:oYeah, I have it... and am convinced it is part of SJS. I forget things, have trouble with names and locations, forget what I am doing...
Anyone else have this as a symptom?
Share your thoughts!
here is a link I found that pretty well describes what I experience. : http://www.myadrenalfatigue.com/brain-fog
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Hi Mark,
I've had a lot of trouble with it to the point where I could not remember how to get to a store that I've shopped regularly at for years; whats scary is how bad it can get.
There have been a few dozen threads about it and if you use the search engine to the right and above, just type in brain fog and a lot of the threads will come up. If you can't find what you're looking for, don't be shy and ask away as there is usually someone about that might be able to help.
Take care and I hope that it ends for you soon -
Patze
Patze, yeah I was just seeing if anyone else out there wanted to share experiences with Brain Fog... I just recently learned that it does go along with Sjogrens Syndrome and was really surprised to find that out. Now I know that I'm not losing my mind and that it is just a symptom to a condition that I have.
I drive a heavy duty tank truck(18 wheeler) in the oilfield services industry.
It's like I sometimes forget road names or get confused about where I am going... I sometimes find myself drawing little maps on 'sticky notes' and sticking them to the dash right by the speedometer so that I don't get confused.
When I get out to load, I have to go up tank batteries and guage the tanks to see how much fluid (saltwater) there is...(I remove salt water from tanks and haul it to disposal wells). I have to take a notebook with me and write down the guages right then, because if I don't I forget.
My wife gets aggravated by me because I am forgetful or sometimes a bit "spacey".
It is comical sometimes, and sometimes it's scary. But, I accept it and know it's just part of what I have to deal with every day.
I am going to bring it up with my Rheumy just as soon as they get me in for an appointment.... I just have become so much worse with multiple symptoms and problems and I really need her help. Hopefully she can run some tests, tweak my meds and get me goin' good again.
I feel like a hypochondriac a lot of times and I've seen lot's of posts on here stating the same thing...
We're all in this together! :o
I understand the search for answers MarkP and not trying to be a pain in the behind, but I figured you'd find a ton of info about it from scads of members over the years. Shucks, you'll often find me there as the rheumy is on the quiet side and don't get much info from him.
Ah, another soul that covers the work area with stickies...my goodness, I get more people cracking jokes about the stickies! ;) They can laugh all they want, but I could not work well without them littering my desk/computer! ;D
I understand the scary, and I sure don't envy you having to drive the rig and not be "totally" there. There are several stories here about members trying to remember how to do something they've been dozens of times, and mine is there as well (trying to get to the grocery store and could not remember how to get there (its less than a mile, and I've been there 1-2 times a week for a lot of years)). Sad, and all too common where SJS is concerned.
Has your spouse been able to do a bit of reading about SJS yet? It might be of help for her to read some of our stories....just to give her a bit of insight to what the members deal with daily.
Can your primary do some of the testing until you can get to see the rheumy?
Take care of yourself and keep us updated, okay?
Patze
No you're not being a pain, you are very helpful Patze :).
I just think this is a good place for all of us and happy that I found it....
My wife and I get along really well, it's like she's my BEST friend in the whole world... she knows I suffer with this, but no she hasn't read into Sjogren's much at all... maybe I can get her to do a bit of research.
Oh, I'm not dangerous in the rig! lolz I have complete control of my driving... you have to in that big ol thing... it's just my memory is a bit skippy...lolz
Mark, I know that the darned brain fog can just make our life miserable. I have it too. I have had it most of my adult life---didn't know what it was but I do now!!
The one thing I have found is that fatigue will make it much worse. Anxiety really makes it worse. If you are not on an antidepressant yet this may be the time to check on it. Often a low dose of antidepressant is just what is needed to help improve the chemical balance in the brain.
The xanax may help you some because of your improved sleeping habits. It is better to use the antidepressant though as it helps with pain and with the sleep. You would be amazed at what the imbalance of brain chemicals can cause in our body.
Another thing to do is to admit your brain is mush!! My explaination for my brain.lol Over the years I have trained myself to approach a situation in such a way that I keep track (write down) or just do things the same way all the time. I also have used a lot of self talk.
Say I want to remember to call someone at 4 PM. I may have the habit of picking up the mail at 3 PM when I come home from work. I will tell myself several times that when I pick up the mail I will remember to place that phone call. I don't know what this is called, but it has saved my neck quite a few times and it does seem to help my brain be more in control.
That is not to say that all days are good, cause they aren't, but keeping a positive attitude can really help. Ask your wife if she will help with some of this also. Our brains are not a total loss, but just get sort of short circuited at times. I still think that our brains are "dry" just like the rest of our body. Good luck. Irish ;D
I bumped the two most recent threads on brain fog over in the discussion area for you. Hope this helps!
I love brain fog.............now I can be a blonde, too(just kidding guys). I love when my husband says to remind him to do something....REALLY???REALLY??? Come on like I remember what I was doing a few minutes ago. I usually ask the kids and they look at me like "Mom, Were we supposed to pay attention, because we did not pay attention, we usually don't pay attention, are we in trouble?" "No just tell me what I forgot!" I love standing in the middle of a room trying to remember and the kids pass me by just like its normal for me to stand there looking confused. It is really bad when you go to the store and do that, people watch you. My husband is used to it and will wait until I remember what I need to tell him, kind of funny when the conversation was a week ago. hahahaha
Quote from: dainbramage on March 31, 2012, 09:40:19 AM
I love brain fog.............now I can be a blonde, too(just kidding guys). I love when my husband says to remind him to do something....REALLY???REALLY??? Come on like I remember what I was doing a few minutes ago. I usually ask the kids and they look at me like "Mom, Were we supposed to pay attention, because we did not pay attention, we usually don't pay attention, are we in trouble?" "No just tell me what I forgot!" I love standing in the middle of a room trying to remember and the kids pass me by just like its normal for me to stand there looking confused. It is really bad when you go to the store and do that, people watch you. My husband is used to it and will wait until I remember what I need to tell him, kind of funny when the conversation was a week ago. hahahaha
OMG I swear I could have written that entire thing myself!!! The husband, the kids, the store, the conversations....every last bit ::)
MaryLouWho,
Its funny reading other people and I think OMG thats me. I read these to my husband and he just looks at me and says thats you. AWW honey thats sweet.
Give that man a big hug from me will ya Dainbramage?! ;) :D
Patze
He did not used to be this way, he was one who thought it was my head, but now he is my biggest supporter and when someone finds out about me, he tells me to talk to them to help them through the difficult time of acceptance. When I do remember something from the past, he says how do you remember that clear as day and can't remember yesterday? I don't know. It has become a fun thing between us, especially when I start to get really scared about memory problems. He doesn't coddle me, he gets me back onto my feet and go. It works for me for now. Then we laugh later, making fun of forgetfulness, OH YEAH he forgets TOO!
One I like, is when I walk in a room to tell the kids something and they look up at me, I stop, I think and think, turn around and walk out of the room. Later remember, walk into the room, they look up at me, I stop, think and think, turn around and walk out. (Now I hear laughing, oldest is 14) Remember, grab paper and pen write it down, phone rings, finish cooking, dinner ready, give youngest bath, older 2 can bathe selves. Everyone ready for bed. Husband home. "HEY MOM what did you want to tell us?" "Tell you when?" "When you came into our room?" "I came into your room?" "MOOMMM!!" "Well, it must not be important." "OK, night Mom and Dad." "What did you need to tell them?" "I don't remember."
Next week................"What is this on this paper?" "Hey boys did yall know you have ???" "Yeah MOM THANKS, that was last week." OOOHHH that is what I forgot.
Quote from: dainbramage on March 31, 2012, 09:40:19 AM
I love brain fog.............now I can be a blonde, too(just kidding guys). I love when my husband says to remind him to do something....REALLY???REALLY??? Come on like I remember what I was doing a few minutes ago. I usually ask the kids and they look at me like "Mom, Were we supposed to pay attention, because we did not pay attention, we usually don't pay attention, are we in trouble?" "No just tell me what I forgot!" I love standing in the middle of a room trying to remember and the kids pass me by just like its normal for me to stand there looking confused. It is really bad when you go to the store and do that, people watch you. My husband is used to it and will wait until I remember what I need to tell him, kind of funny when the conversation was a week ago. hahahaha
Beautifully written. When I can't remember, when I can't do, when I can't hold my own anywhere, I can write. Remember that YOU can write, YOU can write extremely well, very expressively -- and laugh-out-loud hilarious (at least to those of us who are also drainbramaged!)
If I can manage to remember, I will print this out when my cell phone has updated. Then I will post it -- on the back of the front door, for starters. And I will remember because in response to your post I know I wrote a post of my own. Writing brings us back to who we were, for some of us -- I hope for many of us.
Thanks,
Soycoffee
Soycoffee, Thank You.
I have learned to find humor in everything. If I don't then SJS has won. My coworkers, friends and family can't understand why I am NOT more emotionally upset? Who is going to sing badly to my 3 kids to make them say "AW MOM STOP!", who is going to be the Easter Bunny, April fools day(strange food and mess with their rooms), Halloween crazy, Santa helper and etc? Who keeps up on them about their grades? Who buys their favorite snacks and drinks and helps hide them from their hungry father. Who will clean their nasty bathroom? Who will help talk their father into somethings? Who will sit and watch scary movies with them and laugh and scream through the house like someone is after me? Who plays hide and seek in the house, sprays them with the kitchen sprayer, stays up all night finishing the project they haven't finished so they can get sleep, wash the favorite basketball shorts to wear the next day (at 9pm), have ticklefest against Dad, cooks their favorite foods, let oldest stay up to watch Walking Dead (our favorite), howl at the full moon because thats when werewolves come out (yeah we are weird) and just plain silliness that fills this house. That is why I won't go see "crying" movies or read "crying" books. I want humor even if it is stupid humor............. ;D
Mark,
In answer to the brain fog, yes, and yes! It's been one of the most annoying things about all this. Eventually, I've learned to adapt around it, and keep some humor! ;)
dainbramage,
I've got to say what a great attitude you have. We MUST find humor in everything, even when it might be tough to do. My husband and I laugh at one another, too, because he's always asked me to remind him of something or other. Now that's become a big joke!
The kind of joy you give around your house sounds like great fun. I'm sure your husband and kids don't mind a bit if there's a little brain fog here and there.
We need your humor around here, too! Thanks.
Melinda
I know these posts were from April but Im new and I just had to post...I just read this...I didnt have any idea that the "brain fog" I have been experiencing the last few months was ANOTHER symptom...I just thought I was losing my mind or having early dementia or it was a side affect of 5 kids.
Anyways....Thank you so much for the humor...it got me laughing when so many times these days all I want to do is cry...I tell everyone around me that Im not going to let this keep me from doing what I want to do, it just slows me down a little. I broke my toe sledding down the hill with my 11 year old this winter, I went horse back riding, we spend the night in a tent in the worse flood in 20 years 2 weeks ago in Two Harbors MN.
Im going to live life, I may have to slow down and pace myself a little but that's ok...I have a wonderful family and support system.
Thank you....for making me smile!!!
Hugs to you all ....be well!
In good humor I refer to it as " mental-pause"
Can't figure out change at cashier...look at cashier embarrassed, and say "Sorry, Mental-Pause".
I am back to writing notes on my hand in ink....'cause I lose the note I wrote...lol.
Need exercise...go upstairs to get something...come downstairs, realize I forgot to get what I wanted...go back up the stairs...repeat as many times as needed. ;)
Going out? Get in the car...go back in house get cell phone...back to car....back in house....get water....back in car...leave...circle back to check that you shut the garage door....yup...it's closed...duh!!!
Since you posted a link...did you have your thyroid checked/ anti-bodies?
I laughed so hard when I read drainbammaged's brain fog story! Got to print that one out! I love this forum. I've never felt so much a part of a community before. Thank everyone!
I have a rheumy appt in Aug. My dr checked everything, then checked again, then checked one more time just to make sure....pronounced me healthy as a horse and shrugged when I said "but why do I hurt?"
Then he sent me to the neurologist who did more blood work and scratched her head a while and for some reason we started talking about teeth....which led to me telling her that I had 7 cavities when I was 38 lost 3 teeth by the time I was 40 and have had nothing but problems with my teeth since even though I brush and floss....she asked if the dentist told me why I was losing my teeth and I said "NO" so she got that "lightbulb" over her head and said "sjogren's" and I said "HUH?" and she told me to see a rheumy....so that's where Im at. I, of course ran home and did all kinds of research and the lightbulbs just kept coming on when symptom after symptom matched what was going on with me.
I have done my share of "brain fog" aerobics I'd love to start a class but would probably forget when it was or I would be late because I forgot my shoes OR I would go to nail salon because Im sure I had an appt that day....and I would get that "look" again from the little blonde girl behind the counter. ::) Oh well...off to water the garden, at least I dont think I have watered it today...hmmmm