Welcome to our group! The brainfog can be so very frustrating and frightening. There have been times that I haven't been able to recognize words, or even letters...once I was at a conference and I couldn't recognize the writing on the board...the letters just looked like symbols that I had never seen before. I was terrified. When things like this happen, I just take a few deep breaths and tell myself that it will pass. Dramatic episodes like that are always upsetting and still do throw me for a loop and I try my best not to be afraid. I just try to calm myself and help myself. The memory and word finding is more of a daily occurrence. I hate it, but I have worked on trying to find some acceptance. Again, I breathe deep and just go on to describe or ask. I hate it, because it makes me look stupid or like I am not paying attention, but I just remind myself that this is not true. Although I can't remember, I know that I am still a smart woman and I do listen intently. I keep notes and write down everything, like names, dates etc that I am likely to forget. I education my family and close friends, so that they can help me and not make me feel worse. And my family is wonderful at this! I often find that I am saying, "I'm sorry, what was that.....?" And they usually respond with "that's okay" and just repeat it" or they just fill in the word. I'm lucky. Others in my life don't understand and are not as helpful or caring. Just hang in there....it is very upsetting....this is a loss that you will grieve. Some days are better than others, so try to remember that, and remember this is an illness, it is not your fault. Be gentle with yourself and know that you are still the same person, although these struggles are hard...you are okay, this will come and go. I hope this helped in some very small way. Take care.

Hi art girl.
Welcome to DS. This is a great place to vent, share both frustration and joy, and find people who truly understand. Your description of your trouble with words fits a lot of us in this group, in varying degrees of severity.
Have you read tenderwolfe's entry and the comments in this forum on "Is anyone forgetting how to spell?"
I think we are all scared, but we can't let our fears keep us from life!
Vent away anytime!

Yeah, I understand what you are going through. I used to have a gifted IQ, but you sure wouldn't know it now. My kids get frustrated with me because I can't think of simple words and I just stand there pointing at things and saying, "um...you know... that thing...that you use to...you know." Of course, they don't know. I'm in my late 30's, so I am not expected to be this forgetful. I went to town one day and totally forgot how to get where I was going. It's a place I have been many times, but I couldn't remember how to get there. I stopped the car and got out and took some deep breaths. I remembered that I could always call someone if I couldn't figure it out myself. I have had to do some humbling things at times--like admitting that I have no idea what I am doing. Anyway, after a few minutes of calm reflection, I figured out where I was going. Acceptance doesn't come all at once, but you have to commit to accepting yourself. You may not find acceptance all the time in those around you, but you have to promise yourself to be respectful to yourself and patient with your struggles.

Very well said triunfadora!! Very well said!

Thanks, Roses25. It's so good to be in the support group "family" that really understands my daily struggles.

There are times when I have difficulty finding the word that I want for simple things and there are times when I can read a paragraph again and again and have no idea what it means. When I still worked, I said something in a meeting and instantly had no idea what I just said! My manager just looked at me and said nothing. I panicked and wanted to run out of the room. To this day, I do not know if what I said was appropriate or inappropriate!

I agree with triunfadora. Acceptance is so important. I found that acceptance reduces anxiety and with reduced anxiety, I am able to think more clearly and rationally. The more pressure that I put on myself, the worse it gets.

I am able to read and play games now (that was not always the case). Scrabble is one of my favorites. Don't know if these things help my brain function better, but it certainly can't hurt. Getting "lost" in a book or game is one of my anti-anxiety strategies. Can't be concentrating on a game and wigging out about something else at the same time!

Learn to be kind to yourself. When speaking about the myriad of challenges, I just say, "It's all part of the fun..."

Somehow knowing that these brain drain moments are all part of it and that I am not alone is helpful. You are right, acceptance is all important and I am working on that with help. I do believe that this group is also helping with that. Therapists are good, but they don't live it. I get so sick of hearing that 'oh, I get that too, that is normal', every time I am having a bad time of it. I know they are trying to be supportivebut..well, you know what I mean. I am also reading some of the older posts. Lots of support and information here. I thank my lucky stars that I found you. :)

I have brain drain when I've overdone my energy allotment, for me it's a sign I'm relapsing. So you could take a good look at what you did and figure what you can cut out so you can pace your energy better.

I don't do brain games because they take too much energy from me. I think for a normal person they would improve things but I believe they just take more energy away that I need for other things, like walking.

I also switched to audiobooks after noticing that reading books was depleting my energy.

I've had this for over 20 years and still overdo. Even washing my hair with the subsequent blow drying, etc. takes a tremendous amount of energy.

Good luck