Memory & Concentration

Question

My 16 year old daughter was diagnosed last year with Chiari.  

I have noticed that she has been very forgetful lately.  I will ask her to do something around the house and she forgets to do it.  I also notice it with school & sports and things that she forgets.  I realize that she is a teenager and forgetfulness comes with the territory, but when she is confronted about forgetting something you can tell that she had no recollection of ever being asked to do it.

My question is, are there things that others have done to help with the forgetfulness and concentration?  Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance!

selmaS · Answer

http://www.medhelp.org/health_pages/Neurological%20Disorders/Activities-to-avoid-with-Chiari-and-Syringomyelia/show/986?cid=186

Viva001 · Answer

I had many problems w/cognition before surgery; I even burned my hand on the stove by being inattentive.  I feel much more "grounded" now, and did almost immediately after surgery.  I'm 10 wk post op.

You will get many warnings here about your DD playing volleyball, no matter what the NS says.

sisk71 · Answer

She has not had surgery.  She plays volleyball and is in Poms (the school dance team).  Her neurosurgeon has released her to play and participate in both.

selmaS · Answer

May I ask what sports she is doing, ne type of straining will cause a chiarian more pain.

 She didn't have surgery yet did she?

sisk71 · Answer

Thanks! I really appreciate any and all suggestions. linnielou232 her headaches come and go...she deals with them in groupings and she tends to have worse headaches when she's busier...school, sports, etc.

selmaS · Answer

Hi, I too have had this issue pre and post op, and find it is more the short term memory that is the problem....when I was still working, I made a list of things I had to do at work on Monday's and put a time table that they had to be done, and did so for each day of the week, I also had my cheat sheets for the diff  computer  spreadsheets so I had a reference and by using it this helped my memory, so for things that have to be done daily a check list out in plain view is helpful....I would add new things that were asked of me again so I wold not forget.

 If she has a smart phone, there is a reminder or scheduling section in it and an alarm can go off be it a vibration to help remind her....just a thought.

linnielou232 · Answer

I still have this problem even after surgery.  Age has something to do with mine.  I just turned 50 LOL....I would suggest your daughter to write herself a note for a remind her of what she needs to do.  This could be due to the pressure she has in her head.  Does she deal with a lot of HA's?  Hope this helpful tip helps. 
Linda :)