Forgetfullness

[faithnhm333]

Hello everyone, whats up with the forgetting a thought two seconds after thinking it. I have to really concentrate on what i was thinking about. This is a new one for me.

[PMRpro]

It's a common problem with many autoimmune disorders. And also with some medications- what are you on?

[faithnhm333 in reply to PMRpro]

Hello only blood pressure meds take tramadol for fibro and vitamin D

[AnnNY]

Are you having other neurological symptoms, or just forgetting things?

That has happened to me to have such severe forgetfulness I could barely get a word out of my mouth. It turned out I had APS, or sticky blood, so anticoagulants have helped with that. You could experiment with a baby aspirin to see if helps. Also, fish oil. It gets the blood flowing better into your head.

[faithnhm333 in reply to AnnNY]

Hello, my joints ache every day, feels like im always sore. Popping in my joints all over. Butning sensation in my fingers. And i feel like i want whoop somebodys butt. Im very short fused these days

[PMRpro in reply to faithnhm333]

I really think you need to see at least your GP and preferably your specialist and discuss all these symptoms with them - they are all signs that maybe your lupus isn't being well managed or even that you have developed something else

[Sara_A]

Yes I definitely have this problem too! I do have aps and take aspirin on prescription I suppose it's improved it a bit but I do still get it. I can totally forget what I'm talking about or doing and have to ask someone what I was doing or saying! Have u got aps or been tested?

[Daisy1991]

All the time, I cannot follow a series on TV because I can't remember what went on the week before, thank heavens for previews from the previous week. I can remember I have watched it when I see it is on, but I have to sit and think what it is about, sometimes I remember if I dig deep but other time it is a total blank.

I also have concentration problems, often i forget what i a doing and spelling is a real problem cannot remember how to spell simple words, glad we have predictive text lol.

Although I have found it isn't quite as bad since being on hydroxychloroquine, but still having some problems with it.

[Caramia64]

i have same problem, can cope with it at home but pain when working! I struggle to find words, and when spelling make so many mistakes , was never like this before!

[HazelW]

We call it Lupus Brain Fog - very common!! Can be a nuisance, can also be a useful excuse!!!

[GERY]

HI. YES BRAIN FOG EXPLAINS IT PERFECTLY

[PMRpro in reply to GERY]

Brain fog happens with many autoimmune disorders - and is a side effect of a lot of the medications used to treat them. So it's a double whammy!!!!

[GERY]

HI AGAIN. I AM NOT ANY LUPUS DRUGS ONLY 30g SYNALAR GEL TO STOP ITCHING BUT EVEN THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS HELP MY SCALP. HOPE YOU HAVE BETTER MEDICATIONS

[SLEEPINGDOG]

Got that too! Frustrating, isn't it? I also find thatI often think of a word I want to use in a response, but when I say my response - the word is gone EG: "that's called Sleep Apnoea" becomes "that's called Sleep ???? er, something, I forget, what" I never thought Lupus would cause this, I thought it was just old age

[Paul_Howard Partner LUPUS UK]

Hi faithnhm333 ,

As others have said, this is often referred to as 'brain fog' or 'lupus fog' and is a common symptom. For more information and advice about this, have a look at our blog here - lupusuk.org.uk/coping-with-...

[Sara_A]

Hi,

With the 'brain fog' I really struggle doing any academic work so feel I don't want to do any courses for work as I just can't do the assignments . I try to write a plan but everything just gets muddled in my head and I just can't think then get upset and give up.

I love to read and am ok I just have to look back over last few pages before I can remember what's going on. I also have to put a tick in the front of all my books as I don't remember if I've read them!

I know that with work I will need to do some more courses but I just can't do it anymore and don't know what to do about it.

[dgreyarea]

Hi faithnhm333, the answer to your question is, BRAIN FOG. It's a normal, but inconvenient symptom of fibromyalgia and Lupus. I try to pace myself and take a mental break. I really get stressed when I'm rushing or simply getting ready to go somewhere. Those are my worse times to forget everything.

[PMRpro in reply to dgreyarea]

Not just fibro and lupus - it is a feature of almost all autoimmune disorders and isn't helped by the fact it can be a side effect of some of the medications used. Then it can be a double whammy...