Shwmae @Lynsey87, in my own opinion I think it is essential to determine what is stroke related memory issues, and what are regular memory desceprencies. I have an issue with working memory and executive function. It’s not that I can’t remember something, it’s just that if I think of something else, that short term memory deletes. it hasn’t gone forever, it just becomes a blank because something else has taken its place. Recently, I had the unfortunate experience of someone trying to play me on my memory. I had expressed to them that I have “short term memory” problems as it is easier than saying working memory. They tried to convince me that I had said something in a particular way when I, clearly, remembered I hadn’t. At the time, it is possible that after having said what I said, I then forgot all about it. That’s working memory, but it doesn’t mean I can’t draw that memory back again when needed. They assumed I couldn’t have any memory of what I had said, and therefore could put words in my mouth that were never said.
Forgetting people’s names is common for many people, I wouldn’t necessarily put it down to stroke. Even with memories of the past, before stroke, someone could remind me of an event I had cleanly forgotten about, and only when something sparks the memory, does it all come flooding, or trickling, back. Or sometimes, not at all. An interesting moment I had with a group of people at the pub a few days ago, we were all trying to remember the name of Stanely Kubrick’s film, The Shining. We all sat there for ages trying to come up with the name, all these people bar one, were younger than me. All had seen the film. I guess, what I am trying to say is that sometimes in life, pre-stroke, our brains switch off and won’t be as sharp as we prefer. other times, we can remember all sorts of things.
Now, with stroke damage. The hippocampus, made up of two parts, is buried deep with our grey matter. It is extremely durable and can survive quite traumatic brain injury. If you notice with dementia, long-term memories are often retained. The hippocampus has a long-term memory part and a dynamic, active memory part. The issue would arise with other damaged parts of the cerebrum (or cerebellum) using the hippocampus for cognitive orientation. After the stroke, my working-memory fell to bits. My long-term retention took over, and for a glorious year, I was able to retain lots of interesting information and convey it at will. As things have improved with my working memory, that lovely long-term retention has resumed its regular, boring standard.
Exercises I did were these …
- Every morning I would run through everything I had done the day before. In summary.
- Every night I would run through everything I had done that day. In summary.
- I would try and remember at least three different things at one time throughout the day. (Astronauts in space, I am to believe, train to remember seven things at one time).
- Try and remember the full names of school friends.
- I did free memory games on Brain HQ. It’s important to keep in mind that there are different types of memory (visual &c.)
- I used memory by association a lot. So, if I had to remember to take the bin bags out. I might crumple a piece of paper and throw it on the floor near my bedroom door. Before going to bed, I would see the crumpled piece of paper, and realise I had to put the bins out. many people use association without having had a stroke, “Her name is Lily because she is so silly.”
- Try not to get distracted, if you can finish a task that you need to, do it straight away before a distraction wipes the slate clean.
- Aromatherapy, smell is the strongest of the five senses. It can help wake up the memory function.
At the end of the day, don’t beat yourself up about some memory issues. We all walk into a room, and think, why did I come here. Some things are part of the natural flux of memory, some things are age related (as we get older our memory will need to work harder anyway), and then there is direct stroke-related memory problems, some of which will no doubt be part of PTS (post-traumatic stress), anxiety which can hinder memory, direct brain damage (communication loops not quite working), and particularly working memory and executive function. The last two are very common post-stroke complications that over-time can be improved by rehearsing the memory.
Hope this helps a little.
