This is all of interest to me, as I also experience it, but tend to put it down to the drug I take for epilepsy - Tegretol. The description of brain fog, sounds to me a bit like what's known as an "absence seizure" or the feeling people with epilepsy get right before they have a seizure. I've just been browsing a book called "understanding mind maps" by Steve Morris/Jane Smith, in which it suggests writing a key word, such as a goal/subject, then drawing branches off it to related words/colours/numbers. It suggests drawing little pictures on the mind map too. This can be used for schedules etc too. It suggests the memory grows stronger the more you make it remember.

YES like when you meet someone use their name in a sentence three times and you won't forget their name. Could be kinda weird? But its a proven idea.

Like Mary nice to meet you, then Mary what is your last name , then Bye Mary.
I always have needed an association to get names to stick in my head. Maybe repeating it makes a nueral pathway into your subconcious......sounds good eh? :-)

Hi Graham, I haven't taken Tegretol, but I have known people who have taken it. Epilepsy runs on my Dad's side of the family. Sometimes the brain fog does feel like you took too much medicine that makes you sleepy and you didn't get enough sleep. You don't really feel sleepy anymore, just like there is cotton stuffed in your head and your thoughts just don't connect. If I try very hard to remember something, I just can't. If I move away from it and start something else, then it usually pops into my head.

Yeah, having a lot of smart friends, it's embarrassing when my recall fails me, then the next day or week, it pops up easy as you like. It's important for us not to confuse memory with intelligence though, as I can still contribute well to a discussion (see!). And there are different forms of intelligence - physical, social, creative, scholarly, organizational...

We were talking specifically about SjS brain fog , right?

http://www.sjogrensworld.org/brain_fog.htm

"Brain fog is often experienced as problems with memory or difficulty focusing or problems with processing information or numbers or with paying attention. It is an experience of feeling not quite all there mentally. While some people may feel they are becoming demented or developing Alzheimers disease, this generally is not the case, in that this is a different type of dementia that is not likely to land a person in a nursing home for chronic care. In fact, brain fog is a relatively common condition that can be brought on by a variety of factors."

Hi Tom, Yes, I was describing the type of brain fog I feel with my SJS. Sometimes it is hard to describe. It really is like trying to see through a fog for me , or trying to become alert again after taking medicine that has made me sleepy. Of course just the general forgetfulness is a part of it, but sometimes it gets that bad. Sorry if I strayed off the topic too much. : )

There is hope-

Healthy Eating May Help Reverse Mild Cognitive Impairment

June 14, 2010
"Individuals with early stage cognitive decline may be able to reverse their brain impairment by replacing unhealthy foods with a nutrient-rich diet, according to a new Temple University study.

For the study, a research team led by Domenico Pratico fed a group of lab mice a diet containing high levels of methionine, an amino acid common to protein-rich foods such as red meats, eggs and beans. In previous studies, methionine consumption has been linked to the accumulation of amyloid plaques, which often predispose Alzheimers disease and other brain disorders.

After three months of eating the amino-heavy diet the subjects had already begun to develop mild cognitive impairment. However, when the investigators switched them to a healthy, nutrient-rich diet for a period of two months, the cognitive impairment that had developed during the first part of the study had been completely reversed.

"We believe this finding shows that, even if you suffer from the early effects of moderate cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimers, switching to a healthier diet that is lower in methionine could be helpful in that memory capacity could be improved," said Pratico.

He also noted that daily exercise combined with a healthy diet can help MCI patients slow the progression of their condition. "

Brain fog happens to me all the time. Mostly with little things. I get very upset with myself when I forget things like my earings or cannot locate my keys, etc. Like the rest of you I try to keep important things in the same place and I put my meds in one of those 7 day holders. At least this way I know if I have taken it or not. It is a very annoying inconvience, but certainly not life threatening although for some of you it seems that it could be for you especially driving, etc.

I can deal with the pain most days, but the trifecta of pain, brain fog and fatigue often makes me feel I'm living a surreal shadow life. The Plaquenil has helped and maybe even the Immuran has helped a little bit, but dealing with the ever increasing limitations is just so frustrating. I would love to know what some of you use as coping mechanisms. I've always been a positive person, but lately...

It is random for me but its stuff I have said/known forever. I forgot which way to point my camera about two weeks ago. I also couldn't remember the primary drs name and said the name of a dr. I had 10 years ago. It freaks me out when it happens. I try not to stress on it but wonder if I will lose my car in the parking lot or forget my way home....sigh. I was the Type A, multitasker, office manager , remember everything person but not anymore. I just try to make the most of my life as it is now.

Lets just hope you don't yell out an old boyfriends name at any random point. Like ....you know.....during.....yeah that. :-)

Like I've said before - just laugh at yourself-

Remember those ugly RED fluorescent styrofoam doohickeys they used to give you to put on your antenna so you can find your car in the parking lot.
Maybe they should make a comeback ...oh wait we don't have antenna's anymore.

I remember my mother looking for her car that way. Then everyone had one , you look out and a hundred cars have red balls scattered around the parking lot. I guess it narrowed it down for her. :-)

I had surgery 4 months ago. I'm pretty sure the anesthesia caused my brain fog since its appearance was abrupt after the surgery. I'm slowly getting better but am not back to normal yet.

I'm 26 years old, I should be able to remeber everything, and I can't! It's so frustrating. I used to be able to remember everything. I'm trying to find ways to remind myself of things. I have 2 planners, post-it notes, I write every appt. down for my husband as well so he can put in on his planner. When I go shopping I still forget things I write down!!!

Lists are great as long as you remember to bring them.LOL. I do have one of those things on our trucks antenna also. LOL. Been married for 36 years so no worries on old bf names since I can't remember them or life before my awesome husband. I do call my son my grandson's name or vice versa at times but they just laugh. They look alike at that age.LOL.

After 36 yrs he won't care.......:-)

I have an antenna on my truck too...but I always park in the same place when I grocery shop. I do everything in some sort of ritual this makes me remember.
My tools are skattered about but my sons will tell you- I know where every single one is....I never told them I have three or four of everything though. :-)

Notes- my calender has notes....more than the beatles...

You just need to be more and more organized as you age- bout it really. We have more to remember our hard drives are old and don't carry as much anymore....we also have a lot more in them. So what a few things get erased....

Mine has a virus called SJS.......cannot be repaired....cannot be cleaned up. I just work around it as long as it keeps starting, I'm good. :-)