Pred or PMR side effect: I can’t play Wordle anymore! And I don’t mind!

[Bunchberry]

Before I started prednisone six weeks ago, I played Wordle, Quordle, and Octordle most nights. (If you are not familiar with these names, they refer to various online word games in which you have a limited number of tries to spell out a word, sort of like Hangman when we were kids).

You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to play but you do need the patience to try out different letter combos in your head before committing to them on the game board. I didn’t always win, but I enjoyed the process.

But in the last month, I have completely lost the patience needed to play. I don’t know if it’s the PMR or the prednisone (or some psychological change wrought by suddenly not being healthy) but I seem to have zero ability to try out different letter combos and instead I waste my tries by almost randomly typing out words that I know won’t possibly work. It’s kind of funny, and I’m strangely enjoying my new recklessness, a contrast to my normal fear-of-failure self!

[SnazzyD]

Very likely Pred Brain that has unleashed the inner maniac that is leaving the competitive failure fearing bit of you crying in the shade. It can make one a bit flighty, unsettled, with racing thoughts, inability to organise the brain and focus, etc. My family were unsupportive given that they all have ADHD and said, “and?”. It’s dose dependent and should pass as the dose gets lower. You need to be aware of this factor when doing other things that demands more safety than a chaotic Wordle page.

[Dochaz in reply to SnazzyD]

I'm not entirely sure that lower doses increase word game performances 🤔I'm an addictive Scrabble player (on my phone against the Droid, because with OH it always ends in a fight!) and although I'm down to 2 mg per day, I just can't beat the Droid on the top level anymore. So I've gone back to the previous level (difficult rather than extremely difficult) which is good for morale if not for brain function!

I never managed to get into Wordle, but might try again.

[SnazzyD in reply to Dochaz]

I found low adrenal function made lower doses give me brain fog and mental sluggishness, but at least the racing brain was gone.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

That is a world that means nothing to me!!!!! I can't understand the appeal for a start ...

[piglette]

It is strange how we had something we avidly enjoyed and then we feel take it or leave it. I assumed it was because I was getting older and life changes!

You may be interested in looking at the gardening group which was set up last year on the private Facebook page with members from this group. facebook.com/groups/6288051...

[Hidden]

I always loved Wordle but have had to let it go since diagnosis and treatment for my peace of mind. I still enjoy Spelling Bees though. I can do those in any shape or form 🙂