does anyone suffer from memory loss? i find that i go to the shops and forget what i went for even though its only 5 mins dwn the road

[lindsay81]

im finding that i have to write everything down, notes with lists, calendar reminders in my phone its scary haha i feel like im loosing my marbles somethings, my 4 yr old has to remind me!

[Sue2803]

You are in good company, seems to be a common complaint with Lupus, I believe its called brain fog!! lol x

[joyous8]

Yes indeed 'brain fog' effects me too and I need to write/type/record things to remember stuff as well. There's a blog post exactly on this topic which people have shared experiences about this ... lupusuk.healthunlocked.com/...

Take care...

joyous x

[loopy-lou]

You are not alone. I have lists for everything, reminders etc, I even highlight the important stuff too...Take care x

[Hidden]

Yes!!! Brain fog, memory problems, forgetfulness....every day pretty much. Used to worry me when I was first diagnosed, but now I'm used to the fact that it's not going away. I've accepted it and made peace with it. Took some time, though and some adjustments like writing stuff down often, to remind me of the big things and even the little everyday things. We know what you're going through and dealing with, so know that you're not alone in this. We're riding along right beside you.

[Jaxqueline]

Yup, ditto, me too!

[kulie13]

Absolutely me too - when this first happened it made me feel so depressed and old. I pushed myself a lot with memory exercises which improved things quite a bit (I don't know if you have heard the phrase 'use it or lose it' but it does seem to apply to some areas, although my very short-term memory is still absolutely rubbish). I've learned to accept it and work around it, same as everyone above, with lists and tricks and online reminders. Of course there is also the fact that as we get older this happens to everyone, so depending on your age it would deteriorate anyway. It just seems to happen so suddenly with Lupus it is a real shock. Like Mollydolly says, making peace with it is half the battle. Good luck.

[janiceray]

Me too!!

[Andromachi]

Me too. I was embarashed because I couldn't finish the discussion with my company last week. It isn't the same with my family. They know my problem and I always stop and look at them when it is "empty".

[carrie67]

Hi

I also suffer from bad concentration, memory loss and a fog in my head. My family thought it was funny at first they are not laughing now.

I go to the shop and walk around in a daze totally forgetting what I went there for,

forget the names of people I have worked with for years and do stupid things, my latest was putting onions in the freezer, I have burnt numerous saucepans where i have started to cook done something else and totally forgotten about the food until the smoke alarm goes off or I can smell burning.

You are not alone it is extremely frustrating but it something we have to live with.

Good luck x

[AlisonM]

Yeah, me too!! It tends to come n go with me. Normally links in when I'm particularly fatigued. I'm a teacher so children's names can be an issue at times!! But they come to realise that mrs Marshall can be forgetful cause she's old (only 30!!) the microwave was the thing u put food in to heat it up but not oven!!

My husband despairs at times but just need to grin & bear it!!

Big hugs xxx

[gertie]

Ditto to all the above...what I also find is my spelling and punctuation has gone terrible or when I am talking I forget a particular word....very frustrating.

[alison45]

Hi when I first started to experience memory loss I contacted the Lupus Unit at St Thomases and was told if my INR wasn[t at the required level it is a bit like your car having the wrong consistency of oil in it and it wouldn't reach all the parts of the brain - I hope this helps.

[phillip]

yep thats me to allways losing things and forget things keep your head up

[emtsilly]

ditto, it gets noticably worse with a flare it seems and as I was very low I increased my fluoxotine and it did seem to help.... still had difficulty remembering animal names at speed on safari though but have not been losing words or conversation threads so often. Am dreading parent's evening though; as a teacher, sounding competent and stringing a sentance together is quite important!

[river]

Comforting to know that such as spelling, memory etc is common, thought it was just me as when I mention it to GP, blank response.

I also get at times throbbing in my head/ears, feels like pressure in my head. Any comments please.

[lupydragon]

my memory loss seems to more work related, a job I have been doing for 5 years, I can do the work but if someone asks a specific quesstion the mind just gives up and I can not recall the info, I also find I doubt my self so ask others if what I am doing is correct, I thought it was just the stress of having to learn alot of new stuff this year / age ( 50 time to give up)

[katknapp]

i am so glad i am not the only one! i was so worried i went to my doctors,he knew about my lupus as hes the one i have been seeing right through my illness but he didnt tell me it was part of lupus in fact he asked me if my family have a history of dementia i was furious!!!!!

[Hidden]

Lupus can cause a number of central nervous system complications, including, but not limited to, cognitive dysfunction, seizures, strokes, and headaches.

Brain fog is quite common in mild to moderately active lupus. Coping with brain fog can be maddening to the patient and to those around the patient. There are life skills / coping techniques which are taught to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) survivors that are very useful to those with brain fog. The techniques help to minimize the confusion and the emotional stress experienced by those who endure brain fog (or what I call the wonkys). I highly recommend the proactive approach. Adapt adjust overcome endure repeat on on on ...