Is cognitve decline permanent or part of flare?

[rendean]

After getting a memo from work today outlining my shortcomings and how I am not functioning at the level I once was, I was wondering if the cognitive dysfunction is permanent or does go into remission as well when this relapse is over?

I know that since the pain has finally been treated with yet another med that I feel better all around and think I am more clear headed. But, since I was under the illusion that I was doing okay at work and now I find out that I was not performing at my "prior exceptional level for the past 5 months", perhaps I am not returning to my previous level of function. See journal entry for more details.

I know that pain and the associated meds will impact cognitive performance.  Once the pain, and hopefully some of the meds are gone , I was hoping to regain some of my old brain back. Is this wishful thinking????

Ren

[rendean]

Thank you for your input. I have not looked into the cog fog issues... the last strains of my denial because I was afraid it was permanent. I did read the neuroplasticity page previously as this was the one of the purposes of the last 9 weeks of PT..to retrain my body regarding balance and position among other things.

As for my bosses, in actuality they were being fair. DH doesn't agree but he doesn't understand the impact of my work product in a legal setting. Not that I am happy about their decision but they did cover my back for the last 5-6 months allowing me to become eligible for company disability.

As for the violin, alas it too has gone the way of the squirrel but long before the MS came to visit. Never was musically inclined so no loss there. Have any suggestions for taming the brain to stop chasing squirrels?

Thanks again!
Ren

[Quixotic1]

Jen gave you a good answer.  Since the cognitive problems are likely gray matter damage, this would be considered to be permanent.  Gray matter does not heal and regrow...BUT!!  the brain is capable of great adaptability - called Neuroplasticity (be sure to read the HP on this topic).  New connections can form and old lost skills can be regained - to some extent.

There are all sorts of computer "Brain Growth" or Brain Training games.  If you always work crosswords then I would encourage you to do other things also, that don't work with word recall.  Try spatial games, numbers, hand-eye coordination, logic games.  These are all helpful.  So yes, you will be able to play the violin again.

Fatigue and stress will make your cognitive abilities fluccuate.  So on a fatigued day after a lot of activity you may feel especially stupid.  It's not necessarily permanent.

When I have to concentrate I use a pair of noise-blocking (cancelling) earphones to cut out distracting stuff.  I used to be able to think through screaming kids, phones ringing and people talking, then....oh, LOOK!  A Squirrel!!

I was sorry to see that your know-it-all bosses are not educable regarding the realities of MS.  But, it did seem that they were being reasonable.  I do hope so.  I think that your comment about without knowing that you were ill your would already be gone by now.  We have heard that a couple times and needs to be considered when people wonder how much to tell their bosses or coworkers.  

Take care,

quix

[rendean]

bump please

[rendean]

Thanks for the input. It's encouraging to know that all may not be lost.  I like the suggestion of computer puzzle games. I used to do cross words puzzles on my lunch hour (NY Times) but have slacked off ...guess I need to start stimulating the brain again.

Ren

[jensequitur]

Errm...  Short answer yes, with a but, long answer no, with a maybe!

As you might know, I went in for a neuro-psych exam, and I've got some moderate impairment in a few areas.  Attention, short-term memory, multi-tasking - all these are affected.  Vocabulary skills are diminished.  I was having a real hard time getting anything done at work, because I kept getting distracted, wasn't able to figure out what to do first, and all my creativity seemed to have gone out the window.

Now, about six months later, I think some of my creativity has come back.  I still have problems, but they aren't as bad as they were.  I take Aricept, which really does help me - especially when I drive around town.  Every time I finish a bottle, I wait four or five days until I'm sure that my cognitive impairment is still around, then I go get it refilled.  

So I think that you'll get some of it back.  Not all, but some.  Now is a good time to take steps to retrain your brain to help it figure out how to get around the holes.  Learn a new skill, or play computer puzzle games.  I played a lot of Bejeweled and Big Kahuna Reef, which I think helped.

[Tammy826]

I haven't got a DX yet but I'm wondering if I'm in a flare now. I notice the brain fog more right now than usual so I believe it does go along with it. Everyone is different but I think that it is the case with me anyway.