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11126315 tn?1415524732

"I pick things up and put them down"....

Now just imagine me saying that with an Austrian accent...:) (if you're confused, sorry, its from a movie, I think) in all seriousness though, hoping for some insight into what is going on with my brain...

I had what I have been referring to as "a confusion episode" again tonight while shopping...not sure exactly how to explain, so I will do my best..

Out shopping for Christmas gifts and a few groceries. I went into the local grocery store last, intending to get some food for a Christmas breakfast. While doing this, I became what I can only describe as confused, and frozen with indecision.

I walked around the store for approximately 20 minutes picking things up, looking at them, and then placing them back on the shelf, or alternatively staring at things on the shelves and in the refrigerators without placing anything in my cart (except garlic, which was the first thing I got, and should have been my indicator that all was not right, as I walked around the produce aisle three times and finally had to have it pointed out to me).

I am not sure if I am being good describing the weirdness. I ended up so confused as to what I was doing, why I was there, what I needed to do next etc, that I ended up in tears calling my husband at work and all.I could say was "I don't know what I'm doing, I'm confused". He talked me out of the store and into my car. Just being on the phone, and having someone tell me what I was doing, and what to do next seemed to help, although I still felt not quite with it.

Not sure what the check is going on with my brain. Is this a sign of early Alzheimer's disease? MS? Dementia? I really don't like it, whatever it is. It's happened to me a few other times, once while driving. That was fun. Any insight appreciated.

Thank you. And Happy Holidays to everyone.
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11126315 tn?1415524732
Thanks for all the replies. Sounds like rest is key. I am not actually diagnosed with MS but it sounds like what I have been experiencing is pretty common in MS. Barb, I think you hit the nail on the head with your explanation of that panicked feeling. And Jensequitor, that is exactly what happened to me while driving. I got so confused, I couldn't remember how I got where I was, I did not know where I was, or how to get home, and I was on my way home from class. I pulled over, panicked for a few minutes, then used my GPS to get home. I was able to figure out where I was after driving with the GPS for a few minutes, but it was still a terrible experience. Makes me feel like I'm losing my mind. After that I got a cell phone so I can call my husband when this happens. It's not all the time, thank god. Including the most recent shopping debacle, I think it has happened 4 times since July. Anyway, whatever the cause is, glad to know I'm not alone.
Mer
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Avatar universal
This holiday season was probably the first year since my dx that I have experienced major cog fog to the point of feeling panicked because I didn't understand what was happening.
I found that if the hubby was home he was able to keep me on task before the panic set in. For me it is like It's like my brain forgot how to follow through with things and trying to fight this would put me in a total panic.
Does that make sense?
I often find myself  talking myself through the steps of completing things. I'm sure people around me wherever I'm at when this occurs must think I'm a total loon. Believe me I feel like it too. I also find that when I am able to accomplish even some of the easiest things I am proud of myself for getting through it. Even tasks that were second nature to me before seem daunting  sometimes.
I also find I am very noise sensitive. I won't go to certain  restaurants on busy nights cause I can't tolerate the noise overload.
I guess I'm just thankful that this comes and goes and is not constant.
I just need to learn to listen to my body and stop what I'm doing and rest. This can make a big difference, but not always possible.
My best regards to you, barb
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338416 tn?1420045702
Well, I'll tell you that one of my first symptoms was cog fog. I didn't realize that the buzzing in my face and the dizzy spells every day were also symptoms. I had the worst confusion when trying to complete tasks, like going grocery shopping. Following recipes was nearly impossible. I would skip steps or forget to put in ingredients.

The driving experience you related is one I've heard many times before from other people that have been diagnosed with MS. Sometimes the brain is unable to sort out what the task is, how to prioritize it, what the 'first thing' is in getting the task done. I know several people have commented on this site about getting lost doing something they do every day - drive home. They're unable to remember where they live, or how to drive to that spot.

What I would recommend is to call a cab or get a friend to help you drive home. This is very difficult to do. I made the judgment call many times to drive myself home when I shouldn't have. But I've also been so distracted that it was a miracle I didn't have an accident.

This is going to happen with sensory overload, too. Going into a store with lots of stuff going on - displays, music, flashy bits - can keep you from being able to focus on what you need to do. And it's telling that this happened at the end of your shopping trip. It sounded like you were tired and not tracking as well as you should have been.

This is something that you can manage with rest. Try not to do too much in one day. Take it easy on yourself and you can get through this!  Good luck - J
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11126315 tn?1415524732
And my face troops on the right side. :/
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11126315 tn?1415524732
And my face troops on the right side. :/
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11126315 tn?1415524732
Hi,
It's not a one time thing, has happened before, that is actually why I got a cell phone. Bad decision making skills and confused while driving. Happened at faniel hall in Boston this summer too. At the time I thought I had overheated.

As far as other symptoms, yes, burning toes right foot only, leg cramps, extremely shaky jello legs,  scalp going numb, vision problems, one pupil bigger than other sometimes, 3 months of random swollen ankles feet calves three shoe sizes bigger type swollen with all the tests for heart issues clear. There are more, just can't remember all right now.

Diagnosed with menieres, bilateral trigeminal neuralgia, and migraines. Not diagnosed with anything else yet. Have an appointment in February with a Neuro.

Mer
Helpful - 0
5509293 tn?1428531475
I can relate but not explain. Nothing as dramatic as having to call for help but shops, malls, airports, big gatherings are difficult, confusing, exhausting and I often find myself just wandering without doing the surgical strike shopping I used to. I have always thought it was a combination of fatigue and fluorescent lights. Since your incident seems like a one time thing you might want to rule out mini stroke although I would think that unlikely given your young age. AD seems unlikely too. Are you dx'd with anything? Could it have been low sugar level? Hope you are ok now.
Helpful - 0
1831849 tn?1383228392
Hi MG -

While there are often cognitive symptoms associated with MS, lovingly referred to as Cog Fog, they are not usually the primary presenting symptoms.

Do you have other things going on? Have you been diagnosed are you being diagnosed?

Kyle
Helpful - 0
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