again with the memory

[spider6]

Hi kind peeps,
I have a question about my memory, ya it ***** but it'll get better I know but I'm on day 22 and
lately I've noticed I'm just having a hard time (at times) finding my words.  I know the word, but it's
like I forgot it.  OMG sometimes I feel like I'm literally wringing my brain out trying to reach it.....but....I
.....just....can't!   Uuuuggghhhhh snarl! anyway wtf os up with that? anyone relate?  This may be a few
times a day even.

[spider6]

thank - you to everyone who responds to me ..... I really really appreciate it.
Mary- the forgetfulness drives everyone in my family crazy.....I feel really stupid sometimes.  Also what I noticed today is when I'm speaking, if I'm not careful I may say the wrong word and only notice when it's already out.

health, sobriety and illumination everyone....cheers to today.
thank you everyone again.
peace Spider

[spider6]

thank - you to everyone who responds to me ..... I really really appreciate it.
Mary- the forgetfulness drives everyone in my family crazy.....I feel really stupid sometimes.  Also what I noticed today is when I'm speaking, if I'm not careful I may say the wrong word and only notice when it's already out.

health, sobriety and illumination everyone....cheers to today.
thank you everyone again.
peace Spider

[Clarityrocks]

I still have trouble after 22 months. I feel like my brain hasn't fully healed yet, and I know it is frustrating for me...  I did hear that reading out loud can help with healing those pathways, which is not my favorite thing to do, but I just pick the longer book to read to my kiddos. It also seems like my logical mind is not as sharp as it used to be! Hang in there:)
Allison

[marycarmel]

I have a terrible short-term memory.  I never misused my medications but they had me on nearly every narcotic:  Fentanyl, morphine, oxycdone, OxyContin, and more  (except methadone,) Neurontin, Ativan, Ambien and others I can't recall.  Neurontin caused me to sound drunk, even at low doses.  I also had a ton of procedures.

I always had a fabulous memory and with my friends from elementary school, I was always the one they'd ask if they bumped into someone or who was in who's class.  

I detoxed off everything myself (with a lot of help from here even though some suggested I shouldn't be on this forum as I was dependent versus addicted but there were people who were very kind and helpful as I went through the physical withdrawals.)  (And it was from reading the posts in this forum that made me say no when my pain doc suggested methadone.  I did have to go back on a low dose of narcotics last winter because my blood pressure was to high with the pain and I couldn't get it down with 2 blood pressure meds.)

I still have trouble with my memory, both short and long-term.  It drives my kids crazy.   It's been several years and my memory is still poor.  Maybe if I could stay off them for years it would improve.  It is better than it was when I was on too many and dosages that were too high but it's nowhere near what it used to be.  I think the Neurontin played a role even though it's not a narcotic.  In addition to it making me slur my words and sound drunk, I also had trouble with word finding.  I will say that has improved tremendously but it still happens on occasion.The worst for me is forgetting people's names.  I always remembered people even if we had only met once or twice.  Now I sometimes duck people in the supermarket because I can't place the person's name and I know I know them.

[spider6]

Hi, X,
I wanted to say that yes, it started before the WD for me too and yes it was one of the big reasons I wanted to quit........so funny as I talk a lot as well
and it can really be a problem now.  ahhhh recovery eh??  lol

[Xcalibure]

No, not just you.  It kills me because I talk a lot and have never stumbled for a word.  It actually started before the WD and I assume was a side effect of the abuse.  It was also one of the reasons I quit.  Its getting better now but it'll take time.

[OpenMind24hours]

Goes with the territory my friend. Believe me, that WILL get better. As a disclaimer, my wife suggested I wear a t-shirt that says  "Under Reconstruction" as I went thru detox. Brain power and energy level was up at least for an hour when I was using. But when I stopped, everything went to hell in a hand basket for awhile. But it's much better now that I can sleep. But after a bad night of no sleep, the "missing word syndrome" returns the next day.

This type of recovery is like recovering from nasty surgery. It's going to take some time to recover, but we DO recover!

[Wildewoman]

Whew!! I thought it was just me!!

I don't forget words - but I can't remember stuff I did yesterday.

[butterbean841]

Hi. Yep i can totally relate!...at times it scared me as i thought something was seriously wrong and i'd be like that forever!
I can tell you at 150 days clean it does improve bit by bit....i'm almost back to normal now (well, as normal as i ever was lol)....it just takes time ( i know the dreaded T word) that was a word i really came to dislike during my journey but patience and time is really all it takes. Keep up the good work....you've got this!!

Jane x

[ariley13]

OH, can I relate! Not only is your brain chemistry trying to balance back out, your body and mind are under a ton of stress. I get so bad with the memory thing that I feel like I have dementia sometimes! For me it's just stress and anxiety causing it. Just know that it will get better with time. The more you worry about it and stress about it, the worse it will be. Hang in there and congrats on your 22 days!