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Posted 11/4/2011 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am constantly in a daze. Always tired and I can't distinguish the difference. But memory loss is becoming more of an issue and the feeling of just being "present". I don't feel "involved" and my attention span, if talking to someone, literally lasts 5 minutes before it all turns to static.
HELP!
An update on my pain...I am taking Flexeril 5mg. I'm supposed to take it 3x a day but I would be more in a fog...possibly catatonic. tongue But this does seem to help me get a good nights rest at least.
Thank you all for being here!
Posted 11/4/2011 3:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Izzy...I also tke flexeril, but I save it for flares...I could not function if I took it everyday 3x daily.

The fog can be funny and frustrating...we all have crazy fog stories. One of my repeated episodes is...the dryer buzzer goes off...go to unload dryer and all I find is a lonely dryer sheet...yep forgot to put the clothes in.

Remembering names or your address....can happen, just part of the fog.

Hugs, Robin tongue

Posted 11/4/2011 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
Hey CrazyKitty,
Thanks for the reply. I guess I'm so new to the diagnosis I still can't tell when a flareup is happening. I still hurt SO bad. The burning is what is killing me. But I must be in some kind of "Fibro Fog" flare up. I have never felt so out of touch. Like a veil is over me...Can it be lifted? At work I am being very careful with numbers and letters that it's taking me hours to focus and get one thing accomplished and yes, my employer knows about this diagnosis and I wish I hadn't said a word. I feel like my job is in jeopardy.
Posted 11/4/2011 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Aah yes the fog. It has been bad lately, even to the point of causing

anxiety. I've also been isolating myself lately because I have such a hard

time tracking a conversation. People start laughing about something said

and I'm thinking 'what did I miss?'

I know most of my fog is caused by not getting restorative sleep, because on

those rare times when I wake up, feeling very rested, my mind is crystal clear

and life is good.

I understand what you are going through yeah   many hugs.

 

Posted 11/4/2011 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Grandmasharbear,
Funny, I was just telling a friend that I am feeling real panicky. I had a slight panic attack during a meeting this morning. Maybe this is why...hmm. Interesting.
Posted 11/4/2011 5:57 PM (GMT 0)
I have also been rx Flexeril, but only use it during flares for restorative rest which helps to decrease the pain. I would not be able to function taking it everyday, let alone 3 x's @ day. I exp fog when I'm overly fatigued, my mind just isn't capable of focusing at all, and I may do or say anything during this time. Whenever this fog begins, it's a sign that restorative rest is needed.

My husband generally tells me during these times that "he thinks I'm tired and maybe lie down to get rest." Funny!
Posted 11/4/2011 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
Izzy, with time you learn to know what your everyday pain level is. We are all differant. On a scale 0f 1-10, everyday pain for me is usually 3-5. I really try to do everything possible to help myself feel better...exercise do relaxation therapy...a combo of deep breathing meditation and using imagery. I try to stay as active as possible, get out often and have fun.

Flares are a significant increase in pain that can be triggered by a number of things, stress, anxiety, weather, overdoing and sometimes you just don't know what caused it.

I'm one who is usually hit with insomnia while I'm flaring. My pain levels can feel as though they are off the chart and fog can become thick. Heat, gentle stretching, going for walks and doing relaxation therapy are things I continue to do...these are the days that I will take a muscle relaxer. I don't drive the days I take them or if I am especially foggy...I forget where I'm going at times.

You learn to read your body and you know when you need to slow down a little. I still really enjoy life...listen to your body :)

Hugs, Robin
Posted 11/4/2011 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I struggle really hard with staying in the moment. That is the only thing that helps my fog. Constantly reminding myself to focus on what I am doing. It is so easy to lose that. But you can regain it. Has anybody thought of trying ginko biloba (sp)? It is suppose to be good for the mind and memory. It takes a couple of months to work. I don't know if I have the patience to wait it out, but I am thinking of trying it myself.

I cant' tolerate flexeril. It gives me a super hangover. And makes me very sleepy. I liked soma for a muscle relaxer, a lot of people can't tolerate that. But I found if I had food on my stomache it didn't give me that loopy feeling. I haven't taken any muscle relaxers for a long time now. But I do a lot of things to keep myself relaxed and I think that helps.

When we get panic, we tend to get tense. Hence more pain. Especially in the neck and shoulders. Try to stay relaxed, focus on the now. I think that will help you.

Best wishes for a painfree day. Keep the stress at a minimum...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/4/2011 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Stress, flares, fibro fog... they all go hand in hand for me. Stress definitely elevates my fibro fog... it's like my brain tries so hard to keep up with it all that it simply gets overloaded and can't process things. I feel like I'm surrounded by the "cloud" that was mentioned here and it's so difficult to find clarity. I end up flipflopping my words in sentences (often without realizing it myself under someone points it out to me).

There's no easy fix for it. I also have to try to stay 'in the moment' and just relax and concentrate as best I can. I feel for everyone who battles through this because it is so frustrating.

I once prided myself on my memory and attention to detail -- and still do quite well on my good days -- but in the flares I'm not worth a hoot. I'm more like a 90-year-old with severe Alzheimer's. :-( I can't imagine how discouraging and maddening it must be to live with those symptoms on a daily basis -- then again, I guess others can't imagine what it is like for us to live with chronic pain either.
Posted 11/5/2011 12:29 PM (GMT 0)
My fog is terrible. I'm an intelligent person, was always the top in school, so fibrofog feels like my main reason for being has been taken away from me. I can't learn as well as I used to, I can't concentrate if there's any talking at all around me, and conversation is difficult because I mix up words when I'm speaking.

As for Flexeril, why has no one mentioned the worst side effect it has--of nearly impacting one's bowels? I had to stop that medication, because I was no longer able to move my bowels on my own...it's that constipating. :(
Posted 11/5/2011 1:49 PM (GMT 0)
I never experienced constipation on flexeril, but I don't think I took it long enough. Hated it...

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/5/2011 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
My flares and fog go hand in hand. I think I am so focused on pain control that I can handel anything else thus the fog. My husband can tell when I'm in more pain for that reason alone I can't focus or mix up my thoughts or words.
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