Multiple Sclerosis Cognitive Impairment

Cognitive impairment is seen in over half of people with multiple sclerosis. In this video I review factors that can contribute to multiple sclerosis brain fog, ways to assess cognition, and tips to improve thinking and memory. If you have questions related to Multiple Sclerosis memory loss and other MS cognitive issues, then start watching this video!

In this video, I review factors that can worsen cognition in MS, 3 helpful ways to assess cognition in MS, and 6 easy tips to immediately optimize your thinking and memory!

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LEARN about MS with me, Aaron Boster MD! I started this channel to help my own MS patients learn between clinic visits. I use easy-to-understand language to provide accurate and approachable Multiple Sclerosis education. So, if you’re impacted by MS and want to up your game, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to my channel right now!

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These videos do not provide medical advice and are for informational/educational purposes only. The videos are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen in any of our videos.

[popcorn]

Hi Dr. B! Another thing that I’ve found helpful in remembering what I need to do is to utilize the apps on my phone. I always have my phone but don’t always have enough room for my notepad whenever I’m out and about. So, I utilize my alarms (you can specify the labels in there), the calendar, and the notepad. I’ve tried to use the reminder app, but it doesn’t remind me of anything, so I’ve had to make it work using the rest of the apps.
Thank you for another great video!

[sbc]

I must say that, after over 30 years of having MS, I’m blessed that my cognitive skills have not deteriorated. Being a software engineer requires a great deal of brain power. My best tip I can give to my fellow MS victims, is ATTITUDE. Easily said, I know. But try to remember that you ARE better off than someone else, who would gladly switch positions with you. I have MS, but I’m one of the luckiest people alive... I have a wonderful family, a job, and Dr. Boster as my neurologist, for starts. And you? Count your blessings. You are great!

[ehjohn]

I'm in tears watching this video. I'm still in the process of being diagnosed even after over 2 decades of symptoms which are only getting worst. I have seen two Neurologists which one told me he believed I had MS but later came back and said my lesions on my MRI didn't line up to what he felt was MS. Now my MRI is showing that I most likely have IIH as well. I continue to fall, trip because my feet want move, walks side to side like I'm drunk, often fatigue, nausea, hand tremors, neuropathy, numbness in hands lower legs and feet, headaches, brain fog, tightness in my chest which I was hospitalized in 2013 for almost a week because I thought I was having a heart attack and the hospital thought it was my heart too, but my heart is fine etc. My worst fear for years is forgetting my love ones and my precious childhood memories. To watch this video was hope for me. It's encouraging me to not give up and continue to search and find a Dr who will listen and stop seeing me as a unique case as many drs have actually told me. Thank you so much.

[jenniferpacker]

I was just diagnosed yesterday. I'm feeling pretty lost and confused, i think your tips are really going to be a guideline on how to start this new life today, thank you. 1.Take a nap 2. Get a notebook 😊
Thanks again.

[Haghenveien]

Years ago, when I was learning english and my vocabulary was still very limited I was tought to give a description everytime I didn't know a word. For example, If I didn't know the word "Juice" I would say " This is a liquid that it's made out of fruit. Many people like to have this at breakfast, specially the one that it's made out of oranges. It has vitamins and it's usually sweet"
So, now every time I can't remenber a word, which happens quite frequently, I use this technic. Most of the times, it helps me to remember the actual word, but even if it doesn't, I can at least transmit the idea to the person I'm talking to. And I apply this for other things as well, instead of trying to actually remenber, I try to use deduction and logic.

[giftboutiq]

I also want to mention that I was always severely depressed but with the Aderall, I haven’t been depressed! My cognitive function has improved significantly.

[ew]

I write detailed 3 day meal plans (including ingredients). I first started doing this because I would catch myself unintentionally mixing recipes up (creating interesting hybrids) or planning a meal to use a particuliar ingredient and then forget to use said ingredient, or start preaparing a meal that I'd wanted to do the next day. Planning and writing things down and sticking to the plans helped greatly.

[claudettes]

Sir, I'm in tears, because I wish I had a Dr like you 6 years ago. He just stacked med apon med, didn't explain anything, I gained 60#, and I didn't really walk for 2.5 years. I'm off meds, and scared of Drs, but have an appt w a new neurologist next month, and walking w/o a walker.
I medicate w cannabis and food. Good food will save lives! Walnuts are anti-inflammatory, who knew? I had to detox off my meds two years ago, and its getting better. I know my med combo messed w my cognition, because its getting better. I remember being curious, again, and it was amazing! I feel like I'm constantly jiggling the keys to a file cabinet in my head. My friends understand when I pause, because maybe something jiggled lose. 🤣🤣🤣 It takes a lot to learn now, for things to stick, but its about adjustment, and so worth it. Its important to know how you learn.
I remember sitting in front of people, hearing noise, and not gathering what was said. I started to hide. Don't hide, tell people what's going on, they want to understand.
Thank you so much for your videos! I'm going to give this new Dr a chance, thanks. 🤗 But I'm bringing a friend. 🤣🤣

[_lil_lil]

The suggestions sound very similar to suggestions to work with symptoms for ADHD-inattentive type fog. I won't pretend I know what MS feels like (I'm learning this info to be more supportive to a friend) but having severe ADHD- inattentive type, the things you described are all too familiar, losing keys, forgetting things easily, slow completion of tasks, needing naps to function, trouble with sleep routine... I just think that's fascinating.

[lw]

My neuro has not once assessed my cognition. Sometimes I feel so frustrated and think that my MS is under-cared for by my doc. My last appointment lasted about 10 minutes. I felt so crappy afterwards. My cognition usually slips during the day at work as my job is very mentally demanding. I get to the point where I feel like my brain is short circuiting and I can barely handle any type of usual life stressor. Anyways, I am just venting as I had a bad day with my cognition today. I live about 4 hours from your clinic and sometimes wonder if I should make the drive. But then I don't think I could mentally handle that! Thanks for listening.

[imsumnow]

HYDRATION & breathing. I stopped getting frustrated @ not remembering a word. Deep breath & big sip of water. Not 100 %, but free & non caustic. Another great video. Thank you.

[jerriesanders]

What I've been doing lately is when I have a thought about a matter I'm addressing it right then and there..
It helps to not forget so much..
I have ms and was diagnosed when I was about 30 yrs. Of age and I'm 62 now..
Cognitive and fatigue is what I've suffered mostly ...

[lbaker]

Hi Dr. B! Thank you for the informative video. After being diagnosed with MS 9 months ago, I learned that I wasn't losing my mind and just needed to implement some rules for myself. Rule 1.) If using the oven or stove top an alarm (attached to me) must always be set. A must after leaving bread toasting in the oven while I left the house to go grocery shopping. Multitasking is not my friend! Rule 2.) If there is running water, an alarm must be set. A must after refilling the pond outside ALL night.
I work in research in an academic setting and students, residents, and faculty often need my help. I had to set guidelines up for everyone around me as well. I always want to help but I realized I cannot answer questions on the fly, well not answer them appropriately. I ask people to schedule meetings ahead of time with me and to shoot me an email of what needs to be discussed so that I have time to put my thoughts together and write some ideas down. Often I don't have answers at the conclusion of the meeting but I have notes and I get the appropriate answers to them later once I have had appropriate time to process. This is a work in progress but it is getting better. I also have my mornings dedicated to things that are more cognitively taxing, e.g. when writing, reviewing papers, drafting budgets or contracts, I always set time aside in the mornings when my mind is fresh. I know I only have approximately 3 good hours and then I have to switch to something less taxing.
And last but not least, you will never see me walking around without a notepad in my hand. Everything is written down. Sometimes I email myself reminders but it gets written down. I think the very act of writing it down helps to remember things but If you can't recall that item, it's okay because it is written down.

[micheleanderson]

I’ve never been given a cognitive test even though I struggle & have request one. It is a shame all drs are not as thorough. Thanks for the information! Thanks

[hardcorgamer]

Metformin, Intermittent fasting, Curcumin, flaxseed and fish oil, blueberry extract helped me a LOT in MS symptoms, especially the crippling, volcano like anxiety that impaired my life and also heavy fatigue. Thank you so much Doctor aaron. You are awesome, God bless you.

[j.svensson]

I park in the same row every time. I chant a statement when I do something that I know I'll likely forget "I paid the water bill I paid the water bill" I clap my hands or pat the table as I chant it (I'm always alone so nobody thinks I'm crazy) it's a mnemonic device that helps. I keep a pin board on the front room wall and pin important things to it and I use my phone calendar alarm to alert me to events I'd probably forget. I play puzzle games daily to help keep my brain as sharp as I can. I try to learn new things daily to help stimulate that mess upstairs.

[giftboutiq]

I was prescribed Aderall recently and I have to say it worked so, good I could cry. No brain fog at all. No side effects at all.

[markjewell]

Thank you Dr Boster for your videos. They a\re so helpful and inspiring. I use a couple of things to help my brain fog. 1) I try to schedule any important meetings in the mornings. By mid - late afternoon, my brain is often too foggy to be productive. 2) I use my cell phone calendar, to-do lists and other apps to keep me focused. 3) I have clear routines at home and work. I try not to allow things to impact or change my routines. 4) Crossword puzzles help keep my brain active in an enjoyable way.

[JimKlucar]

Thanks for doing this one. CI is my biggest fear with MS. My job is basically to sit down and think about hard math problems then make computers go solve them. My brain is my livelihood and I need it to work at its peak level!

[karenleah]

As a Respiratory therapist that works in sleep Medicine make sure to get treatment for sleep apnea.