Brain fog

[JammieDodger3]

Hi everyone, hope you’re all doing ok. I’ve been taking methotrexate for four weeks now and I’m not sure if I’ve had my first experience of brain fog. I’ve been in a couple of meetings today, and felt as though the conversations were taking me a while to process in both my head and in writing notes down. Does anyone else feel like this? I’ve tried to be really positive about everything since my diagnosis (one month ago today), but this has made me feel a bit low today.

[GinnyE]

It's very early days for you and I think it takes time to get used to new drugs. The whole experience of the diagnosis is bound to have an affect on you aswell. IP and down feelings. It took me a while but methotrexate can be very effective .

[Hidden]

First brain fog episode is a shock . Your so early in your diagnosis and treatment that the disease is not under control yet. I’ve had many brain fog moments especially pre diagnosis. I still get them when flaring which thank God happens less . I often feel like I’m not part of the real world. I’m stood still and everything is whizzing by . Don’t push or punish yourself . It takes time to manage your symptoms. I had a flare with brain fog yesterday I took myself to bed early had a good sleep and thankfully I’m fine today . It’s not always this quick . I feel the weather plays a part in it for me.

Things do get better x

[Marionfromhappydays]

I hope the methotrexate gets cracking for you, brain fog is really bizarre. When I'm having it or just after I look at people as if to say "did you notice that".

I tell my family it's like Homers monkey brain. I also talk rubbish when I have it (could dispute no different from usual really) ie get simple dates wrong etc.

My RA isn't controlled so hopefully when that tiger has been tamed I will feel a bit more me.

HOMER Simpson head with monkey playing cymbals in it. Duh

[Wobbies]

Know what you mean. When I have got it, I set off in my car and cannot remember the route to familiar places especially if I find a road closed. Have to really concentrate to work out my alternative route. Makes me so mad with myself. RD not controlled despite biologics and MTX at the moment, so like Marion, I hope for an improvement although I do wonder when.

[Mmrr]

Brain fog was my worst ever symptom, hopefully it settles soon for you. I felt it was like the old analogue TV not being properly tuned in.

[JammieDodger3]

Thanks everyone, that’s been really helpful! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day 😊

[Amy_Lee]

As many said, you are still early in RA, but things will slowly get better over time.

[stbernhard]

Hi, I wish you have a better day today. Brain fog is part of fatigue which is an almost unavoidable part of the first few months of living with RA. Do you know about the NRAS website? There is a great deal of reliable and helpful information about medication, fatigue and how to live with it. There is a very good chance that it will get better but the more you know, the better you can deal with it. All the best wishes for you.

[JammieDodger3 in reply to stbernhard]

I’ll take a look, thanks! Still learning about what happens with RA and also the meds. I presumed it could be the MTX, but from what you’ve all said, it sounds like it’s a side effect of the RA instead.

[Sheila_G]

I wouldn't have thought it would be mxt after such a short time.

[Boxerlady]

It's likely to be the disease itself at this stage unless you find that you have it the same day every week in which case it could be the Methotrexate.

I usually find that it starts several hours after each dose although some people get it after a longer delay. When I went up to the maximum dose (25mg by injection) I found that it seemed to build up in my system and the side effects started to last longer but now that I've dropped down to 20mg it's just for a day.

[ketiv74]

I remember the brain fog from early days of Mtx. My kids would be talking to me and I am listening but the words don't reach my brain. I would ask them to repeat what they said and still would not comprehend. It was really annoying to them and even more so to me. Although for some reason it did not happen after every injection either, I could not pin point any reason as to why one time would bother but not other? Not sure if anyone here else had the same experience? Thankfully It got better after couple of months as Mtx did its magic and RA was brought under control.