Increased brain fog, but no MRI changes

[LakeshoreGreys]

I've been having more cognitive issues and brain fog, so my neuro ordered an MRI. Results show stable MS, unchanged from the last MRI in 2014. So am I imagining things?

[greaterexp]

I don’t think you’re imagining things at all. My symptoms wax and wane all the time.

I hope you feel clearer soon.

[MS_Indestructible]

no, I've been stable for a year or two as well and my cognitive issues come and go. I suspect that it is from prior damage.

[jimeka]

My last mri showed no deterioration at all, I hadn’t changed at all according to my brain and cervical ones, except I am more unbalanced and l feel as though I have declined physically . I think ms has a mind of its own, you never know from one day to the other what it’s going to throw at you. It is, what it is, and we have to make the most of it, Blessings Jimeka 🎄

[mrsmike]

No you are not imagining things. My last few MRIs have shown no change, but I know that my cognition is not what it use to be.

[Jesmcd2 CommunityAmbassador]

Like they say LakeshoreGreys MS is very fickle, and even if your stable, it can make you have "cog fog"

I just did a post on it, you can check it out, under my name!🤗💕

J🌠❄️

[Rileymom]

For the past. 6 months, I take 400 mg of L-Theanine, an amino acid derived from green tea, for cog fog. I feel better than before I had an exacerbation that left me really foggy. It does not have caffeine, but may make blood pressure lower. It’s being studied for MS & my neurologist approved that I can take it.

[Juliew19673 in reply to Rileymom]

I am going to try the L-Theanine, thanks for the suggestion Rileymom!

[Rileymom in reply to Juliew19673]

It took about 2 weeks for me to feel the effects

[Juliew19673]

That's perplexing but as others have said it's believable. I do not think an MRI can show everything, at least not well enough to give you all the answer's - hang in there!!

[ssdw1958]

No I think it’s that time of year when you and everyone else has to much to. So don’t worry about it. Just try to slow down a little bit.

[TeeKay408]

It is so easy for the human brain to make connections that arent really there. Thats why I refuse to read medication side effects .

But still, dont ignore your own thinking, LakeshoreGreys. A dozen neurologists completely missed my MS. Doctors dont know whats in your head.

We all have good days and bad. Nobody knows your symptoms better than you.

[TeeKay408]

My MRIs were only loosely related to my cognitive impairment. One doctor told me I only had a few spots, so no cause for concern. Another told me my MRI spots could not be causing my memory problems. Well, the spinal tap proved them wrong. So your MRIs may not be super indicative.

But I stumbled onto something really helpful. For 6 or 7 years I have had debilitating cognition and memory problems. Doctors told me to reduce insomnia and stress. I blew them off because I physically felt fine. When the MS diagnosis was confirmed, I blamed everything on MS. But I also started a drastic program to greatly reduce stress and insomnia. Eureka! Some of my mental problems were anxiety and sleep deprivation, and others were MS! That's awesome, because that means some of my cognitive problems can be fixed.

My memory and cognition problems are much improved with better sleep and reduced anxiety. Nothing will fix the MS, but at least I can deal with it better now. I call that a win. 👍🏾