ANA Discussion Forum

General Category => AN Issues => Topic started by: Clifton on August 14, 2007, 01:49:53 pm

Title: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Clifton on August 14, 2007, 01:49:53 pm: im not sure if its just because of the fact that i know that i have somthing wrong with me, or from something else but i've had a very difficult time concentrating and focusing since i lost my hearing and it came back.

i've had some feelings of anxiety in addition to loss of some balance. not major just missing a step here and there or the sensation of falling over.

Major loss of energy as well...

anyone have anything similar?
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: susier on August 14, 2007, 02:15:59 pm: Count me in. Even before I was diagnosed, the symptoms I was having were something that couldn't quite be called dizziness, but felt like I couldnt focus. Right after I was diagnosed, I had very little concentration, as I was in shock over being told I had a tumor and pretty much let it consume my life for about 3 weeks. I got very little done at work as I could'nt focus on what I was doing. After my first visit with an ENT specialist, things have gotten better. I still have days that I can't think of anything else but my AN, but they are getting fewer. Hang in there!
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Jim Scott on August 14, 2007, 03:50:50 pm: Hi, Clifton:

Anxiety and stress seem to be a part of the 'AN condition' for many of the reasons Bruce stated. Being diagnosed with a brain tumor, even a benign tumor, is definitely going to distract you for awhile. For those in 'watch-and-wait' mode, this must be especially difficult. I think thats why some AN patients with small tumors elect surgery or have the AN 'zapped' without waiting to see if it grows. They simply want it gone (or killed) and cannot endure the long-term stress of knowing it's inside their head and possibly growing. Scary thought.

I suspect that some AN symptoms, especially if they manifest post-diagnosis, may be psychosomatic in nature, but certainly not always. I suffered from intermittent head pain (not headaches), loss of taste and appetite, notable disequilibrium and lethargy prior to my diagnosis. I didn't get much better or worse, following the diagnosis (and scheduled surgery). Post-surgery, the symptoms pretty much disappeared. I think what you're experiencing - both physical and emotional symptoms - are relatively typical, Try to push through it and know that you'll come out of this O.K.. I did - and so have many others. We may be changed a bit, but we survived. You will too. :)

Please continue to stay connected and post.

Jim
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Clifton on August 14, 2007, 05:03:18 pm: thank you so much.

it has been difficult to not focus on the negative and continue working.

I am now engaged as of sunday night so the happiness that has come with that has made everything easier to cope with.

I am also an independent distributer for a company called AdvoCare. They produce a variety of nutritional products that have been helping me focus and also get into shape before the operation in hopes that i'll recover faster. Health is essential in my opinion.

If anyone else would like to browse, you're welcome to. Its certainly been helping me to work more dilligently.

https://www.advocare.com/07081379/Store/ (https://www.advocare.com/07081379/Store/)
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Boppie on August 14, 2007, 06:35:50 pm: Clifton, that falling over sensation can be vertigo either from anxiety or true balance compensation. It is real. Hang in there. That is why I recommend doing mind/body meditation...helps to focus on peace...settles the heart rate...helps you to beathe deeply...aids digestive health.

Congratulations on being engaged!
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Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: aardvark on August 14, 2007, 08:08:33 pm: Hi Clifton -

In 20/20 hindsight, I realize that I was having problems multi-tasking at least 6 months prior to my diagnosis. It was a gradual thing - sort of sneaked up on me. I became less and less adept at handling paperwork, clients at the counter, and the phones simultaneously. I began to get "buck fever".....afraid to pick up the phone because I felt overwhelmed - like I couldn't cope. Needless to say, I was dismayed, but had no clue. "Sensory overload" hadn't even entered my vocabulary then. But "anxiety" certainly had.

My wobbly balance was starting to become noticeable as well. Of course, I never connected this cascade of events.

Even though no one wants the diagnosis that sends us to this forum, I have to honestly say that discovering the reason for my (seemingly unrelated) symptoms was a genuine relief. I wasn't suffering from early dementia after all (YAY!).....my brain was merely preoccupied with trying to keep me upright, a challenge which apparently leaves precious few synapses available for mult-tasking. I can focus on a task - no problem......but it's a blueprint for failure when I try to juggle too many things. I just flat forget what the heck I was doing.

Like now, for example. I nearly forgot the most important thing. Congratulations on your engagement, Clifton!

aa
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Sue on August 15, 2007, 12:31:42 am: Congratulations from me also, Clifton, on your engagement. I hope you and your sweetie will have many, many happy years ahead of you.

I think you (and by you, I mean all of us with AN's) have a couple of things going on here. Dealing with this news is mind-blowing, and really I think what we all should have done was to go into a padded room and scream our lungs out and thrown just the best tizzy fit ever and just get all this emotion out. Perhaps cry for a few days for extra measure. Then, with our feelings given proper venting, we could go back to trying to behave like adults and deal with our new situtation - having, of course, the option of returning to said padded room whenever we felt like unleashing our feelings again. Since, usually, we don't give our feelings that much free rein, they just sort of sit there and mess us up. And then....eventually the physical nature of our AN's does disturb our equilibrium and thereby causes the brain to work overtime to compensate for all the things the AN is disturbing. This article has been on the Internet and often refered to on this site. It may help to you to understand some of what you are experiencing.

http://www.backgroundfacts.com/menieres/COGDIS.htm

Ummmm, let's see where was I? Oh, yeah. Concentration. I had something I was going to say, but I forgot. ;) ;D

Sue in Vancouver WA USA
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Raven on August 15, 2007, 06:30:19 am: I'm right there with you guys. My balance if fine, but I'm not focused, can't concentrate at work, don't pay attention to detail, I'm always tired, like I'm not firing on all cylinders. Takes me forever to get something done. I do feel like I'm walking around with a half of beer buzz on all the time, kind of strange. Felt a little better after I decided to go with the surgery for the left side, but after the last consultation with my Dr. and he mentioned dealing with the one on the right side, I'm back to where I was a few weeks ago.
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Betsy on August 15, 2007, 07:54:15 am: Hi Clifton,

Congratulations on your engagement! That is happy news!

As to lack of focus, it could be due to the AN or to the anxiety and stress that comes along with it. Either way, it can really put a crimp on things. I went through some heavy-duty anxiety during the first couple months after diagnosis; the worst was the insomnia. Whatever else is going on, not getting enough sleep will make it worse. Plus, I had a bad experience with a insensitive neurosurgeon who wanted to write off all my symptoms to anxiety...even those from before we knew about the AN. The little pipsqueak.

My best advice is to slow down for awhile and give yourself a chance to adjust to the idea of having an AN. Also, read through the archives on this forum, there's a LOT of good info there. It has helped me enormously to know I'm not alone. This forum is good medicine!

Betsy
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: NF-2er on August 15, 2007, 10:10:13 am: Hi;

Just a thought if it hasn't been mentioned, re these cognitive issues, if one can concentrate long enough to read something somewhat lengthy , you might Google Dr. Kenneth Erickson and his speech to a 1998 VEDA conference, "The Cognitive Aspects Of Vestibular Disorders".
It helps me to print things first and then sit at a desk to read.
I hope most are well enough for the tasks at hand today!

NF-2er
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Jim Scott on August 15, 2007, 11:09:26 am: Hi, Clifton:

Me again. Just wanted to add my congratulations on your engagement. ;D I wish you and your fiancÃƒÂ©e all the best as you plan your life together.

As a fellow who just celebrated his 37th wedding anniversary, I can highly recommend marriage. ;)

Jim
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Clifton on August 15, 2007, 11:32:48 am: thank you guys for all of the kind words. i truly do appreciate it!
;D
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: ppearl214 on August 15, 2007, 12:17:54 pm: Hi Clifton... I'll also chime in with congrats on your upcoming nuptials.... I just remarried less than a year ago (2nd time for me, 1st time for my cheeky bloke) and heck, for me to do it again a 2nd time, it must be worth it! Mazel Tov to you both.

Loss of concentration/focus seems to be a common side affect to our AN's. They even did a workshop on it (cognitive issues) at the recent ANA Symposium in Philly in July. Hoping that anyone here that attended that particular workshop will chime in with what was discussed at the workshop.

Again, congrats!
Phyl
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Sue on August 15, 2007, 12:21:50 pm: Clifton, the link that I posted on here a few comments back is the same one that NF-2er mentioned. Hope you read it.

Sue in Vancouver USA
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Boppie on August 15, 2007, 02:47:13 pm: Clifton, As others have pointed out, you can use rest to regain focus. The cognitive/memory/focus problems seem to come to a point that grabs your attention both pre and post op. Then they subside.

I believe my own cognitve problems were related to the rush of events, the physical trauma of treatment, and my own feistiness about getting back my "normal".

Keep up the posts, please.
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Clifton on August 22, 2007, 12:59:51 pm: The closer i get to my surgery date the harder its getting for me to be productive whatsoever.
Im contemplating staying out of work completely until its time for surgery.
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: Boppie on August 22, 2007, 02:26:20 pm: Find creative ways to keep you mind busy. Ideas: Organize your files at work. Clean out your work spaces. Clean, work puzzles, fill up the freezer and pantry with easy food stuff, etc. Compose a Christmas letter in advance. Make a data base of all your medical history files. Make a punch list of some chore to do each day until surgery. If you lose focus, check the list.

Since you just became engaged, why not make up a list of people who might want to wish you well or attend a wedding some day? Most brides have a devil of a time getting a list out of a guy. :)

Post op you'll have to be off from work. I'd forgo leaving work too soon. I know of folks who took Ambien for getting rest and helping them relax at night pre-op. Our friend Kathryn did that. She worked full time until close to surgery.
Title: Re: loss of concentration or focus?
Post by: nancyann on August 22, 2007, 04:01:18 pm: Hi Clifton: Wishing you all the best for your surgery. As far as continuing to work, I agree with Boppie - focus on making as much $$ as possible pre-surg., you'll need it for your post op recuperation. I worked right up until my surgery; for me 'ignorance was bliss' (while it lasted) - I didn't realize how difficult post op would be - never mind the facial paralysis (which, thank God isn't the norm), the headaches, dizziness, fatigue is unbelievable. You'll need time off after surgery, that's for sure.
Always good thoughts Clifton, Nancy