Re: its all going...

lilghostie, in difficult meetings, before it starts, i tell them that I must write everything down or i will forget.
i take notes. if I get muddled up, i ask them to stop and repeat what has been said.

sometimes i stop them and ask "is this what you mean" and then tell them what i have understood so far.

Dont worry that they will think you are a dummy.
if they think you are a dummy, you have an advantage.

if you are getting drained, ask if the meeting can stop while you go to the bathroom. i have very good knowledge of many bathrooms because i go to a lot of meetings.

you can also say you need a 5 minute break because there is a lot of information and you want to think about it.

you can ask the meeting to stop while you get a drink of water. they have to stop the meeting for that.

you dont have to wait for people to stop talking to ask for these things. just say excuse me and stand up.
they will have to stop for you. NT are programmed to do this.

i bet that really nice OT will help you with this stuff. good luck