brain fog

scrowley · Post by **scrowley** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:18 pm

I dont really know what this means?
does it mean forgetting information??
thanks,
sheila

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:30 pm

For me brain fog means troubling remembering, usually short term memory issues and trouble just concentrating. With my work in research it can be frustrating at times. I make sure I carry a notebook everywhere and write down everything.

Joe

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 3:40 pm

Sheila,

In addition to what Joe mentioned, for me it also meant the inability to think clearly, the inability to focus my thoughts, and the inability to think logically. IOW, it often affects both memory and cognizance. Not only that, but it also often causes, (or at least is associated with), physiological problems, due to neurological issues. Examples of this are ataxia, loss of coordination and articulation, balance issues, etc.

Tex

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:17 pm

Hi Sheila,

I agree with both of the men. Brain fog for me was a hundred fold worse than the CD. To me brain fog was extreme difficulty concentrating all day long, problems doing math equations all day long, forgetting things, and when I walked it felt like I was walking at a 30 degree angle. For me it was also tied out to the chronic dizziness that lasted for months. My brain fog was extreme...i.e. it went on from morning till night for months on end. I was a lurker for about 3 months just because the task of logging in to post was way too confusing to me.

Two examples of things that occurred during my heavy brain fog period were: for two months in a row I neglected to pay my power bill. I had plenty of money but I think I just threw the bills away and for two months in a row my power was cut off. I got follow up letters from the utilites but didn't seem to comprehend the cut off letters. The second thing that kind of freaked me out was one day I signed my hours worked time sheet with someone elses name. That was somewhat scarry because it was a random name...i.e not a name that I knew. Luckily our payroll clerk was nice about it.

Mine was truly severe. I found that if I ate just protein and cooked vegetables for breakfast and lunch and had grains/starches in moderation in the evening I was able to function on the job...i.e. I still had brain fog but it was not as bad. I did better in the periods of eating a lot of protein and vegetables and less grains/starches.

The good news is that as of about 3 weeks ago the fog seems to be lifting. I think neurologically I'm probably at 80-90% now with 100% being normal up from my brain operating at around 40% for months.

Hope this helps, Brandy

scrowley · Post by **scrowley** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 4:44 pm

thanks,
I only seem to have problems also in research rembering the theory behind everything I did maybe a month earlier so not sure if that is the same thing.
its a pain but i have no problem rembering irrelevant info about some celebrity, pathethic!!!!!

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:07 pm

Sheila,
Right after my mother died in late August, I had a flare that also coincided with a too-abrupt stopping of Entocort, in addition to having weaned myself off of an SSRI over the course of the summer ( in retrospect, maybe should have waited on that). At first, I thought my fogginess must be a delayed grief reaction, or a reaction to the now-absent SSRI, but it was pretty scary. After a few weeks, I ended up at the doctor, who, after bloodwork, discovered a severe B-12 deficiency, enough to need weekly, (now monthly), injections. I have felt better since then, with a switch to a non-SSRI med, and getting back on Entocort at a gradually reduced dosage. I was afraid to drive, because I didn't feel in control of my spatial judgement, and felt generally spacey. Couldn't recall conversations or other information within a short time. I was scared ****less by this, because my mother died after having had dementia for 12 years. So, it was a relief to discover the B-12 issue, but that again provoked anxiety, because my mother had B-12 issues as a younger woman also, and so did my daughter.

maestraz · Post by **maestraz** » Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:08 pm

OK, if someone can figure out why that posted twice, feel free to remove one.

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 5:24 pm

I still have issues with brain fog which generally is feeling like I'm a few steps behind myself. At work, I am sharp and precise but find that lately I have to pause to collect my thoughts. It's all there but there's a delay - which I find very annoying. I've always been one to have lists and notes to remind myself of everything but now without all the post its and calendar, I would be lost. Sometimes I have just blank moments where I don't remember what I am doing. It only lasts seconds but is alarming and I refuse to chalk it up to getting older. If that's the case, I'm in big trouble because in 20 years there'll be nothing left.

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Feb 18, 2012 7:19 pm

I am a big proponent of coconut oil. The brain really likes it. I try to eat at least 2 Tablespoons per day. Last summer I went on a three-week trip and had no coconut oil. I could tell the difference. Going gluten-free was of the most benefit, of course. I don't know how much benefit the coconut oil would be if you still have gluten in your diet.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:49 pm

Wow Marliss! Maybe I should try that. I have had troubles with brain fog for years. I am exhausted, and have so much trouble concentrating and focusing. I have NO memory at all (mostly short term), and lose words when I try to explain something, or even just in ordinary conversation.
I need to start eating coconut oil and see if it helps oil the cells a bit.

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:14 am

Lesley, there has been some discussion about coconut oil on the board. I am not a good searcher (I have trouble with the Yellow Pages, lol) so I won't try to find them for you. The upshot is that the medium-chain fatty acids, particularly the lauric acid in coconut oil, is just what the brain wants. There has been some success in treating Alzheimer's with coconut oil, even. The only thing with more lauric acid than coconut milk is breast milk.