Sudden onset problems with reading comprehension

[Jrasted79]

This has come on pretty suddenly, maybe over a few months. I am so depressed. I am in college and can't even get through a sentence. If it's a short sentence I'm ok but if it is a long sentence with a point I can't piece the whole sentence together for it to make sense. After I read over and over and move on to the next sentence I have already forgotten the sentence I just read.

I have tried different solutions to no avail. I read over and over, then I highlight the sentence, read it out loud, and then rewrite the sentence myself, but still, I just can't get it.

I was an avid reader before this so it's not a reading level problem. Has this happened to anyone else? It became so apparent in history today when we had to read an article and answer about 10 questions. I tried all my strategies and it just wasn't going to happen.

I called the disabled student program which I already belong to and asked for learning disability testing but I guess at the moment they don't have a specialist on staff so there's nothing they can do. I was really upset with hearing this.

My self-esteem which is already very hard work to keep up, took a huge hit today. I'm so depressed now because I've always taken great pride in my intellect and good grades without being arrogant lol.

Now I'm failing every test in all of my 4 classes. I need to stay in school because the financial aid helps keep the roof over our heads (my daughter and I) I feel so stupid and inadequate. School and my daughter are the only things that keep the depression at a manageable level and keeps from taking me over. Now school is just making my depression worse. I'm begging to feel agoraphobic again. I don't want to go there again.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions? If I can find help with my school work that would be cool but it still won't help with me passing my tests.

[Tia1]

I have periods of time where it is much more difficult to focus. My prayer for you is that it goes away as quickly as it came. Can you get something from your doctors, so that you can retest? Try not to beat yourself up over this and if your depression continues to worsen, talk to your doctor. (hugs).

[J-Bo]

I have this problem too. I'm not in school, but I have to read a lot of technical/business documents for work, and sometimes it's really difficult. I thought about how you said you rewrite what you've read...does that mean you copy it verbatim, or do you recompose it in your own words? Sometimes the latter helps me some.

Another thing I do is try to create an outline, diagram, timeline, map (or whatever makes sense) from the text so I can see how everything relates. It takes longer, but increases the likelihood that I'll retain it. I don't know if any of that would help you, but it's worked well for me.

[Jrasted79]

Strategies that take a long time but it doesn't bother me, I spend 45 minutes to an hour trying to decipher one page. Wait, I lied, it bothers the heck outta me, but it's what I have to. I've re-written verbatim and in my own words but most of the time I have such a problem trying to piece together or understand the sentence that I can't use my own words because it just doesn't make sense to me.

I wrote an email to my teacher explaining my situation and shared a little background on myself like, what I used to do for work, fun, and how this disease has affected me. I also explained that I do receive assistance from Access (disabled student services)

I also explained that because the school currently has no learning disability specialist so I can't be tested (which really irritates and upsets me)

I feel like I am just a shell of of my former self. Instead of rock climbing, hiking, etc. I take, I guess what you call, virtual trips. I collect maps, mostly forestry and topography maps of specific areas, one world map, and one galaxy map. Anyways, I will walk over to a map, close my eyes and touch an area on the map. I then research, find pictures, and in a sense visit the area. I do this when I have a few hours to kill.

In this way I find alternatives to experience things, in a way similar to what I did before. I like it, but every time I have to find a new "work around" it reminds me of how things used to be, when I was happy, and it makes me sad and I usually end up crying. I do get help with my depression, I'm on some meds and I see a therApist every other week. But I feel like the meds are not effective anymore and they won't adjust them, nor will they give me anything for my horrible anxiety or panic attacks.

Anyways I've gotten totally off topic, I'm sorry. I tend to do this when I'm depressed and feel alone. Thanks for your input

[Jrasted79]

GREAT NEWS

Besides my ER visit and two days of hell I got great news before my two days hell took over. I got to speak with the head of the disabled student program at school. Although they don't have learning disability testing at school she told me that my social worker should be able to arrange it so I've left a message with her. I also got approved to use one full page one-sided notes for all my exams in every class!! I spoke to my criminal justice teacher whom I have a great rapport with as I have already taken 3 classes with him before I could get seen with the head of of disabled students program and he said I could use the test review sheet he gives us.

It pretty much gives all the answers so I plan on just using it for names of theorist's I have a hard time remembering. I've done sooo much research into the criminal justice system before I started school so these classes come pretty easy as my long term memory is still intact.

This will help soooo much with my math and history class. History is a problem because of the reading involved and math requires multiple steps for each problem which I can't retain one bit.

I'm soooo happy about the accommodations but I am still left with the depression because I feel like half the person I used to be.

[Temagami]

I got a lot of good vibes and spirit out of reading wheelchair kamikaze´s blog. He talks about our (as in MSers´) ability to "whistle in the dark." I think it would literally help to whistle when you are at your lowest. I put on pandora and select John Mayer, Jack Johnson, or The Lumineers channels. That helps a lot.

I´m glad that your school recognizes your difficulties. I did well in calculus- long ago, and now have trouble with basic math facts and word problems- even knowing I need to recheck I have troubles. I imagine we all have to adjust to the ever shifting "new normals."

Where are your favorite hiking trails? My goal is to finish the Vermont Long trail this summer- got 69 miles to go and I need to do it while I can.

Are 4 classes the minimum you must take to keep full time student status? Can you back it down?

Hang in there.

[Jrasted79]

I live really close to joshua tree national park in california. So I've hike there extensively. I used to rock climb for any years and that was a rock climbers dream. I have hiked all through Cleveland national park in Cali also. I once did a 2 week hike from orange, ca to Ortega hwy. it's super far. I was going to climb san jacinto mountain but got sick a few months before the trip. That was 4 years ago. I can't hike anymore. I'm lucky if I can get through the grocery store. Lol

Ya I need 4 classes to keep full time status.
I'm afraid cuz I have missed so many classes all ready and school only started January 13th.

I have to go back to the ER tomorrow. I am a little worried. I've had a headache for over a weak that peaked a few days ago was in the ER on Thursday but it hasn't left. Now I have had an extremely stiff neck and upper right back hurts so bad, this is the second day of that. I have tried my tens unit and heating pad all day but not even a little change. Today my throat starting hurting, I feel much pressure in my head, shoulder pain is shooting down my arm, and I have had bouts of extreme confusion since Thursday. My legs are also super weak. They are usually weak but this is much worse.

I see a new neuro Monday but I can't wait. I have to go to the ER tomorrow

[Mrs. Toodawgs]

Jrasted79 ~ how did things go at the ER and with your new neuro on monday? were you able to get any relief for your symptoms?

Also, I was wondering if you have given any thought to taking classes online rather than on campus? I am going to school online, just finished my AA and about to start my Bachelors and 1 five week course qualifies for full-time status and is fully funded by financial aid loans and grants. Being online is nice so that you can work around the bad days for the most part or at least walk away and try to refocus when you need to. Also, all the tests are open book and the school I am going through I believe does have a disability program. Anyway just some insight.

I hope you are able to start doing better and relieve some stress.

[Jrasted79]

Well I ended up having to go to two ER's. When I got to the second ER I told the doctor that at the first one they did no blood work, didn't even touch me, no exam, when he heard that he got pissed!! He took one look in my throat and he looked utterly disgusted. He said I had the worse case of strep throat he has seen this season. My entire throat was covered in yuck when usually it's just one pocket of yuck. He hooked me up to a heart monitor and kept me all day. I guess if you have a heart murmur and strep then it can cause some sort of fatal thing, I forget what it's called. He also did a CT for my headache.

I guess my migraine meds stopped working cuz it never fully went away and I can feel it just a waitin to hit. My face is still swollen and I have a lump in my neck but it's not near my lymph nodes. I see my primary doc this afternoon and I have made a little list of things I need to go over or else I'll forget. =( also what is really weird is my anxiety, I've always had it, I go through times when I can handle and times I can't. Lately it's been REAL bad. But a new thing I'm experiencing with it is feeling violent. I am a petite, smiley, positive little thing. I always avoid confrontation and have never been one to fight.

I've been having to leave class early like today because peoe in general are pissing me off. The know-it-alls, ones who ask multiple questions that are completely off topic, all the different noises they make. OMG it's driving me nuts. I actually had to leave because I didn't know if I could stop myself from getting up and hitting them or say something offensive. I don't think I'm better than anyone else and I make friends with all sorts of people except mean people. Mean people give me anxiety. Well, I guess everyone gives me anxiety now. Thank god I see my therapist tomorrow. I am so anxious right now, it's 3:30 am, just took a shower, haven't slept and I have to be up at 6:45.

My doc won't give me anxiety meds cuz I'm on pain meds but I don't even take high doses of my pain meds. All he does is tell me to meditate which I do, but it's kind of hard when you are in the full on grip of anxiety. It only works when I can catch it just coming on but lately it's bordering on panic attacks and that is what I'm actually diagnosed with. It comes on fast almost no warning at all. Anyways here I am, soooo off topic lol

I can't take online classes, I have tried and failed the three times I have tried. I have to hear and see my teachers in person and being there makes me more accountable. I would really just like to take a semester or two off until I can get my health stable but I need the money =( if I could just get approved for disability I could give myself the ability to rest when I need to. Which is a lot lol. I need in home health services too but I can't get that unless I'm on disability either

[pennstater]

Jan,

I did have sudden onset following bout of vertigo and episode of confusion back in 1993. It took about a year to get better, but I never fully recovered to previous level. But it was enough to keep me working up until this year in a cognitively intense position.

I do hope you start to feel better. Good luck to you.