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My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 4:59 pm
by Doctor Steuss
This is somewhat (and by somewhat, I mean entirely) a personal thread. First and foremost, it’s meant as a thank you.
Over the last 5-or-so years, I have been experiencing more rapid onset of cognitive deficits. It’s been gradual enough that I often only realize the true extent when I re-read something I wrote many years ago, but drastic enough that it is painfully obvious when there is something to contrast now with then. It was the discovery of a notebook of mine from almost a decade ago that has triggered the most recent uncomfortable recognition that, for lack of a better way of putting it, I’m just not as “smart” as I once was.
The main culprit (I believe) is decades of medications that have known side-effects of cognitive impairment. There’s almost a 2-year window of my life that I am unable to recall very much of, during the treatment with one such medication. This was probably accelerated/exacerbated though by a car accident that resulted in some brain trauma.
Anyways… I just wanted to thank everyone for always being so kind and helpful. I imagine many of you have noticed that my posting “quality” just ain’t what it once was. You’ve never made me feel uncomfortable or ashamed as I’ve needed help with understanding fairly basic things, and as I’ve gradually lost the ability to accurately recall information or engage topics on more than the most superficial level.
I appreciate all of you. I truly do.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:05 pm
by canpakes
Doctor Steuss -
You have always been, and will continue to be, one of the community’s most gracious participants. Stay well.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:09 pm
by Sledge
Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 4:59 pm
This is somewhat (and by somewhat, I mean entirely) a personal thread. First and foremost, it’s meant as a thank you.
Over the last 5-or-so years, I have been experiencing more rapid onset of cognitive deficits. It’s been gradual enough that I often only realize the true extent when I re-read something I wrote many years ago, but drastic enough that it is painfully obvious when there is something to contrast now with then. It was the discovery of a notebook of mine from almost a decade ago that has triggered the most recent uncomfortable recognition that, for lack of a better way of putting it, I’m just not as “smart” as I once was.
The main culprit (I believe) is decades of medications that have known side-effects of cognitive impairment. There’s almost a 2-year window of my life that I am unable to recall very much of, during the treatment with one such medication. This was probably accelerated/exacerbated though by a car accident that resulted in some brain trauma.
Anyways… I just wanted to thank everyone for always being so kind and helpful. I imagine many of you have noticed that my posting “quality” just ain’t what it once was. You’ve never made me feel uncomfortable or ashamed as I’ve needed help with understanding fairly basic things, and as I’ve gradually lost the ability to accurately recall information or engage topics on more than the most superficial level.
I appreciate all of you. I truly do.
May I ask which medications?
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:11 pm
by Lem
canpakes wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:05 pm
Doctor Steuss -
You have always been, and will continue to be, one of the community’s most gracious participants. Stay well.
Absolutely. A thank you from me as well. You are a part of us always.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:11 pm
by Res Ipsa
Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 4:59 pm
This is somewhat (and by somewhat, I mean entirely) a personal thread. First and foremost, it’s meant as a thank you.
Over the last 5-or-so years, I have been experiencing more rapid onset of cognitive deficits. It’s been gradual enough that I often only realize the true extent when I re-read something I wrote many years ago, but drastic enough that it is painfully obvious when there is something to contrast now with then. It was the discovery of a notebook of mine from almost a decade ago that has triggered the most recent uncomfortable recognition that, for lack of a better way of putting it, I’m just not as “smart” as I once was.
The main culprit (I believe) is decades of medications that have known side-effects of cognitive impairment. There’s almost a 2-year window of my life that I am unable to recall very much of, during the treatment with one such medication. This was probably accelerated/exacerbated though by a car accident that resulted in some brain trauma.
Anyways… I just wanted to thank everyone for always being so kind and helpful. I imagine many of you have noticed that my posting “quality” just ain’t what it once was. You’ve never made me feel uncomfortable or ashamed as I’ve needed help with understanding fairly basic things, and as I’ve gradually lost the ability to accurately recall information or engage topics on more than the most superficial level.
I appreciate all of you. I truly do.
I appreciate you, too. We've been along with you on your journey so far, and we'll continue along with you.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:40 pm
by Jersey Girl
Oh Steuss,
You have always had my respect and admiration, when you started your sock donations for the homeless, you took my heart as well. I get worried about long term meds that some of my family members are on, too. I hope that you have seen your psychiatrist to talk this over. If not, will you please do that? Maybe a meds shift is in order. Yes, I know what I am suggesting. I have seen loved ones through med shifts but something tells me that you (like they) are a veteran and know what to expect. If you do that, make sure someone is with you.
I was just saying to a friend here that you know...you can say this is just a board, but it's not just that.
Some of us spend more time communicating with each other over controversial topics than we do with our own families. Over time, you get to know people. And you know who you trust.
If you need anything from us, please tell someone. We are all right here.
I love your heart, man.
Jersey
<3
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:46 pm
by Doctor Steuss
Sledge wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:09 pm
May I ask which medications?
“Atypical” antipsychotics. I should probably note that the association of the generation of drugs with inflammation in certain neurological pathways is somewhat recent, as far as medical understanding timelines go.
Geodon is the one that left me so underwater that the time I was being treated with it was essentially "lost." The artist, Bryan Saunders, did a series of self-portraits while he was under the influence of various substances (ranging from Xanax to bath salts). One of his portraits was after taking a dose of Geodon that somewhat captures it:
https://arthur.io/art/bryan-lewis-saund ... 0mg-geodon
ETA: Here's
a better link.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:48 pm
by Doctor Steuss
canpakes wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:05 pm
Doctor Steuss -
You have always been, and will continue to be, one of the community’s most gracious participants. Stay well.
Lem wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:11 pm
Absolutely. A thank you from me as well. You are a part of us always.
Res Ipsa wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:11 pm
I appreciate you, too. We've been along with you on your journey so far, and we'll continue along with you.
Dagnabbit. You all sure have a way to make a feller's innards smile.
Squeezy hugs all around.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:51 pm
by Some Schmo
Wow man. I will just say that I didn't notice.
As others have mentioned, you're are part of the crew here. Wouldn't be the same without you.
Re: My Cognitive Decline
Posted: Wed Sep 01, 2021 6:52 pm
by Sledge
Doctor Steuss wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:46 pm
Sledge wrote: ↑Wed Sep 01, 2021 5:09 pm
May I ask which medications?
“Atypical” antipsychotics. I should probably note that the association of the generation of drugs with inflammation in certain neurological pathways is somewhat recent, as far as medical understanding timelines go.
Geodon is the one that left me so underwater that the time I was being treated with it was essentially "lost." The artist, Bryan Saunders, did a series of self-portraits while he was under the influence of various substances (ranging from Xanax to bath salts). One of his portraits was after taking a dose of Geodon that somewhat captures it:
https://arthur.io/art/bryan-lewis-saund ... 0mg-geodon
ETA: Here's
a better link.
I have a friend on Geodon, Depakote, Zyprexa, and Ativan (as needed). Is this cognitive decline permanent?
