I have not undergone any such testing. What is the reasoning behind it? What prompts your doc or you to consider this testing? Are you struggling cognitively? Is it RA related? Medication related? Or something else?
Any struggles stink and I am sorry you are struggling.
RockyMtnGal

i have this problem for the past five years and sometimes the answers on here are so long and complex that i can't follow...i am no longer the sharpest knife in the drawer. I have to keep it simple anymore. But i get that RA has affected my brain structure and it showed on CT scan according to my doctor. I am "stable". My doc has tried everything with me but there's so many side effects, she wants me to learn how to adjust to my new normal and i know she's right.

You're not alone

Hi RockyMt, RASally, and Linazsey,
I am the one who is finding myself to be affected cognitively - and much more than normal. At times I can't think at all. Or I read something but it doesn't make sense. I've read stuff, seen people, and even fond stuff but have no recollection. Stuff I've learned I have to learn over. I don't remember names of kids I've had for three years. My mind feels flakey and when I do try to focus too lhard, it begins to close down. Sometimes a little rest can open shop a little. I come home from school completely fatigued, The idea of being asked to do curriculum writing scares me. I won't be able to fake the cognitive skills needed, thus exposing my ineptness.
Ii started a new biologic in August. I've been on the same dose of Methotrexate for several years-20mg. I'm on a very low (tapered amount) of prednisone -2.5 mg one day and 5 mg the next alternate day.
I never get refreshing sleep. A sleep study shows I typically never enter the lower levels of sleep. Pain and discomfort are major contributors. Varying mixtures of fibromyalgia and RA pain. An MRI on my ankle showed inflammation and when injecting cortisone in my shoulders, the ultrasound showed erosions.
Between the fogginess, fatigue, and pain, I cannot meet the demands of my job. If there is something doctors can test for and treat regarding the fogginess and memory issues, I need to try them. Who should I see?
I've worked hard at putting up a good show. Most times I teach, I'm the only adult in the room. Kids love art and I know I've done an ok job in the past. Right now, I don't see now I can make it through the school year.
I hope something here makes sense.

I may just be paranoid, but it would make me nervous to have this information in my medical records. HIPAA seems to keep us from getting the information we or our family members need, but does nothing to keep everyone else out of our business.

Example: a couple of years ago my husband had a relatively minor traffic accident. The other driver ran a red light, and freely admitted it. Her insurance company wanted to see my husband's medical records to settle the claim- damage only to the car, no personal injury- which was in the mid-three figure range. I'm sure this was just intimidation. Perfectly legal, it seems.

You don't know how this information could be twisted and used against you. Weigh that against the importance of having this teating done.

if our medical records don't show truthfully how invasive RA really can be to us, our families and friends will never understand anything other than the "remission" that is so easily achieved on the commercials.

I am in the same boat as you Melissa, but thank God my doctors know that not everybody will get remission. You will have to shift things around in your life so that you can take care of yourself.

God Bless

Thanks all for your concerns. I am the one who is wondering about testing.
The fogginess, in combination with pain and fatigue, is significantly impacting my ability to function at my job, and daily life in general. I want to keep working, but am doubting my ability to do so. Would testing help the doctors to truly see how much of an issue it truly is? Would it provide insight as to possible causes - and perhaps treatment?
I started Arava in early August - the fourth biologic. That was the first time I saw this rheumy (this hospital has had problems retaining theumatologists). I am teaching internationally. My regular PCP is in the USA.

are you on a biologic yet? how long have you been at trying different medicaion protocols (the switch ups of the dmards and/or biologics and/or nsaids)?

work wise is this a newer posiion? or a coninuation of say what you have been doing the past 10 or 20 years?

what do you feel like when you are on vacaion or anywhere where you can self heal for say greater than a weekend? the same? worse? better?

do you notice any periods in say a 90 day span when you do not have as much fogginess?

Maybe it is time to ask for a referral to a neurologist just to talk stuff over with her/him?

hang in there

Depot

Depot, Arava is my 4th biologic, started in August. Embrel was my first (helped somewhat, then stopped controlling inflammation, had a reaction to Humira , Orencia never helped much. Have been on methotrexate since early 2010, up to 20 mg since probably summer 2010. Symptoms were present even during summer break, but I had flexibility on when to rest and I didn't have the cognitive demands. If I have a few bad sleep night (pain), fogginess is definitely worse the next day. Refreshing sleep has been a problem for over 20 years - diagnosed with fibromyalgia back then.

have you done a sleep study yet? you probably have if its been 20 years, so I should say lately? (as in the past 5 years or so?)

you had so much to adapt to going back 20 years. You are a trooper

since 2010 have you ever been totally (for a while) off MTX for any reason (say an infecion or surgery or something) did you notice any difference off methotrexate?

if my quesions drive you batty just hit delete :)

Depot

In 2009 I had a sleep study, which is hosed no entering of deep sleep and dentified Upper Airway Resistance syndrome (UARS), which is a relative to Sleep Apnea. Sinus surgery significantly reduced the number of arousals due to UARS and stopped the constant sinus infections. I had a sleep study one year ago. It showed poor sleep, but since the number of UARS and APNEA incidents were within normal limits, the doctor (neurologist?) took no action.

wow you have had sinus surgery also? you have been through the ringer - I am in the midst of trying to beat a sinus infection back now. i am going to win, I think. I have my head up flonase or down a pot of steam with eucolyptus and I am swallowing over the counter useless decongestants.

Hope you get an appointment with a neurologist - I think an MRI of your brain might be where they take you - i hope wherever it is, you get the answers you deserve

Depot

I hope I am not speaking out of line here, but cognitive damage is also caused by Lyme. I have a RA diagnosis by two Rheumy's and several GP have agreed with diagnosis. But my MD. who was recommended by roadback.org is trying a lyme protocol and my body is less painful and less inflammatioin without any changes to diet or anything else. No more knee pain, foot pain hand pain wrist pain etc., Still some shoulder pain but I have been able to rehab. Along with walking further and further, my point is I still have alot of brain dysfunction, IE memory and foggy and anxiety, and sleeplessness which can be attributed to Lyme. I had one test three years ago which was negative for Lyme. But many professionals think I have RA last Ten years. I hope and pray you find some relief in your path.