Infertility and brain fog with IVF

[darkbuthappyplace]

I've been finding it so hard to concentrate at work and i get things mixed up really easily as well as being quite forgetful. I didn't really think much of it until recently. I've done 5 cycles of IVF since end of 2020 and i feel like the last year or so I've started experiencing this brain fog. It happens whether i'm in the middle of a cycle or not.

I think it's not just down to the hormones but also maybe the stress and anxiety of it all. I just don't feel like i perform like i used to anymore. I'm finding it really hard. Has anyone else experienced this? Did you do anything to counteract it? Did it go away? Did you take time off work?

TIA xxx

[Hidden]

Make sure you have people around you who can support you and keep talking to your OH

Take a look at fertilitynetworkuk.org Stress & Infertility and Coping Strategies for more information

Take care of yourself

Janet

[LizzieBW]

Yes, absolutely I experienced the same at stages of treatment over the years. Hormones generally make me clumsy, more ditsy and forgetful but the stress definitely played it's part like my brain wasn't firing on all cylinders. Usually my work involves excellent longterm memory, things I could usually rhyme off the top of my head and there I'd be sat feeling like ALL the words had fallen out my head, like some moron 🙃

Sorry I don't have better news but it gets worse with pregnancy then the chronic sleep deprivation of being a parent so I have no advice but wanted to say you're not alone in feeling that way. Xx

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to LizzieBW]

Thanks for the reply, it's just nice to know I'm not alone and i'm not paranoid! xx

[LaraCRGH]

Hi,I've done 6 rounds over the last 18 months and I have definitely been aware that my memory hasn't been great and I've thought the same thing, that the IVF must be impacting it. I haven't got any greater insight to share other than I've definitely been experiencing the same thing!! X

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to LaraCRGH]

Thanks for the reply, at least i know i'm not imagining it. I'm similar stage to you too, i've done 5 rounds in 18 months, about to start my 6th. xx

[LaraCRGH in reply to darkbuthappyplace]

Good luck! I just got one blastocyst from my 6 rounds and about to have my first and possibly only FET ( either because it works or because I might stop at that point)just before Xmas xx

[Bomboncita]

Yes, I also experienced this and continue to do so. I suppose it is down to stress and hormonal treatment but I'm hoping that at some point it will go back to normal. But yes, definitely noticed this. My memory in particular is quite bad.

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to Bomboncita]

I hope so too, that it's only temporary. I think i started to get worried as it's continued after last transfer but my journey is far from over so i do think it's the stress of it all contributing to it too. xx

[SRA8]

Oh I know this so well. Keep forgetting my words mid sentence or not remembering wether I've said something out loud or not. Had an IVF journey. Got pregnant, had my child and now back on IVF. It's at its worse right now. I feel certifiable at times. No advise just a long way to say you're not alone.

[LaraCRGH in reply to SRA8]

I forget my words mid sentence, or say the wrong word and don't realise I've said a different word to the one in my mind 🤦‍♀️

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to LaraCRGH]

That's exactly what i do too! xx

[Olive12345]

Do you have any other symptoms? Brain fog can be a symptom of autoimmune/immune/inflammatory conditions that can also cause other seemingly unrelated symptoms.

[darkbuthappyplace in reply to Olive12345]

Oh i'm not sure i do? What other symptoms would you expect? I am on an immune protocol though.

[Olive12345 in reply to darkbuthappyplace]

joint pain or swelling, fatigue, rashes, hair loss, chest pain or breathlessness, light sensitivity, dry eyes, nose, mouth. Probably a thousand others. If you feel generally well, it’s probably not an issue but it’s worth being aware!

[ForABabyPanda]

I found this the hardest part of working throughout treatment. The appointments were east ‘boss I’ve got a few medical appts and I’ll know last min and they might change’ but how to get people to take it easy on you during the brain fog stage is harder without disclosing what’s going on.