Yes, yes and yes!!! I put it down to the meds I'm on. However, I must say several friends who don't have RA are also complaining about their memory.

Maybe it is worse when the meds and aging are combined. In that case, not much chance for me LOL. I have a calendar on the wall and a diary in my handbag and make sure both are the same. I also keep a small book in my handbag to jot things down, such as Things to do today, Bills to pay, Questions for various doctors etc etc etc.
I also think it is like the fuzziness and fog. Sometimes what I actually say is not what went from my brain, almost like it is not processing correctly. I might add, it drives my husband crazy.
Do remember, though, Suzi that between the lady mentioning it and now, you've been travelling and done many things that have taken precedence.
Don't let it bug you. Just smile and blame the "evil meds" you have to take for RA.
Love
Angel

I blame my poor memory on RA, Fibro, meds,whatever. I write everything down, I write appointments on the calendar on the wall, the one in my purse, the one on the computer,and the one in my phone, and I almost always make it to those.
Conversations only kinda remember most of the time, I write down anything I think I might need to remember. I have started a diary of sorts, to keep track of my life, so I remember why I did this or that, or even that I did it.
But I also tell everyone that my memory is shot, and blame it on Fibro. People are more willing to believe that memory issues are a result of fibro than people are to believe my arthritis makes my memory bad. And it boils down to the same thing, I try to make my memories and thoughts recall-able by writing them down
So , no help, I guess, but no, you're not the only one! My memory was never sterling, but it's not getting any better!

Well crap.....I was going to write something but can't remember what it was!!

In all seriousness, my memory is shot. I live in a constant fog!! I blame the RA, the RA meds, and my med I take for trigeminal neuralgia.

I don't think any one of us is alone in this fog...but my headlights sure are getting dim!!!!

I write it down, keep a calendar on my phone, computer. Sticky notes everywere, fridge, pocketbook and still I will forget from time to time. I am really hyper about doubly making sure everything gets paid on time. I think it is the combo of RA, diabetes, and all the meds. What did I just say? Lol.

I have been blessed with a near photographic memory for most of my life. All through college and durring my proffessional exam periods my recall was so good that it was very easy for me. In 1989, and again in 2001 I suffered closed head trauma injuries from Race car crashes and while the Doctors said everything was normal. it was not normal for me. I struggled with, but was able to pass , my continuing education tests, untill I was put on Enbrel. It seems that while being a wonder drug for me in terms of RA, my recall and ability to breeze through continuing education tests has returned. I have been on Enbrel for 3 years now, and the memory improvement was noticable within the first year. I was on a fairly high dose of mtx (25mg) for about 6 months in 2009 and the mental fog from that was bad, but the switch to Enbrel with 10mg mtx has been fantastic. In my case the meds seem to have helped restore the ability to recall that was damaged by my crashes, and I would not rule out the possibility that our general memory problems may not be a result of the meds, but rather a result of the RA, and an indication that the meds are not fully successful.

Matthew

My memory use to be photographic, I actually miss it. U often feel like I'm losing my past, by not remembering and it makes me sad. U attribute my memory kiss mainly to MCTD, primary RA and Lupus. I even forget what I did or didn't do minutes ago. Like did I close the door, did I put away my keys, little stuff. And to be quite honest it's really annoying.

Best wishes
Roni

I blame mine on MTX. On weeks I have skipped it, I'm not so bad on forgetting stuff. I'm 55 so I'm starting to forget little things anyway.

I play a lot of puzzle games and read. On days I'm not feeling well or have the Mtx, I watch really bad TV and notice my brain feels like mush. On those days, I find myself just sitting in lala land. I snap out of it by the second day. But I write stuff down on a calendar. And have reminder apps on my phone too. On Mtx days, I don't plan anything or the day after. I find on those days, I even feel overwhelmed if I'm given to much information. Mtx is baaaaaaad!

Lin

mlgore, I wonder if there was inflammation around your brain from the crashes, and possibly related to RA, and when the meds brought the inflammation down in your joints, your trama improved too. Just a thought.

I live with my iPhone. Calendar reminders, task reminders, notepads.. Now I just need to remember to grab my phone before I leave the house!

Yes, I blame mine on the RA. I was just recently diagnosed (again - long story), but started having memory loss issues a year or so ago. I was in denial about this round of RA for a long time. I have to write down everything. My husband has to write me notes because he can tell me I need to pay some bill, but that evening when he asks if I did, I'll say he never told me. Memory is so important in my job and I have to post sticky notes all over my desk and computer to keep track of it all. So frustrating!!!

If I could just find the note that tells me where the other notes are I will be in good shape...lol...When I forget something somone told me I just say..Well it was not on the top of my list of things to remember so it couldn't have been important.. I find that if I repeat in my head what someone is saying I am more likely to remember it...Hopefully...

Along with the memory, does anyone have the problem of feeling like the whole world is moving at a faster pace mentally than you? That sometimes you have to stop and think things through and fast decision making is a thing of the past? Even applies to the checkout line at the store. I just do not feel "coordinated" with the rest of the world. I can no longer multi-task. I would just like to scream out, "Please! Would everyone just give me a second here???"

I guess it is in comparison to being on a 6-lane interstate at rush hour with everyone speeding along at 80 mph and I feel like I am on a tricycle pedaling as fast as I can, my legs are worn out, and I'm about to get run over!

I'm only fifty, and I'm feeling it too. Mentally I am just not "there" like I was before this. I don't think it is the meds as I have been on five different kinds in the last year (plaquenil, predisone (of course), sulfaflazine, methotrexate and now Enbrel) and didn't notice anything different mentally on one or another or even those "drying out" periods in between meds. I really think it is the RA. I think what they are calling RA now is actually more than RA of decades ago. It is a total immune system breakdown which does affect mental abilities too. Just my thoughts.

I missed a very important ( to me anyway) conference call today. I was at the phone fifteen minutes before waiting, got distracted and missed the call! I feel so foolish, like a total idiot. I write everything down in my calendar, but how am I going to remember to look at it?

Ah, so good to know it is not just me!!

I have been in college for the past 4 1/2 years (went back at 43 and have one more year to finish) and I know that just since being diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago my memory and concentration capacity has been greatly diminished due to pain meds and RA drugs!!

Sometimes I, too, feel like I want to just yell "slow down people and just give me a little more time to process this information!" :)