Short term memory

[EireAtaxic]

Hi all

I have very poor short term memory and attention and am looking to improve them.

Diagnosed with low grade bt 1996

7 shunt revisions

3 debunkings

30 rounds of radiotherapy 2009

Ataxia since 2009

Has anyone any advice on how to improve s/t memory?

[Reels]

My partner, who has low-grade BT, found the MS Society booklet useful. mssociety.org.uk/care-and-s...

[heathermr]

I have a diagnosis of metabolic dementia caused by inappropriate thyroid medication as I now find that I have pituitary failure caused by a head injury 20 years ago. My short term memory is particularly poor and I have had to find ways to help it. My numbers processing is also shot, but I use pictures in my head to remember numbers. This is particularly useful when it comes to pin codes etc, for example 99 is an ice cream cone with a chocolate stick. It's important to choose something that means something special to you. I also have to be careful as memories are often combined incorrectly. Sometimes talking about a subject will trigger more memories to come out of my brain when I can't recall straight away. Hope this helps.Heather

[Hon33]

Shirt term memory is one of the things I find most frustrating since having a brain injury. It’s also the unpredictability of my memory which is frustrating. Before my brain injury I had an exceptional memory - I’m on the autistic spectrum and that is probably why. I never wrote things down. I always just remembered things. Now I can’t remember what time I took my last painkillers at!

I also have OCD and to stop myself stressing about things, I used to use a technique of taking a picture in my head of what I had done and then I would know I had done it.

I have tried employing similar strategies since my brain injury but they just don’t work anymore. For me, the only thing that really works is writing things down and check ing them. My neurorehab consultant reinforced that this is the only way I can be sure to remember.

I got so upset last year because my niece was getting her Alevel results. When I went to bed, I told myself to remember to check my phone first thing to see if my sister had texted me about them. I completely forgot. I mean how do you forget your niece is getting her Alevel results. I didn’t check my phone until lunch time and then remembered.

Now, I keep my phone where I see it as soon as I get up and check it. If someone is giving me an important piece of information or an appt, I get them to write it down. If I have a thought I want to remember I put it in the notes on my phone or if I think I won’t remember I’ve done that, I text it to my husband or daughters and ask them to remind me what I was thinking. I take pictures of things on my phone - although sometimes I look back and think why did I take that picture. Things like when I took painkillers, I write down (or my husband does) on a piece of paper next to the painkillers.

Often, I know that the information I need to remember is in my head somewhere, I just don’t know where to find it. Other times Im not sure it is.

You will find a way that best for you. Good luck.

[cat3]

Cutting to the chase EA, after 10 years of brain training & memory exercises I've found all that works for me is writing down (immediately I'm aware of it) something I need to remember. I have notepads around the house for jotting stuff down, and I'm now conditioned to checking them first thing every morning whilst the kettle boils.

I write vital appointments in bold felt-tip across my dressing table mirror so they catch my eye immediately I wake (ink easily removed with acetone). My memory used to be virtually photographic, and still is for events from childhood & youth, but the more recent the event the hazier it gets.

My surgeon warned me at the outset to accept this as an inevitable consequence of brain injury and, whilst keeping my brain active with puzzles & memory games, to develop the habit of using written reminders as back-up.

I still get frustrated & upset when word-recall fails me in conversation, but it is what is. And I only have to think about my family's horror, when told I mightn't last the night, to appreciate how lucky I've been. 😏

But I can 'talk' away here on Headway as it's only me & no one else who has to wait for the words to come ! Take care EA. All best wishes, Cat x

[EireAtaxic]

I'm not the only one suffering I see. I could have something in my head or be in the process of doing something and if I get distracted (mostly by the kids), I lose my trail of thought and have to start again. I used to use an app called Luminosity. I found it fairly OK but much this on it were pay for extras. Anyone having any joy with particular supplements?