Tracey- Re: Memory and Concentration

[Guest guest]

> Hi Tracey,

>

> Thanks for writing. No, it doesn't sound like what I know about

ADD. I had a roommate for a couple of months recently who has a

serious case of ADD and even with medication she was a mess. Your

examples don't touch the kind of disorganization she exhibited in

every phase of her life. I can still multi-task but it's harder than

it used to be -- when each thing I'm doing requires real attention.

>

> I've been under an incredible amount of stress for a long time now

and suspect that's an important factor. I can hyper-focus when I need

to but there's so much going on around me that I have to pay close

attention to many things at once and that's the hard part.

>

> Glad your memory is good, too. Sometimes I wish mine wasn't as good

as it is! There's a lot I'd like to forget. ;--0

>

> Best wishes,

>

> [ ] Re: Memory and Concentration Studyand a Question

>

>

>

> Hi ,

>

> I have said for years now that Gleevec has interfered with my

> ability to concentrate. At first I thought it was a memory problem

> but then I realized that memory and concentration although very

> closely related, are indeed independent of each other.

>

> I can no longer multi-task which I used to do very well. Gone are

> the days where I could play on the computer and listen to the tv in

> the background and carry on a conversation with the kids.

>

> When I follow a new recipe, I have to check and recheck each step of

> it, not because I can't remember the next step but because I can

> only concentrate on one step at a time.

>

> Since I've been on Gleevec, I've only been capable of carrying on

> one thought process at a time which I used to mistake for a memory

> problem.

>

> A good example is this: if someone tells me something while I'm

> reading something on the internet, without a doubt, I won't retain

> what the person told me.

>

> This is how it was easy for me to confuse memory with

> concentration. It's not that I couldn't " remember " what the person

> told me but rather I couldn't concentrate enough to process it

> because my mind was too busy trying to absorb what I was reading.

>

> If someone tells me something when I'm doing nothing but

> concentrating on the conversation I'm having, I have no problem at

> all remembering what the person said.

>

> I don't know if this would be considered ADD but I'm not prepared to

> take any medication for it even if it is so I just live with it.

>

> Take care,

> Tracey

> dx Jan 2002

>

>

> Tracey..I don't have ADD but does run in my family..but since being

on Gleevec I am experiencing some of the same things you are. Its

always been noisy at my house, at least 3 tv's going, radio in

kitchen, son's music in his room and I used to could block it out..but

can't anymore and makes me nervous. Also have trouble when cooking,

like when you have all burners going at once and something in oven

too, can't do it anymore...I just can't cook like I once did

period...my dishes just don't come out right most fo time. And I hear

half of what is being said..and what I do hear is gone less than 5

minutes later. I missed my doctor's appointment this month after

getting a call reminder and having put up post it notes by the

computer, on the calendar...when I first wake up, it takes a few

minutes for me to get focused..get going...feel like I am in a fog

(Gleevec fog)...anyway, just my experience if it helps anyone else!

Love, Peace, Hope & Prayers, Pat

>

> P.S. Sure can no longer talk on the phone and try to do muilit-

tasks..lol

>

>

>