Clusterheadaches.com Message Board


    
      
        Clusterheadaches.com Message Board
        (http://www.clusterheadaches.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Cluster Headache Help and Support >> Cluster Headache Specific >> Do CH's affect Memory
        
(Message started by: painfulnoodle on Dec 10^th, 2006, 10:33pm)

Title: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by painfulnoodle on Dec 10^th, 2006, 10:33pm

Just sitting here fighting off a hit ... just slammed a Mt Dew and an Immitrex (pill) so hopefully I'll head it off before it's gets a full grip on me!

Anyway, the question I've been wanting to ask, does anyone else know or feel that the CH's are affecting their memory? I've been researching a little on this Hypothalamus thing, but haven't seen anything specific to memory. I know when I was doing Topomax I was a bumbling idiot, but that was some time ago. I have to believe with the amount of intense pain we suffer that there has to be some permenant damage being done to my noodle.

Then again, maybe it's just one of those "post 40" things that I'll just have to learn to live with. I sure hope not ... at this rate, I won't even know my children's names in a few more years ... btw, where the hell am I and how did I get here???

Red

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by BB on Dec 10^th, 2006, 10:40pm

Yes, most definitely.

My husband forgets all the little things unless he makes an effort to remember them or write them down somewhere.

When not in cycle he has a pretty good memory so I am sure cluster causes difficulty with short term memory. I dont think long term memory is affected though.

Many here believe that its the pain, the lack of sleep, the anxiety and the medication that are the main causes for memory problem during a cycle.

I am not sure whats its like for the chronics though.

Annette

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by georgej on Dec 10^th, 2006, 11:38pm

on 12/10/06 at 22:40:01, BB wrote:

Many here believe that its the pain, the lack of sleep, the anxiety and the medication that are the main causes for memory problem during a cycle.

I think you're correct here. Sleep deprivation alone affects memory and all sorts of cognitive functions. Undoubtedly the side effects of certain medications affect memory as well.

Out of cycle, though, I don't think there is any effect on any cognitive activity, including memory.

I don't suppose that my memory is what it used to be, but most likely that's just age-related CRS. ;)

Best,

George

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by cluster_help_in_ca on Dec 11^th, 2006, 1:50am

I agree that your memory is not as good because of lack of sleep and the stress it puts on you.

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 11^th, 2006, 3:52am

Red,

I think "Post - It" notes are in the CH kit for survival.

I took topamax for years, but I was old to begin with and didn't notice anything different ;;D.

I get a little concerned lately when I can't remember why I'm in a room (what the hell did I come in here after?)

But I felt better Saturday about it. Visited some old friends and He doesn't even have CH and would be in the middle of a sentence and forget what he was saying. I started laughing and told him I'm so glad I'm not the only one who's getting OLD!

My "long-term" memory is fine (except for names sometimes), but my short term memory is way off. I'm really thinking about asking my neuro for some Aricept to help improve it.

But I agree with everyone here about the slepp deprivation causing kinks in the memory. Just use some post-it notes (all over you). One neice (and she's a little over 40) says her memory is so bad that if she's taking lunch to work with her, she puts her car keys in the fridge the night she fixes the lunch. May have to try that one to remember my grocery list before I go to the store.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by Bob_Johnson on Dec 11^th, 2006, 3:17pm

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2005 Apr;9(2):109-12.
Cognitive processing in cluster headache.

Evers S.

Department of Neurology, University of Munster, Albert-Schweitzer-Str. 33, 48129 Munster, Germany. everss@uni-muenster.de.

[Edited for length.] In neuropsychologic evaluations, a reversible decline of memory processing was detected during the cluster attack, but not between two attacks. Long-term observation revealed no progressive cognitive decline in cluster headache patients over the years. With regard to personality changes, a liability susceptibility to anxiety disorders and to hypochondriasis, but not to mood changes, has been described inconsistently. All changes in alterations of cognitive processing in cluster headache are demonstrated to be mild and do not relevantly contribute to the clinical picture of this disease.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 15745620 [PubMed]

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by alienspacebabe on Dec 11^th, 2006, 3:19pm

My memory is often seriously lacking when I'm in cycle.

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by georgej on Dec 11^th, 2006, 3:45pm

Thanks for that, Bob. It's great to be able to count on you to provide us with relevant literature.

I couldn't help noticing, though:

on 12/11/06 at 15:17:28, Bob_Johnson wrote:

In neuropsychologic evaluations, a reversible decline of memory processing was detected during the cluster attack, but not between two attacks.

They questioned people during a CH attack to assess memory function? I wonder what that was like? Did the researchers get bitten?

The problem with scientific publications sometimes is that you don't get to hear the good stories.

Best,

George

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by E-Double on Dec 11^th, 2006, 6:32pm

?? ;)

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by vig on Dec 12^th, 2006, 9:42pm

yes, it negatively affects memory, but it's not permanent.

Once you get a good handle on stopping this mess, your memory will come back to you.

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by swimchica623 on Dec 13^th, 2006, 11:10am

omg, yeeeeeessss it totally does!! im glad im not the only one. when i was hospitalized for a bad cycle i coudlnt even keep track of the day or time of day or anything at all, i was a mess. they took me in for a ct scan and i had a hit in the machine and i was so confused because i dindt remember being put onto the table so i was confused where i was and why i was strapped down.
i think the stress, exhaustion, and medicine (i had some heavy IV narcotics the first few days) also add to that though.
i also do not remember much of the 3-4 worst days of the cycle, it was so bad. i wonder if that is a coping mechanism too, how people block out such painful things because they dont WANT to remember them.
lots of reasons for clusters to affect memory i suppose.

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by Turts on Dec 13^th, 2006, 4:30pm

me too

great memory out of cycle, but in cycle, total confusion all the time.

dont remember why im doing what im doing, where i was on the way too, or what i came here for.

i too, think that its not a neurological problem but more a physical problem as a result of the stress, lack of sleep and some medications.

i write alot of notes, or repeat to myself the things that i need to remember. (just not out loud)

might be a bit strange to hear me repeat,

im going to the bathroom, im going to the bathroom!!!

Turts

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by tanner on Dec 13^th, 2006, 4:42pm

In my case I would say definitely yes. I find that the harder I am getting hit the less I retain of what I read , watch, or try to learn. I am hoping that if these things ever go away that my previous ability to remember will return.

I realize I could have made a joke like "now what was the question again?", but I have started this Microsoft Certification course and I am finding that on days that I get hit bad K4 or higher I remember very little of what is covered, and not just because I have to get up and pace and then often leave the classroom. It is starting to freak me out. Yes I was warned by several of you that I might have trouble with the course while in cycle, but I am chronic so I went ahead anyway at the advice of my Lawyer.

...feeling stupid ...Tim

Title: Re: Do CH's affect Memory
Post by thebbz on Dec 13^th, 2006, 9:43pm

[smiley=huh.gif] where the ?? am I? is this the right thread? :(
what the, oh no man..wrong thread >:(...what site is this? [smiley=huh.gif]I really don't recall.
oh ignorance is bliss :-/
jb :D