Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Support Group
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) describes a sense of exhaustion and post-exertion malaise, even when you have gotten enough rest and sleep. The disease is characterized by six months of incapacitating fatigue experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina, and problems with concentration and short-term memory. The cause is unknown, but it is a...
Spelling and grammar has always come easy to me. I'm a writer, and this ridiculous new problem of forgetting how to spell words like' tough' and 'beginner' is starting to make me a little crazed.
Up until now, I figured my writing would not be affected by my other daily fibro fog problem, which is forgetting words, because I have all the time I need to think of the word. Unlike in conversations, where I just stop short in the middle of a sentence.
I'm just wondering, and worrying, how much more my brain is going to lose. I always trusted my brain, a lot more than my heart (which has let me down many times). But my mind has always been something I could count on. Before I stopped working, I was a legal assistant, and I really needed all the brain power I could get.
After my diagnosis about 6 years ago, I wrote my first book. It took a long time, but I did it, and I was so proud of myself. When I wrote that book, I did not have my current fibro fog issues. Which means, I'm getting worse. And scared.
I would love to hear anybody's opinions on this. Specifically, have you had the experience of worsening fibro fog issues? And is there anything I can do to improve them?
Thanks for reading all this; I sometimes tend to ramble :)
Up until now, I figured my writing would not be affected by my other daily fibro fog problem, which is forgetting words, because I have all the time I need to think of the word. Unlike in conversations, where I just stop short in the middle of a sentence.
I'm just wondering, and worrying, how much more my brain is going to lose. I always trusted my brain, a lot more than my heart (which has let me down many times). But my mind has always been something I could count on. Before I stopped working, I was a legal assistant, and I really needed all the brain power I could get.
After my diagnosis about 6 years ago, I wrote my first book. It took a long time, but I did it, and I was so proud of myself. When I wrote that book, I did not have my current fibro fog issues. Which means, I'm getting worse. And scared.
I would love to hear anybody's opinions on this. Specifically, have you had the experience of worsening fibro fog issues? And is there anything I can do to improve them?
Thanks for reading all this; I sometimes tend to ramble :)
I also have trouble spelling. I notice that SLEEP is a major issue in the level of fog I have in any one day. A good night's rest seems to make a world of difference in my abilities! Whether or not I'm going to drive depends on my assessment of my level of fog every day! I will NOT get behind the wheel if my head isn't clear.
I'm sorry that you are dealing with this issue, but it is a common one with CFS and fibro. Outside of getting restful sleep and not overstimulating myself with too much activity, I have no pat answer for you.
I hope it makes you feel better to know that this issue is often brought up and discussed. It's very troubling to the sufferer. I think all of us have it to some degree.
I'm glad you posted on this board, and I hope my response is helpful to you. You are not alone! Not at all! xo
Thanks again,
Barb
There's really no answer here. I'm just glad I have someplace to share these feelings. Thank you, again.
As you can see you are not alone. The spelling, yeah.....me too. I find that when I'm typing.....like now.....my fingers are actually quite fast but I have to keep backtracking and correcting because my words come out kind of dyslexic....it's wierd. I'm constantly erasing and rewriting.
Now, math....oy! When I was in my twenties I was an Accounting Manager, I loved working with numbers, I've always been great at math. No more......I now struggle just to balance the check book.
There will be days that are better and days that are worse. I don't think you have to fear getting progressively worse, it's going to fluctuate based on your overall level.
I found when I increased my dosage of Aceytl-L-Carnitine my brain fog became less so overall........but still really bad on my bad days.
Check out online what supplements help with memory and concentration, then decide if you're willing to try something, pick just one and try if for at least a few months to see if there are any positive effects,
Good luck to you tenderwolfe.
Now I can't spell, I'm not sure if a word is a word or if I'm using it correctly. I had extensive testing when I applied for disability. The results were so devastating that I sat in my car and cried. My verbal score was in the bottom 25%. I scored a perfect 800 on the verbal portion of the SATs. My IQ was 82. It had been 135.
CFS has invaded my brain and is taking away memories, left me with the short term memory of a carrot, and all but destroyed my verbal skills.
You just have to do the best you can and when words won't come take a breath and it will come or not. Just make sure that the people you are with the most understand and know not to yell words at you.
You have my sympathy. It's one more thing that sucks about these illnesses.
I am rowing on that boat with you!!
But the worst is when I'm driving, stop at a light and realize I don't recognize a thing around me. I've started driving with the gps on all the time and I put in the destination before I head out. Most days I'm fine but it's scary enough where I'm seeing my neurologist in Sept (first avail visit).
recently i started working on crossword puzzles. sometimes fun and often frustrating but it helps me recall words i've forgotten if that makes sense.
Thanks for all the replies.
I write like a dyslexic. I have to proof-read 4-5 times before anything written makes sense. I forget words ..I often find myself saying "give me a minute, I'll tell you the word ... its coming.." then I just find some other way to say what I'm trying to say. Its so frustrating to reach for a word, and you KNOW its there.. but you just cant access it.
It gets worse when I am tired so the only solution I know is rest. I am hoping though that it is not degenerative.
PS : I read somewhere that CFS shares an awful lot with diseases such as Parkinsons and Alzeimers. No surprise you identify with the folks you care for, hopefully it wont get so bad that we lose capacity to the extent of those other illnesses.