Sjogren's Syndrome Support Group

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. It also associated with rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, and it is rheumatoid factor positive in 90 percent of cases.

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Brain fog

Tom59
Tom59
I know most of us haven't spoken about this yet so here goes.

Has anyone here had it , I have.

I remember playing a game with my in laws a xmas time and I couldn't recall names or things I knew. I would have to leave clues for my teammates and let them figure out what I couldn't think of.
Crazy.......
It was frustrating beyond belief. For some reason now my mind has cleared not perfect but age has some bearing on that too. I felt helpless at times talking to people I've known for years and their names are gone.
Trivial Pursuit became a nightmare.

I read a ton and that has helped as has my SjS regimen. Not sure why it was sooo bad for a while there. I'm also wondering if Plaquenil had some effect on it. Seems so.....

I am posting a link for those that don't know what I'm talking about.

http://www.sjogrens.org/files/brochures/brain_fog.pdf

Please post your experiences or thoughts has it happened to you?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I suffer from two types of brain fog. One BF affects me everyday. I'm 45 years old and I see other people also enduring not remembering words, names, etc. I call it middle-age brain. Very common. Then there's the SS brain fog that leaves me feeling like I'm having an out of body experience. Feels like I'm drunk or running a really high fever. It is scary. I can't drive, focus, carry on a coherent conversation, etc. I'll get it for a couple of days during flare-ups. Some episodes are worst than others. During this time all I can do is sit and veg. I'm useless. I've talked to the doctor about it and she said that 'brain fog' is not a diagnosis. Personally, it should be looked into, because it is very real in my book.
Tom59
Tom59
Brain Fog is VERY real probably not a diagnosis but real none the less. Sjogrens Foundation lists it as a problem.

I believe its from being overly tired. We all get age related brain farts but this is brain dia ------ very real and it makes you stupid.

It can make you think you did something you didn't do only to find out you did it twice already.
barbie222
barbie222
Thanks Tom, I'm not sue when you posted this, but I appreciate the link...it's comforting to know there's hope for improving it...I'll be working on that for sure.
God Bless!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes. I sometimes experience severe Fog. It's quite a painfully experience. The simplest things are forgotten. Then, suddenly, I will be back to my usual sharp self ...
I never know when the Fog will descend, so it's frightening and frustrating.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Was not going to reply but why not. Way before my dx I had many unusual health issues seemingly unconnected by the time I was 21 but one instance of wierdness,scared me and had I told anyone them too. I was pulling up to a stoplight coming onto a major highway from a mall and I suddenly realized I didn't know what to do. I thought the lights meant something but was unsure what. I had cars all around me was do confused I decided that sense some cars were going I should course they weren't on my side of the road. I blew through a red light without looking took a right and almost took out a family in a car. A few minutes later I realized red light mean stop. There were other things at the time but I did call the doctor and I think they thought I was exaggerating by the time I got an appointment I passed all there cognitive tests. That never happened again I hope I would have quit driving if it did. I was dx 27 years later with ss and probably lupus after many very bad health issues made a connection impossible to ignore. Glad to know what that was I worried about it more and more. Thank you.