Re: Kate / cognitive difficulties

February 11, 2011

Of course you should discuss these issues with your neuro! However, there are many possible reasons for cognitive difficulties and/or memory issues. One, as n already mentioned, the MS as such (one of the "lovely" Multiple Surprises it might offer). is affected quite a bit by that. Another possible reason is depression, which I know you are suffering with from time to time (as are many MSers, for that matter). And even something as "simple" as a vitamin B deficiency may play havoc with your cognitive and memory functions. When you are under stress the body will use up a lot more of vitamin B than normally, and that may lead to a deficiency even f you are eating healthy etc. I had a bout of that around the same time was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with MS. I would forget everything that wasn't written down (and I would forget to write it down too, quite often...). And it would take me forever to read just a page in a book (because I would lose concentration about every two words or so...). I complained that I felt I was suddenly "going stupid", and someone suggested it may be a vitamin B deficiency brought on by the stress of 's illness. I tried to take Vitamin B for a few days, and whoppa! my short term memory and ability to concentrate came right back... Maybe you are under unusual stress right now? Or maybe you are just low on Vitamin B for other reasons?Just a few ideas. Oh, and whatever the reason, there are many things that may help. At home is using her iPhone to remind her about things like medication and appointments (I think just about any cellphone has the same functionality when it comes to calendars and reminders, doesn't need to be an iPhone...), and at work she has a company cellphone (used to be a PDA, but she was increasingly unsatisfied with it, and requested to have it replaced with a cellphone) that does the same thing, as part of the workplace adjustments to her MS. And notebooks etc, like n suggested are also things that may serve as an "extra memory" for you.love/Reb>> Thank you for the link, n--our dear link lady! I was hoping to read > something about how one could get 'tested' for this gene; perhaps I didn't read > the article closely enough, but I couldn't find any information regarding that. > I am SO very forgetful, of both past and present information and goings-on. My > kids are forever telling me how they tell me things, and I just plum don't > remember. So, I'm scared. I think next time I see my neuro (which should be in > the next week or 2, as I haven't seen him since March 1) I'll ask him if there > is some sort of testing to rule it in or out.> Love to you n,> and all our dear friends here; my second family!> Kate> > > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 7:41:19 PM> Subject: Re: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers > here> > > http://www.genetichealth.com/ALZ_Genetics_of_Alzheimers_Disease.shtml> > Thank you, so very much, Kate (blushing color of my last name, "roses."> > Love to you all,> n> > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 4:18:26 PM> Subject: Re: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers > here> > > What profound and touching memories you have. I LOVE the story from when you > were 5; I never recall having read that before.> Your mother taught you well, and you obviously gleaned much from her. Thank you > for sharing the legacy that your mother left you.> By the way, how did you find out that you don't carry the Alzheimer's gene? I'm > very concerned that I may. My dad has it, though it is slowly (thank G*d) > advancing. His short term memory is totally shot, but his long term still seems > to be fairly intact.> Thank you for sharing with us, n. I was especially moved by her passing. > She lived a full, long life, and did in fact, get her desire granted--I too wish > to go in my sleep; nothing finer than that!> love to you our 'cyber mom',> Kate> > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 6:52:27 PM> Subject: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers here> > > Akiba's Robbin is the best son--I think we do know why. . . . > > My own mother, whom my brothers and I did call "Mom," died at 101 + 1 month,> in Santa Barbara, California, where my sister, the eldest child in our family.> was living at the time; that sister has now died; died the year after our mother > did.> I had a difficult time explaining all that to my family; they kept asking > whether it> was an automobile accident, or a fall, as everyone in our family, with rare > excep> tion, lives so long.> > > I had been emotionally and intellectually prepared for my mother's demise,> as she had severe Alzheimer's disease (I do not have that gene), and had> been fading steadily. The people at the residential facility where she was> found her as they checked all the apartments each morning. They told me> that my mother was found "lying peacefully on her left side, with her folded> hands under her left cheek," the way I remember her having slept for all the> time that I, the surprise 6th child, remembered her. They told me that she had> just the beginning of a small, sweet smile on her face!> > It did not even dawn on me that they might not have phoned my sister> in Santa Barbara yet. . . until the kind lady said slowly and gently that> "We thought that it might be better if she heard it from you." I declined,> put my foot to the pedal, and asked them to notify my sister, and not even> to discuss the fact that they had already notified me with my sister. They> knew why. I assured them that I was on my way to Santa Barbara as of> late that afternoon.> > So, when the kids came home from work/school, and Hans came home,> we all gathered ourselves into one of our cars and off we went---to > Santa Barbara. The kids' first notion was that they would never hear> their grandmother play piano again, though she had not been able to > play in many years. Even Hans was a bit distraught. > > I remembered my mother's having said when I was a very young child,> that she hoped that she would "go in my sleep," and I was just glad that> she had gone in the manner for which she had hoped.> > My mother had smoked for years and had gone blind due to macular > degeneration (common in smokers) years after she had quit. She had> been able to play the piano from memory and by ear until she was about> 93, and one day she attempted to play, realized that these were not the > sounds that she had expected, and just gave it up.> > My own relationship with each of my parents, and with my siblings, was> rewarding and I have wonderful memories of each of our parents. I have> picked one to share, and if I have shared it before, I offer it for those who> have not read all my posts:> > I was about five years old, and it was a Saturday morning. Mom had been> a bit concerned that I was not as friendly with one of our neighbors as with> others nearby (each about three acres apart), so she sat me down and in> classic Sephardic Jewish fasion, put her hand on my forearm (this means> that your arm is now "nailed" to the table) and that what you are going to be> told is very important.> > Mother said, "Dear, when you are out and about and you encounter others,> your demeanor and comportment should be such that all persons whom> you might encounter shall feel the better for their having encountered you."> > So, I memorized this maternal bit of wisdom, nodded solemnly, and ran > upstairs to my Dad's study, and blurted it out to him. Dad was a bit more> down home than Mom was, as English was not his second language.> He turned to me and said, "Kid, listen to your Muthah; do what your> Muthah says." I have tried and am still trying to do just that, and do do> as he so often advised me as well (He was an attorney).> > Love to you all,> n> > > > > > > > > ____________________________________________________________________________________> Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.> http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/>

February 13, 2011

Sorry to have taken so long in responding to you, Reb. I appreciate your words. I think you make a good point about the depression possibly/probably impacting my cognition. I am really suffering from both, so it is likely there is a correlation; thank you for pointing that out.I had heard recently, that there are a lot of benefits from B vitamins. I might see if my neuro has an opinion on it. If I can remember to write it all down , I'd like to have him check my vit d and b levels, as well as look into this Alzheimers gene that n referred to.Please say hi and send my love along to ,KateTo: MSersLife Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 4:18:42 AMSubject: Re: Kate / cognitive difficulties

Of course you should discuss these issues with your neuro! However, there are many possible reasons for cognitive difficulties and/or memory issues. One, as n already mentioned, the MS as such (one of the "lovely" Multiple Surprises it might offer). is affected quite a bit by that. Another possible reason is depression, which I know you are suffering with from time to time (as are many MSers, for that matter). And even something as "simple" as a vitamin B deficiency may play havoc with your cognitive and memory functions. When you are under stress the body will use up a lot more of vitamin B than normally, and that may lead to a deficiency even f you are eating healthy etc. I had a bout of that around the same time was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with MS. I would forget everything that wasn't written down (and I would forget to write it down too, quite often...). And it would take me forever to read just a page in a book (because I would lose concentration about every two words or so...). I complained that I felt I was suddenly "going stupid", and someone suggested it may be a vitamin B deficiency brought on by the stress of 's illness. I tried to take Vitamin B for a few days, and whoppa! my short term memory and ability to concentrate came right back... Maybe you are under unusual stress right now? Or maybe you

are just low on Vitamin B for other reasons?Just a few ideas. Oh, and whatever the reason, there are many things that may help. At home is using her iPhone to remind her about things like medication and appointments (I think just about any cellphone has the same functionality when it comes to calendars and reminders, doesn't need to be an iPhone...), and at work she has a company cellphone (used to be a PDA, but she was increasingly unsatisfied with it, and requested to have it replaced with a cellphone) that does the same thing, as part of the workplace adjustments to her MS. And notebooks etc, like n suggested are also things that may

serve as an "extra memory" for you.love/Reb>> Thank you for the link, n--our dear link lady! I was hoping to read > something about how one could get 'tested' for this gene; perhaps I didn't read > the article closely enough, but I couldn't find any information regarding that. > I am SO very forgetful, of both past and present information and goings-on. My > kids are forever telling me how they tell me things, and I just plum don't > remember. So, I'm scared. I think next time I see my neuro (which should be in > the next week or 2, as I haven't seen him since

March 1) I'll ask him if there > is some sort of testing to rule it in or out.> Love to you n,> and all our dear friends here; my second family!> Kate> > > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 7:41:19 PM> Subject: Re: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers > here> > > http://www.genetichealth.com/ALZ_Genetics_of_Alzheimers_Disease.shtml> > Thank you, so very much, Kate (blushing color of my last name, "roses."> > Love to you all,> n> > > > > ________________________________> From: Kate Rothschild

rothschildkate@...> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 4:18:26 PM> Subject: Re: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers > here> > > What profound and touching memories you have. I LOVE the story from when you > were 5; I never recall having read that before.> Your mother taught you well, and you obviously gleaned much from her. Thank you > for sharing the legacy that your mother left you.> By the way, how did you find out that you don't carry the Alzheimer's gene? I'm > very concerned that I may. My dad has it, though it is slowly (thank G*d) > advancing. His short term memory is totally shot, but his long term still seems > to be fairly intact.> Thank you for sharing with us, n. I was especially moved by her passing. > She lived a full, long life, and did in fact, get her desire

granted--I too wish > to go in my sleep; nothing finer than that!> love to you our 'cyber mom',> Kate> > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 6:52:27 PM> Subject: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers here> > > Akiba's Robbin is the best son--I think we do know why. . . . > > My own mother, whom my brothers and I did call "Mom," died at 101 + 1 month,> in Santa Barbara, California, where my sister, the eldest child in our family.> was living at the time; that sister has now died; died the year after our mother > did.> I had a difficult time explaining all that to my family; they kept asking > whether it> was an automobile accident, or a fall, as everyone in our

family, with rare > excep> tion, lives so long.> > > I had been emotionally and intellectually prepared for my mother's demise,> as she had severe Alzheimer's disease (I do not have that gene), and had> been fading steadily. The people at the residential facility where she was> found her as they checked all the apartments each morning. They told me> that my mother was found "lying peacefully on her left side, with her folded> hands under her left cheek," the way I remember her having slept for all the> time that I, the surprise 6th child, remembered her. They told me that she had> just the beginning of a small, sweet smile on her face!> > It did not even dawn on me that they might not have phoned my sister> in Santa Barbara yet. . . until the kind lady said slowly and gently that> "We thought that it might be better if she heard it from

you." I declined,> put my foot to the pedal, and asked them to notify my sister, and not even> to discuss the fact that they had already notified me with my sister. They> knew why. I assured them that I was on my way to Santa Barbara as of> late that afternoon.> > So, when the kids came home from work/school, and Hans came home,> we all gathered ourselves into one of our cars and off we went---to > Santa Barbara. The kids' first notion was that they would never hear> their grandmother play piano again, though she had not been able to > play in many years. Even Hans was a bit distraught. > > I remembered my mother's having said when I was a very young child,> that she hoped that she would "go in my sleep," and I was just glad that> she had gone in the manner for which she had hoped.> > My mother had smoked for years and had gone blind

due to macular > degeneration (common in smokers) years after she had quit. She had> been able to play the piano from memory and by ear until she was about> 93, and one day she attempted to play, realized that these were not the > sounds that she had expected, and just gave it up.> > My own relationship with each of my parents, and with my siblings, was> rewarding and I have wonderful memories of each of our parents. I have> picked one to share, and if I have shared it before, I offer it for those who> have not read all my posts:> > I was about five years old, and it was a Saturday morning. Mom had been> a bit concerned that I was not as friendly with one of our neighbors as with> others nearby (each about three acres apart), so she sat me down and in> classic Sephardic Jewish fasion, put her hand on my forearm (this means> that your arm is now

"nailed" to the table) and that what you are going to be> told is very important.> > Mother said, "Dear, when you are out and about and you encounter others,> your demeanor and comportment should be such that all persons whom> you might encounter shall feel the better for their having encountered you."> > So, I memorized this maternal bit of wisdom, nodded solemnly, and ran > upstairs to my Dad's study, and blurted it out to him. Dad was a bit more> down home than Mom was, as English was not his second language.> He turned to me and said, "Kid, listen to your Muthah; do what your> Muthah says." I have tried and am still trying to do just that, and do do> as he so often advised me as well (He was an attorney).> > Love to you all,> n> > > > > > > > >

____________________________________________________________________________________> Looking for earth-friendly autos? > Browse Top Cars by "Green Rating" at Yahoo! Autos' Green Center.> http://autos.yahoo.com/green_center/>

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February 13, 2011

KateThe meds you are are really will contribute to you cognitive function. I know you are on neurontin but I can't remember what else. When I was on neurontin my memory and cognitive function were horrible. I am so glad I was able to get off the neurontin but I know not everyone can do that. How much neurontin do you take a day? I was up to 1200 mgs and it made me a raving zombie. lolhugs SharonThis email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no

way are to be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Sun, February 13, 2011 2:32:02 PMSubject: Re: Kate / cognitive difficulties

Sorry to have taken so long in responding to you, Reb. I appreciate your words. I think you make a good point about the depression possibly/probably impacting my cognition. I am really suffering from both, so it is likely there is a correlation; thank you for pointing that out.I had heard recently, that there are a lot of benefits from B vitamins. I might see if my neuro has an opinion on it. If I can remember to write it all down , I'd like to have him check my vit d and b levels, as well as look into this Alzheimers gene that n referred to.Please say hi and send my love along to ,KateTo: MSersLife Sent: Fri, February 11, 2011 4:18:42 AMSubject: Re: Kate / cognitive difficulties

Of course you should discuss these issues with your neuro! However, there are many possible reasons for cognitive difficulties and/or memory issues. One, as n already mentioned, the MS as such (one of the "lovely" Multiple Surprises it might offer). is affected quite a bit by that. Another possible reason is depression, which I know you are suffering with from time to time (as are many MSers, for that matter). And even something as "simple" as a vitamin B deficiency may play havoc with your cognitive and memory functions. When you are under stress the body will use up a lot more of vitamin B than normally, and that may lead to a deficiency even f you are eating healthy etc. I had a bout of that around the same time was hospitalized and eventually diagnosed with MS. I would forget everything that wasn't written down (and I would forget to write it down too, quite often...). And it would take me forever to read just a page in a book (because I would lose concentration about every two words or so...). I complained that I felt I was suddenly "going stupid", and someone suggested it may be a vitamin B deficiency brought on by the stress of 's illness. I tried to take Vitamin B for a few days, and whoppa! my short term memory and ability to concentrate came right back... Maybe you are under unusual stress right now? Or maybe you

are just low on Vitamin B for other reasons?Just a few ideas. Oh, and whatever the reason, there are many things that may help. At home is using her iPhone to remind her about things like medication and appointments (I think just about any cellphone has the same functionality when it comes to calendars and reminders, doesn't need to be an iPhone...), and at work she has a company cellphone (used to be a PDA, but she was increasingly unsatisfied with it, and requested to have it replaced with a cellphone) that does the same thing, as part of the workplace adjustments to her MS. And notebooks etc, like n suggested are also things that may

serve as an "extra memory" for you.love/Reb>> Thank you for the link, n--our dear link lady! I was hoping to read > something about how one could get 'tested' for this gene; perhaps I didn't read > the article closely enough, but I couldn't find any information regarding that. > I am SO very forgetful, of both past and present information and goings-on. My > kids are forever telling me how they tell me things, and I just plum don't > remember. So, I'm scared. I think next time I see my neuro (which should be in > the next week or 2, as I haven't seen him since

March 1) I'll ask him if there > is some sort of testing to rule it in or out.> Love to you n,> and all our dear friends here; my second family!> Kate> > > > > > ________________________________> To: MSersLife > Sent: Wed, February 9, 2011 7:41:19 PM> Subject: Re: on the death of one's mother, and in honor of all mothers > here> > > http://www.genetichealth.com/ALZ_Genetics_of_Alzheimers_Disease.shtml> > Thank you, so very much, Kate (blushing color of my last name, "roses."> > Love to you all,> n> > > > > ________________________________> From: Kate

Rothschild