Most of my relapsing MS symptoms are physical; however, occasionally I do have the very frustrating cognitive symptoms. I get very annoyed when in the middle of a conversation I will completely forget the word I was going to use. It's like I can see the word in my head and it's on the tip of my tongue, but I just can't get it out. As annoying as this can be, I don't think it is the worst cognitive symptom that I experience.

My biggest frustration is when I can't remember what I'm looking for. For instance, a couple of days ago, I was all ready to leave for work when I remembered that I needed to take a special book with me. I was on my way into the garage when I remembered. I loaded my purse and bag into the car and then went back into the house to get the book. I went upstairs and into my little home office, when I promptly forgot what I had come upstairs to retrieve. I knew that the item was in that room, but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was. After 2 minutes of looking around to see if something would jog my memory, I gave up and went back down to the garage.

I got into my car, went to start the engine when I remembered what I needed out of the home office. I went back upstairs, and on the way distracted myself by going to get a hair band. When I got up to the office I had again forgotten what I needed but knew once again that it was something in that room. I gave up a second time and realized that I had to let it go because I was going to be late for work. Not to mention I was starting to get hot from running up and down the stairs. Halfway to work I remembered what I needed, again!

I have had many moments like this in the past, but from this one instance with the book, I finally realized that I needed to change the way I do some things. Here is how I've learned to adapt. First, I need to do something as soon as I think of it. If it can't be done at that moment, I need to write it down. Second, if I write it down it needs to be in one area. Notes all over the house doesn't work for me! Lastly, I learned that nothing is worth the stress of worrying. If I can prepare ahead of time, I can eliminate a lot of that stress upfront.