Re: problem with concentration and memory loss

[Guest guest]

No, you are not getting senile. It is very common for people with pain to

have problems with memory and concentration. Medications is a very common

reason. Lack of sleep is a big contributor. You might talk to your doctor

about your medications. See if you have less problems when on a lower dose,

different medication, whatever. But I have found it takes a long time,

weeks or even months, for my brain to recover from the fog of medications.

It is worth it to have my brain back at the expense of having more pain.

[Guest guest]

,

I am sure pain is distracting enough to cause problems with memory. Also many

medications can interfere with concentration.

When I was taking neurontin (gabapentin), I would forget the words for objects,

names of things familiar to me. I've always had a hard time with speaking, but

when I couldn't remember what to type out then I knew.

Since I haven't been taking this medication for a few years the problem of

" missing words " has nearly vanished.

Being tired both mentally and physically is a big issue for most of us too.

Jennette

> wrote:

>My concentration is really bad and my memory is shot also. I take it as a

mixture of the meds and lack of sleep. Is this a common thing with us people in

pain, or am I getting senile?

[Guest guest]

,

There have been times that I've gone off pain medications and other medications

because of the side effects, choosing to deal with the pain in other ways. I've

progressed to the point where I can't live with the severity of pain so I must

take pain meds just to have a quality of life worth living.

I can't function at all without my pain meds and sought the help of a pain

management doctor. I must take thyroid medication because I had my thyroid

gland removed (cancer).

I take cymbalta because it really helps with a depression that has been

lifelong, (55 years) and I take a medication to reduce my blood pressure. I

have little choice if I'm to enjoy the last part of my life.

I feel much of my pleasure in life was taken by illness and disease and pain.

Jennette

> wrote:

>It is worth it to have my brain back at the expense of having more pain.

[Guest guest]

I can't speak for the universe, but my pain certainly affects my ability to

concentrate, as well as my ability to sleep well.

Pam

[Guest guest]

Jennette,

I am so sorry you are at that stage in pain. I was to where my quality of

life was so miserable even with the pain medications that life just was not

worth living. I still had pain and had lost my ability to concentrate and

think. I was out of treatment options other than adding more pain

medication. I decided it was not worth the side effects to continue taking

the medications. I am glad that the pain medications are still working for

you and the side effects are not as over-whelming. But more medication is

not the answer for everyone.

I agree that pain has taken so much away from us. The pleasure of life, our

dreams, our ability to remain as self-sufficient as we would like, and so

on. It is definitely not fair. It sucks. And there is nothing we did to

deserve this.

What we have is a choice over how we deal with our pain, illnesses and

physical limitations. It is very frustrating to me as I try to learn a new

way of dealing with my new life. All my self-conceptions have had to change

(are still changing) as are the preconceptions of my friends and family. We

are all trying to figure out who the " new " is and who she will be. A

friend told me reinventing self was an exciting time, but for me it is still

scary, frustrating and incredibly unfair.

[Guest guest]

Well put Jennette! I think we often forget that chronic pain can effect

concentration, memory and other functions such as word recall.

The pain signals over and over requires the brain to process that sensory

information and can see it as a priority to us trying to find word.

Also I had the same experience with neurontin. At first I thought it was just

menopause.

Hope you are having a managable day and gentle hugs,

Tami

--- Jennette wrote:

>

>

> I am sure pain is distracting enough to cause problems with memory. Also many

medications can interfere with concentration.

[Guest guest]

In my case, I have more problems with focus and concentration when I am in pain,

than when I am on medication. So, I need to stay on medication.

I have tried numerous times to get off any medication, and I have always been

sorry. It takes a minmum of 2 weeks to calm down a flare, or a pain episode.

And, that's 2 weeks where I forget everything, lose everything, drop everything,

burn food on the stove, forget what day of the week it is.

Jade

[Guest guest]

My hubby says it's because I'm blond.I am always forgetting things or have no

idea where anything is at times.I think it's because of my meds. Hubby still

says it's because I'm blond.

Today I couldn't find my keys or cane.I left my keys in the fridge, & my cane in

the bathroom.I have always misplaced things.Hubby finds them in strange places.I

still think it's the meds though

Blessed be,

Ms.Katurah

wrote:

My concentration is really bad and my memory is shot also. I take it as a

mixture of the meds and lack of sleep.

Is this a common thing with us people in pain, or am I getting senile?

[Guest guest]

Thanks Tami,

I had a very productive day yesterday, today has just begun and experience tells

me not to put too much on my plate today. I need to be glad of my

accomplishments and let my body recover.

The weather yesterday gave us a much needed break in humidity, rain and heat and

this morning is fresh and cool. I see heat is on the menu later and tomorrow

brings, once again more storms, heat and rain for another few days. I pray only

short bursts of rain and not so much lightening and wind.

We put in the window air conditioners, which I would prefer not to need, but

just the fact that they remove so much humidity indoors is wonderful. Nothing

drags me down like getting overheated. I sweat so bad that I need a sweat band

on my forehead to keep it from dripping into my eyes.

I can't remember when that started to be a problem but I can remember as a teen

working in the hay fields I didn't need one.

You brought up menopause. That was one of my worst experiences. Finally the

medical profession is accepting that progesterone can help reduce the hot

flashes. I knew that, I used a product called progesta care. Took a few weeks

to work well but it was very effective.

Jennette

Tami wrote:

Well put Jennette! I think we often forget that chronic pain can effect

concentration, memory and other functions such as word recall.

[Guest guest]

>

> I can't speak for the universe, but my pain certainly affects my ability to

> concentrate, as well as my ability to sleep well.

>

> Pam

>

>>>> Hi Pam,

I have to agree with you one hundred percent. Ever since I was prescribed pain

killers my memory has been shot.

/ New York