I get confused and lost a lot. It is one thing to forget
what you need to get from the store, but it is a completely different “can of
worms” when you forget how to get to the store…
Or…
How you got to the store.
Cognitive
changes are common in people with MS — approximately half of all people with MS
will develop problems with cognition. Cognition refers to a range of high-level
brain functions, including the ability to learn and remember information;
organize, plan and problem-solve; focus, maintain and shift attention as
necessary; understand and use language; accurately perceive the environment;
and perform calculations. In MS, certain functions are more likely to be
affected than others:
- Memory (acquiring, retaining and
retrieving new information)
- Attention and concentration
(particularly divided attention)
- Information processing (dealing
with information gathered by the five senses)
- Executive functions (planning and
prioritizing)
- Visuospatial functions (visual
perception and constructional abilities)
- Verbal fluency (word-finding)
Certain
functions are likely to remain intact:
- General intellect
- Long-term (remote) memory
- Conversational skill
- Reading comprehension
A
person may experience difficulties in only one or two areas of cognitive
functioning or in several. Only 5-10 percent of people with MS develop problems
severe enough to interfere significantly with everyday activities. In very rare
instances, cognitive dysfunction may become so severe that the person can no
longer be cared for at home.
“Brain Fog” is frustrating in the fact that I can recall
conversations between me and someone else, pretty much word for word, but I
struggle to put toothpaste on my toothbrush.
I always think about what I am going to say, and I don’t apologize
for what I say because I never say anything on accident (I will apologize if
you somehow interpret it as something else).
Things change…
So yes it upsets me when I say the wrong word, knowing
(usually…sometimes) that it was the wrong word. I didn’t want to say it, but I
said it anyways.
I have no control over that piece of it.
So I end up looking foolish, mistaken, and unreliable.
Recently…
I was having a conversation with a guy, and I misspoke. I
didn’t know that I did. He caught it and pointed it out to me.
I paused and tried to recall the conversation in my head. I
do this because I am trying to capture those moments of error so that I can
learn to better help fight the disease, and to recognize issues. I do it then
and there so I don’t forget and it is fresh in my mind.
When I paused, the guy became a complete ass and a jerk. He
actually yelled at me because he interpreted “my look” as calling him a liar.
I didn’t call him a liar, and tried to explain to him that
“my look” was me questioning myself. I didn’t even realize that I had a “look”
when I am thinking.
He didn’t care, and the rest of the meeting went downhill
from there.
Not everyone cares…that’s life.
Moving on…
Check this out…
Have you noticed that simple things
you used to do on auto-pilot, like making a pot of coffee, seem more
complicated than they used to?
It happens to a lot of people with
MS. Often called “brain fog,” it can include forgetfulness, trouble
concentrating, and confusion. The disease can affect your thinking as well as
your body.
“There are lots of physical issues
that people with MS struggle with,” says Bart Rypma, associate professor of
behavioral and brain science at the University of Texas, Dallas. “But it’s the cognitive
changes -- slowing of thought -- that they experience most immediately.”
You may notice that you:
- Solve problems more slowly
- Forget appointments
- Lose track of conversations
- Can’t follow directions
- Need constant reminders about daily tasks
I’ve had cognitive issues for a decade, but they seem like
they are getting worse; a steady decline over the last five or six years;
making life that much more challenging.
It’s hard, but I am learning, and doing things to battle it.
On another note…
You may also hear “brain fog” being called “cog-fog” in
certain circles.
Check out this article by Donna
Sullivan titled “Embarrassing Cog-Fog Moments”
But when memory and cognition symptoms of multiple sclerosis commonly referred to as cog-fog roll in, it’s easy to feel that way. From that unable-to-focus-fuzzy-brain feeling to those black hole episodes when you have absolutely zero recollection of a conversation, commitment or event, these cog-fog moments can really make you feel like you are completely losing your mind. “What do you mean I made plans to meet you on Thursday?” and “of course I put the milk back in the microwave – doesn’t everyone?”
It’s frustrating when the wrong words come tumbling out of your mouth, or you walk over to your colleague’s desk and can’t remember why you came. You may feel like you need to put more effort into looking like you have your act together so that people around you don’t lose confidence in you, or think you are untrustworthy. You have MS, The last thing you want to do is to be treated like an Alzheimer’s patient, right?
Fake It Or Fess Up?
How you deal with these moments when they happen may influence how other people view you. You can ride it out with any non-related MS excuse that you can think of, from late nights out to a stressful week. Or even choose no explanation at all. Humor is often a great coping mechanism. And if you want to explain to someone, a bright smile and “oops, I must be having an MS moment” is one sure way to help others understand that it is your disease and not you.
Workplace Strategies
If you have not disclosed your MS diagnosis to your boss, or if you are at the workplace, you may not want to evoke unwanted attention or cause others to question if your multiple sclerosis is impacting job performance. This is where some common coping strategies can be a lifesaver.
• Organizing your environment
• Keeping a daily to-do list that is kept in the same place
• Having a consistent schedule that includes planning time
• Sticky notes, and electronic reminders are invaluable!
• Mnemonic devices: Songs and funny things are easier to remember, assign visuals and rhymes. Sound funny, but it works!
• Talk yourself through: verbal reinforcement is another great way to reinforce new information.
• Ask friends or coworkers to remind you
It is estimated that 65% of people living with MS will experience cognitive symptoms. So please know that you are not alone…
Often times, you may think others notice your deficits, when they may not. Remember, forgetfulness is not just an MS issue - it is a human issue.
(http://www.livinglikeyou.com/en/stories/detail/embarrassing-cog-fog-moments)
I use my phone’s calendar for everything. I set reminders. I rely on it a lot. I constantly check it because I am ridiculously busy, and because I can’t remember anything (or so it seems).
And if I don’t put it in the calendar right then…the task usually doesn’t happen.
Sad yes, but that’s my life, and so I make it a priority to capture everything that I need to do.
I don’t make excuses…
I make things happen by knowing my limitations and utilizing my resources.
Don’t be a statistic…
Be the person fighting for their life. The person who refuses to give in. Things change. You can either be proactive and drive the change, or you can get dragged behind; either way change is going to happen.
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