Guest guest Posted August 12, 1999 Report Share Posted August 12, 1999 On Fibromyalgia " Brain Fog " . It is so strange and I've started comparing it to King's book " The Dead Zone " . After has his accident there are just some things that he can't put a name to. Luckily my dh had become quite adept at playing the guessing game. " Honey, you know the little square black thing I stick in the drive to get info stored on it. " " Oh, " he said, " You mean the disk. " Such is life with FMS. He also knows that when I say to put something in the oven I actually mean the fridge. deb Q in KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 1999 Report Share Posted August 12, 1999 , Lots of us have " memory " problems. Some of us have Fibromyalgia with which usually comes " Brain Fog! " When people ask what that is? I answer, " I can't see what I'm suppose to remember. " Usually gets a laugh. Had a friend actually go to the doctor the other day and demand an Alzheimer test because his memory was getting so bad. He doesn't have Alzheimers but he does have Old Timers memory loss. I'm 50 and it has gotten far worse this year. Like you I was the one who didn't ever have to write anything down since I could remember everything...just short of having a photographic memory. I could actually remember the page number and which paragraph a quote was in a book! Boy, those days are long gone now. I was a walking phone book everywhere I ever worked. Nobody used the phone book, they just asked me what so-and-so's number was and I could give it to them. Sometimes now little short-circuits take place: the other night I typed in our old phone number from ten years ago when we lived in Madison, WI, when a form asked for our current phone number. Floored me when I realized what I had done. Never did balance my checkbook. Just ran the totals and debits in my mind. Not any longer! I have two programs installed to which I am transferring the chore to. Hope it helps. Now I just have to remember to use them! Those of you who have fibro, do you ever get your words mixed up when speaking? Do you ever add odd words to your sentences that have absolutely nothing to do with what you're trying to say? At least my wife has a good sense of humor! I just hope I can keep mine! Ray Re: If this doesn't get a smile out of you, you're brain-dead! > From: Tlsouthw@... > > I LOVED this!!! Due to suicidal depression most of 1998 had ECT ( " shock " ) > treatments (14 first time, 10 second time) to help depression -- it worked > all right!!! Since it messed up my memory (short and long term) I couldn't > remember what I was supposed to be depressed about!!!!! Seriously, it has > been a real problem for me and is to this day because I always had an > excellent memory (husband really relied on me to remember things for him) and > now I sometimes can't even remember things for more than several seconds -- > my kids (8 and 10) tell people that I had my brain " ZAPPED " too many times > and I'm a " little " forgetful!! I don't know if I did start to think > (dangerous anyway {ha ha ha}) and stopped -- I'd need a " jumpstart " to get > going again. > > Take care, be well!!! > > Tracey Southworth > > --------------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 1999 Report Share Posted August 12, 1999 Ray, Well I've never put the milk in the pantry, but I have put the canned cat food in the freezer. *the cats were not impressed with their frozen dinner * Oh and I once lost a 25 lb bag of cat food. I know I bought it, remember loading it in the car, but where it went from there who knows. That was 6 months ago and we still haven't found it. Oh, and I forgot about the phone numbers. I've always been a walking phone book, never wrote any down, I called hub in tears because I couldn't remember my Grandma's and I wanted/needed to talk to her. Needless to say, now I have a Phone/address book and a daily Try-To-Do-List. (Of course the list is always 2-3 times the amount I could ever hope to accomplish, but if it's not written down it's lost). deb Q in KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 1999 Report Share Posted August 12, 1999 Deb wrote: Such is life with FMS. He also knows that when I say to put something in the oven I actually mean the fridge. deb Q in KS Hey, Deb, and all you other Fibro-Brain-Fog folks...what does it mean when you get home in the afternoon and find the cereal in the refrigerator and the milk in the pantry? Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 1999 Report Share Posted August 12, 1999 Kat, Ray, Deb and Fellow Foggers - I find it amazing that in the middle of a particularly foggy day when I can't remember what to call a fork, I can come up with some obscure bit of information right out of the blue. Do any of the rest of you do this?? Also a question of importance - I've been in a heavy duty flare for about 3 weeks, anybody have any tidbits of info on how to make it stop, or to at least help. My sense of humor is starting to run out. deb Q in KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 I put my remote control to the tv in my pocket book once,LOL. Kathy ICQ # 42539368 Yahoo messenger kathy3759 Visit my homepage www.expage.com/page/PainSupport/ ICQ Pain Support Chatroom #15222572 Chat nightly at 9:00 P.M eastern time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Sorry Deb,wish I has some helpful hints,but just hang in there it will pass,they always do. Kathy ICQ # 42539368 Yahoo messenger kathy3759 Visit my homepage www.expage.com/page/PainSupport/ ICQ Pain Support Chatroom #15222572 Chat nightly at 9:00 P.M eastern time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Sorry Deb,wish I has some helpful hints,but just hang in there it will pass,they always do. Kathy ICQ # 42539368 Yahoo messenger kathy3759 Visit my homepage www.expage.com/page/PainSupport/ ICQ Pain Support Chatroom #15222572 Chat nightly at 9:00 P.M eastern time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Hi everyone, Didn't someone here post " You might have FMS if... " If it wasn't posted here I'll do it when I get back from my daughter's. It fits us FM's to a tee. Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Hi everyone, Didn't someone here post " You might have FMS if... " If it wasn't posted here I'll do it when I get back from my daughter's. It fits us FM's to a tee. Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Hi again, The memory loss is really frustrating! My daughters try to fill in the blanks. I've " lost " so many things (right now I can't remember what they are) I've even thought of bringing in someone who can telapathically find stuff for me! I recently had some testing done to see exactly how much damage has been done to my memory etc. One of the outcomes was the doctor said it was unadvisable for me to have a cell phone. " She may get confused. " What does he mean " May " It has become a permanent state of mind. I'm getting rather adept at it. Memory loss has brought me to tears more than once. I've tried leaving myself notes on the mirror. There are so many post-it's I can't see myself in the mirror. Luckily I've been at my job for some time and my routine is imbedded in my mind (I hope) so it hasn't been a big problem. The teacher I teach with is aware of my problem and very supportive. Of any of the problems that come with FMS I really wish they could help us with the Fog the most. I end up feeling stupid, and that has alot of old baggage with it. I'm rambling sorry Kathleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Me too! Then it stayed there for a week! I kept forgetting to take it back out; I'd always find it at the grocery store or church, then put it back. Daisies, Stamp With Me, Meridee! stampwithme@... My typing's lousy 'cuz I'm bouncing my baby on my knee! http://crafts.dm.net/mall/stampwithme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Me too! Then it stayed there for a week! I kept forgetting to take it back out; I'd always find it at the grocery store or church, then put it back. Daisies, Stamp With Me, Meridee! stampwithme@... My typing's lousy 'cuz I'm bouncing my baby on my knee! http://crafts.dm.net/mall/stampwithme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Kathleen, At 12:12 PM 8/13/99 -0400, you wrote: >One of the outcomes was the doctor >said it was unadvisable for me to have a cell phone. " She may get confused. " > I am confused about this. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Hey, Ray! You don't have to have FMS to have " brain fog " . Earlier this year a new pain dr got me into an almost pain free state for the first time in years. I could not believe the mental clarity I had! It was like opening a window and letting all the stale air out and beautiful spring breezes in for a change. I could think for a change. I could follow a sermon instead of wonder what he was talking about. I could concentrate on what I was doing. And I didn't need my afternoon nap. Well, I'm back to afternoon naps, but I know that my brain fog is linked to my level of pain, whether it is from my nerve damage, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis or my rheumatoid arthritis - take your pick. I think it's the pain that distracts our brains from where we want it to go, because it's so preoccupied with trying to keep the internal screaming down. Just my 2 cents. Lois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 1999 Report Share Posted August 13, 1999 Hey, Ray! You don't have to have FMS to have " brain fog " . Earlier this year a new pain dr got me into an almost pain free state for the first time in years. I could not believe the mental clarity I had! It was like opening a window and letting all the stale air out and beautiful spring breezes in for a change. I could think for a change. I could follow a sermon instead of wonder what he was talking about. I could concentrate on what I was doing. And I didn't need my afternoon nap. Well, I'm back to afternoon naps, but I know that my brain fog is linked to my level of pain, whether it is from my nerve damage, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis or my rheumatoid arthritis - take your pick. I think it's the pain that distracts our brains from where we want it to go, because it's so preoccupied with trying to keep the internal screaming down. Just my 2 cents. Lois Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Lois, Of course your 2 cents are right... I think most of our " little gray cells " are working to alleviate the pain that is bombarding our bodies. I do remember that Sherlock Holmes once said that the brain has only a certain capacity, and to fill it with useless information wasn't logical. *not the exact quote of course, but that's the gist. I know that my " fogginess " is worse when I'm in a fibro-flare, but it seems to be there all the time and does seem to be getting more and more of a problem in life. But what else is easier with this dang hurting. take care deb Q in KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Lois, Of course your 2 cents are right... I think most of our " little gray cells " are working to alleviate the pain that is bombarding our bodies. I do remember that Sherlock Holmes once said that the brain has only a certain capacity, and to fill it with useless information wasn't logical. *not the exact quote of course, but that's the gist. I know that my " fogginess " is worse when I'm in a fibro-flare, but it seems to be there all the time and does seem to be getting more and more of a problem in life. But what else is easier with this dang hurting. take care deb Q in KS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Thanks a bunch -- " brain fog " -- " can't see " (ha ha ha)!! I was leaving a message on a friend's answering machine the other day and I think my words were " Oh, gosh, what is my phone number? " !!!!!! I don't have fibromyalgia (just severe chronic thoracic back pain (undiagnosed after 3-1/2 years -- every doctor I've seen has a different opinion and a different treatment -- the money pit!!) along with some other problems which don't help!! The memory glitches are still embarassing sometimes because you can't take five minutes to explain to someone why you can't remember things!! Every time it happens and my children are with me, they just tell people that " Mom had her brain zapped and it doesn't work as well now " -- seems to say it all!! Take care, keep hangin' in!! Tracey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 Thanks a bunch -- " brain fog " -- " can't see " (ha ha ha)!! I was leaving a message on a friend's answering machine the other day and I think my words were " Oh, gosh, what is my phone number? " !!!!!! I don't have fibromyalgia (just severe chronic thoracic back pain (undiagnosed after 3-1/2 years -- every doctor I've seen has a different opinion and a different treatment -- the money pit!!) along with some other problems which don't help!! The memory glitches are still embarassing sometimes because you can't take five minutes to explain to someone why you can't remember things!! Every time it happens and my children are with me, they just tell people that " Mom had her brain zapped and it doesn't work as well now " -- seems to say it all!! Take care, keep hangin' in!! Tracey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 14, 1999 Report Share Posted August 14, 1999 It's one of those nights! Can't sleep...pain with every breath due to chostochondritis (inflammation of rib cage, tendons, and adjoining muscle spasms...forget diaphragm breathing right now! As to memory loss...it's been a terrible day. Can't remember where I put anything. I've been putting stuff in ridiculous places which makes it even harder to find them. I've come to the conclusion that my brain fog is better after nights when I forget to take 150mg of Trazodone (tetra-cyclic anti-depressant). Isn't that great...when my brain fog is at its worst and I forget this medication, I experience far less brain fog the next day. Wonder if that would work for other things? I'll have to ask my regular doctor about lowering the dosage or eliminating it altogether. I teach an adult class on Sundays. The people who participate are great at tolerating my brain fog mistakes. I don't even know when I've inserted the incorrect word for the word that would have made my sentence, question, statement understandable. Luckily I'm not a lecture type teacher but a " students get to find the answers to their own questions about the material and discuss their discoveries " kind of teacher. Works great most of the time. It has taken close to three years to get them to the point where I just have to check off the things I wanted to cover in the lesson as they discover those truths for themselves in our discussions. If I speak to larger groups where a lecture is required, I have always written out an exact script of what I am to say. This helps with the brain fog during a speech though I still occasionally substitute odd words sometimes, but am more apt to catch the mistake as I read the script... " Whoops, now that wasn't right. What I should have said was... Most people don't know I use a script when I do public speaking. But the first of September I will switch to teaching 10 year olds on Sundays. My youngest daughter is the class along with two of my best friends children. I tell children that sometimes I will intentionally (not) make a mistake and whoever hears the mistake has to say, " Mr. Neal you made a mistake! " Then I ask them what I said and what I most likely meant to say. They think its a great game. I'm just glad that I can turn a problem into a blessing. Keeps on my toes...already chewed my nails to the quick. LOL Well, dream time is rapidly approaching. Good night! Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 15, 1999 Report Share Posted August 15, 1999 More years ago than I care to remember, I x-stitched a witty-cism for my Mom: " I live my bifocals; my dentures fit me fine... But Lord, how I miss my mind... " It's beginning to fit me to a tee...boo hoo! Deb C << Quote: " Of all the things I've lost, I miss my memory the most. " >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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