Brain Fog
By Sharon
@simone10 (54187)
Louisville, Kentucky
December 7, 2015 5:23am CST
Do you have moments when you can't remember certain events or can't remember where you put something or sometimes can't even remember what you had for dinner the day before? Does your memory sometimes feel like the photo I've enclosed?
I know that having a bad memory can sometimes come with age and can get even worse for someone like me who has never had a great memory to begin with. Or sometimes we can be either so stressed or have so much going on that we can forget things.
I have read where people who have auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia can have what is called brain fog. I have both of these diseases and I have noticed my memory isn't good at all anymore. I have been worried about it for a while and my rheumatologist said it can happen with auto-immune diseases. My question is, how do you know when to be concerned that it could be something much more serious or if it's due to health problems?
I know that we should be able to trust our doctors to let us know whether we should be worried or not but I haven't had the best luck with doctors lately. The only thing I know to do right now is to be aware and try to improve my memory by playing some of the brain teaser games they have on the internet.
I guess you can tell that I am really concerned. I know that we aren't doctors here but do you think this is a normal part of aging or related to my auto-immune disease or something more serious?
16 people like this
20 responses
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
7 Dec 15
My Dr tells me to report anything thats new and also if their is more pain and where its located is it sharp, dull, aches burning i have had different tests ran to see if things are the same fibromyalgia i also have osteo arthritis its mind boggleing sometimes to keep track of but is good to keep track.
3 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
8 Dec 15
@softbabe44 I do the same thing with my doctor and I agree, it can be hard to keep up with at times.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
12 Dec 15
@softbabe44 I am making a list of things to talk about when I go on the 22nd of December. I have to do it this way or I will forget.
1 person likes this
@softbabe44 (5816)
• Vancouver, Washington
9 Dec 15
@simone10 He said the slightest little change even when meds aren't working as well
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@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
7 Dec 15
@paigea They may go by another name in your country but essentially they are for checking for various types of dementia - and for looking for causes of non-dementia related memory loss. You mention your auto immune diseases. Many thyroid conditions are immunity related and it the thyroid hormones are out of whack it plays havoc with memory.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
12 Dec 15
@simplyd hearing that your memory has improved I think I'm going to start taking fish oil, Vit d & C. My memory isn't what it used to be but I just figure it's the years catching up with me
1 person likes this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
7 Dec 15
My brain feels like your picture most days. I have Fibromyalgia, Diabetes and Nuropathy. I suffer from memory loss a lot, and often forget what I am trying to say while speaking it. The doctor said my memory fog is due to my diabetes not being controlled.
3 people like this
@slund2041 (3314)
• United States
8 Dec 15
@simone10 Yes, there are several different causes for brain fog. It doesn't make me feel better, but I guess it explains it.
2 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
8 Dec 15
@slund2041 I feel a little better knowing that your doctor has told you that there are other causes for brain fog.
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@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
12 Dec 15
@slund2041 I am going to talk to my doctor when I see him this month and see what he says.
1 person likes this
@marlina (154131)
• Canada
7 Dec 15
I have a few autoimmune disorders myself. My memory is not as good as it used to be and sometimes my brain is foggy, but I put it on the side of getting older.
I had brain scans and there was nothing abnormal. So I am reassured on that one. Did you have a brain scan?
2 people like this
@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
9 Dec 15
I forget stuff all the time, even in mid sentence. I think for me it's just old age.
2 people like this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
16 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 Some of what I am going through probably does have to do with my age and the fact that I never had a great memory to begin with. But when it comes to the times when I can't remember words or remember what I just had for lunch, then it's time to talk to the doctor.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
12 Dec 15
@fishtiger58 I find the same thing happens to me. I will be saying something and next thing I'm forgetting what I was talking about
2 people like this
@rocky1980 (530)
• Chandigarh, India
9 Dec 15
My memory is terrible. I often forget my things where I have put them. I also terrible with names. On many occasions I find it hard to recall names. One of my friend had the same problem and he told me that to recall something he retraces his steps in mind and find his things. For example if he forgot his keys where did he put it, he retraces his step from the last point when he had the key with him. I used this technique to remember things, to me it is useful. I don't remember what this technique is technically called.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
23 Dec 15
I've done that before too and like you, I can usually find what I'm looking for. Sometimes I forget words and have to visualize it in my mind to remember. My doctor (yesterday) said that it is common with someone with RA and fibromyalgia.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
7 Dec 15
I guess it depends on how bad it has gotten. I would be concerned and ask the doctor for some tests.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
8 Dec 15
@simone10 Mention it seriously and make sure he pays attention sometimes they tend to blow off our concerns
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@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
8 Dec 15
@BelleStarr I noticed it more over the last 6 months but then again, my RA has gotten worse. I think I will mention it to him again when I see him this month.
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
12 Dec 15
@BelleStarr Yes, they do. They want to blame a lot of stuff on normal aging.
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@Marilynda1225 (82798)
• United States
12 Dec 15
Some days I walk around in a fog and just figured it was my blood pressure medication causing it. Now that I"ve been reading all the comments here I guess I should mention it to my dr on my next visit.
1 person likes this
@whiteream (8567)
• United States
9 Dec 15
I know it is a side effect or part of rheumatoid arthritis, my mother got brainfog all the time and her doctor told her not to worry. I wouldn't worry to much unless it increases.
1 person likes this
@neilcutter17 (11)
• Quezon City, Philippines
8 Dec 15
By the way, I suggest talking to a psychiatrist about memories. Meditation and self-actualization also help. :)
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
8 Dec 15
@neilcutter17 I'm not sure about talking to a psychiatrist right now just for memory problems. I may wait a bit and see what happens.
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@neilcutter17 (11)
• Quezon City, Philippines
8 Dec 15
@simone10 you can also read articles about dreams in the websites I've mentioned to you earlier.
1 person likes this
@neilcutter17 (11)
• Quezon City, Philippines
8 Dec 15
Based on the news lately, I seem not to trust the pharmaceutical products sold anywhere. I have read that there is some bacteria or virus that slowly spreads within your system. Let's say for example that vaccines we get annually or semiannually. Instead of curing cancer thru diagnosis, they injected their patients a certain virus that will make the diseases harder to cure.
1 person likes this
@neilcutter17 (11)
• Quezon City, Philippines
8 Dec 15
@simone10 I've read it in a website. I recommend searching it in collective evolution . com or in themindunleashed.com. Lots of interesting articles to read about consciousness. :)
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@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
7 Dec 15
Brain fog is real, but it may not be a sign of permanent memory loss. It's more about fatigue. When you are fatigued, your energy levels are low, you just cannot concentrate. I just go with it. If I want someone to take the clothes out of the dryer and the word in my mouth is "refrigerator", I just say refrigerator and let them figure it out. Days also get a bit same-y when you aren't going out to work every morning, or shopping, etc. You should ask your doctor, but I wouldn't be too worried.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41427)
• United States
12 Apr 16
I can relate. I have Fibro and have experienced Fibro fog, not fun at all. Like you, I've never had a good memory to start with and it gets worse with age.
My husband, who has a great memory, is always misplacing his keys. I told him not to worry when he can't find them. The time to worry is when, after finding them, he doesn't know what to do with them.
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
7 Dec 15
Its been happening more and more to me too, I'm assuming its age or stress. I think it happens to all of us but if you've addressed it with your doctor, let it go and stop worrying, I think more worrying can cause more forgetfulness. I had a whole day that numbers made no sense, I had spent the day on line looking for a vacation and found one, Hubby agreed it was a good one and said, put it on the card - I checked the amount and told him I didn't have enough money on that card and he pointed out all I needed was xxx bucks and there were thousands in the account, that hundreds had turned into thousands in my head. I was embarrassed and I was completely stressed because of the search. For a minute I thought I was crazy...
1 person likes this
@simone10 (54187)
• Louisville, Kentucky
8 Dec 15
@PainsOnSlate I'm sorry that this happened to you but I did find a little relief in reading your comment as it sounds like something that could happen to me.
1 person likes this
@paigea (36317)
• Canada
7 Dec 15
I have never had a great memory. I don't have any of these conditions. I do worry about my memory and saying the wrong word so often!
One thing I have been trying to do is reduce the STUFF in my house so I can simplify life a bit. That gives me less stress and less stuff to remember. And, like you, I find ways to work on my memory. Plus I write things down. Now to train myself to Look at what I wrote down. Good luck, I hope you can get is checked out and get some reassurance.
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