How to deal with complete loss of time???

[from2344]

I am sooooo frustrated with what I guess is becoming the new me. I won't give in to my mind but I have to learn some acceptance as well as some coping skills and I don't know how. I am losing moments in time completely, among other issues.

An example is last week I lost $20 but I knew it was in my pocket of my sweatshirt which was in the washer so I searched for it and then had my son look for it. We both couldn't find it so I spent half an hour the next day looking again and finally gave up. Later that day my daughter says she has the $20 I loaned her. I was confused as I didn't and still don't remember finding it or loaning it to my daughter. I asked her where I got it and she told me I found it in the washer. I asked her if I physically gave it to her and she nervously laughed and said yes. I still have no memory at all of this.

Also, I have been quilting pillows for a couple weeks and I have cut the material 10 x's in a row the wrong size. Along with that I have ripped out more seams then I have in my entire life of quilting. I feel like I am 2, I can't seem to quilt with ease as I once did.

Anyways, today I have a client of mine tell me she needs a paper that she gave me last week returned and signs so she can file her taxes. I have NO clue what she is talking about. I didn't even know how to explain to her I am having moments of lost time and I am so sorry she has fallen victim to my crazy brain.

Miraculously, this brain craziness seems to disappear as quickly as it comes but I have to find a way to not lose moments of time. Does anybody have any suggestions?

[MSW1963]

I've had 2 neuro psych evaluations, the first when I was very sick and based on google searches and my med history, I decided it was either MS or something similar, or I really was losing my mind.

I did the pre-evaluation interview with the psych doc, describing my memory sx's. The 'big' problem I was experiencing was what I referred to as 'memory loss'.

Following the evaluation when I was given the results/exit interview, the doc told me my memory was either in the superior range for things like facial recognition, or in the low 60% for 'executive memory'.

He sound a bit snarky about my memory being in the 'superior range', but when he explained my executive memory impairments based on the test, it made perfect sence/se to me. Executive memory involves ability to remember to do certain activities and your ability to later recall doing it, or having no memory of the activity.

The 2nd neuro psych evaluation 4-5 years later confirmed
'executive skills' decline, visual-spatial skills deficit, and initially doc didn't know if I had ever been dx with ADHD. Because I had no prior history of ADHD even after MS cognitive problems, it seems the executive memory is now at the ADHD level, although my dx does not include ADHD. Facial recognition is still in the superior range, which actually improved my overall score on the neuro psych test.

I'd suggest a neuro psych evaluation. In the event that's not possible, research different types of cognitive deficits based on how your cognitive/memory sx's manifest. From there you can search solutions, memory building exercises, etc., for your cognitive/memory based impairments.

Sorry this reply is so long, but I remember things anecdotally, in addition to the fact that I'm so unqualified as a neuro psych specialist.

Good luck with your research and managing your cognitive problems.

[from2344]

Thank you for your advice.

I don't see my neuro Dr. until June for my MS but I think I will give him a call and see if he can do any testing that your talking about. If not I will look on the internet and see if I can find some help there.

I don't think I have ADHD but would be super relieved if it was that and not the MS. I never even thought about it being something else. It is so easy for me to blame the disease for just about EVERYTHING that goes wrong with me. Sometimes, it would be best for me to probably talk to a professional before assuming its the disease.

Good luck with your journey and thanks again for your helpful advice

[MSW1963]

Organizational skills is the phrase I just could not 'find' when I was trying to explain executive brain functions. If that clears up anything? Hope I did't confused you even further trying to answer your question.

Good luck with your appointment and approval for neuro psyche evaluation.

[Mellissac]

Facial recognition

Oh yeah, the facial recognition is the worst! I've met a lot of new people in the past two years, as we've recently moved to a much less expensive neighborhood. A progressive illness will do that to ya.

I can't tell three of my neighbors apart. I blame it on my vision when I call them their different names. How do you explain, "oh sorry, I have MS, and believe it or not, I'm not able to tell the three of you apart, because I once mistook my husband for a hat." Sorry, that last part is a reference to Oliver Sachs (sp), he studied this particular disorder. It is really freaky, right?

[MSW1963]

I've heard interviews and read articles by the writer of "The man who thought his hat was his wife". Brain function is fascinatin, stunning when the brain is damaged.

Other times I think of all the things that could possibliy have gone wrong and don't, both for myself, my perfect DD, family members and most everyone I know.

[Mellissac]

Sure

I would never assume that my symptoms are the worst that could happen. I was using that as an expression. I'm sorry. That was in poor taste. This is not the place to be careless with words. I'm certain that many people on here and elsewhere have dealt with much worse. And I'm waiting for my own to get to the much worse. I only say waiting, because in the past year, my MS has progressed very quickly. More has happened in the past year than has happened in the past ten combined, so I get that, nonetheless, I do apologize for my carelessness.