Brain Fog

[Gottarelax]

When do you start worrying that it's more than brain fog? I am 56 yo and generally my cognitive function is good. But there are times that I just zone out. My daughter was talking to me yesterday and I was hearing words but absolutely had no idea what she was saying. She had to repeat it about 3 times (and it wasn't anything complex). Similarly, I was watching something I'm really interested in on TV and after an advert break, I was still watching but it was just there and I wasn't taking it in. I had to rewind and watch again from the break.

My job requires designing complex scientific research projects and I cope with that fine. Just when I relax I lose the ability to focus.

[Deeb1764]

I do this a LOT if I need to focus I can but “mundane” brain just switches off. My memory was so good but now not but GP said it was fatigue and brain fog and not to worry. Worth having the chat with GP if it puts your mind at ease .

[Gottarelax in reply to Deeb1764]

I had a feeling it may be a mix of fatigue and brain fog. I know I’m not getting more forgetful but it’s just the ability to keep focus. I guess I also have a lot on my mind right now so probably that’s taking its toll too.

[Amnesiac3637]

Happens to me all the time in varying degrees. Probably normal - a combination of switching off the brain cells if they’re not needed for any vital task, tiredness/fatigue due to RA and its attendant miseries and sometimes just a lack of concentration in general on trivia.

I have blamed the internet for my lack of memory on many occasion as it’s too easy to just instantly look something up rather than having to recall anything in any detail and I think it’s also had an effect on concentration too as I divert from what I’m interested in on television to swiping on my iPad in seconds…………..

Being in any way stressed doesn’t do much for concentration either. I suspect there’ll be many replies on this subject!

[Gottarelax in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I think I'm trying to ignore the fact that I am pretty stressed at the moment!

[medway-lady]

I think if your posting about this it’s a matter of concern of course it might be totally unjustified and simply you’re overthinking things or maybe just was half asleep. I don’t know but think you need to talk to your gp and it’ll either put your mind at rest or you’ll get some proper testing done. Try not to worry though as I think sometimes I switch off because I’m not interested in golf, or football or the test match. I believe we all simply drift sometimes sort of just letting the brain sort itself out. I remember at work not remembering the route home in the car but the brain knew how to go home. If you see what I mean that we filter out some stuff.

[Gottarelax in reply to medway-lady]

I guess I'm looking for a 'yeah, that's what brain fog does to you' and I'm not seriously considering anything sinister. The TV that I blanked was Formula 1 qualifying which was (for me) a particularly thrilling session so really not something that I'd drift out of. I was fully awake and staring at the screen but it just wasn't registering. I suspect it was over-tiredness and what with elderly parents who are really struggling and a chronically ill daughter too, I guess the juggling is getting to me!

[Deeb1764 in reply to Gottarelax]

I did it too and hubby was WHY are you watching it again and said can’t remember any of it 🤣

[Gottarelax in reply to Deeb1764]

My Dad always used to put formula 1 on and promptly fall asleep so perhaps there is something soporific about it.

[Sebastian247]

I think a degree of brain fog is not unusual with RA,However, and It's probably unconnected but what medication are you taking? I had to change mine due to neurotoxicity. To give some context mine was effecting me so much I was thinking I would be forced to give up work.

Severe brain fog was one symptom (there were others). Since stopping and changing drugs I'm not aware of experiencing any brain fog and feel 100% better.

It's uncommon, but just worth being aware of. Seb.

[Kati66]

That is just what I’m experiencing at the moment!! My husband was talking to me the other evening and it was like I knew he was doing it but I couldn’t break out of the “trance” I was in!! I also find this fog happens when I’m relaxing too, as I’m a therapist and need to be paying 100% attention when I’m with a client and I’m okay then. It’s a bit weird isn’t it 😮😮

[oldtimer2]

Are you on methotrexate? I was like that while I was on it but recovered my usual intensity of mind activity after stopping it.

[Gottarelax in reply to oldtimer2]

I am! I'm on 25mg by injection and I take it on a Thursday evening...I seem to be at my worst at the weekend.

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Gottarelax]

Oh that’ll do it then. I couldn’t function at all on MTX when I started on it years ago and gave it four long years before I refused to take it any longer and lo and behold, I got my cognitive function back!

I did reply to you earlier re lack of concentration and I do get that now and am not on MTX but stress can cause it without a doubt. I have had major stress recently with an elderly parent who suddenly developed an aggressive cancer and my stress levels were through the roof. My brain fogged, I have been unable to concentrate on anything and my mind is not on what others are telling me so reading your stressors I guess that maybe what’s happening to you. Do hope you get things sorted out. We have at the moment and I am back on form (for now) so there is hope. All the best.

[Gottarelax in reply to Amnesiac3637]

I'm sorry to hear about your parent. Yes, I'm going through similar. I'm exhausted! I hope that things are getting better for you!

[Amnesiac3637 in reply to Gottarelax]

Elderly parent/s. It is utterly exhausting -I feel for you as you think it’ll never get any better. What with all the stress of that and trying to cope with your own disease life’s bloody tough. Sympathy in droves - should be on prescription!!

[Gottarelax in reply to Amnesiac3637]

Thank you xx

[Numptybrain]

Any autoimmune disease can cause this.Sometimes medications can too. I had a subarachnoid haemorrhage in 2016 but since I’ve had been ill I’ve been worse with my memory cognitive side etc plus my treatment makes it worse but I accept it and realise this is me and it can’t be helped.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Gottarelax in reply to Numptybrain]

My mum has an autoimmune disease and due to a fall from a ladder had a severe subarachnoid haemorrhage. To be honest, it puts my issues into the shade. I hope that you are getting good support. May I ask, do you have problems with extreme dizziness, tinnitus and or neuropathic pain?

[Numptybrain in reply to Gottarelax]

My balance is an issue, I have bilateral sensorial hearing loss prior to bleed but tinnitus and migraines started after also severe moments of sweating as my hypothalamus was damaged as mine was a mid brain bleed. I’ve always suffered neuropathy due to spinal issues from my mid to late 20’s, I must admit it was life changing.

Take care

Wendy xx

[Gottarelax in reply to Numptybrain]

Sounds like you have so much going on and very similar to my mum. RA is enough by itself! xx

[Boxerlady]

I echo the replies about how difficult it is to cope with/help elderly parents 😞 I really struggled with my elderly Mum towards the end of her life and I didn't have RA then. That was nearly 10 years ago and thankfully I'm able to remember the good times now rather than reliving the difficult days. However, I've recently gone back onto Methotrexate after pausing it while on antibiotics and I have to say that it's made me suspect that a lot of my fogginess and fatigue is as much due to that as to RA itself. It's something I'm planning to discuss at my next rheumatology consultation - unless things have improved by then 🤞

[Sebastian247 in reply to Boxerlady]

That was my experience as well which I put up with for a year and accepted as either the RA, or side effects of MTX. But it worsened gradually and became intolerable. I stopped the MTX in July (just started Leflunomide) and have no brain fog or fatigue. I only have mild RA symptoms currently so that must be helping too. I do feel lots better from not taking MTX, but that's just my experience. Fingers crossed it does improve for you.

[Boxerlady in reply to Sebastian247]

Yes, I remember reading your posts. When my Methotrexate was at 25 mg I definitely felt the "hangover" effects lasting for several days and asked to reduce to 20 mg which did help. I then asked to reduce to 15 mg a year ago. It was only being off it which made me realise how clear headed I felt in comparison. 🤔 I'm hoping that it will settle with time but definitely planning to bring it up with at my consultation in a few weeks. As my RA is well controlled, I'm hoping that I can try gradually decreasing it and maybe also the Sulphasalzine. I'm also dealing with pretty horrible nausea ATM and suspect that's either the Methotrexate or the Sulphasalzine as I was off them both for several weeks - hopefully that will settle as my system gets re-accustomed to them.

[Sebastian247 in reply to Boxerlady]

I hope it settles quickly for you too. I was OK on sulpha, apart from bright orange pee! I work in health and safety so having high viz pee was an attribute!!I remember feeling nauseous when I first started mtx, but it did pass, helped by increasing folic acid.

I'm currently suffering from diarrhoea from Leflunomide I've recently started taking. Oh the joys of medication!!

Best wishes. Seb.

[Gottarelax in reply to Sebastian247]

Sorry for TMI but perhaps I could do with some Leflunomide to keep me more regular 🤣

[Sebastian247 in reply to Gottarelax]

You're welcome to some of mine!

[Gottarelax in reply to Boxerlady]

I found the nausea too much when I was on both Methotrexate and Sulphasalazine. I dropped the Sulphasalazine rather than the MTX. I can't say I've noticed any difference in terms of RA symptoms.

[Boxerlady in reply to Gottarelax]

Thanks. It seems worse this time than before my break but hopefully it's just a case of my system getting used to things again 🤞

[Runrig01]

I had a severe stroke at 52, 6.5yr ago. I was unconscious, no speech, paralysed down the left side. I was fortunate, as it was witnessed, I was able to be thrombolysed. I recovered really well physically, but was left with serious memory issues. I rely on alarms, reminders and family. I can watch a movie, and be unable to tell family what I’ve been watching, what the plot is, or who starred in it. If I don’t write down what I’m watching, then I struggle to find the series to continue. On top of this, it does worsen when I’m in a flare, and I wonder then if fatigue is contributing, as I can keep nodding off whilst holding my coffee. It’s so frustrating. With my medication app, if I don’t tick it straight away, I’m left wondering if I took my meds or not. I suspect in your case, it may be stress that's triggering it. Hope things improve soon for you 🤗

[Gottarelax in reply to Runrig01]

This puts my minor issues into perspective! I do also struggle with whether I've taken my medicine...fortunately the sting of the new MTX injections leave me in no doubt with that one though. As for nodding off, I never slept during the day before RA but now I could happily go for a nap each afternoon.

[Runrig01 in reply to Gottarelax]

They’re not minor at all, they can still have a big impact on your day to day coping. I think most with inflammatory arthritis, suffer with the fatigue. My rheumatologist says it’s the most difficult symptom to manage. Be kind to yourself, take rest when you need it, without feeling guilty 🤗

[Blackberrywine]

I think if this is new to you and you haven't always been a bit scatty, then you might want to get checked out.

[Gottarelax in reply to Blackberrywine]

It may be argued that I've always been a bit scatty 🤣.

[Blackberrywine in reply to Gottarelax]

All the best people are slightly scatty! 🤣