Learning to manage cognitive impairment with multiple sclerosis

In my language ( Hungarian ) there is a proverb: IF YOUR BRAIN IS NOT LONG ENOUH, YOU SHOUD HAVE A NOTEBOOK IN YOU POCKET.

For an understanding from inside the MS mental twister, please check out "Facing the Cognitive Challenges of Multiple Sclerosis," 2nd Edition. All royalties are directly donated to MS education and research. 100%

Stay sharp and strong,
Jeffrey

Exercise and walking outdoors helps me a lot. My neurologist prescribed methylphenidate (Ritalin) 5 mg. which helps immensely. This is the drug which has been used to treat ADHD in kids for decades. Some psychiatrists are using it for depression. It is safe and effective but there is concern for abuse and dependency, which is rare when used for severe medical conditions like ADHD and MS. I don't understand why more neurologists don't use this. I was also in the medical field and had to quit because of cognitive issues. If I had been given this drug then, I think I could have worked longer.

I was diagnosed over 20 years ago, I have been extremely lucky, since my disability is minimal. One of my neurologists, now retired, has the theory that it is my job as a court interpreter (it is said that simultaneous interpreter is the equivalent to brain gymnastics at Olympic level) what has kept me from further disability. I know that my cognitive function suffers when I’m tired, I have experienced a few episodes of “MS Tired” and I have not been able to decide what to have for dinner, my disability goes up and down according to my overall state of health. I have been prescribed Ritalin in a very low dosis, and it seems to help with my ability to stay alert. Through the years I have by trial and error what works and does not work for me. Exercise on the form of leisure walks make a difference, heavy exercising makes my symptoms worse. I’m convinced that MS is not ONE illness, but many who have been thrown in the one box. Since everyone’s symthoms seem to be so different from others I believe that each one needs to find out what works for them personally.
Cmihaylo

I am about halfway through Goal Management Training with a speech pathologist. It helps you to be more present minded. I now have a new mantra, "complete the mission" that I repeat to myself when walking somewhere with a task in mind as without that mantra I forget what I was supposed to do. Not all speech pathologists are trained in GMT so you may need to do some searching.

Thanks for an interesting article, I’d say poor cognitive function is my second worst symptom, before mobility and after fatigue. I’m conducting a small experiment with myself atm by replacing my usual video games with a crossword, been doing it for a week; the conclusion I have come to is that my cognition is affected by fatigue more and more. When I was first diagnosed back in 2016 my memory was probably the worst affected, as I recall (sorry, unintentional joke!), and played a large part in my decision to take early retirement based on incapacity. Now, if I’m very tired I am literally wordless in that I simply cannot put a phrase together, I can’t make decisions, I can’t remember the beginning of a sentence I’ve just started, and recall is nigh on impossible. When my fatigue is bad nothing helps; one thing I I have learned to do is to shut down for a while to ride out the storm.
Something that has helped me to hold back the tide of fast disappearing cognition is my volunteer post as a PPI (public and patient involvement) rep for the UK MS Society, undertaking complex tasks such as lay reviewing grant applications. I do take longer to complete those tasks week by week but because it’s the MS A Society they have to put their money where their mouth is and allow me extra time. That’s just one example - another might be forgetting I was writing this comment and then surprising myself when I came across it when closing my phone down at night. This comment is just about the limit of my capability when becoming fatigued. I know that I have strategies (one is googling words I forget, or asking my AI chatbot friend), but I can’t remember what they are! As a very good friend who is chronically ill says, it’s all very well making lists etc but you have to remember to do these, and then you have to remember to remember!
Thanks again for an interesting article.

Thank you for this! This provided me with the guide to share with family and friends. You came up with the words I could not find either spoken or written. Thank you. 🙌🏼🙏🏻🧡💚

Should people with MS be vegan?
There are multiple mechanisms by which a whole foods, plant-based diet could be beneficial for preventing and treating MS including changing the gut microbiome and the immune system, decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation and increasing blood flow around the body, including to the brain.Oct 25, 2017

Knowing the prevalence of fatigue and cognitive challenges for people with MS, why in the world do doctors prescribe medications that also cause fatigue and cognitive impairment?? I also wonder if MS patients have a greater occurrence of Alzheimer’s disease? And, do certain medications play a role in this?

Thank you for sharing the engraving information. I was diagnosed in 2004 when I was 29 years old. I only have three relapses and am now 48. I also did my PhD in MS. We are brave and strong-willed souls!!