Cognition & MS
I attended a MS Awareness day in Maidstone, Kent this week. There was a session run by Dr Anisha Doshi, a neurologist from Darent Valley Hospital, Kent.
I have some cognitive issues so was very interested in her talk. The main takeaways were:
Cognitive issues are invisible (issues include memory, attention span, planning, decision making, understanding or concentration. Problems with thinking and memory affect around half of all people with MS), and apparently you can have cognitive relapses, which I didn't know.
Cognitive issues can be tested, rehabilitation programmes can lead to improvement and this is sustained. You will need to be assessed by a neuropsychologist first (they can highlight where the problems are), then referred to an occupational therapist (they come up a programme to help you deal with the issues). Please contact your MS healthcare team to get an assessment.
There are plans to design clinical trials for cognitive issues, so they can improve tests. The medical profession is aware that cognitive issues have been overlooked and there hasn't been much research in this area.
What does the future hold: they suggest a combination of offerings - exercise (improves everything), drug therapy (lots of DMTs help cognitive issues), aerobic activity, rehabilitation.
After many external assessments, I finally got ill health retirement, after one went into great lengths about cognitive problems, especially short term memory/planning/prioritizing and recommended ill health retirement for myself.
I'm really struggling with cognitive issues (memory, mixing up words, focus etc) at the moment. I don't know if its more obvious because its the end of term and its been a long one or if MS is getting worse. Mentioned to MS nurse and was told I've only just been diagnosed (1 yr) so I'm just overwhelmed *shrugs*