Last year my lupus flared, affecting my eyes, ears, and brain. Because I always try taking care of things myself first, I tried several natural things. Thankfully they worked. However, when I went to my doctor a month or two later, she told me that I was lucky and never to wait again. Lupus inflammation can affect us anywhere in our bodies. One website I researched claimed that there are different forms of lupus, one of which causes problems in the head area. You might want to call your doctor to explain what is happening. Best wishes to you.

Thanks. I feel kind of helpless right now. I've just seen my GP so far, so my diagnosis isn't even yet confirmed. I was on steroids for two weeks, and those ended day before yesterday. My next GP appointment is I two weeks. My first rheumatologist appointment is in four weeks. I'm not sure I can make it that long, or that I should. I could barely walk this evening, nor last evening.

If things continue to get worse, call your GP and/or rheumy to see if you can get into the office sooner, such as if they have a cancellation. Another option would be going to the ER. Have you had your vitamin d levels checked? For many with autoimmune disorders, their vitamin d levels are low.

Following are some things that help me, but obviously I don't know if they'll help you.
1. Gluten-free diet (and sometimes grain-free)
2. Avoiding all artificial sweeteners and most refined sugars
3. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
4. Drinking kefir and kombucha
5. Baking (gluten-free) with sourdough starter
In addition to the above dietary tactics, I take supplements, such as a natural anti-inflammatory (InflamericZyme/Joint Comfort from Olympian Labs).

Yesterday after lying in bed under four blankets for my lunch hour, I called my rheumy. First opening for any doctor in their practice is the one I have already.

Then I called my GP, and he got my in right away. He wanted to send me to the hospital but was a little taken aback when my uncontrollable response was to start crying. :( He gave me a steroid shot and had me sit in the office for well over an hour to make sure I started to improve, then allowed me to go home. I really like my doctor. He told his staff to get me an appointment on Tuesday, and he told me that if I start to do worse on Friday or Monday, I'm to return and tell his staff that he promised to make time for me. He also gave me instructions to call an ambulance if I feel worse over the weekend.

I'm gratefully feeling better today. I'm able to concentrate for the first time in several days, and my pain is down to a 3 from the 8 it was yesterday. I'm not fatigued, either. Well, maybe a little, but just in the "do I really want to go upstairs for a sandwich, or can I put it off a little longer" kind of way, not the "OH MY GOODNESS, I HAVE TO LIFT MY ARM AND I THINK I'M GOING TO DIE" kind of way.

Thanks for the support and advice. I'll keep in mind your list. I already avoid artificial sweeteners like poison. :)

Great news, DontPanic42. Glad to know that you're feeling noticeably better today. Your GP sounds like a "keeper." Here's hoping that your weekend is a really good one. Thanks for the update, and let me know how your Tuesday appointment goes.

It does sound you have a great GP. Prednisone can sometimes effect your thinking, so keep that in mine.
I find with my fibro and UCTD that there are lots of cognitive issues.
But there are many things that you can do to compensate.
Glad that you are feeling better.
Janny

Hello,
I am very sorry for you to go through this frightening experience and I do understand completely, because I went through the same thing...
In my case it was a flare-up, which gave me a "brain-fog" for a time and then, all of a sudden, it went away again..
What I am trying to say is, be patient and don't panic, because it goes away again and you get beck to normal, as soon as you get out of this flare-up.
The best thing during a flare-up for me is to take it easy, take a rest and don't panic because it is just another flare-up.
I wish you good luck, lots of patience and all the best from Kristina.

I too go thru bouts of brain fog & it really does occur at the onset of an active lupus period. I find that at least knowing this helps me to feel not quite so lost & out of control. I can then work on refocusing, getting the lupus flare to settle down & then regroup so to speak.
What helps me during any brain fog bout is I'll put off important tasks to another day & I'll keep my to do list in writing so it helps me feel in control & I'll tend to easy things 1st & go from there.
I can only well imagine being a working person that that can definitely make things even more confusing but maybe ideas such as these can even in some way help you to feel more in control.
I so wish the very best for you.

I agree with kitty3: when I experienced a brain-fog, the best thing for me was to "take time off", take a rest and wait until I felt better and was able to concentrate again...
If I tried to "ignore it" and carry on withmy daily tasks, everything became a mess and I did not achieve anything anyway. Much better to preserve my strenghts for the "time after" the flare-up, when I could sort out everything that I could not approach during the flare-up...
I know it sounds frustrating, but that was for me the only popsitive way to deal with "my" flare-ups.
I wish you good luck and all the best from Kristina.

Thanks, all. Now that I'm back on prednisone, my brain seems to be working again. (Huge sigh of relief.) I'm still definitely having symptoms - level 9 pain on Friday night. When I went to bed that night, I promised myself that I would go to the ER the next day if I was still hurting above an 8. But I rested all day Saturday and have been feeling much better, generally down to a 2-4.

My GP warned me that prednisone can turn everyone else into jerks. :) He also said, "I'm not affected that way by steroids. I TOLD YOU I'M NOT AFFECTED BY THEM!!!!" :)

I have noticed that I'm a little more edgy than normal, so I'm trying extra hard to be nice. I'm just grateful to have my concentration back. I have another followup with my GP tomorrow. He'll probably get after me for not calling an ambulance on Friday, but I'm doing so much better now that I think I can deal with a lecture. :)

Very regular with me. I can only tell you what I do and I'm alone with no help. 1. Allow yourself MUCH time to complete any challenging activity, including mentally. Take your new patient package and complete the forms as slowly as it takes for your brain to do it, period. It may take several sessions before it's complete. If you can't get through it, perhaps the docs asst can go through and glean the most important parts from you at your visit. If you can get someone to read the questions to you and complete the forms, perhaps that may help to pace you. When you have a lapse in fog, work on the paperwork. When you have fog, don't attempt as you'll only get frustrated. Hope this helps, Jolene