I've been having the brain fog thing again. It is so frustrating and scary. Do any of your physicians seem alarmed or concerned with this issue? I've been having trouble remembering who I tell what to and I hate repeating myself. I feel like I am always second guessing myself. Guess I just needed to vent a little.
Anna
How frustrating!
I find that my brain fog gets worse when I'm tired or stressed. If you can, try to get some extra sleep and do something that relaxes you (a cup of tea, a nice bath, a short walk at dusk). Also, definitely talk to your doctor. You might need your thyroid tested (talk about intense brain fog!) or some other treatment.
I complained to my GP and his cure was the "anti-yeast" diet. Well, I said I'd look at the materials that he gave me and I really started to attempt this. The biggest thing is Diet Coke--and there is no substitute in this diet. After a few days, I lost my brother unexpectedly. Things just sort of snowballed and I completely lost track of my anti-yeast diet. I don't know if this is IT (reason for the fog) or not. I am taking two anti-yeast meds my doc prescribed for me. I thought I don't have much excuse to not take the prescriptions.
Lucy
I have yet to figure out when, why and what causes the brain fog. I would assume it is part of the autoimmune attack on the body plus lack of sleep plus worse with flares and worse when depression is worse. I think it has a lot to do with brain chemicals also. The thyroid is really a biggie in this also. When my TSH is off my brain is off also.
I have had the brain fog for most of my adult life and I can still count my toes, read a book and drive a car. I do know that when I have had bad flares I couldn't remember much of anything. Also, be aware that we sjoggies are more tuned into this brain stuff and we take every little "brain fart" (my name for it) to heart and worry ourselves silly. I talk to friends around my age and even younger and you should hear them talk about their memory and the stuff they do. I swear that our fast paced life drains our brain at an early age. Then add in the preservatives, etc and whatever else and we all have our days.
I guess the thing I find the most comforting is that after some days where I can't add 2 + 2 I will rebound and be a whole lot better. I think the fact that one recovers is very important as it is not a permanent thing. Remember that when you start the big time meds for autoimmune disease you may find your thinking clears some.
The important thing to remember is to not beat yourself over this. Remember to pace yourself so that the days that you are not as bright as a light bulb you don't do things that could be hazardous. The days when I feel like I shouldn't drive I stay home, etc. When I am like this I don't dare even try to bake anything important. I also think that it is like the brain is too tired to even think. Hang in there. Have you had a mini mental status done? I was scared to death to do this but finally was forced into it at one of my doctors offices and I passed. Whew!!!!! Irish ;D
Dragonfly is so right. The more tired or stressed I am, the worse the "brain fog". Usually after a good night's sleep (which I can manage on occassion) I feel much better the following day as long as the stress doesn't build up again.
Also certain medications can add to the "brain fog".
Pooh
Thanks ladies. One of the reasons I like this board so much is that someone will understand how you feel and it just helps. Irish, it is comforting when we don't get worse and we are, actually, good for periods of time. I do have Hashimotos but my thyroid still works. My TSH was 2.6 about a month ago and the doctor said if it goes to 3 he will put me on medicine.
It just drives me crazy because my whole life I've been a very detailed person and have had an annoyingly good memory.
Thanks again.
Anna
I hear you! I was talking with my 75 year old grandmother on the phone last night and she was frequently finishing my sentences because I forgot words. Of course, she is now worried and I hate to do that to her :'( I would definitely at least mention it to your doc if you haven't done it yet. I did and mine wants me to do neuropsych testing which I was kind of leary about at first but now can't wait to do it.
I'm not on any meds yet (Appointment with rheumie July 22!) but I can FEEL the brain fog coming and going. It is the strangest thing. I feel like I'm living Carl Sandgurg's poem... the fog creeps in on little cat feet. When it leaves, I can feel it too! I feel like it dissapears in a snap, and lucidity returns! I, for one, can't blame the meds... it MUST be the inflammation caused by the antibodies.
You are definitely not alone when it comes to having cognitive issues! Be it the sjogrens, the thyroid, the meds, or a combination of any or all of the above...I don't know...but I do get my fair share of "brain farts" that come and go!
Is that what you asked?? Who asked this?? I don't remember...... ;) ;D
I was terribly scared at how forgetful I was.I've been better the last 3or 4mos. and I don't know if it's due to the increase in Vit.D I was put on or not.I have noticed my DH struggling and now I'm looking at him wondering if he's as scared to death as I was lol.My sisters are forgetting words when we talk and I'm noticing it so maybe it's more age related then I thought.Like everyone here though I look for it to get worse at times especially during stressful times or flares.
Ruby
2.6 might be too high for someone with autoimmune conditions. I need my TSH to be around 1 or I'm a mess. Thyroid imbalance can DEFINITELY cause brain fog. It's terrible.
If you can get your doctor to check for anti-thyroid antibodies, you might have more luck with getting on meds. Antibody activity means that it's probably autoimmune hypothyroidism (Hashimoto's), and you may need treatment if you have symptoms and even a slightly elevated TSH.
Best wishes.
I do have antibodies for Hashimotos but he feels no medicine until TSH is around 3. Interestingly, he tested my reflexes and they were poor and he said that is indicative of underactive thyroid. I wonder if it fluctuates and causes some of my symptoms. I do see an endocrinlogist at Cleveland Clinic.
Anna
When my TSH is 3, my eyes are crazy red, I'm tired all the time, and I forget my own name. According to the AACE (since 2003), 3 is on the high end of normal. Remind your doctor that while there's a lot of room within normal, most hypothyroid people feel best when their TSH is in the middle or low end of the normal range.