on Monday. Just thinking about how exhausted I will be makes me want to cry.

Good luck.

[Fishytrout]

No 1. Don't Panic
No 2. If possible, tell the person you're talking to wait a while. Breathe deep and calm yourself. If it passes, keep talking. If not, apologize and ask to talk later.
No 3. For those mild cases that come later. Ask for help. "Ok, I know what this is, but it's a noun. What's the word for something that's used to put out fires?" People get used to it, they don't make too much fun of you when you are older. If you are older, don't let them get away with the old saw "it's heck getting old" or "I'm doing that too now that I'm older" Gently tell them it is not the same, and you can tell the difference.
No 4. I'm not sure what this one is. Give me a moment...

"It is like I can't open a door, or see through a window. Even though I know what is on the other side, I can't get there."

THANK YOU for this. AND thank you for your comment on your earlier post (I highlighted it in blue) on what it is like to experience this. You are SO on target.

[jumangi]

dang x2

THANK YOU for this. AND thank you for your comment on your earlier post (I highlighted it in blue) on what it is like to experience this. You are SO on target.

You are very welcome, but I forgot to add the most important way I've dealt with it (this is definitely a "I'm getting older" symptom <g>).

When this condition was first diagnosed as a stroke, the neuro recommended that I exercise the language centers of my brain in order to develop alternate pathways for communication around the stroke damage. I've heard that same advice for MS lesions. Since my symptoms were both receptive and expressive, her recommendation was to read often. Up until that point I had never been a regular reader of books. Since then, I make sure I read every day. I've got a Kindle that lets me crank the font to a large size and high contrast that has enabled me to read a lot of fiction. I think it helps.

Best Wishes,
Bill C.

[Goldfinch]

You are very welcome, but I forgot to add the most important way I've dealt with it (this is definitely a "I'm getting older" symptom <g>).

When this condition was first diagnosed as a stroke, the neuro recommended that I exercise the language centers of my brain in order to develop alternate pathways for communication around the stroke damage. I've heard that same advice for MS lesions. Since my symptoms were both receptive and expressive, her recommendation was to read often. Up until that point I had never been a regular reader of books. Since then, I make sure I read every day. I've got a Kindle that lets me crank the font to a large size and high contrast that has enabled me to read a lot of fiction. I think it helps.

Best Wishes,
Bill C.

Woot! I'm gonna get me a kindle. Are there comparable math practice programs available for Kindles, do you think? My math skills...aren't, lol. Reading and language have been my saving grace because I have always had a huge vocabulary. If I can't think of one word, I just pop another one into the vacuum. But I definitely have those blank moments anyway...

Thank goodness for synonyms. It's like being Porky Pig in the old Looney Tunes cartoons, where he stutters on a word and then slips in a synonym for the one he can't get out.

[Fishytrout]

UPDATE

It took about 5 days, but I am back to my baseline. Goldfinch thank you for your helpful response.

[Fishytrout]

Jumangi

OMG I forgot to thank YOU for the helpful links you gave me

[jjs]

This happens to me on a daily basis. As soon as I get too tired, everything falls apart.

Traveling to appointments, dealing with doctors or even a hour's lunch out with a friend.

Memory, completing sentences, moving, standing up, walking even with my walker, eyesight. Blurrk.

It's like a panic attack, except I'm not anxious, just overstimulated.

Had my first real haircut in an actual salon for two years last week. (Usually I cut the end off my ponytail, which isn't as bad as it sounds.curly hair covers a multitude of sins.)

It was just a nightmare. Had to hoick the wheelie walker over a step.

Hot water, music, bright lights, blow dryer. By the time I got back in the car I was shaking.

It goes away, but it keeps coming back. Have to go to the doctor on Monday. Just thinking about how exhausted I will be makes me want to cry.

Good luck.

You pretty much just described me. I joke and say I'm like Cinderella at the ball ... I must get home before the spell brakes. I just begin shutting down (daily). Slurred speach, missed words, forget how to do basic things, cannot walk without holding on to walls / counters, legs give out, etc. I just tell my family, "I'm shutting down" or "I'm checking out" and they know what to do. (take over, quiet down, and don't ask me questions or expept me to communicate)
Busy or crowded places totally wear me out. Appointments or anything else that requires me to think and communicate are very difficult. Shopping ... blah. I cannot believe I used to be an accountant in a very busy office!!!
I used to read out loud to my children at night. Now they read to me because the words don't come out right and I trip all over my tongue. I literally sound like someone who is learning how to read or something.