Is there any med you take to help with processing and focus?

[suzy20]

Help! I can't multitask anymore and feel like I have ADHD. Spinning in circles.... is there any medication that can help with this?

[WAshingtongirl]

suzy20 , have you shared this with your neuro? It can be due to your MS. Mine is and I find it very frustrating. It has transformed me from a multitasking-Type A -personality to someone who finds it very difficult to keep on task. I feel I've lost a part of my personality along with my ability 'to do.' Your doctor may order neuro-psych testing to determine the cause (my results confirmed MS as the cause). I believe depression/anxiety can also cause this. My neuro put me on Ritalin for the MS fatigue. It hasn't helped my concentration or 'ADHD-type' changes though. I was hoping it would. I am trying to accept this as another permanent change, while still hoping it is only temporary. Praying you get some answers. 💕

[suzy20 in reply to WAshingtongirl]

WAshingtongirl I so appreciate you sharing. Your post reflects exactly how I feel!!!

[erash in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Me too WAshingtongirl

I've been a type A+++ person all of my little fe

Learning to not Multi task has been interesting but it helps me avoid errors

Especially driving: no cell phones, no playing with the radio!

They say the human brain isn't made to multitask

Maybe that means MS is really an evolutionary brain 😜

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

We're living parallel lives these days, erash . Or at least our brains are!

I have a good friend I've known for over 20+ years. We met when I was in remission following my first MS 'attack.' Cindy has always worked on a different timetable than I have. She wrote everything down in her daytimer while I kept everything organized in my brain. I was go, go, go, while she was slow and methodical. A few years ago, I was telling her how frustrated I was with how I had to write everything down, but still forgot, and often made numerous mistakes; how I couldn't have anyone talk to me or have the phone ring, etc while I made dinner; and on and on...

Cindy said, "Welcome to my world!"

I never realized how different our 'worlds' were until then. It made be all the more thankful I'd been able to accomplish all I had up until then. I also realized it wasn't only my drive and attitude that had allowed me to thrive and accomplish, but how my brain had functioned until then too. Boy was I humbled...I never realized others live all their lives as I do now, today. I wonder if they are as frustrated as we are? Cindy isn't. We've talked about it. That's all she's known and who she is.

...Just one more way MS has made me thankful. Too bad it took MS for me to realize it. 💕

[erash in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Exactly WAshingtongirl !

I often wonder if a person has always been sedentary, does less mobility impact them less intensely?

If multi-tasking was never their forte (my hubby), is disruptive distraction their norm?

There is advantage in no longer expecting myself to be perfect (not that I ever was...just expected).

I can laugh at most of my oops-es

😜

[WAshingtongirl in reply to erash]

Yes, the perfectionist in me has taken a big hit. Still adjusting to that. I do have a better understanding of my friend and others now. Continuing to lower my self-expectations. 😉

[jbix in reply to WAshingtongirl]

I've said that MS is finally giving me permission to not be perfect - which is a slight relief...

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to WAshingtongirl]

Tutu you might need to try modafinil or another type medication and say goodbye to the Ritalin. Just a thought 😊

[WAshingtongirl in reply to CalfeeChick]

Thanks, CalfeeChick . I tried that years ago and It didn't help me. Amantadine too. Ritalin has helped me the most. Just doesn't 'fix' everything. 😉💞

[Miriade]

Hi,Suzy20. There are few natural and prescription medications that help Improvement of focus, but does not show up as miracle, goes slowly, progressive rebuilding your focus and concentration. I was terrible, not able to find my car in the parking lot, not able to remember what to do from one room to another in the house. I got at least 60%better. I still have slow down in my speed anyway. One of the prescription is Modafinil, and I figure out that being a member of Costco I could buy for $51 dollars, the original Brand Modafinil otherwise cost as much as thousand dollars without insurance. I use Bacoba tea, buying in powder, and "Ashawaganda"(is misspelled),that reduce anxiety and improve memory. Also I use for years Cognitex: phosphatidilserine and alpha...choline, both are for memory synapse Improvement. Drinking good quality fresh brewing coffee, activate concentration also. The prescription Modafinil is great, I use before Concerta because is off-label for MS for concentration, but is in the category of ADHD. Works well too.

[Miriade in reply to Miriade]

One more detail:my multi- task did not go back to what was before. Just little better to be ablevto organize, study,but because I live alone its missing stimulation from human being for organization.

[suzy20]

I very much appreciate the information. I am extremely frustrated with myself😫

[erash in reply to suzy20]

suzy20

Frustration increases stress and can worsen the cognitive processing

Be kind to yourself

Avoiding multitasking can be a blessing...gives you time to enjoy the moment!

[Raingrrl]

Hi suzy20 ! The inability to multitask and to concentrate made doing my job impossible. They are part of the reasons I had to leave my career. Like you, I feel like I have ADHD sometimes. When my insurance wouldn't pay for Provigil for fatigue my neuro prescribed Ritalin and when that failed, Adderall. Neither of those helped me with fatigue or focus. I'm curently not taking anything for this problem.

[Lilith08 in reply to Raingrrl]

My job became impossible, too. Getting my MS diagnosis (and neuropsychologist testing) was actually a bit of a relief because I then had an explanation for why I just couldn't get it together the past several years. It's tough.

[Raingrrl in reply to Lilith08]

I haven't had neuropsych testing. I'm not sure why it was never done but it doesn't really matter now since I'm retired and was approved for SSDI without it.

Since I've had MS for 18 years and my MRI's are polka-dotted with lesions, its kind of obvious that is MS I guess. I was able to hold it together for many years until my work environment become seriously toxic and stressful, that pushed me off the cliff so-to-speak.

[suzy20 in reply to Raingrrl]

Raingrrl Thanks very much for sharing, that is really interesting, I just recently had this discussion (about whether to be tested by a neuropsychologist) with my doc.

I opted not to do it as I think it would be discouraging to me. I too have so many lesions there is no question I have it.

[Miriade in reply to Raingrrl]

Hi Raingrrl, I decided to do Neuropsychologist test without showing my MRI to the doctor, jist telling my history and behavior

To me was little more complicated because I have Portuguese primary language anc English Second Language. The NeuroPsychologist told me that my test should be done with two Psychologists, in English and in Portuguese to check all level of everything. Very interesting. And I was retested after again one more time to confirm all findings. I did computer test, play games, drawn, memory tests, language, knowledge level tests, math was zero for me, physics, language , history, etc.My test took 3weeks to be completed. I did over 20 hours of testing to make sure where was the lesions and where was okay in the average. My frontal lobe, both sides are damaged, the multi-task really went down the hill. And at least I was glad to know I still have some good intelligent levels above thd medium, just to be comfortable, but finalize as disability because of huge problem with multi task related to front lobe lesions. And she ,all three Psychologists were right. Plus high level of anxiety at that period of time when I was schedule to do the test, with cancelled appoint, getting late, etc.

[LCAL in reply to Raingrrl]

after lots of trial and error concerta is what works for me the best. It then involve playing with the dose and dealing with those side effects until your dose is found. I take 72mg day. its not magic but I’m writing this! lol

Lisa

[erash]

suzy20 nuvigil helps me process but some days MS cog fog wins 🙁

I try not to multitask on those days

I try to control stress

Meditation, deep breathing, calming music help

[suzy20 in reply to erash]

Thank you 😊

[Raingrrl in reply to erash]

erash I try to control stress too. It kicks up my symptoms terribly. Now that I'm not working, its amazing how little stress I have. The normal life stress is ok but my work stress was ridiculous.

[erash in reply to Raingrrl]

I agree Raingrrl now that I'm not working,

I finally know calm.

But it doesn't take much for me to feel overwhelmed and I have to remind myself to breath and enjoy the world 🌈

[Raingrrl in reply to erash]

erash It's the same for me. If my to--do list gets too long, it starts to stress me out. So I take a breather and then move some things to other days

[Hidden]

Completely agree! Last year I climbed the Andes, worked two jobs, studied full time, etc etc.

Fast forward to now I just attempted to make a cup of tea but found the whole process incredibly confusing- back in bed exhausted and in agony.

So frustrating!

[erash in reply to Hidden]

Hidden wow!

10yrs ago we hiked Patagonia. I think my MS was flaring- balance awful, had to slide down mts on my butt...I hadn't been diagnosed yet ⛰🐧

[Iona60]

suzy20 erash Hidden Raingrrl Modafinil, Provigil, and all the other derivatives of it, has been in the news lately as people are getting these meds to enhance their mental acquity. I saw where it was being condsidered as "doping" for professional chess players. When I had it on hand, my daughter would say "go take a smart mommy pill". It worked wonders for me, but left me with insomnia.

The multi-step processing is what really gets me. I like to follow what I have dubbed, the "rule of one", for both energy conservation and multi-step things. I isolate one step or one minor thing that needs to be done. When I complete it, I feel like I have accomplished something. If I have enough energy, I move on to the next item. If not, oh well, tomorrow is another day.

[Hidden in reply to Iona60]

Thank you! Dont suppose you know of any supplements/vitamins similar to the drugs you mentioned? X

[Iona60 in reply to Hidden]

Hidden Coffee or caffeine in general is the closest thing I can relate it to.

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to Hidden]

My MS doc suggested big doses of B vitamins. B12, B Complex, Biotin, & I want to say a B1? Honestly too tired to get up and go check the cabinet. All of these are to increase memory, focus. After almost a year, I'm almost afraid to see what I'd be without them.

After reading all the comments in this line, I realized I must've been a AAAAAAAAAA type personality. As a Supervisor, I realized I worked better, more efficiently and trained others better when I was under a great deal of pressure. See I still can't say I was stressed!😃

[StacyHayward]

Is this the same as cog fog? I'm on aricept. One problem I had was I could drive but not remember how to get anywhere, or go to the store and get super confused on what to do. Aricept made a huge difference for me. Still have bad days but it's better than before.

[suzy20 in reply to StacyHayward]

Thank you , I'm going to ask about it today!

[StacyHayward in reply to suzy20]

It is generally believed aricept doesn't help with MS, so be careful how you ask. It would be used off label. It is for treating Alzheimer's . Just see if your doctor will let you try it, despite what studies say.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to StacyHayward]

StacyHayward , I had a PCP recommend Aricept for my cog probs with MS years ago, but I declined. It is my understanding that Aricept doesn't reverse memory/damage, but prevents or slows down future damage. But you find it has reversed your problems? It sounds like it has done a lot to help you. 💕

[StacyHayward in reply to WAshingtongirl]

I guess you could say aricept reversed my problems, at least to a small extent. I still get cog fog but I feel it is manageable with aricept. Without it I felt like the world was spinning out of control. With it I have much more clarity. Fatigue makes it worse though.

I started aricept really early too so maybe that's why it helped me. I've been on it for 13 years, so I was only 25 when I started it.

[WAshingtongirl in reply to StacyHayward]

Thanks, StacyHayward .

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador in reply to StacyHayward]

Aricept?? How interesting to me. Having lost my mom, aunt and 1 other female member of my family, Alzheimer's was always my biggest fear. Just might ask my doc about it at next appt in October. I know I've been tempted to go buy a "Mountain Dew" soda to perk up am and increase focus.

[greaterexp]

I'm glad you brought this up, since so many of us have issues with cognitive issues, at least from time to time. I'll keep these ideas stored ...somewhere, if I can remember.

[Lilith08]

suzy20 I haven't yet found a solution but I can relate to your frustration. Many years ago I explored the ADHD possibility and was found to be borderline; tried meds that didn't help. Then a few years ago, before my MS diagnosis, work became so difficult that I seriously wondered if I was developing early-onset dementia. Had neuropsych testing that indicated I *might* have ADHD--but because I had "possible MS" the doctor couldn't say for sure which it was; so, we treated it as ADHD. I tried Adderall, then Ritalin, both of which made me feel anxious and didn't help a whole lot.

Once I had my MS dx, my neuro prescribed Aricept because it could help with my language output (was having difficulty finding the right words and expressing thoughts); I didn't take more than a couple pills, though, as I realized the problem was much larger than just language and I've never liked taking more medicine than necessary. I was later given Provigil, but that was a similar situation.

I've just recently started my third attempt at ADHD meds: Dexedrine (generic is dextroamphetamine). So far, so good, I guess--on the lowest dose, not feeling anxious; but also not sure how much it helps.

I'm learning that I have to focus on one thing at a time, and I have to write things down a LOT! I'm just about ready to give in and get a smartphone (finally!) because even when I print out driving directions and keep looking at them, I often forget what the next step in the directions is. It really, really stinks!

You're not alone! Thanks to forums like this, we can help each other along.

[Raingrrl in reply to Lilith08]

GPS on my smartphone is a life saver! Seriously! I don't know what I would do without it. I have a hands free device in my car for my phone and the first thing I do when I get in the car is place my phone in the device and get GPS going if I'm the least bit uncertain of where I'm going.

MS sometimes causes me to forget where I am even when I'm driving on roads I've been on hundreds of times. I pull over when that happens and use GPS to find my way again. I use Google Maps as my GPS and its only screwed me up once. Its very reliable otherwise.

[suzy20]

Lilith08

Thank you. I am with you on the lists -- I got so overwhelmed this weekend with lists all over the house and obsessing about forgetting something. I finally made a master list on my iPhone using an app called "Evernote" and I am so relieved. Every time something pops into my head I use it. I'll keep you posted on what my dr. suggests today...

[Raingrrl in reply to suzy20]

suzy20 ...I'm a huge Evernote fan. I've been using it for a few years in fact. I use it for lists, to save articles for later, save recipes...all kinds of stuff. I love that all of those things are in one place and that I can access it from my phone, my tablet and my laptop. Its a great tool. I save a list of my current meds and vitamins in Evernote because I can never remember the dosages when I'm asked. But now I can refer to my list.

[suzy20 in reply to Raingrrl]

Raingrrl YES!!! Evernote is awesome!

[kdali]

I know you asked for pills, but my two cents: meditation (I'm terrible at it, so I just use guided), coffee, afternoon naps, the notepad on my phone, and two calendars. For a while I would message family members in the am when I was the clearest to tell them what I didn't want to forget today so they could help remind me later after I forgot. And of course for me, rock solid nutrition, sunshine, exercise, and adequate sleep at night. A cup of blueberries a day and a walk around the lake sounds too elementary to be beneficial, I know.

[MrBigCat in reply to kdali]

kdali Even the Dalai Lama says mediating can be hard for him. Guess we're in good company!

[kdali in reply to MrBigCat]

For real?! I guess I'm doing ok then!

[MrBigCat in reply to kdali]

kdali Yes, this is a from an article by Dr. Sanjay Gupta: Lessons From Meditating With The Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama: “Any questions?”

I looked up and saw his smiling face, starting to break into his characteristic head-bobbing laugh.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta: “This is hard for me,” I said.

Dalai Lama: “Me, too!” he exclaimed. “After doing daily for 60 years, it is still hard.”

awaken.com/2017/02/dr-sanja...

[kdali in reply to MrBigCat]

Thank you!!

[BigMar7]

I agree with kdali. Meditations have really kept me calm. I use my smartphone daily to remind me of stuff. I don't have a lake to walk around unfortunately but it sounds good.

[kdali in reply to BigMar7]

Ours is a community one, home to geese, frogs, turtles, ducks and birds. I wish you had one too!

[CalfeeChick CommunityAmbassador]

I take modafinil, 100mg whole tab in morning, another at noon. I also take 1/2 mid-morning & mid afternoon. It does help with focus and MS fatigue. I call it my legal upper!!👍😀

[LCAL]

Hello Everyone,

I am writing an FYI regarding what I recently discovered about Modafinil

I have successfully been on it/ off it for a long time and swore by it. Concerta was added but as my fatigue became unbearable Modafinil was increased from 200mg day to 400mg dly I thought it was working but it was hard to tell as I’ve been in a horrific depression for about 2 years ---- fast forward to the first week of Sept 2017 I was unable to get modafinil refilled on time and after a couple days I was feeling better, and better, and better so decided not to pick up refill at all.

I HAD MORE ENERGY. LESS FATIGUE. BETTER COGNITION . DEPRESSION INSTANTLY LIFTED

when I deeply researched the drug at a level; of 400mg day it can backlash and cause opposite effects it is suppose too

Also, I have been known to get rare side effects from meds and a list of very rare effects of modafinil are ALL of the ones ive been living for 2 rears DEEP DEPRESSION NOT KNOWING WHO YOU ARE. ETC ETC ETC SCARY

I BELIEVE THIS IS A GREAT MEDICATION and I wrote this not to deter ppl from using this (I wish I would have stopped to think sooner if what was wrong with me could be from a med and because what was happening was opposite what med is supposed to do, Dr’s did not think of that either) but simply as a cautionary tale!

Lisa

[52mags]

Hi suzy20 see my post on cannabis