I am not too sure there is a medication for this. I suffer from this too and have found that I have to right EVERYTHING down. One of my main job duties is preparing extensive travel arrangements, so I need to make sure I cover all my bases. I make check lists for this.

I would discuss this with your doc. See what he/she has to say about it. Unfortunately it is a part of Fibro.

Hi Basketballmom,

I thought they might put me on something like adderall or ritalin. The kind of medication they give to people with ADD. I have got to focus, I waste so much time. My brain jumps from one thing to the next and I can't control it.

Hi, I share this problem of being able to focus and concentrate. It was one of the main reasons I sought SSDI. My job involved reading technical documents for an accounting software (IT), and I just could not do it anymore after a head injury brought on chronic fibromyalgia.

The only suggestion I would have is to make sure blood tests are taken on your vitamin levels, hormone levels, and thyroid levels, to make sure a lack therein is not adding to your concentration problem. Also, a sleep study may be in order if you do not sleep well. These are the suggestions I would speak to my doctor about.

Best wishes to you, and please let us know how you make out.

This showed up on one of the Google alerts I have for fibromyalgia:

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/829339

It's about research of cognitive problems in fibro patients. Good to show your doc.

Interesting article, Shakota...Thanks for sharing.

Meme, I totally get this as well and I work with financial documents as well. Part of the Fog is caused by my pain level (at that point in time or from constant pain all day) and part is due to my Narcolepsy. As the type of Narco that I have doesn't allow my brain to enter deep sleep it never "shuts off" so to speak or get the regenerative time it needs at night. This causes my brain to by "tired" - some days more than others. Although I don't suffer with ADD - prior to my fibro diagnosis I was detail oriented in EVERY area of my life - my doctor has prescribed a simulant. He said that it "tricks" my brain into thinking that it had a full night of deep sleep. Like most fibro related meds it works pretty well most days...but I still have my "I can't even talk to you because my fibro fog it too thick" days. I don't know if that answer helps but you may want to talk to your doctor about a sleep study (just to rule out any other health issues) and then discuss possible ADD/stimulant type meds.

That's interesting, Shakota. I'm going in for neuro/psychological testing later this month.

I would seriously consider having a sleep study done. Cognitive problems are tied to sleep deprivation.

Ask your doctor about using Provigil to improve your energy level. Good luck and take care.

My doctor just tells me it part of the fibro. To look in to writing notes to your self. But there is no meds for that.

One of my fibro friends is borescribed A.D.D medication for this problem. She is my age 37.
I never had ADD or ADHD ever but i also have difficulty concentrating on one thing at a time. I was seeing a psychologist just to helonwith coping with being sick and not working and she tokd me I had ADD... i was upset.. said i never had thag problem before and tried to tell her it is because pain is that intense
and distracting and she told me that i probably always had ADD and that i was abkebto find waysbto cope before but withbillness taking over lost my coping mechanism. ??? Idk if i believed her...

Hi meme

Talk to your dr about any side affects from your meds that might cause your fibro fog. I have switched some of my meds because I didn't like the side effects.

The prior posters have some good advice. A sleep study and blood test may give you some answers.

Good luck with your dr appointment.

Hugs,
Marion

Hi Marioncooper,

You were absolutely right! It's the gabapentin! I noticed it this morning. I haven't taken it since yesterday evening and I'm completely focused. But I have to have it for the pain. Is there something else you would recommend? I have to take my dosage today but at least I know what to talk to my doctor about on Tuesday. Thanks guys for all of your input, it has really helped.

Have you tried Cymbalta? I couldn't take it because I had a really bad side effect from it, but sometimes if you can't take one thing, go on and try the next.

Hi Ann,

No i haven't because I just didn't want to go that drastic yet. The only medications I take for fibro are gabapentin, zanaflex, and mobic (which helps some). I feel like if I try the Cymbalta and it doesn't work I'm all out of options then. They don't have a whole lot of things to try for people like us. Not sure what to do anymore.