I Keep Using the Wrong Words
By StacyB
@Srbageldog (7716)
United States
May 22, 2018 12:34am CST
I am a writer. I don't just write as a hobby, I also write professionally. I have even worked as a freelance editor (which I personally enjoy more than writing.) I take pride in my writing skills. Or I did, anyway.
Lately I have noticed, when proofreading, that I keep using the wrong words when I'm writing. It is maddening. For instance, I will find that I wrote the word "wrong" instead of "run," despite knowing full well what I intended to say. The only explanation I have for this is brain fog due to Fibromyalgia. Wrong word usage here and there is bound to happen; it happens to all of us. But it's becoming so frequent an occurrence for me that I find it upsetting.
I swear to you that I'm not an idiot who can't string together a coherent sentence. My mind just doesn't always work properly anymore. I have trouble finding words at times, and if I'm not careful apparently I use the wrong ones.
7 people like this
10 responses
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 May 18
Thank you for the words of encouragement! 
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
22 May 18
I usually experience that too when you mean to use this word but it comes out differently. It can really be frustrating. 
2 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 May 18
It is extremely frustrating. I am glad I am not the only one who faces this issue.
2 people like this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
22 May 18
@Srbageldog I think there are others here too who experience it. It is more frustrating when you get misunderstood because of that "wrong" word but you mean otherwise. 
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
22 May 18
maybe you need some rest. you must be tired and sleepy. or overloaded brain.
1 person likes this
@Mavic123456 (21893)
• Thailand
24 May 18
@Srbageldog is there any cure for this?
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
@Mavic123456 No, unfortunately. There are medications that help some people, but they often have nasty side effects. My neurologist doesn't want to try me on medications yet, because he doesn't think I'll do well on them.
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
I get a lot of sleep, because I am chronically fatigued. 
Another symptom of fibromyalgia.
Another symptom of fibromyalgia.
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
I'm sorry you also experience it. It happens to me so often now I constantly worry about sounding like an idiot when I write.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (472258)
• Switzerland
24 May 18
@Srbageldog You are not at all an idiot, but our brain makes errors when we are too stressed.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
@LadyDuck Thank you, you are right of course. 
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
22 May 18
I always have to proofread what I've written, even before hitting the 'start discussion" or "comment" box on Mylot. I don't find it difficult finding the right words, I only have a problem keeping them spelled right when I have such a small keypad as compared to my fingers. 
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 May 18
That is another issue I often have -- spelling words correctly, especially ones such as they're/their/there, or your/you're. I know the right usage of each -- but sometimes when I'm writing I don't take the time to pay attention to which one I'm using! 
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 May 18
@Starmaiden I shudder to think how my writing would appear to others if I didn't proofread.
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9311)
• Canada
22 May 18
@Srbageldog Me either. That's why we proofread.
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
22 May 18
It is always happen to me also. But we should keep trying, and learn from our mistakes
2 people like this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16804)
• China
22 May 18
It is nothing but typos .Don't blame yourself so much! There are times when our brains fail us.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
Thank you for the encouraging words.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
24 May 18
Yes, I have fibromyalgia, and brain fog is one of the symptoms. Forgetting words or using the wrong ones is becoming a more serious problem for me. It is very frustrating.
@arunima25 (87861)
• Bangalore, India
22 May 18
Fibromyalgia if I am not wrong is the pain in muscles for no known reason?? One of my close friend suffers from it. But she is managing it with a slow walk everyday for 40 minutes.
Making mistakes is human. Do not feel bad about it.
1 person likes this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
22 May 18
Yes, that is one of the symptoms. Brain fog (or "fibro fog") is another symptom, along with many others. I'm glad your friend found something that helps with her symptoms. I get trigger point injections, but they don't help with the fibro fog, unfortunately.
@arunima25 (87861)
• Bangalore, India
22 May 18
@Srbageldog I know it is not a happy situation. I have seen my friend suffering. But yoga and meditation helps. See if you can find some help.
1 person likes this
