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For a while (even before the thought of me having MS was even considered) I started having problems with forgetting words. It started getting worse over the past year or so. It gets so bad sometimes, I can't even finish full sentences b/c I can't think of words I want to say.

I have also had bizzare memory problems which happen occasionally. I will do something and then totally don't remember that I did it.

Last year, I told my neuro about my memory and word recall problems. He had me to a neuropsych test. The psychologist told me that b/c I don't have lesions in my brain, the cause for my cognitive problems is b/c I have stress.

At the time of my neuropsych test, I did have a lot more stress in my life than I do now, so I didn't question the results. For the past few months, a lot of things in my life have gotten better so I am not stressed out. However, these things are still happening. I am no longer convinced that stress was the only reason this is happening.

Has anyone else that does not have brain lesions suffer from cognitive problems?

Last year, I told my neuro about my memory and word recall problems. He had me to a neuropsych test. The psychologist told me that b/c I don't have lesions in my brain, the cause for my cognitive problems is b/c I have stress.

Did he scan for lesions in your grey matter as well? Most MS scans are done looking in the white matter. As well, lesions can come and go on their own so to say that because he didn't find any lesions with one scan, your cognitive problems are stress relate is kind of a brush off.

I'd strongly suggest you get a second opinion on this.

Harry

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It could also be caused by hypoxia, due to blockages in the jugulars, which seem to be associated with MS. Having had mine cleared, I am seeing improvements in memory issues. I too have the word finding thing.

After a psych evaluation, I was told that I have short term memory loss but it seems to only affect me in certain situations. For example, in a one on one conversation in a quiet setting, my words/sentences come easily but put me in a room with other people or activities and my mind will go blank mid-sentence. It has definitely gotten worse in the last year and very noticeable at my family's 2010 Christmas gathering, I found myself just avoiding conversation altogether.
The brain fog also hits me hard when I'm grocery shopping, even with a list and a store I'm familiar with, I stare at the shelves WAY too long. So it would seem that my brain can normally process one thing at a time whereas taking in multiple sights and sounds causes short-circuiting. Oh and yes, my lesions are all located in my brain.
Kara

oops, guess I should have read the title of the post more carefully. I was replying with the impression that you wanted to know about cognitive issues WITH brain lesions. Sorry

What I think is happening to me is a bit different; although similar

For 12 years I had no any cognitive problems; headache; clarity etc... And had active lesions for the first 9 years...
Now it is > 3 years I have no "active lesions" but I start to have some (serious) short-memory problem and ideas coordination mess...

Don't know if that help tho

Cheers and be well all