Hello all. I was wondering how many of us have problems with cognitive function? I am about 1 yr and 4 mos post-op. Most of my symptoms have returned to some degree and I go through some nasty relapses. I’ve noticed a drastic decline in memory, problem solving and just plain clear-headedness during “episodes.” Over the last two months I’ve had a couple of the worst relapses I’ve had in while. Despite my coworkers being completely aware of my health, I am having issues with my job performance. Any helpful advice?
I don't know if it's from the Chiari or it's just me but I have always had a crappy memory. I have a vary hard time with memorization, and names. I also have times where I know exactly what I want to say but I can't spit it out. I can also be talking about something and completely forget what I'm talking about. Oh ya, and I have a hard time remembering to do simple things like turning in my time sheets for work. Wish I could give you some advice but still trying to figure it out myself.
Wish I could help you but I have always been like that and will be going in a few days to get my 1 year Neurophysch evaul that I cheated on last year. This year they are gonna have 2 extra nurses to watch that I do not cheat on this one. Hey I am a Marine I adapt overcome and change until I can make it. I do however have to say that I can not longer hold down a job I just have way to many headaches to handle it. I can not hinder a boss into trying to make a space for me when someone who can do they job can be hired. I wish I could give you advice but like you my symptoms are bad and have added new problems since then.
Thanks. I’m reading similar stories on other forums as well. I’m calling a doctor for an appointment this week cuz this is getting outta hand. While I really don’t want to do it, I’m thinking applying for disability might be the avenue to pursue. It’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the physicality of my job too. My old clinic in Cleveland was awesome about my Chiari, my new one here is not.
You are welcome and sorry to hear that you may end up this way as well. Keep us updated and I hope your next year is not as bad as my last year has been. I have gone from Doc to Doc this year with everyone of them saying they are not sure what it is. Dr Oro told me he is sure that it is not a direct effect of the surgery that he has ever seen but also told me that each of us is completely different from everyone else. He also told me that what we know about the brain is so little and changes so fast that it is hard to keep up with. Good Luck my Heart goes with you!!!
Hi, SoulfullyInked! I haven't had surgery. I feel like my mental capabilities are very capped, my memory is bad. Like Spoobette, I sometimes forget what I'm about to say in the middle of sentence. Very often I forget to do simple things. And I also have trouble remembering peoples names. I had psyh eval, because some doctors thought my symptoms were from depression, not from chiari. Despite all of this, the results sayed- my memory is fine!!! Well, I don't think so.
What helps me to remember to do the most important things- sticky notes. Just put them wherever you spend a lot of time and you can't miss them! Hope this is helpful! Best wishes to you!
That is what they told me last year I had a better memory than 99% of the men my age however no one else thinks that I have any memory. I forget entirely what I am about to say and sometimes just start in the middle of a sentence and I get frustrated when other people understand all of it. I have had surgery and they are not sure what it is they ruled out the possibility of depression and say this years test will tell them more. Oh well keep us updated on what they do with you and your situation for sure!!
Fugu said:
Hi, SoulfullyInked! I haven't had surgery. I feel like my mental capabilities are very capped, my memory is bad. Like Spoobette, I sometimes forget what I'm about to say in the middle of sentence. Very often I forget to do simple things. And I also have trouble remembering peoples names. I had psyh eval, because some doctors thought my symptoms were from depression, not from chiari. Despite all of this, the results sayed- my memory is fine!!! Well, I don't think so.
What helps me to remember to do the most important things- sticky notes. Just put them wherever you spend a lot of time and you can't miss them! Hope this is helpful! Best wishes to you!
Maybe our memory is "great" because in those tests we have to remember a few words. When we go through the memorization process in a doctors office, we are focusing on those few words, while there is nothing esle going on around us. And I think people tend to focus more on tests than everyday conversations. So maybe in a sense those tests are flawed or maybe I just don't understand their purpose.
My psychiatrist diagnosed me with neurasthenia.
I've experienced memory issues in response to stress, medication and hormones (menopause). I wonder how often several factors co-incide.
According to all the research I’ve done…which has been extensive…there is some mental impairment that comes which Chiari. While it was once thought that the frontal lobes of the brain were responsible for data processing and higher reasoning, there’s evidence now that the cerebellum is involved too. So that would make sense that we have impairments. I feel like my situation is somewhat dire because I’ve made a couple mathematical miscalculations at work…luckily none that have caused any physical harm to my patients (vet tech), but that’s not the point. My supervisors are aware of the Chiari, however, I have been told more than once that I appear healthy, there’s no disease out there as fantastical-sounding as Chiari and that there’s nothing wrong with me.
I really don’t know what to do.
That is interesting. Keep us updated, if you find out more!
It is very common for people to assume that their "normal" should be equal to yours. They have never experienced your symptoms, so they assume they probably aren't real. When I tried to explain chiari to a friend, he replied something in the lines of " but if you don't have enough energy, you can train yourself by doing a little more each time" :D that is sooooooo wrong!!! I tried to explain better, but he still wouldn't understand.
If you haven't tried it, you can print out fact sheets about chiari from some organizations that research it. Their sheets usually have their logos on and overall look official, serious and believable. Also, you may try to educate them on "invisible illnesses". They are the ones you can't see, like something as obvious as a broken leg. People with them call themselves Spoonies, that comes from The Spoon Theory.
Absolutely! We have a great fact sheet and links to trustworthy Chiari resources from our section Chiari Info for Members in the menu banner at the top of the screen.
Fugu said:
If you haven't tried it, you can print out fact sheets about chiari from some organizations that research it. Their sheets usually have their logos on and overall look official, serious and believable. Also, you may try to educate them on "invisible illnesses". They are the ones you can't see, like something as obvious as a broken leg. People with them call themselves Spoonies, that comes from The Spoon Theory.
I do not have a problem with people not believing me as I have always been very honest and straight forward. Plus how bad I got to be right before surgery you could tell there was something wrong because I would do stupid stuff just like a drunk would. For a time I was not allowed to drive because I was so bad off with the drunk symptoms. Plus I had the the surgery so they can see the scar on my neck as a little more proof. Plus I don't need them in my life if they do not believe me I move on people who live on looks alone are not welcome. I feel for anyone one who has anything wrong with them and I believe them with out a doubt. I can honestly say I had that simple kind of mind when I was younger I thought if you could not see it they did not have it. But now I work at letting people who think like that know just how shallow they are and how that is not right to do to people. I am sorry you made mistakes at work I was a custodian/maintenance man with a lot of lifting and that type of thing. Also part of why I think I am where I am because of hitting my head a few times at work coming up under desks. I could work a few days then I would break down and have to be in bed for a few days because I would just wear that far down. I had a long talk with my boss who wanted me to stay on part-time as few hours a week as I wanted. We had to shovel snow in the winter and do grass and what not in the summer. I could not be as dependable as I wanted to be so I had to quit was just not doable to do them that way.
Umm ive actually asked a question here and had someone tell me i already asked that question before.... yup i sometimes feel like im not getting all the spinal fluid to my brain