Comprehension

Does anyone else have issues with comprehension?

Examples:

Some days I come to the forums and read a post. I know the words and I kind of understand that its something I can relate to, but I can't seem to figure out how to qualify in my head and respond.

I prefer e-mail and Instant messaging to talking as I can take the time to mull things over and respond properly. Some things just don't make sense any more until later when I have a "good" period of time.

I'm studying for a certification test and although it is in my field, I can't seem to learn and grasps the specifics for the test. (These tests rarely relate to real life work). I learn a chapter one day and the next day I don't have the information in my head anymore. It's not amnesia, lol. It's just comprehension and retention of facts.

Just curious if anyone else has dealt with this and how they might have handled. I take supplements for concentration, focus and learning. I just added D-Ribose and Gotu Kola (for different purposes). Gotu is supposed to assist with learning for people dealing with our issues.

Thanks!

I struggle with this all the time! I have a MS degree in astronautical engineering and spent 20 years doing program management of large ($18B+) satellite and space programs for the Air Force. I could easily recall details and nuances of the designs and contracts from years earlier. But now since my Fibro symptoms started I have trouble following a conversation, doing basic math, reading a book or watching movies, etc.

It's incredibly frustrating to know I used to be able to do all these things with ease but now I can barely read a fluffy fiction book and follow the story line. This lack of ability to concentrate/comprehend and as yet uncontrolled pain levels are why I'm not working anymore.

I wish I had some advice for you. I'm all ears if anyone else has suggestions.

Have a blessed day!
Mari

Its enough to make you go mad. I cant remember anything. Brain fog is no joke. I feel like mine is getting worse over the past 2 years.

Easily, especially when speaking with someone. It's like I cannot hear fast enough.

More of a problem is losing words, or changing my mind about the sentence construction in the middle of speaking. It's frustrating. I can usually play it off--I am enough of a goof in real life that everyone kinda ignores it. But, it's frustrating.

I definitely go through periods of this..it was much worse when my vit d was low...

If i am in a flare, i can kinda shut down and get overwhelmed by too much going on at once..

I also find that i am slower to kick into higher gear in the mornings, so i concentrate better later in the day and sometimes at night..as a matter of fact , its hard to turn my brain off at night.

So for me its a come and go type thing

Lj

Oh my, yes! It's pretty scary sometimes, and frustrating constantly. I absolutely hate it.

I feel like my head's full of cotton batting all the time...and then, I'm in the process of switching up some meds, so of course, that just makes it worse. When I first developed Fibro (before I knew that's what "it" was) I was told I needed allergy shots, that they would help clear my head...so I gave myself shots a couple of times a week, and they did absolutely nothing.

Random thoughts and images - snatches of old songs - the oddest things come into my head for no apparent reason. It's like it's already full of all this stuff, so when I am trying to comprehend something new, there's no room for it!

I guess we each just have to try to find our way through the maze and work out things that help, but boy - it's not easy!

Debbie

Yes, I have that too. I used to have a higher than average IQ also, enjoyed reading and learning new things. I don't do that so much any more, it takes so much effort just to read a regular novel, much less an interesting subject matter one, that I just don't do it any more.

I have lost the ambition to do a lot of things I used to enjoy because of lake of comprehension, lack of memory, lack of energy, lack of drive, etc., etc., etc. Then we can bring in the nerves, anxiety, depression and sudden flares and for the past two years I haven't even road my motorcycle much, which I used to really enjoy too.

But, chin up, and embrace the new you (I say to myself), and find new things you can do and enjoy doing.........

I used to have a good memory when I worked. People would always come to ask me about things that happened in the past. Not like that now. I do try to keep my mind thinking. I do order my meds. I do Insurance forms and account for what has been paid and not paid. I do get papers together for taxes. I think you have to challenge your brain.

I do tell my Husband that it is hard to think when you are in pain and especially hard to focus on any really serious issues.

I do really have short term memory problems. It makes me have to go back and forth many times as I keep forgetting what I wanted to do. I do always prepare lists when I go to the Doctor. If I don't I always forget something.

Loring

Osteoarthritis in Multiple Joints, Fibromyalgia, Neuralgia, Chronic Daily Headaches, I.B., Hard of Hearing...