Haley,

This has been discussed many times. Our pain and meds can cause short term memory loss. (I'm OLD so I blame it on that). I write a lot of post-it notes and manage just fine and have for years.

As to the normal everyday problem solving - my biggest problem is forgetting words (or just losing them in the middle of a sentence). I've learned to cope with that one and just laugh it off - can't help it so why worry about it - it'll come back to me eventually.

And yes, I often go in the kitchen to get a cup of coffee and end up in the utility room doing the laundry instead.

If it's important, I WRITE it down so I'll remember to do it. That's the only thing I know to tell you.

Hugs BD

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]

{BJ added: PMID 10971660 & 1563942 add supporting data from brief clinical testing studies. Too limited to be definitive.}

I know that I find it very hard if not impossible to focus and concentrate when in pain flucuation all day long (16 hours total).  My memory sucks.

Just one more person to suggest that if you are taking Topomax, then that would most likely be the culprit.  Around here we call it "dopey-max" for a very good reason.  The effects should wear off once you stop taking the drug.

I took it for a while and when I couldn't add up a simple column of figures or remember a name of a good friend..I stopped it immediately.  There are many other preventatives you can try.  Verapamil, Lithium, etc.   Don't stop taking it w/o discussing it with your Dr. first.

i forgot

95% of the time I cannot remember the names of titles, authors or characters in books that I read--even if I have just put down the book--always been a big reader and it is just weird--finished a book last week and can't tell you the title or any character names, can't remember would have to go find the book--can tell you the whole plot though.

Brew you KNOW I'll get ya for that one!!!! Watch your back!!!!

I've taken Topamax for over 10 years and really can't tell much difference than I was 10 years ago. BUT I take the dose at night, so my theory is that I sleep off the side effects. I was writing notes before I ever heard of it.

The main time I have trouble with "confusion" is when I'm tired (and after getting hit I"m usually really tired). Then I don't even try to do anything that requires much "serious" thinking.

Most of you know I'm an accountant and I"m chronic, so some serious thinking is required in my profession. I've managed over the years to work between hits and keep a business running with pretty good success, so it can be done.

When I get where thinking is a problem, I go do some manual labor and get over it. But I don't dwell on it for long (ok, so maybe I "forget" to dwell on it ).

What I'm saying is I just don't let the little things bother me. I write important things on a pad in front of the computer and can go back and see what I need to do or what I've done. That way I don't forget deadlines or what I've already done. It's been working for years for me.

Hugs BD