Re: Re: Memory and Concentration Studyand a Question

[Guest guest]

Hi Tracey,

Thanks for writing. No, it doesn't sound like what I know about ADD. I had a

roommate for a couple of months recently who has a serious case of ADD and even

with medication she was a mess. Your examples don't touch the kind of

disorganization she exhibited in every phase of her life. I can still

multi-task but it's harder than it used to be -- when each thing I'm doing

requires real attention.

I've been under an incredible amount of stress for a long time now and suspect

that's an important factor. I can hyper-focus when I need to but there's so

much going on around me that I have to pay close attention to many things at

once and that's the hard part.

Glad your memory is good, too. Sometimes I wish mine wasn't as good as it is!

There's a lot I'd like to forget. ;--0

Best wishes,

[ ] Re: Memory and Concentration Studyand a Question

Hi ,

I have said for years now that Gleevec has interfered with my

ability to concentrate. At first I thought it was a memory problem

but then I realized that memory and concentration although very

closely related, are indeed independent of each other.

I can no longer multi-task which I used to do very well. Gone are

the days where I could play on the computer and listen to the tv in

the background and carry on a conversation with the kids.

When I follow a new recipe, I have to check and recheck each step of

it, not because I can't remember the next step but because I can

only concentrate on one step at a time.

Since I've been on Gleevec, I've only been capable of carrying on

one thought process at a time which I used to mistake for a memory

problem.

A good example is this: if someone tells me something while I'm

reading something on the internet, without a doubt, I won't retain

what the person told me.

This is how it was easy for me to confuse memory with

concentration. It's not that I couldn't " remember " what the person

told me but rather I couldn't concentrate enough to process it

because my mind was too busy trying to absorb what I was reading.

If someone tells me something when I'm doing nothing but

concentrating on the conversation I'm having, I have no problem at

all remembering what the person said.

I don't know if this would be considered ADD but I'm not prepared to

take any medication for it even if it is so I just live with it.

Take care,

Tracey

dx Jan 2002

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/31/2005 9:28:59 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

rrockef1@... writes:

> It's about Gleevec (IM) and concentration and memory. I have noticed

that it

> has become harder to focus. Of course, I have so much on my mind that it

> isn't surprising. My memory seems to be fine. Is there anyone here

Again, I want to point out that the study does not address issues with

Gleevec. Although in 's email it seems that she is making a separate

statement regarding her own concerns with memory and concentration. - Lynne A.

[Guest guest]

Great discussion! My son has ADD and hasn't been on his medication

since CML dx. Guess I didn't want another chemical in his body. School

is an ongoing struggle for him - trouble staying organized, remembering

what needs to be done, etc. Maybe the decision to take him off the ADD

medication wasn't a good one, BUT he doesn't experience the fatigue

associated with CML/Gleevec. He works a couple hours a day after school

four days a week and hardly misses any school except for appointments.

Barb