Re: Memory and Concentration Studyand a Question

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/30/2005 6:42:54 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

loewen1@... writes:

Gleevec (IM) and concentration and memory. I have noticed that it has

become harder to focus. Of course, I have so much on my mind that it isn't

surprising. My memory seems to be fine. Is there anyone here with ADD or

focus

problems

, Yes, I 've always said that along with the dx of CML and the side

effects of the Gleevec, it is no wonder we all have other things on our minds

that cause us to space out or be forgetful. Is there a correlation between CML

and the brain function directly though? " Gleevec-brain " is getting some

notariety among the medical professionals. I don't know, that is what is so

intriguing about this particular study. I wish they would publish the

results...I

have been involved in the trial since 2002. - Lynne

[Guest guest]

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

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Interesting that they're doing such a study. At first I didn't think IM

affected my mental functioning other than by making me sleepy, but I'm no

longer so sure; there are times when my mind really doesn't seem very clear

at all. It's quite clearly better when I'm exercising though.

Different sorts of docs dx ADD, including psychiatrists and (some) family

docs, but also neuropsychologists. ADD is considered a primarty diagnosis,

but many things can mimic it, including chronic fatigue, anxiety and

alcoholism, among others. If the ADD-ish symptoms occur as a result of one

of these, then the dx of ADD is not made. Which isn't to say that some

patients with attention deficit secondary to a medication wouldn't benefit

from ADD medication, but unfortunately it's a lot harder to get docs to

prescribe them under this circumstance.

I know I owe you a personal email, btw - sorry to be late in responding;

hopefully I'll get to it in the next day or so.

Cheers,

> Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2005 18:37:56 -0500

> From: " loewen1 " <loewen1@...>

> Subject: Memory and Concentration Studyand a Question

>

> I got this information from one of the other CML sites and wanted to pass it

> along with a comment and a question.

>

> It's about Gleevec (IM) and concentration and memory. I have noticed that it

> has become harder to focus. Of course, I have so much on my mind that it

> isn't surprising. My memory seems to be fine. Is there anyone here with ADD

> or focus problems? Who diagnoses such things? I see advertising about

> Scatarra (sp?) for ADD but I don't think my problem is bad enough for

> medication. Anyone?

>

> Here's what I found on the site about a trial that might be of interest to

> some in the Boston area.

>

> Best,

>

> L

>

> Memory and Concentration Study

>

> The purpose of this research study is to assess memory and concentration in

> people with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia or Primary Myelodysplastic Syndrome

> diagnosed within the past year. Participants will complete three assessments

> over the course of 18 months. The study will be conducted at the Brigham and

> Women's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. Assessment will consist of 7 paper

> and pencil questionnaires and 8 measures of memory, concentration, and

> attention, given in a variety of formats such as paper and pencil or computer.

> The first assessment will take about 2 hours to complete and the second and

> third will take about an hour each to complete. The results will be

> confidential. No blood work is taken and no medications are administered.

> Participants will receive $50.00 for each assessment, for a total of $150.00

> and parking fees will be reimbursed. If you are interested in participating,

> please

> contact Dr. Grace Chang and 617-732-6775 or Gchang@...

> <mailto:Gchang@...>, or Alyson Lavigne at 617-278-0531 or

> alavigne1@... <mailto:alavigne1@...> .