[Moose72]

Anybody have trouble keeping track of what you need to do or what you ate doing? Sometimes I can't follow through with things or remember that I'm supposed to do things. I forget appointments if I don't have the reminder in my iPod set. I can't even look at the calendar inside every day.

[BlueInanna]

Yes, always an ongoing problem for me. I started carrying a little planner with me, because electronics kept failing me. Sometimes I misplace the little planner book even. :/

[hamster-bamster]

My problem is having two calendars - Google calendar for personal life and Outlook calendar at work. I have missed a couple of work functions because of it (not hugely important though). My lesson: if it is something truly important, I will go through the trouble of duplicating the work event on the Google calendar, setting the email reminders for when I need them. This way (given that I have an Android phone), I am always reminded when necessary. I have some events scheduled as far out as next year.

To keep track of what I am doing, I use pen and paper - supposedly that's the better method because it engages the hand-brain connection. Plus, the satisfaction that I derive from crossing out a "done" to-do simply cannot be matched by anything electronic.

As a general rule, cognitive tasks become easier naturally when we are well slept.

[Anneinside]

Do you mean you can't remember to look at your calendar in your iPod? I know with things I have to do every day, like I pick up the dog's water at 8pm so she doesn't have to go to the bathroom during the night, I set an alarm on my phone. Perhaps you could set a "look at my calendar" alarm on your phone.

[Moose72]

It's also while I'm doing a task I forget where I am. I need lots of notes. Is this a meds thing?

[Moose72]

Yes I mean I forget to look in my iPod. I have it set to alert me but by some reason I didn't set the notification and missed an appointment.

[hamster-bamster]

Where do you spend time regularly throughout the day? I have email open all the time, so the notifications come by email. Do what's most intuitive and convenient for you.

[~Christina]

I can relate .. hell I forget what day it is more often than I'd like to admit. The only thing that I never forget is seeing my T.

Many times I start doing something and Poof I have no idea what I'm doing. I do think its the meds .

[Moose72]

My youngest did that thing yesterday- walked upstairs and forgot what he was there for. He also got in trouble at school inset class for saying two words. I got a call from the teacher complaining about it. After he'd yelled at other kids. Sounds like the teacher had a bad day. So I guess some memory problems are normal.

[Blue Poppy]

When I was really depressed I had no short term memory and mixed up so many appointments it was embarrassing. I had three calendars as reminders, even one in my bathroom and I would forget within the hour what I was to do.

My psychiatrist said that after an episode one of the cognitive deficits is the ability to remember and multitask............ don't I know it!

[Moose72]

Oh boy.... Looks like I'm stuck with it.

[faerie_moon_x]

I forget things all the time. Forget what I'm doing, to get things done, where I'm going, what I'm saying, where I put things... I forget things almost instantly when I'm in a bad state. Even with a reminder sitting right in front of me I forget. (Even if it is flashing and beeping, which I hate both so you'd think I would do something to make it stop... but I forget!)

So yeah, it's annoying and sometimes I'm better and sometimes I'm worse.

[Dymphna12]

Originally Posted by Moose72

Anybody have trouble keeping track of what you need to do or what you ate doing? Sometimes I can't follow through with things or remember that I'm supposed to do things. I forget appointments if I don't have the reminder in my iPod set. I can't even look at the calendar inside every day.

Yes, this happens to me often. Lately everyday. I often haven't been able to remember what I did an hour or so ago or things I was supposed to do. I actually have days missing from my memory. One day at work I thought it was the 24th and it turned out to be the 27th - I had no memory of the last 3 days. I flipped out because it scared me.

[Trippin2.0]

Wow, oh boy do I relate! What you guys are describing is 1 of the reasons I quit my meds. Knew they were the culprit coz I'd never had memory problems before. So glad that's over with I feel for you Moose, I know how frustrating and embarrassing it can be

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by Trippin2.0

Wow, oh boy do I relate! What you guys are describing is1 of the reasonsI quit my meds. Knew they were the culprit coz I'd never had memory problems before. So glad that's over with I feel for you Moose, I know how frustrating and embarrassing it can be

This is what bugs me about it, Trippin. I've only been on Ability for 3 weeks over 6 years ago, Limictle for 2 weeks just over 3 years ago, and Lithium for less than 6 months just about 2.5 years ago.... So it freaks me out.

[Trippin2.0]

I hear you. Some side effects like tardive, leave long lasting, damage. I too was on lithium for 6 months, and there are still gaps in my longterm memory. So who's to say cognitive effects wont be permanent... Not a compromise I'd ever be willing to make, UNLESS I was a danger to society. It is definitly freak-out material! dhx

[HappiestGirl]

The other day my husband said "do this in five minutes". So I set an alarm on my phone and forgot what the alarm was for! I didn't realize my medication is the problem. I do it a lot too, forget what day it is even after I just looked at a calendar. I have to write everything down even taking the dog out. Alarms don't work unless I do it that second.

[hamster-bamster]

I do not get that. I think what helps me the most is getting up without an alarm clock. Everything falls into place when you are not forcefully aroused in the morning against your will. I do not want to go back to the days of using an alarm clock in the morning.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by Moose72

I guess some memory problems are normal.

I couldn't agree more, Moose. It's often too easy to attribute our issues with diagnoses or meds. After all, we're all human. It can be detrimental to examine our BP navels too long, or hard. That said, (here comes my favorite saying) "your mileage may vary."

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I do not get that. I think what helps me the most is getting up without an alarm clock. Everything falls into place when you are not forcefully aroused in the morning against your will. I do not want to go back to the days of using an alarm clock in the morning.

I agree that the alarm clock really messes me up in the morning. I hate alarm clocks. Someday I hope to be on my own schedule and not shackled to the hours of society...

[bluemountains]

Hey Moosey!
Yep, I, too, forget things, especially the little tasks. I find that when I am extra-stressed I realize I have no clue why I am where I am, like standing in front of the sink, for example. Another annoyance I have is that I will say the wrong words, even though the right words are in my mind. I usually am able to correct myself immediately, but if not, those fifth graders love to correct me!
Bluemountains

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

I usually am able to correct myself immediately, but if not, those fifth graders love to correct me!

Funny stuff, bluemountains! As a former teacher, your response gave me a real chuckle. Students are awfully good at pouncing when you make a mistake, no?

[faerie_moon_x]

Originally Posted by bluemountains

Hey Moosey!
Yep, I, too, forget things, especially the little tasks. I find that when I am extra-stressed I realize I have no clue why I am where I am, like standing in front of the sink, for example. Another annoyance I have is that I will say the wrong words, even though the right words are in my mind. I usually am able to correct myself immediately, but if not, those fifth graders love to correct me!
Bluemountains

Saying the wrong thing. This happens to me, too... except for the part about the fifth graders. I say the wrong things even when thinking the right things. The one that is the worst is when I answer the phone and I say "good morning" but it's afternoon. And "good afternoon" but it's morning. This happens to me every day at least 20-30 times. And some patients ignore it, others correct me, and others make jokes at my expense... So, yup, I get that.