Tbigirl,
Yes...we've all experienced memory issues at one point or another...seems like the word(s) are right there you just can't pull them out. It does get better...everything seems to take such a long time to heal, but it will get better.

I am right there with you. Mid conversation, mid thought. anytime really. more so under stress for me. but there even without stress. i have been carrying a notepad for jotting down things when not in a conversation. seems to help me with the little things. hang in there. its not easy, but it will get better over time so i hear.

It gets better, but there are foods that are better for your system. It has worked for me. The condition of your body is essential. It all matters. Stress matters.

I have been trying to find some work, imagine how hard to interview when you completely forget what you were saying and have to recover.
I will forget in the middle of the sentence, I will forget what I just said, I will forget what I just heard.
People don't get it they just look at you like you are stupid. Not stupid, just forgetful.

I have reminders set to send my phone (which is an appendage) a text message when it's time to take medication. My rule of thumb, is I don't take the medication until the reminder goes off...when it goes off, I take it, and delete the message, so I know I have taken it.

This happens so fast...less than 3 min...I have no recollection at all if I took or not! One time, it took me 6 days to realize a setting got changed on my calendar and I was getting NO messages which was resulting in medication withdrawals! Again...no recollection!

The one thing I have learned....is to go with my gut feelings! I have had complete and important conversations with people that I cannot recall at all...BUT...I always remember how they made me FEEL! I've started to learn to go off the feeling....My heart knows better than my mind!

O

Hi People Thanks for your replies I don't know about it getting better over time I am 20 years into my TBI and my memory is getting worse I'm 35 years old and have a memory like a sift. But over the years I have noticed the more I try and do the worse my memory is. I tried the notepad but I forget to get the notepad, I think thats what tires me out is trying to remember everything everyday, so I try and keep everything simple and in it's place has helped a lot.

I have my moments with short term memory...It was quite shocking to me at first but it has gotten better slowly over time.....recovery is all about PATIENCE.....PATIENCE......PATIENCE!!!!

Tom B. aka Ihman

Yes that happens to me quite frequently. I will be talking and mid conversation I draw a total blank. Then sometimes my husband will ask me "remember you said......?". No. I don't remember is always my reply. It is better now then it was a year ago though. So I think we heal a little bit each day.

Yes I have the same problem. Sometimes I don't remember a whole time period. My wife tells me I carry on a conversation and function like there isn't anything wrong. After I snap out of it I don't remember any part of what just happened. Good Sleep was the answer for me. I go to bed early and make sure I sleep for 8 to 10 hours. The doctor gave me a sleeping pill to help with this. I haven't had this happen sience I startd to sleep good.

I agree that a good night's sleep helps me,too...I find I also function better after I have had a good night's sleep..


Tom B.. aka ihman

Wow, our TBI timeline is similar; I've had one for 24 years, and I'm 39. I got my second TBI last year and some physical injuries as well.

Sometimes I get hung up on the word I need-I can see it in my mind-I just can't say it. I may know the word and have used it recently, but I I can't say it. This on top of forgetting dr appointments, laundry in the washer, eating and sometimes typing in mid-type.

I used post-it's for a long time, but then I had so many because I never threw them out...wasn't sure if they were important or not.

I will agree that food/diet is very important, and as much as I hate thinking anymore I still exercise daily in lieu of the mental fatigue that I hate so much (I got a couple skull fractures that make me dizzy 24/7 too).

I'm loving this group~

Gordon:

I struggle with word finding also...I should exercise more myself,too...I sometimes forgetr names if I haven't used that name in a while...

Tom B. aka Ihman

My short term memory was horrible at first. I had to carry a notebook every where with me. It has improved over the years somewhat. I haven't had much in formal therapy. I usually play brain games online a lot. Anything that makes your brain work is good for you.
I have read a lot of articles on TBI's. Everyone is different. You just have to find what works for you and do it every day.
Yemod is right. It's the same with me. I can't always remember what was said but i do remember the feelings. Sometimes all it takes is one work or action to trigger a memory for me . I just never know how things will work day to day. So I take it one day at a time.
I try to keep things organized. When I use something i always put it back where I got it from. The repetition helps me a lot.
This is a very slow recovery. There is no time limit or never an end to recovery. We learn new things on a daily basis.
Post it note's are my best friend...
I started living by a quote I found on another TBI site. I can't remember the person's screen name either but if you read it a few time it will make sense to you.

" Mourn what you lost, use what you have. Anyone can quit...."

Take care everyone and hang in there

Hi - I have a question about memory, both long and short term memory. My loved one has recently begun making some very encouraging progress. He suffered a SEVERE diffuse axonal injury 14 months ago. They did not think he would live initially, in a coma for weeks, and then minimally conscious state. He was in rehab for 4.5 months but began to resist. Moved to nursing home and then a long term care facility - and he gets little to no therapy.

Recently they changed his meds and he began talking and communicating more then ever before! He still can't walk, he is SO very weak. He was able to stand and take steps a year ago when he could barely speak - but now his muscles in his back, arms, legs are so very weak. If only he was at this stage back then, he could be walking.

Anyway - his memory. Seems he can recognize us - some family he's known all his life, others he's known just a few years but he knows us. He uses my name now but then sometimes i think he gets me confused with his exwife. He'll ask me how his kids are or refer to a home he lived in with her. Do I correct him? Typically I listen and just let him speak, other times I do correct him and he just says 'oh okay'. His calm, kind, demeanor is back - he never got frustrated, had the patience of a Saint - that is back again and so is his sense of humor.

But his short term memory is basically non-existent. He can't recall what he ate earlier that day, who visited a day or two earlier, things he did etc. Some people never get their short term memory back right???

His long term memories are returning slowly but surely - do you think if they are beginning to return he will eventually remember much much more? More detail? Things that happened to him in his life? This huge progress and his speaking has only just begun about 3 weeks ago.

Thanks - hope your all okay, prayers for everyone!

As you've seen before...his short term memory should begin to improve. There are some things you can do to help that. The memory game is one. At first I thought... I'm no kid but I'd rather have played that than do puzzles, any of those types of things will help even playing cards.

Have him start a journal...he can keep track of things there as well. Notes...will be too confusing at the beginning, but these are all tools that have been tried and proven to help.

Also asking him what happened yesterday or at intervals of time will help as well. If he doesnt know right off give him a little time...It will come to him, but it may not be until you are gone.

Here is where my frustration began. The little things I couldn't remember. I still occasionally forget, but it ususally isn't something that's a big deal. Remember when you are trying to remember a new phone number...repeat, repeat, repeat. Will help him keep it too.

So glad to hear things are going better!!!!