Forgetting where I'm going...

[actressmouse]

I'm newly diagnosed...6 mm herniation with asymetrical hearing loss/tinnitus...lots of symptoms.  I have a chiari doctor/pain management expert that I'm dealing with in NYC.  Has anyone else experienced forgetting where you're going while driving?  Then, once you remember WHERE you're going, not having the slightest idea HOW to get there?  It can be very frustrating and scary!!  

[meshell_32]

Mine started the min of the accident, all my belonging were at the hotel where I was staying and I left and started heading home (125 miles away) then half hour later I realized I had to go back and get my things lol!!!

[cazza1975]

Oh My im so glad i found this is " normal" as such I thought maybe  I was going mad driving along and hadnt realised Id not remembered the last bit of the journey. Going from A to B  taking 20 miles when it should be 5 as I cant map the journey out. mixing my words up is a good one it keeps my work collegue awake, any way and they are always amused by my lack of being able to put a sentance together " I got out morning this bed".  Saying thing out loud when it should have been in my head lol. Ive been to ashamed to  tell anyone I thought I was just stupid :(

[actressmouse]

I am fortunate in that I've always had a very good memory...photographic in many ways.  I do a lot of stage work which entails memorizing lines/lyrics to songs/music, so I've managed to keep my memory pretty intact (most of the time).  This kind of thing only happens when I'm driving.  Very weird.  Does anyone out there with this malformation also have intermittant elbow pain?  Just curious.

[STL5]

My morning routine is to drop my kids at daycare before heading towards work.  One morning I was almost to work when I realized that I forgot to drop my kids at daycare.  Needless to say I was late to work that day and they got a laugh at work about almost spending the day with my kids.

[niki3350]

Oh yes lots of memory loss, like sleepypea I get trance like feelings when im driving, frightens me to death, I forget names, if i have taken tablets, how to spell things, forgot what conversations i have had with people, then start them again, so people look at me as if im dumb.

It affects my coordination also, this can be a little embarrasing when you are trying to eat a meal and your brain is telling you where food goes but your knife and fork just struggle to put the food to your mouth!!!!!

Hey life with chiari is certainly a challenge.

Niki x x x

[meshell_32]

I forget sometimes where I a m walking and what i am doing LOL I did that too with the phone...it *****

[sleepypea]

I have terrible memory issues....Lots of little things like...Did I take my medicine, what's my pin number, forgetting how to spell words I spell all the time, did I return all my e-mails and if I did what did they say? Watching a movie and have no idea 2 weeks later if I have ever even heard of it, all the while the family is saying come on mom really?? we just watched that. How do you not remember?
It's crazy. I also have have memory lapses while driving. I'll come too while driving down the road like I've been in a trance...SCARY!!! I try not to drive unless I'm having a good day and have no choice. I'll call someone and while the phone is ringing completely forget who I called and have to hang up look at the number and call back just to keep from saying "Crap, I'm sorry who is this?"

[n40066]

almost all of us have had issues of one sort or another with our memory and many people with chiari choose not to drive for that very reason!  but i can say, that since my surgery, it does not happen as often as it used to.  i play a lot of memory games in an effort to rebuild (so to speak) my memory.  it will never be what it once was, but it is getting better!  
welcome to the medhelp family!

[actressmouse]

Yes...I have a Chiari specialist...affiliated with Columbia Presbyterian.  Didn't like the "vibe" I got from the Chiari Institute....a little too hung up on how I was going to pay them -- didn't get back to me for 4 months due to "re-organization of staff"....those two things steered me away from them.  

[pamk5]

Welome to our little family!  This is a horrible condition that we live with.  Yes I have had that happen and get somewhere and not remember the drive.  It is really scary.  

With Chiari it is really important to find a specialist that treats only Chiari patients.  Not an NS that sees Chiari patients too.  The good news that you are in NY and there is the Chiari Institute there in Great Neck I believe.  That may be an option for you if you have issues with who you are seeing now.  

Good luck with your journey.  You have found an excellent place for support and information.  

Pam