fibro fog tips?

[Cassi0]

I’ve been doing alright lately, exercising well, going therapy, eating well, but I’ve noticed this past week the fibro fog has been getting worse. I had a bit of extra pain the last week or so (I think I was perhaps overdoing it at the gym so am resting now) and although I’ve been going to sleep at reasonable times I wake up often and don’t sleep heavily. I’ve noticed fibro fog before make me forgetful and in a daze, but it usually goes eventually.

lately I’ve been forgetting people, faces, basic tasks, forgetting to eat meals and just practically walking round in circles in my house every time I remember I was supposed to do something. I didn’t realise I hadn’t eaten today until I felt incredibly ill and faint all of sudden - I never usually forget to eat it’s never been this bad before.

I really need to concentrate at work, I’m going on a work trip this week with lots of networking which I’m dreading because I struggle to sound coherent and professional. Does anyone have any tips on helping fibro fog? All I’ve seen so far when googling is exercise and puzzles and neither seem to be helping.

[CheetieCat]

Awful isn't it. I rely on my phone - a lot! Use the calendar for everything with alerts. Also set alarms for important things like meds, food etc ... When I need to make a work call I note bullet points beforehand to keep me on track. Same when I receive a call I note down names and as much info as I can as I know it will just vanish before I'm even off the phone.

Face to face is trickier, especially with people you don't know. I tend to make a joke of having a brain like a sieve (sadly true though) but people are usually ok. To be honest I'm at that stage if they're not, then that's on them, I'm really too tired to be bothered!

Sorry I can't offer anything other than try not to worry and stress too much about it, as we all know stress is not our friend.

I know it's so easy to say but so much harder to do though!

Hope it all goes well for you 😊

[Gigiruth]

I also use phone alerts and lists. I had a reasonable adjust for fibro and other conditions. If I felt it might affect the task I would explain. I used the term I have medical memory condition rather than say just memory because people are polite and just say "me too" or "it might be age!!!"(menapause) I found a positive reaction to my directness and joined the wellbeing team to explain fibro to staff.

I would say

I have a medical memory condition so it helps me to take s few notes(or whatever)

I had some funny reactions over the years,including over reactions like offering to write things down for me. As I explained,I have memory problems but I can still write.

It does take confidence to use this approach, I had others with fibro approach me to say it was easier to talk about the affects.

I challenged and championed health and mental attitudes health at work.

1:4 people (or more) people hVe a mental health difficulty. Properly more after covid. No stats for other health issues but you are no alone.

We have not lost are expertise or intelligence ,we have medical.memory difficulties.

Take care of you

Gigi

[FindingMyself60 in reply to Gigiruth]

Hi Gigi. Thanks for the suggestions you make. Can you give me a little more insight into the reasonable adjustments you have been recommended please. I work in an environment where I have to make lots of notes to rely on. I’m suppose to have an App called Caption Ed for note taking or a minute taker as my wrists can be so painful after taking notes. However 15 months later still not provided.

Could you also give me some tips as to how you challenged your Health Champion. I wasn’t so confident in doing so in the past however, in a better place to do so now.

Thanks

[Gigiruth in reply to FindingMyself60]

Hi DaveI challenged my employer by joining the wellbeing team. I have other health problems (autoimmune and gut)

I had 5 OHS over about 7 years and these were very helpful as while they didn't make any specific suggestions except extended sickness leave trigger (2 extra days due to recurring condition for which I might go to hospital) they did say I had fibro and was self managing well.

I worn wrist splints when needed, GP said at night but they stopped me sleeping so I was using when I felt a strain.

Because one of my conditions is genetic I have been "poorly" all of my life. I don't feel the stigma of illness as heavy and find speaking out easier as I have got older.

I ended oe career last year as I would 40 total in 2 jobs too much.

I had a 1,2,1 with my manager and set out my reasonable adjustments.

I had in creased sick days before trigger for sick action.

Permission to go home immediately if fatigue started to set in. That way I could drive, I know my condition very well and this meant I could get home without having to leave my car.

I took leave in my stress time of year,this was Feb each year. We worked it out looking at my sick record. Hospital every Feb!

I would overdo activities at Christmas, get sick,carry on...hospital Feb!

Check your own patterns.

I am now self employed and I say when I work.

Hope this helps.

If you need more message me

Take care.

Gigi

[Gigiruth in reply to FindingMyself60]

In addition, if am employer does not support a reasonable adjustment if you belong to a trade union seek support from them. 👍

[FindingMyself60 in reply to Gigiruth]

yeah that’s what I have resorted to do. Thanks

[CheetieCat in reply to Gigiruth]

Great reply!

[Jaycee18]

Hi, just a thought but if the fibro fog is particularly worse than usual it may be worth speaking to your GP just to make sure there isn’t something else going on. Sometimes an infection can have these affects and would be easily treated.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello Cassio , some very helpful replies from members 😀 , I would diffently try getting into a routine with the eating side as that in general can make you feel weary not enough and also fluids are important too, perhaps pack some sandwiches in the evening if it’s a work day and leave a note out too remind you too take a lunch box with you, I see you go too the gym ,has the gym a swimming pool ? As some gentle excercise in the pool might be helpful sometimes. Like Jaycee has already said if you’ve any concerns perhaps a catch up with your GP even if you can get a call back to start. Hope the work trip goes okay x

[saj01]

Hi Cass

You don't mention how old you are but I wondered if you were possibly menopausal ? I know when I was taken off hrt abruptly I had really bad brain fog in fact after 6 months it turned into depression! So it's worth having a chat with you gp because either could apply.

[Autumn1666]

I have a smart watch the only thing on It I really use is my calendar tablets it vibrates on my arm when I look down days tablets or water the plants things like that so very helpful to me. Calendar in bag calendar on the wall xx