Hi FIC
I have speech and language deficiencies now and neuro won't say its because of fibro (but I think he is not a believer in fibro?.)
I can't pronounce words so well anymore and I can't think of words I need to say anymore..I love to read but haven't for awhile because it difficult at times. This stuff seems to be OK and then gets worse and then switches back..frustrating.
My family makes fun of me because I was always the English Nazi..spelling and pronunciation were my thing..
Its very disturbing to have this happening now and that's putting it mildly.
Neuro has tested for a lot of explanation, but none come back positive. I've even been sent to a dementia type neuro and she said its not a degenerative disease. So ya think they would look at it being from the fibro..oh doctors...
Well my next Dr appt is with my rheumatologist.. We will see what she has to say.
Sorry this is happening to you FIC

LOL! FIC, Since you typed a scripture verse from the Bible, I too am having this problem, as this is the Book I primarily read. I also am having a major problem remembering verses I've had memorized for years, and an even more difficult time trying to memorize new ones. I used to have no problems at all in memorizing!

Adeen, I too have speech & language deficiencies. I have tremors, so I thought it was because of them. Maybe its a combination of the two? I'm afraid to speak to people I don't know, because I have a hard time sometimes of coming up with a word that I know I should know.

Thoughts and prayers to both of you, FIC and Adeen! This is a very strange and complicated disease that we deal with.

-Sharon-

hi-i love to read-so i feel ya on that one,im lucky that so far its not a problem.However im having difficulty spelling!I used to excell in this area,now im wearing out my spellcheck!

I love to read. I've had to "dumb down" some of my reading choices depending on how tired I am. Sometimes, I just can't follow what I am trying to read. I have to pick and choose depending on my fatigue level and ability to concentrate.

I was also a very good speller. Now, I can have trouble with even simple words. I play a lot of Scrabble on my Kindle to try and keep that skill sharp. I think it helps but I still get frustrated with myself.

This is a complex illness that is under appreciated in terms of the carnage that it can create. Take care.

I sure hope this isn't a fibro thing. I'm a writer. I've had letters transpose, and I've gotten blurred vision (especially when over tired), but haven't noticed any difficulties with reading or writing.

A thought... you version Bible reading app has a read aloud option, I believe. As does kindle, so maybe let your devices read to you?

Great idea Jen but I tend to completely zone out on audio books. Can't follow the story and my brain just leaves my body. And, yes, the topic we are discussing is an FMS thing. Not everyone is badly affected but chronic pain and lack of restorative sleep take their toll over time.

Now, I am an amateur genealogist which requires concentration and a lot of reading. Some days I function very poorly in those areas even though I know the material that I am working with pretty well. It makes me crazy. I can no longer multi task when I used to be an expert strategist on complex film jobs. Now, I just try to roll with my limitations. It is not productive to beat myself up over this illness. I just move onto something that is within my skill set that day. Take care.

I have had a similar problem. It scared the you know what out of me. I thought I was going blind or having a stroke but it eased up after I quit looking at the computer about a half hour later. My vision does change at times and I saw something I had written the other day and I had put an E instead of a 3. I have never done that in my life. Every now and then I think I have MS, the tremors, the vision, the balance issues. I fell in Nov right off my steps and in Dec. getting out of my truck, and fell a year and a half ago and broke my ankle and really messed up my back and hips. So...believe it or not, it was slightly reassuring that these are all related to fibro. I am so sorry you have this reading and pronunciation issue. I read the same books over and over at night so as my mind is foggy it doesn't matter if I miss things. I have worn out C.S. Lewis's series book about Narnia. It also helps me sleep.

I have trouble understanding and reading with this stuff. It seems to come and go when being tired or in too much pain. Movies, books, it doesn't matter. I often wonder if they started speaking or writing a different language all of a sudden.

The reading app online that you have should allow you to just pin point the exact verse so you can just hear that one sentence read to you. You could do it later. Maybe you have been reading too long at one time; just like doing too much physical work, we have to rest the mind too. Then go back to it. Sometimes that works for me.

fm fog & jumbled words go hand in hand. I find if I take a break & relax it helps somewhat. fm messes with our cognitive.

How discouraging! Yet one more reason (and a big one) thus illness stinks! If I ever lose my ability to write and meet contract deadlines, I'm really not sure how I'd handle that emotionally. (Not to sound harsh or hurtful, as I know many of you have already lost your career dreams.)

Fantod, you have such a great attitude. I'm working on mine. Trying to focus on positives rather than bummers or set backs.

That's cool that you're studying genealogy! Do you discover interesting stories from the past?

Jen - I've made some very interesting discoveries which include Master Mariners, the Secretary of the Royal Academy of Music in London, previously unknown living relatives on the other side of the globe (we Skype), and ties to royalty.

I enjoy the "Calgon take me away" aspect of genealogy. It forces me to focus on other things as opposed to my own situation. I am naturally drawn to detail and research which was part of my job when I worked in the film industry. I can work on it at my leisure or not depending on how well I feel or my cognitive function. Genealogy is endlessly fascinating.

Thanks for your nice comment about my attitude. Believe me when I say, I am far from perfect. Like everyone else, I have my moments. Over time, I've learned how to manage them better. Take care.

ADEEN - SO I'M NOT ALONE! Sorry you are suffering too but at least I can rule out dementia or Alzheimer (right?). I too have always been a word freak so this, on top of not having the right word but knowing the "picture", is irritating. I've learned to fake it in lots of ways but teaching a Bible class makes it difficult. I "practice" before going so I at least hope to remember the words.

TO ALL - THANKS SO MUCH! I was wondering if I was losing my mind or it was fm. Thought fm and each of you with your input has put my mind at ease. I'm beginning to be able to read again and I still "practice" reading bigger words.

When I was still able to work (Fin & Adm) I was using "tricks" to not look dumb or incompetent. These tricks help but do not fix.

1 Write everything down while talking on phone.
2 Check off items as completed on to-do list.
3 Calender dates highlight so not overlooked.
4 Repeat things over (out loud) to impress to long term memory instead of short term.
5 Finding things - make a mental image (stare) as you state out loud. EX: I am putting my keys on the hook by the door.

Hope this helps. I will now return to teaching myself my vowel sounds. LOL

UPDATE! Reading is improving but not 100% yet. Have been using ARNICARE Gel from WalMart (7.50 per tube). All natural made with arnice a plant. It's helping and I cleaned all morning yesterday! I hope it keeps working! 4 days and I'm in "heaven".