(was) photo (now) cognitive dysfunction

[Guest guest]

What BEAUTIFUL baskets! I am absolutely impressed with your talent. How did you learn to do that? Amazing!!!!The fatigue is horrible, isn't it? I just started on Provigil yesterday and so far I'm very pleased with the results. I feel awake and alert and it's a great feeling. When that fatigue hits it is so overwhelming. I don't want to sleep my life away so I finally gave in and let the doc give me samples to try. I read what you said about the cognitive dysfunction you are experiencing. I have it, as many of us here on the group do. It's a hard thing to deal with. One thing they say helps is to use your brain as much as possible by doing crossword puzzles, word

searches, reading and play cards and scrabble type games. Did you see the email I sent to the group about the HealthTalk program with the subject: FYI: Fw: HealthTalk MS News: Memory Difficulty, Treatment Side Effects and MoreThe email gives all the info and gives a link so you can sign up for the program. You can listen to these programs by phone or on the computer. Here's some of the info from the email: "If you've ever lost a word from the tip of your tongue or struggled to calculate the tip at dinner, you have some idea of what it¢s like to live with cognitive symptoms of MS. Tune in on April 26 to find out what causes symptoms of memory loss and poor concentration. Learn all about exercises and treatments that might help and get expert strategies for

overcoming obstacles like these in day-to-day life. And, as always, you'll have the chance to ask the experts your questions." Sharon Re: photo Hi Sharon, Thanks for

letting me upload my basket pictures. I created an album called Donna's baskets. Mostly I just make them. I used to coil a lot. Last summer, though, I started getting cramps in my fingers and hands. It made it hard to hold on to a basket or the sewing needle. So, I just coil a little bit at a time. I don't have a lot of energy to concentrate. I used to make a basket in a week or less, now it can take many months. I ordered more supplies from Royalwood and 's Basket Works so now I am ready for the wind to die down. I usually take my stuff to the park and sit under a shady tree to work. So far I have not sold any baskets and nobody has offered to pay for them. I think our county fair might have a section for crafts where I could display my baskets for possible ribbons. If you were to do a search for pine needle baskets for sale you would be surprised at the asking prices on some of the baskets.

As for my symptoms, they come and go, mostly. The one that just stays is the fatigue. It is unrelenting and no amount of sleep helps. Before I started the oxygen, I was sleeping all night. Now, I kind of fall asleep from sheer exhaustion. It doesn't seem to be working, but then I'm not sure what the oxygen is supposed to do and how it's supposed to help. I know, the pulmonologist says I'm not getting enough oxygen at night, but I was sleeping. Also, I have chronic mental functioning issues. What do you call that? Cognitive? I can't remember something that I was told even 5 minutes ago. I even have problems retrieving words. Like, I know what I want to say and can describe it but the word eludes me. My feet have been doing some kind of dance, without telling me that they are going to do it. I have a walking staff that I take with me everywhere when I go away from home. For grocery shopping, I

use a cart even if I am only getting one item small enough to fit in my pocket. I call it my walker in disguise. My legs get heavy and my feet turn into bricks. When that happens I use a scooter at the grocery store. Unfortunately I don't have that option at all the stores I go to. At least leaning on a grocery cart helps me stay upright. I lose my balance a lot and hope that if I'm going to fall, the wall catches me. Once I fell against a car and set off its alarm. I couldn't move fast enough to get away. I'm just glad that I didn't dent the car. I am not sure if I listed all my symptoms, I just can't think. Donna in WA > > Of course it's okay. Go ahead and make the album so we can all see your baskets! I look forward to

seeing them. Do you sell them? The picture on the group home page was taken here in Arizona. If I get a chance to stop there the next time we drive through I'll get some needles for you. > > What are your symptoms now? Is the oxygen helping? > > hugs)) > > Sharon >

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