Cognitive impairment: Anyone find their... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

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Cognitive impairment

Trippys profile image
28 Replies

Anyone find their fibro fog/cognitive impairment more debilitating than their fibro pain?

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Trippys profile image
Trippys
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28 Replies
Saffronxxx profile image
Saffronxxx

Hi, yes I find the fibro fog and the cognitive impairment worse than the pain itself. Don't get me wrong I am in pain 24/7 but painkillers can take the edge off it for a short while where as there is nothing to take to boost your brain power xx

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to Saffronxxx

So true!

Painny profile image
Painny

Yes yes yes, I’m a mess 😰 fibro pain and cognitive impairment go hand in hand, it’s never ending …

Fibroska profile image
Fibroska

Hiya Trippys, I definitely find the cognitive impairment more infuriating, I, like Saffron am in pain 24/7 but painkillers dull that for periods, and i try really hard to plod on; but when Fibro Fog sets in i feel totally useless, there is no plodding on. After years of fighting it and plodding on regardless, and getting no where, i have come to the conclusion that these are not wasted days, these are now my opportunity days; when you can do something totally mindless and thoroughly enjoyable, like colouring in, doing that jigsaw you've had for ages, writing your 'to do' list. In my case, there's always some little job needing done, you know the one, the one you know exactly what needs done and exactly how to do it, you have everything required to tackle it, you just never seem to have the time; write to a family member or friend, mending a hem which has loosened, polishing the brass/silver/crystal, framing that picture . . . These are always so rewarding to do, especially if you are anything like me where things can lay for months, even years because life takes over; and you feel as if you've really accomplished something.It's absolutely ok if you really can't face doing anything at all too, this is a great opportunity to listen to your favourite audio book, pod cast or watch that movie you love but nobody else in the house likes, taking an extra long bath with Epsom salts.

I hope you have found your best path through the mine field that is Fibromyalgia.

Remember and be kind to yourself.

Stay safe, keep well and be strong!

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to Fibroska

Thank you...I never saw it like that👍

Walkonthebeach profile image
Walkonthebeach in reply to Fibroska

Thanks - great advice, much appreciated!

Mosaic2021 profile image
Mosaic2021 in reply to Fibroska

Great advice I’ve taken up art as you can just express yourself. Even if its not very good it focus’s the mind in a different way. You can take your time over it. Abstract Watercolour is especially great fun

Flutterbyca profile image
Flutterbyca in reply to Fibroska

thank you for the great ideas. you are a wise person. best wishes from California

Dizzytwo profile image
DizzytwoModerator

Hi there, maybe I'm the exception to the rule or maybe just lucky. But after 40 + years of fibro the pain more than outweighs the pain of fibro fog xx

Momo

Hobbylobby2 profile image
Hobbylobby2

Yes ,definitely. I’ve had it for so long that I’m used to the pain. But I find it hard to cope with the head stuff.😔

lovelab profile image
lovelab

Had terrible brain fog for years. Very dibilitatin. Thought it was early onset of Alzheimers. However when my hypothyroidism and hashimoto disease diagnosed, it subsided with Levothyrixine.

Annmarie09 profile image
Annmarie09 in reply to lovelab

Exactly the same as you 😊 so nice to hear someone the the same and I thought exactly that too !!

Walkonthebeach profile image
Walkonthebeach

Hi Trippys, I have really struggled with this and am wondering if I’ll ever be able to get back to a job I loved. I just don’t have the brain power, even if the pain suddenly disappeared. I’ve learned I need to focus on one thing at a time only. So many cremated dinners because I nipped to the loo or heard a snippet of news from the TV! The worry and frustration of it, thinking I’m losing my mind when I was always so sharp and capable. I feel I’ve lost myself and I don’t know who I am anymore. I realise I’m someone whose job DID define them! (So sad!) Without it I’m sort of floating in space, without any real aim or purpose. I love helping other people so I’m trying to find little ways each day of being useful or helpful to someone else. I’m also doing some of the things I used to suggest to other people who were down on themselves - when I get into bed I ask myself What Went Well? (WWW) I think of 3 good things, even if it’s been a horrible day and pain has been through the roof. Last night it was “I didn’t burn my dinner”… 😊

Montmartre profile image
Montmartre in reply to Walkonthebeach

I am completely with you. I have always enjoyed cooking and making meals was second nature to me. Now I have lost the ability to time things and bring a meal together! It scared me at first and I also thought Alzheimer's was setting in. Now I realise it is a mixture of brain fog and fatigue that is just slowing me and my reactions down, still scary though knowing I have no way of controlling this x

Midori profile image
Midori

Oh Yes! Not being able to put my words into context now Is horrendous. It's also very embarrassing.

Pain and discomfort are as nothing compared to the massive memory holes! It's like having Elephant sized moles in your brain!

Cheers, Midori

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to Midori

I know right!

chookey profile image
chookey

I started Adult learning to try and give myself a purpose and exercise my mind by doing a Maths course. I make the silliest of mistakes when my concentration is low but still enjoying it.I missed last Monday's class though due to thinking it was only Sunday. I lose large chunks of my day due to fatigue but that "lost day" spanned the whole weekend. I keep a daily diary as I'm also recovering from cancer surgery and still failed to notice I was living 24 hours in the past, lol.

Pain is nothing for me compared to the fatigue and loss of cognition. Spending a couple of minutes trying to remember how to operate my 10 year old microwave brings it home.

Hi Trippy

Yes I do find the fibro fog far more difficult to handle.

Most of my days seem to be lived with my head feeling full of cotton wool. This is not conducive to all the training I'm doing for my new job.

The pain and discomfort are far easier to cope with.

My partner now introduces himself as my "memory stick" when he accompanies me to any of my appointments. I can hear what is being said but retaining details is a nightmare.

I can see me resorting to a dictaphone or even paper and pad!

Still in the immortal words of Dory .....

"Just keep swimming"

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to Gulfstream_Maggie

I can so relate to Dory🤣

Rose45 profile image
Rose45

Yes I find this too sometimes. There are a lot of mornings I’m waiting for my head to clear so I focus on an admin task or make a telephone call I’ve been avoiding. It’s so frustrating and at times upsetting

Rose45 profile image
Rose45

I’ve also just had my first yoga therapy session. Something new I’m trying to remain positive starting the new year. I have done yoga for 20 but haven’t attended my usual class for four years. This teacher is going to start extremely slowly with me. We focused on how I breath and not actual physical yoga. She guided me through two short breathing exercises and made an audio recording for me to do at home. I’ve done them on my yoga mat and in bed. I actually feel if I can keep going it may teach me to rest fully and hopefully get a better grip on pacing. I’ve only been doing it a week but two days have definitely felt a clearer more relaxed mind.

I am in a flare this week with pain after day out with family on Sunday but feel positive I’ve got these practices to focus on 😊🤞

Sarahvit profile image
Sarahvit

Yes

LisaSnow profile image
LisaSnowFMA UK Volunteer

I find myself forgetting stove is on, and putting empty cup into the microwave to be extremely scary!

ShelWhitt profile image
ShelWhitt

Absolutely horrendous. My worst experience ever yet, last night. Woke 2.30 and convinced I was having a stroke. I am in the throws of a really bad spell and yesterday realised I was gabbling pretty much when talking. Usually awoken in night with burning/tingling, which eventually subsides somewhat, but last night was different. I am now finding that fear is another problem to deal with as I am convinced I am dying on a daily basis. No real help from docs. Labelled fibro. so that is it more or less. When I went over the latest issues last week she spent ten minutes explaining referred pain to me, which I didn't need; when she explained that the pain was probably the result of a past injury which had repaired but he pain remained. They say it doesn't get worse, but I know thirty years ago \\\\\i thought I was bad then with head pain, but it is now so much worse.

Katiepc24 profile image
Katiepc24

Hi TrippysYes i feel the same. Fibro fog and fatigue I struggle really hard to copy with it.

JayCeon profile image
JayCeon

I don't have much brain/fibro fog, but the zombification from amitriptyline, melatonin, CBD oil, L-tryptophan and 5-HTP was such that I was not able to work at all when taking them. I much prefer brain with pain than no pain with no brain.

ShelWhitt profile image
ShelWhitt

In my case they are both horrendous in equal measure. Mostly, but not always on the same day..I get very agitated as I am also carer for DH with dementia, almost immobile, COPD and other medical problems. I have to grab the nettle when I have a relative good day; spending time - usually ages - on the phone making appointments, ordering prescriptions, paying bills, sorting problems or repairs; checking he has taken medication, and all the housekeeping jobs, shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc involved in running the home. Even though I put everything on the calendar I still forget stuff and frequently end in tears feeling I can't cope. No choice though have to carry on!

Trippys profile image
Trippys in reply to ShelWhitt

Self care is very important ❤

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