Thursday 7 March 2024

MS and Memory - Brain/Cog Fog

"Brain Fades... Brain Fog" is how they're described... fuzzy fade-outs, like walking thru a thick fog out of nowhere, like a thought just... fades mid-thought, mid-sentence! I have to quickly apologise say, "Just give me a second... stoopid MS!"



Forgetting words, mixing up words, tripping over words I know well and I know they are there - they just won't come out... it's very frustrating.

It feels like my brain is moving in slow motion when it hits me. It's like a big brain fart. It can be mixing up a word while you speak, forgetting simple things. Forgetting your own name, etc.

You feel like an idiot!


No, I am not stupid or retarded. If I sometimes seem to stumble or pause my words mid-sentence, or perhaps say things in the wrong order (I seem to be a master of 'spoonerisms'!), or even stutter... just give me a second to sometimes get the right words out, as sometimes they just don't come.

These 'short-term memory lapses' are supposedly one of the effects of MS.

"Cog" means "Cognitive Issues".

Is MS Fatigue part of it too? Possibly, but I don't know.


Check out this video:


I live by hand-written lists these days and still use an old-school dairy as well... otherwise, things just seem to slip from my mind.

I know that, as a musician, I have to rely on 'charts' most of the time now, simply because I can forget where I am in the middle of a song, or what the song key/chord pattern is! I never needed to use charts before!

It's the same thing with my creative writing - when a thought/idea/concept pops into my head, I have to write it down straight away, otherwise... poof! It's gone! It's like staring at a blank page/screen! Nothing wants to come, dammit... so frustrating.

I love to study, but with the Brain Fog, it's hard to stay focused and concentrate, let alone for stuff to 'stick' and apply it.

Even the act of writing a blog or a Tweet can be a challenge sometimes!


Presenting live-to-air radio is a no-go for me these days, too, as well... having a fade-out on an open mic, or forgetting what/where you are up to mid-song/program is not a good thing! A list helps, but it makes me feel really 'unprofessional' when it happens. When it happened in the past, I'd make a joke about it and carry on. But it seems to be getting a bit worse now, perhaps?

Catch-22... I don't know if it's because of the meds for my bipolar depressionor because of the MS... or simply that I'm getting older... or all of 'em mixed together!

It's something else I'm continuing to 'process' - usually as it randomly strikes.

"I've reached an age where my train of thought often leaves the station without me." 
 



My head, filled with what seems like bubble wrap.
Pudding is livelier.
If & when I ever get another idea it will be like lighting a match in a fart factory.
Blank as my mind. Staring at a blank page. Blank.  Like the deposit column of my checkbook.
My mind is clicking along like Microsoft Explorer.
Functional as a Ford Pinto.
Satisfying as a glass of water at room-temperature.
Sitting here with my feet up. Why?  It’s not like I have labored or anything. Because I have zero energy.  Zilch.  I wake up tired even after a descent night’s sleep.
OMG, any less brain activity I’d be a scarecrow!
I have the enthusiasm of oatmeal.

(Source









TIPS to Help Defeat Brain Fog

  • Stay mentally active! Read a book, learn lyrics to a song. Doing puzzles, There are even game apps you can download that helps with neuroplasticity.
  • Speak to a doctor about it. That reassurance that you aren’t losing your mind makes a massive difference.
  • Stop what you are doing. Take a rest or a walk…. Just change the situation and refresh your mind…. Rest but also the correct amount of exercise; everyone’s MS is different.
  • Sometimes naps or resting helps, where I actually close my eyes & think of nothing. Other times, specific focus on something, where I read or colour or concentrate-- like mindful meditation. Giving my brain a challenge really helps!! 




I know a group of us (from all over the world) shared about this common situation, together on Twitter last week, for which I am greatly encouraged. Considering I've been using Twitter (in a fairly basic, limited way) for the previous 6+ years, over the past months - I've found it more useful and helpful than ever  - connecting to like-minded MS-ers, all over the world.

#MS #MultipleSclerosis #ChatMS #LiveWiseMS #MSAwareness

#MSlife #LivingwithMS #CureMS #MSWarriors #MSFamily #MSPals #Thankful
@MustStopMS @MS_Australia @shiftms @voicesofms
@msgetinvolved @KISSGOODBYEAUS @mssocietyuk








Article: Brain Fog (MSAustralia)

ArticleCognitive Changes in MS

► Blog: Confused? Focus?

► Article: "My Cognitive Changes Because Of Multiple Sclerosis"

Article: "MS Thinking and Memory Problems"

Article: "Oops, Sorry, I Forgot"

► Article: I Wasn’t Prepared for the Way Cognitive Issues from MS Would Change My Life

► ArticleBrain fog – does anyone care? A discussion blog

► Article: "17 Apps That Can Make Life Easier When Brain Fog Takes Over" (The Mighty)




Bookmark this page: MS Brain Fog
Also: COG Fog

Peas be with ewe 
Times

4 comments:

  1. G'day Mal. I just started to look back over my blog to help the kids with some history facts about my family including photos etc and thought I'd drop in to people's blogs and say g'day.
    I read that you have MS. My mate has also been diagnosed with MS, finally!, he has an answer to all his ongoing symptoms and can now try to make plans to go with them!
    The information you share is so explanatory re MS and I reckon it's important to get it out there. MS is certainly more prevanlent than most people would think.
    Sending you love, hope and support from afar.
    Are you still spinning crazy tunes!!??? xx
    Cazzie!!!

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    1. Thanks Cazzie! Yes, still loving presenting radio. The MS was a shock for me - but it's always good to spread awareness about it - *I* knew so little about it at first.

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  2. My brain lags like a 10 year old computer. Plus if I'm really fatigued, I slur and talk slow like I've been drinking.

    Great to see all your posts. I've been visiting your blog regularly but haven't been able to comment. Trying it anonymously.

    Ben. 18disabled.com

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Ben! I am trying to catch-up on others' blog... note the word 'trying'!
      Classic timing... I am in the grip of Cog Fog as we speak... but it'll pass. Irony... Oh, I've gotta laff!

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