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why do we get fibro fog - where does it come from?

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Posted 9/28/2010 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
We almost all talk about having fibro fog, but we never talk of the why or where it comes from stuff.

I had someone ask me about it today, who does not have fibro, and I stumbled around like someone with fibro fog. shakehead   I would love to have an answer that actually makes sense. scool

I'm not so much in the mood for hearing it's the meds. I don't believe this, because I've been on meds for 20+ years, and I never had this fog until I got fibro 4yrs ago, and it came immediately in my whole fibro package, before I started on pain meds. I don't take pain meds every day either - so that can't be it.

So, like I asked - what causes this part of our illness?

Posted 9/28/2010 1:46 PM (GMT 0)
Thats a good question, I think it has something to do with the neuro transmitters in our brains. I hope someone else has a better answer for you.
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 9/28/2010 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Shirley - that's a start!
Posted 9/28/2010 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have time to find the page right now, but google brain and pain and you will get an answer for the fog. Chronic pain changes things in the brain......
Posted 9/28/2010 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
I just googled fibro fog cause and this is what I found. "Most experts agree the
inability to get sufficient delta wave sleep impairs the ability to recall information
and operate at a normal level of mental efficiency."

Other experts say poor nutrition, poor oxygen supply to the brain and depression
could be causes.

Who really know?

hugs, Robin

PS...I always notice my fog seems thicker when I'm flaring...which is probably

due to lack of sleep....but every once in awhile my fog is super thick without an

increase of pain...it's a guessing game

Posted 9/28/2010 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I've had FM for 22 years and just recently weaned off of several drugs, antidepressant, sleeping pill, Ativan, two heart meds (per cardiologist's order) and, honestly, the morning fog I have experienced for the past 20+ years is gone! That is not to say I don't have it during the day, at times, but that heavy fog I use to get in the morning was from the medications. I would have bet anything that wasn't the case, but I was wrong. I'm sleeping better now than I have in 20 years. I've moved into my own room where I do not hear my DH snore, I can keep a radio playing low all night and I'm at peace when I get in bed and I SLEEP, without a sleeping pill! I am also in therapy which is making a huge difference and I probably could not have weaned off the meds without my therapist, bless her heart
gentle hugs
Miriam
Posted 9/28/2010 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I've had fog for over 20 years but it couldn't have been from meds because I rarely take any. I've gone years without anything stronger than some monthly ibruprofen. I was on tramadol for a few years but I've been off it for a few months. The fog was actually a bit better while I was on the tramadol because I slept better.

I think, for me, it has more to do with delta sleep than anything else.
Posted 9/28/2010 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
I kinda feel like I've had the fog my whole life - for whatever reason - it's just gotten increasingly bad. I've never had clear, linear thinking as part of my makeup. C'est la vie!

Debbie
Posted 9/28/2010 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
All I know is that cognitive memory problems are one of the symptoms of fibro.  Why it happens is anyones guess because they haven't figured out this illness yet.

 

Here is a great link explaining fibrofog.

 

http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_fibrofog.html

 

Like Miriam, I have times during the day that I have the fog but not the morning fog and it isn't a huge issue with me.  But, I'm not on a lot of medication either.  So, even it you don't want to hear it, if you are on a lot of meds, some of the fog can be caused by that, I'm sure. 

 

Just keep your sense of humor.  I think help is on the way!

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/28/2010 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I think the fog experienced from using certain meds and true fibro fog are two different things, but can definitely co-exist (just my 2 cents). Here is an interesting article about fibro fog:

http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_fibrofog.html

I especially found the part about decreased blood flow to certain areas of the brain and the part about chronic pain affecting the brain interesting. These two theories seemed to crop up a lot in some of the research I did.

Hugs - Austen
Posted 9/28/2010 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Ha, no wonder why my fibro fog has been so bad the last six months. If it lack of sleep, lack of oxygen, and such like that both my heart issues and fibro were both contributing to my serious fog. Thanks for the links I too was curious about it. My doctor for my SSi exam tried to tell me there is no Fibro fog symptom w/ fibromyalgia, I told him he could discuss that with my doctors I wasn't arguing with him. lol.
Posted 9/28/2010 5:38 PM (GMT 0)
I don't know what causes it but I think I have had it forever. As a child my family would even tease me about not remembering stuff. It is something I just deal with. I even took a memory improving course in the 70's. Now I just leave notes to myself all over the house.
Posted 9/28/2010 6:08 PM (GMT 0)
Try reading this book.  It is good and did help me.  I need to reread it now!  LOL

http://www.amazon.com/Memory-Book-Classic-Improving-School/dp/0345410025

 

Sherrine

Posted 9/28/2010 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all of your responses - now I have some links to read.

I knew I would hear about meds anyway. Ugh, you guys! LOL
Posted 9/29/2010 3:01 AM (GMT 0)
What were we talking about? ..oh right, fibro fog. I have pulled over in my car because I've forgotten where I was going. I make notes CONSTANTLY for everything on my phones notepad. My mom was scrambling tonight, just frantic cuz tons of family coming tomorrow and she fealt overwhelmed with what shd had to do. I told her she wasn't going to calm down till she made a list of what she had left (and that I couldn't help her unless she gave me my own to-do list). She made the list, calmed right down and said "thats not as much as i thought!" we went down it item by item n got lots done. HATE the fog but love that my list making has become second nature for me! Learning to live with fibro!
Posted 9/29/2010 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
You know, I always say to myself that I should make lists - it makes sense to me that it would help - but then when I do, I have so many that I have to wade through a bunch of lists to find the one I want and keep getting distracted! I don't seem to have a logical place to keep them. Do you get better at it if you keep doing it for awhile - I mean, more efficient??

Debbie
Posted 9/29/2010 10:20 AM (GMT 0)
Yay for lists!

By the way, I sent one of the links to my friend who asked about fibrofog. I'm waiting for his response to it.
Posted 9/29/2010 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think the 'FOG' comes from meds, at least not in my case. I have no pain meds, except for Tylenol. I have had FMS all my life and the fog has been my 'buddy' all my life. It has gotten worse as I've gotten older.

I can forget my way while driving, totally lose my destination. I have had to pull over and strain my brain trying to remember where I was going. I make lists for everthing, sometimes just writing things down helps me to remember what I wanted to do or buy. I had outdated notices from work and church that I tore in half and I use the backs of them to make my lists.

I take care of the bills in our house - yeah scarey I know. I can't always write out the checks, I have to wait for the day or portion of the day when my 'math skills' are visiting me.  wink   I used to handle large amounts of money and also taught math, you have to know how depressing this is to me. I never used a calculator. Now it is my 'other' best friend - my 1st best friend is still my heating pad.

I can remember the date something happened yrs ago, but I can't remember words I need today. Luckily, most of the ppl I talk to anymore know what I'm talking about and can finish my sentence. 

God bless.  Alice.

Posted 10/7/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)

 Have any of you had an MRI. I had one done a few years ago and I have something on my brain. I can't remember what side but it affects my memory. 3 years ago I went to the hospital thinking I was having a stroke or heart attack and the ER dr did a CAT Scan. from that CAT Scan she was able to tell I had Fibro.

Veronica

Posted 10/7/2010 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
I had an MRI on my brain not to long ago and they didnt find anything unusual, however they did say that I do have a brain. lol Somedays I have wondered about that. lol
Gentle Hugs
Shirley
Posted 10/8/2010 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
 

 

This is such an interesting topic.   The fog can get pretty bad, especially that along with not hearing too well.  I have a hearing aid, but sometimes I still have trouble catching every thing being said.    That with memory problems can get a bit confusing sometimes.  eyes

 

Veronica, So you were diagnosed by a cat scan? I didn't know fibro could be diagnosed by a test like that.  I'd love to know what it was that confirmed it for your doctor. Gee, it would be great if they have found a way through a scan! It would be like a major breakthrough.

 

I think my fog is from the fibro and the Tramadol probably contributes some too.

Writing notes is a must or I wouldn't get much done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted 10/9/2010 11:52 AM (GMT 0)
My friend's response to the link on fibro fog was "oh." He is a dear friend, and knows fibro is real - but he just didn't know what to say. This is just a tough illness to have, both physically and emotionally. How do we explain to our loved ones something that we ourselves don't even understand?
Posted 10/10/2010 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
The medications that Fibromytes are given help dull the senses....pain. I took myself off all meds for Fibro and found it helped with the fog. I would rather deal with the pain for now.
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