Cognitive Question

[cjldb]

I have a question. I am diagnosed, have been for a year and a half. Mostly sensory and cognitive symptoms. Immediately before I began having physical symptoms and was diagnosed with MS I was seriously considering my GP to evaluate me for ADHD because I couldn't manage myself or my schedule. I would drive the wrong way to go places, I would forget appointments and entire conversations. The only reason I didn't is because I was afraid she would think I just wanted stimulants.

Now, it's not as what I call as "acute" but I always feel like I am in a fog. I try to listen to conversations but most of the time I zone out. I appear to be listening and I actively try but it never fails that when I need to respond I find I am struggling to remember what was said. I use my phone to schedule all important meetings, appointments, and even reminders to do little things. Sometimes they still slip up on me! I also feel like I stay behind at work because I can't focus. The more behind I get the more overwhelmed I feel and it makes it that much harder to struggle through the mundane tasks. I have never been the greatest at organization but I really really try. It seems impossible! I also find that my judgement is impaired...it seems I say and do things that I wouldn't have 5 years ago. Later I may look back and say "what was I thinking...it's like I was on drugs" but I definitely AM NOT!!

I am not on any medication that should cause this that I am aware of. Cymbalta, Nuvigil and only 10 mg of Baclofen at night. I am 35 so while it is beginning to be tempting to blame age I really don't think that is it either. Do any of you experience any of these things? Or am I just really going crazy hahaha!

I try to laugh it off and find the humor in it most of the time but I am a teacher so it is actually quite concerning for me.  I am always asking kids to stop and repeat questions simply because my mind "zoned" while they were asking it.

[supermum_ms]

Hi there,

Its become a habbit for me to check for side affects when people list the drugs they take, sometimes it is the combination of medications that interact in unexpected ways, and if that interaction 'could possibly' be causing part of the problem, I think its worth knowing so you can speak to your dr about it.

So I checked out the 3 you listed and there is a moderate interaction warning for Baclofen and Cybalta that 'might' be relevant...

"Interactions between your selected drugs

baclofen ↔ duloxetine
Applies to: baclofen, Cymbalta (duloxetine)

Using baclofen together with DULoxetine may increase side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty concentrating. Some people may also experience some impairment in thinking and judgment. You should avoid or limit the use of alcohol while being treated with these medications. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor."

http://www.drugs.com/interactions-check.php?drug_list=318-0,949-2273,234-11228

I am not in any way saying that the combination 'is' the problem or not, just that there is a relivant warning to your cognitive concerns, so it might be worth considering.

Cheers.......JJ


  

[HVAC]

I have had cognitive issues from MS since childhood. My MS started at Two. They put me in special ed classes. I can't follow directions and reading is difficult. If you spell out loud I can't understand. Focusing is hard. I have learned tricks such as active listening. Really paying attention, I can't let my mind wander. Even being in the slow class I graduated high school and  a good college with honors and got into a tough graduate school program.

I can't drive and listen to the radio. I have to have a to do list for the week on the fridge and my husband has to check it to to make sure I do not forget an engagement or task.

I even have to think when I get in the car so I put it in reverse and not drive. I have left the keys in the car running. I realize it right away. I really have to be present. Medications  like muscle relaxers and pain medications can make it worse so I take them sparingly.

I do post it notes. I have several calendars. Mild exercise every day helps me. I also eat well and try to sleep well. Mostly I understand it is my disease. I laugh a lot.

Alex

[SarahL2491]

I think you are experiencing those pesky symptoms many of us get, and now you have to learn to cope with them.

Contact the national MS society online, go to their website, they offer many helpful hints, books you can have, books you can get from their lending library and one on one mentors who have been where you are.  It's a wonderful supportive organization and costs you nothing to participate.

Then I would suggest finding out if there is a MS support group near you where you can possibly interact with other having similar problems but definitely peer support.

You may have to consider checking to see what your new DX will do to your career if you employer learns of it, either thru you or students talking to their parents......food for thought while you try and get a handle on it.    PM me, I have some other suggestions.

[vamanos]

I teach too--and we both know how much you have to juggle and do in order to be effective in the classroom.

I can relate to your issues. Around the time my symptoms started, I started forgetting more than normal...(I am 35, too, btw...on the 28th of February)

would pour a cup of coffee. and literally turn around grab a mug, and pour another cup.

I tell my students not to run up and ask me questions in clustered groups...to ask one at a time, to please sit down and let me sort it out that way.
I tell them straight up that I cannot multi-task, and because of that, I have to be a bit more structured in my communication.

Think about it...You might have three kids standing around you at the start of class, all asking something different, while you are watching kids come in and take a seat...also while keeping an eye on the hallway. Put MS or any other neuro issue on top of that, and it makes sense to me that we would be struggling with it all a bit.

Some things that work for me:

Ask kids to ask you questions after the bell rings and you have them all seated...tell them it helps you keep track of things.

I show my kids a large wire inbox, and I tell them "ONLY turn work into this basket. Never hand me a thing...if you care about your work, turn it in there kiddos."

I have a redo outbox that I use for assignments, too. I tell kids I am good to pass work back once, but if they are redoing and redoing an assignment (I take a  standards/mastery approach and I ask my kids to redo work until it is proficient, thus some kids might do the same assignment 3 times) they need to look for it in the outbox. It cuts down on the insanity.

It is frustrating when students can see things happening (face twitch, red hands...plus my room is cold) and I know they are curious and want to say "Hey, your face is twitching!"...It would not offend me, but I do not intend to share my issues with my students.

[cjldb]

And just to emphasize my point...I teach high school...I have literally had students as me "Are you high?".