Brain fog

[Sebastian247]

Hi there.I have experienced what I think is brain fog for a few years. But recently I feel like it's getting worse.

I also feel like my memory is declining or I'm getting confused about things I never used to.

It's hard to be certain or put my finger on what it is I'm feeling to be honest. I wonder if others here experience anything similar and if so do you connect with RA?

I do suffer from anxiety and depression and was diagnosed with cPTSD but I've not been on medication for years. I'm guessing this could also contribute to brain fog and cognitive decline.

Seb

[helenlw7]

About a year after my RA diagnosis I started getting what I described as brain fog to my consultant. He said it was my body’s way of dealing with the pain of RA. I never worked that one out. It’s not there all the time and doesn’t see to coincide with flares.

[Hollyhock123]

Yes! And so difficult to know what to attribute it too. I’m seeing a RA consultant tomorrow and it is one of many things on my list to talk about. At work I’m having to make a note of everything, last week I was so focused on the detail (so as not to forget) I completely forgot one of the basics, despite several obvious connections to it. Interesting discussion with my manager. I also have lists and planners at home to try to stop getting frustrated with myself. I am also losing words, just can’t remember them.

[Hollyhock123 in reply to Hollyhock123]

Sebastian247 have you made a list of all your concerns to take to the hospital/GP? I saw my consultant yesterday, my RA is under control, meds working well. But she has diagnosed fibromyalgia for me, which includes the brain fog and loss of words plus several other things I had noticed an increase of more recently. I hope you find some answers soon.

[Haz58]

Yes! I have always had a very good memory! But the past year my memory is terrible. I get stuck on the words I want to say, have always loved quiz shows on TV but now im pretty useless at answering. I have to write everything down and need a bigger calendar with more room to write stuff. It really gets me down. When I go to hospital next week I'm going to mention it...if I remember 🙄x

[Hallwood]

Has your thyroid function been checked? Hashimoto's disease, an auto immune condition often occurs along with RA. When the thyroid is below par, brain fog is a symptom.This happened to me and T4 tablets helped.

[Sebastian247 in reply to Hallwood]

No I haven't had my thyroid tested. I'll have to look into it. Was your GP supportive when you described your symptoms? My symptoms seem so wolly and hard to describe I worry about being taken seriously.

[JenniferW in reply to Sebastian247]

I'd like to second Hallwood's suggestion. Don't worry about the symptoms seeming rather woolly, the thyroid symptoms are like that. They are very varied, so please mention any odd random symptoms that have happened in the last few months. GPs get a lot of people with underactive thyroids so they should recognise them.

nhs.uk/conditions/underacti...

[Sebastian247 in reply to JenniferW]

Thanks. Really appreciate the support and advice.

[Hallwood in reply to Sebastian247]

At that time I was covered by private health care. My GP agreed my thyroid was swollen, actually I didn't see her re brain fog, but for investigation of lump. It was only when I had the diagnosis, that I realized this was why my abilities at work seemed diminished. So it was hindsight in my case. After a couple of weeks on T4, things improved.Hope you can pursue the issue positively with the GP.

[Sebastian247 in reply to Hallwood]

Thanks for the advice. I do seem to tick some of the symptoms of Hashimoto's. I will contact my GP as you suggest. Best wishes.

[Sebastian247]

Thanks for the replies and sharing experiences which sound like my own. I also work full time, and I am worried about the longer term impact on my ability to do my job.

My brain fog doesn't coincide with flares either so I can't explain why somedays it's worse.

First thing in the morning seems to be a challenge. I have to really concentrate making tea these days, to avoid putting the tea bag in the fridge and milk in the bin!

Recently I filled my diesel car with petrol...never done that before. And last week I turned up for a hospital appointment a day early....

And yes I'm struggling to remember words and numbers and mixing up dates, and just feel confused sometimes in situations I never have before. It's a bit scary to be honest.

So thanks for sharing, it helps knowing I'm not alone experiencing it.

Seb

[oldtimer2]

My brain fog recovered when I came off methotrexate. My daughter-in-law thought that I had early onset dementia while I was on it. I was forgetting things, getting muddled and finding it difficult to retain new information, not good in someone who gives public lectures! It totally recovered when I swopped to azathioprine - as did the other awful side effects of methotrexate on my gut with enormous ulcers, nausea, sickness, diarrhoea....

I know most people are quite happy on methotrexate and it controls their symptoms, but it might be worth considering?

[Sebastian247]

Thanks for the reply. I feel exactly the same about having dementia. I hadn't appreciated MTX can also cause these types of feelings. It is a bit frustrating to be on MTX (which is successfully controlling my RA) when there are other drugs with less side effects that I've never been offered. I will mention it to my GP.

But I guess I'm fortunate that taking folic acid 6 times a week controls the side effects of MTX. Possibly with the exception of brain fog.