Hi all

[houghchrst]

Hi guys and gals, haven't been here in a bit and just wanted to say hi and see how all are.

My stress level is off the charts so of course my memory is almost worthless. The worst part is that when my memory is at it's most deficient is usually when I need to rely on it. My son has an IEP coming up for school here soon and I am fighting with the school to get a specialized curriculum and I have all these printouts, I read them but can make no sense out of them because I cannot recall exactly what they say. I have asked for an advocate after explaining what is going on.

I am afraid to drive any more, life is getting smaller and more fearful.

[joy]

((((Hugs))))

[Lavandula Canadensis]

I am afraid to drive any more, life is getting smaller and more fearful.
Christina,

hang on... when stress level is extremely high... all brain functions (consequeltly, all body functions...) are disturbed... as i also experiment myself right now with future moving planning...

but, as long as there is life, there is hope...

hugs and prayers your way !!! :p & *paw

[houghchrst]

Thanks guys ((((HUGS))))

[Buttons2]

Christina,I've noticed this going on with my brain lately also. It's all STRESS. I get angry @ myself when I notice I've made dumb mistakes with figures or realize I'm repeating myself,etc.

I've gone from being angry with my mother to feeling very sad about her.Just knowing a family member might have dementia makes me wonder if I also am showing signs ya know?

That's a good idea to have an advocate for son's school,and don't hesitate to tell them you have cognitive issues PLUS physical 24/7 pain that interacts with your brain skills.

Never get behind the wheel if you're not feeling right about it. I haven't driven in so many years now it gives me nightmares to just think about trying.

Hang in there,(((((HUGS)))))

[joy]

More hugs {HUGS} I find that I am having to drive more now that things are worse with hubby. And the awful thing is, I'm better at it!

[Buttons2]

I'm researching dementia. Definitely need to get my mother tested! She's been showing signs for a couple of years. This doesn't bode too well for the rest of the family.....

Joy,you did the best you could for your mom!

[houghchrst]

When all of this first started happening I was seriously concerned and talked to all of the major players in my health care regarding especially Alzheimers. That is how afraid I was/am. I have been assured it is not.

Today I realized I forgot that yesterday was my mother's birthday. I am devastated and I am sure that she is too.

As for driving it is at it's worst when I first get in the car and when it is closest to when I take my meds. I miss my turns, locations, had son freak out because he thinks I am too close to the curb, that one is just his paranoia lol. Also if it has been a few days since I have driven.

I have found that the longer this goes on others tend to use it against me. They think that because I have a memory problem that I forget everything. So if they have forgotten to tell me something or told me one thing and then change it they try to use my memory as an excuse for things being off. What they don't understand is that is not how my problem works. I have more of a problem with myself. Not what they told me. More like appts., the word for this or that, maybe things the doc said, things that I have read in a magazine, things like that. Now if the BF tells me tonight he has a meeting next Thursday then when Thursday gets here and he is late then I will remember. But if he doesn't tell me and then tries to say he did using my memory loss as a cover up then you can bet that I will remember that he did not tell me.

Mine is a combination of mental illness, fibro, and medication. Throw stress in there and then ask me to sign my name and see how long it takes me to remember what it is lol. It is funny how someone can ask me my name and I can say it but if I have to sign it then I will draw a blank for a couple of seconds.

Pati I have already explained to the advocate people what is up with me but the school is not real up to date. I am almost afraid to tell them because I don't want them to use it against me and also they may decide that they will have better luck with his dad than with me. That is the last thing I want to happen. I have made it perfectly clear to them what his problem is.

I don't know how you guys can go without driving. I would feel so stifled. I can remember when we were down to one car and the only way I would be able to get out and about is if I got up really early and we took the bf to work and then picked him up really late. There were times when we had no car and I would have to walk the oldest to daycare then walk to work. It was still dark outside and blizzarding many mornings.

Pati I hope you find a way to get some care for your mother.

Joy you keep up that driving you just may find that you like it lol.

((((hugs))))

[joy]

Christina don't worry, it is normal for anyone to have memory problems. You explained it just fine, fibro, medications, stress. I was in the same boat at your age if not younger. I had to have a wipe off board and carry it with me when I went down to hall to remember what I was going for. True.

I was so afraid when they tested me for that crainial problems that it was already alzheimer's and this was before my mother was diagnosed that, and hers WASN"T. Keep up that B12 and rest and don't worry any more than you have too. Give it right back to them on making them do their part in keeping up with their OWM crap, LOL. I know u earn your keep and I hope no one will take you forgranted for long. Men ha!

I am driving more cause I am doing better in the memory department than hubby right now. But he is finallt getting the bigger picture about his diet. I think since he is watching what he eats better he knows he blew it when I ate right. I know he knows I blew it too and for what reason. So in other word, I think we are together on diets now.

Here is something funny, I got tweo letter from my doctor and both were aboout the same thing. One said what my cholester was and that we needed to talk about cholesterol medicine. The next said the same thing and it said I needed to watch my diet and add Fish oil. I had hubby read boith of them. He is so out of it he said well Dr___ wrote both of them.

I explained no, he didn't and told him how it went with doctor's letters. I said next time I was in I wanted to see the group that knew me better if I could. I'm not going to take chlesterol medicine at all I don't think, not ever. I've seen what it has done to hubby and of course his heart medicines help contribute to that and he can't avoid them.

Well I hope everyone is having good days for this weekend. We are, since grandchild got to go with her fasmily we can relax and not push ourselves,
Excuse me, I just burped that fish oil and it's nasty but don't worry, I'll stick with it this time.

Take care

[Buttons2]

Lately I figure it's all the stress that's causing my memory faults.

I may be repeating myself here but I think this is rather important.

Several years ago when I was jerking my entire body (myoclonus),and my brain MRI showed lesions,and the neuro's were puzzled.....well my memory was at it worse.

I literally didn't know my own name! I used my maiden name on the phone,it just popped out,mind you a name I hadn't had in over 30yrs. Then I mixed up my phone number with my folks. I couldn't recall my address. Talk about freaking me out!:eek:I could not follow a recipe. I mixed up oven,microwave,frig. Freaky huh? Also signs of Alz. I'm actually finding some tricks for how to deal with Alz. When I get my list finished I'll be happy to share them.

When driving I didn't know if I should turn left or right @ end of the driveway. I caught myself driving 20mph under the speed limit. I was "seeing" critters by side of road that were not there. All that along with the extreme weakness in my feet/hands +++ the jerking that could move my foot off the pedal (and never any warning),told me I was unsafe to drive. And I was not on any meds except the BP meds. I never drove with Flexeril in my system.I mixed up red/green lights.

During this time I was consuming about 5-6 diet sodas per day,plus using Splenda & drinking "diet" drinks. All with my doctor's blessing of course. She also told me to stop taking B vitamins since my B12 test was 900 (high).

This was all before I bought a computer!

The only thing I've done to improve my brain is stop the aspartame (and as you will recall it took me several years to give it up 100%). And I learned right here on BT the value of B12 from dear Rose. Bless her forever!

Nowadays I seldom jerk,and I have retrieved most of my memory. I still find myself making mistakes w/checkbook,etc. & this distresses me but I think back to how bad it used to be & thank God.

I keep calendar's everywhere & write down the most mundane things actually. I make lists to remind me of stuff.

My HM is 70yr old,he not only has schizophrenia but is driving me nuts with all his different meeting's,obligations & mixing up what he claims he's said & what is reality. I'm getting concerned. I watch him closely while driving! One thing that I've realized recently since doing research is that when he asks me something I JUST told him,that's a sign of dementia. I'm trying hard to maintain a sense of humor rather that get angry cause he appears not to listen!!:eek:I feel he truly cannot help it.

I've also turned the corner with my anger towards my mom. Now I feel pity for her & will never fight with her again on any issue if I can refrain from it. They cannot help what their brains are doing. Neither can we.

I feel it's important to know our limits,and try to eat good food. I also feel just by typing here everyday that we are using brain cells we need to exercise. We need B vitamins!

And Joy I'm totally with you on cholesterol meds. I've been refusing Lipitor for years. I see what it's done to my dad. I do have one tidbit of advice however,not to argue with the doc. Just say I'm gonna try omega 3,fish oil or niacin first. They keep going down on the number chart so they can prescribe more meds. Same with other health issues. We are at the mercy of big pharm. and there's nothing we can do to change this except be AWARE. Research meds. Try alternative's.

Christina I know you also read Dr. Gott & he says this over & over about meds.As far as the school goes,you don't need to degrade yourself & feel forced to lie about your own health issues! That's BS. You are a good mother,you do the best you can,and you are a strong person that got off drugs! That's a big thing I feel. You have understanding of son's health issues,you are very intelligent & have alot of empathy. Be firm dealing with them,OR ask for an advocate! That's why we pay taxes!

Apologize to your mom for forgetting her birthday,tell her you obviously are overwhelmed right now. Don't beat yourself up over it however,anyone can make this mistake. I figure when we forget out own BD we are in trouble:rolleyes:

HUGS to all