Brain Fog

[Brownie]

Hello all!

I am new to the forums and have been trying to read all the old and new posts and felt compelled to respond on this one. I was told I had a connective tissue disease 15+ years ago and went through the steroids, plaquenil, Imuran, and Methotrexate which was what lead to my respiratory issues:( I recently have been quite ill again and finally went to my primary as I avoid the rheumy (bad) and my ANA, sedrate and SS-B titers are all quite elevated. I have been lost for a better word to find yet another medical problem. This brain fog thing made me laugh because I am normally in charge of everything at home and work and lately I feel like someone is squeezing out my IQ! I say Mr. for Mrs. and use the opposites for so many things that is if I can even find the right word or phrase. I hope to get that not so alone feeling often by coming here as I have since I began reading.

So thanks and Hello!
Brownie

[Katybarstool]

Hello Brownie

Welcome aboard. If you are a'foggy', you are definitely in good company.

Have you considered starting anew topic with a little info about yourelf? That way you will get more people seeing your message, and popping by to welcome you.

Kathyx (UK)

[ohiolady]

Hi, Brownie.  Yes, you will have plenty of company in the brain fog department.  It seems most of us have it and it drives us crazy. 

Again, welcome.

Anna

[JannaLee]

Hey Brownie!

Glad to meet you and commiserate on the cognitive issues that come along with Sjogren's Syndrome!

Ugh!  My latest thing is feeling overwhelmed when I look at a mess that needs organizing, like a drawer or closet.  Honest to goodness, I freeze up with anxiety and confusion.

Best to you,
Janna

[Jesse88]

Oh yes, count me in.  Many of the earlier posts apply to me too, so much so that when my husband forwarded a neurological test that was going around the internet, that's supposed to tell you if you need to see a neuro for brain problems, I froze.  I was really worried about taking it, especially since my husband said it was so easy.  Well, I took it and it really was easy.  That tells me that we can have brain fog but still not have really serious neurological issues.  At least I hope that's what it means! 

[Scottietottie]

Hi Brownie 

welcome to Sjogren's world from one foggy sjoggie to another!   

Take care - Scottie 

[Linda196]

Hello and welcome from me, too, Brownie.

We all can tell some interesting "lost in the fog" stories, but the great thing is that, here, we can actually laugh a bit about them, because no one is looking at us like we've totally lost it!

There is hope though, at one point I had lost 10 IQ points, and more recent tests show that I'm back up 5-7 points, almost back to my old self, just older, dryer, and less likely to do anything that requires any physical energy!

[Patze]

Hi Brownie,

Let me also welcome you to the SJS World!  Please do look around as this is a wealth of information here that you might find interesting.

Yep, a lot of us suffer from the dreaded "brain fog", to the point that I'm on my third neuro looking for help...so far, it's gotten better, but there are still days that I just want to go back to bed and pull the covers over my head if I could only remember where my bed is (scratching my head).

Again, welcome and I hope to chat with you soon!

Take care -

Patze

[beverley]

Welcome Brownie,

I think fog is a pre requisite for being on these boards.

Beverley

[JodyP]

I was diagnosed last year with Sjogrens, but I now realized that I have had it for the past 23 years!  I am now 35 years old.  I get "brain fog" so bad that I can't concentrate and I have to go lay down.  This wouldn't be so bad, except that I have caught several things on fire in the kitchen and now my husband is worried.  To make matters worse we just moved and I am can't get in to see the rheumatologist until August!  When I mentioned it to my GP (her husband is the rheumatologist that I'm waiting to see) she acted like Sjogrens rarely acts on the nervous system.  I meant to bring her an article about Sjogrens and the nervous system but I forgot it at home!  I am already on plaquenil, salagen, singulair, and just finished a 6 day pack of predisone!  I could just cry from the stress!
Jody

[Scottietottie]

Hi Jody 

Welcome to Sjogren's world.  Any chance of asking if you could see someone sooner than August - like if there are any cancellations? Sometimes writing to a doc's secretary can get results.

Brain fog is really frustrating. My very worst brainfog was when my thyroid went underactive and that all seems to be tied up with SjS too. Have you had your thyroid tested to see its OK? It can go from being OK to being all wrong in a few months - so its a thought.

This is a good place to share frustrations and just vent generally. Venting totally acceptable - as are all questions. 

Take care - Scottie 

[Dolly Dimples]

   Well Bill.   I guess you are well aware of what brain fog is now!!!
                                                                                              Just don't forget to come back and let us know how you go on...

Welcome Brownie,  no cures! but you will  find lot's of tips and advice here with us,

   Jodie, sorry you are so stressed with this thing..    Why not see your GP again, and tell her how you really feel , she could prescribe a sedative type drug to help you over till August...  it's a long while till then to be in this uptight condition ,  Go on try it!!
                                                       
                                                                               Luv to you all, Dolly.


 

[pmortimer3]

I just found this site today and have been reading it for hours. I am so glad to find that this "Brain Fog" thing isn't
just me. I thought I was getting dementia but every once and a while I can think and respond like I use to. It is
depressing when you are with friends who remember you as quick and funny and you just can't be anymore. The
other day I was joking with my Rheumy about how my wife just left me and is trying to take the kids from me and
I was just in a five car accident with my 2 week old truck and hit by a uninsured motorist and I had to sell my 3 day
old motorcycle because my back was so hurt from the accident. I looked at him and said "At least I have my health".
He thought that was pretty funny. You have to keep your sense of humor with this stuff or it will drive you nuts.

[Linda196]

Welcome Jody and Pmortimer, I'm glad you've both found the posts here helpful, it's very empowering to find out that our symptoms actually exist, and other people have them!

Pmortimer...if anyone on earth needs a sense of humor, it's you, and I'm so glad your's in intact!

[KYMOM]

Jody, Welcome to the site.  Kitchen timers.  I have several that ring for a long time and are loud.  Don't know what I would do without them.  Also, I keep a magnet hanger on the inside of the front door that I can put notes on - candles, oven, etc.  August seems like a long time to wait for a Rheumy appt.  Scottie has good advice, try and call and ask to be put on the cancellation list.  Sometimes it helps.

PM, Welcome to you.  Keep your good humor it will serve you well.

Roxanne