Preds and fuzzy head???

[CJDLSR]

I'm sure I have read on here somewhere that preds can make you feel a bit fuzzy-headed. Is this common?? I'm starting to find it difficult to concentrate and struggle (more than usual!) to remember what I'm supposed to be doing!! It comes to me reasonably quickly but I have to stop and really think about it.

To know of other people's experiences would be welcome.

Thanks

[PMRpro Ambassador]

It can happen as a result of GCA/PMR (and other autoimmune disorders) but some people find pred does it too.

Now you have posted you will see a load of posts with "fuzzy" in the title - do have a look at them while you are waiting for replies.

[CJDLSR in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you!

[Fatsiajaponica]

Definitely brain fog, especially on high doses. Currently down to 18mgs, still 'fuzzy' but not as bad. The trouble is when you get to our age we become anxious about memory loss/dementia, perhaps are watching out for it? Anyway, lots of pred-heads on here, join the club. x

[CJDLSR in reply to Fatsiajaponica]

Thank you Fatsiajaponica!!! A friend of mine used to talk of "cemo-brain". I have already used "steroid-brain". Glad to know I wasn't making it up!!

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

A couple of links here re subject - first from PMRpro

healthunlocked.com/pmrgcauk...

This from LUPUS charity - but applicable to any chronic illness

lupus.org/resources/lupus-a...

So a double whammy really- your illness and Pred

[CJDLSR]

Goodness, there is a lot to learn!! Thank goodness we have all you good folk on this forum to help, guide and reassure us. Thank you so much.

[AtopicGuy]

Having an autoimmune condition means it's hard to unravel what is the disease and what the medication. Corticosteroids mimic the natural hormone cortisol; and cortisol is involved in a remarkable array of regulatory mechanisms, not just the immune system. Hence all the potential side effects.

[CJDLSR in reply to AtopicGuy]

Hi AtopicGuy

Thanks for replying. The more I get into this, the more of a maze it becomes!! Yes, very difficult to unravel what is causing what, and also what part other meds and their side effects, and less than helpful interactions with each other, are playing in the whole picture.

As so many people have said - thank goodness for this forum where so many people are happy to answer quiries and help us in this unwanted learning journey!

[AtopicGuy in reply to CJDLSR]

Indeed. I'm a firm believer that 'brain fog' is usually caused by malaise (the general feeling of being unwell) or fatigue (the overwhelming urge to rest) rather than the disease itself. That makes 'brain fog' a very poor symptom upon which to base a diagnosis.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to AtopicGuy]

lupus.org/resources/lupus-a...

[AtopicGuy in reply to DorsetLady]

You make my point. The link below says:

"SLE [lupus] may first appear as extreme tiredness (fatigue), a vague feeling of discomfort or illness (malaise)..."

medlineplus.gov/genetics/co...

My argument is that diseases that cause extreme malaise and fatigue usually also cause brain fog. I routinely experience all the symptoms listed in your Lupus.org link, yet I don't have lupus. Brain fog is a very weak place to start when diagnosing an illness.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AtopicGuy]

The whole picture is common in almost ALL autoimmune disease. You appear to be totally oblivious of the overall clinical picture that alerts medics to one direction or another, Nothing is simple or black and white in medicine.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AtopicGuy]

Chemotherapy brain fog is an established fact.

[CJDLSR in reply to PMRpro]

Interesting PMRpro. I've read the Lupus one - I think DL sent it to me before (or maybe you did?)

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to CJDLSR]

Me!

[CJDLSR in reply to DorsetLady]

Well at least I read what you send me!!!! THANK YOU

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer in reply to CJDLSR]

Glad to hear it! 😊

[AtopicGuy in reply to PMRpro]

Indeed. And chemotherapy is also notorious for causing fatigue and malaise, thus making my point.

According to the article linked below:

"Some common causes [of brain fog] include: A lack of sleep; Autoimmune conditions like lupus, multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia; Diabetes and low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia); Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression; Neurodivergent conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder; Hormonal changes like during pregnancy or menopause; Poor nutrition; Stress; ... A COVID-19 infection (long COVID); Chemotherapy treatment for cancer; Long hospital stays."

my.clevelandclinic.org/heal...

The article even reverses my argument by saying "fatigue" is associated with brain fog.

It is because 'brain fog' is associated with so many things that it is a very poor symptom from which to build a diagnosis.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to AtopicGuy]

No-one would use it to build a diagnosis - it is part of a very broad clinical picture.

[AtopicGuy in reply to PMRpro]

Then we are in agreement.