Brain fog and new.

I am new to using forums entirely. I have fibromyalgia since 1999 but never knew what it was until 2009. Along with majority of the fibromyalgia symptoms, I have chronic migraines. I was in the military for 8 years before getting medically retired. I current am going to college to be a biomedical engineer. My daily pain average is 7. I have an amazing husband that supports me in every aspect in life and a 2 year old son, who brightens my day. I don't take any medications because the medications make me extremely ill. I just focus my energy into my family and being busy.

I have come to a forum to look for suggestions on one of the long winded list of illnesses I have throughout the day. Since I am in college, I have noticed brain fog to be a rather difficult symptom to get around or through. I have lots of trouble with mixing up words, not being able to say words, difficulty concentrating and confusion. It is frustrating when I am taking a test and I know the answers but can't get them on the paper in time as I struggle to get my hands moving the correct way. I spend a lot of time erasing and rewriting.

Is there things I can do to make this symptom go away?
I feel like my college studies are suffering because of these moments. I fear my brain fog will soon be permanent and have difficulties with. The simplest of words. My husband does amazing to fill in my words without skipping a beat and not allow me to get frustrated. I just worry that my quality of life will suffer and I will let my family.

I like to play mind games too to help my fog. I visit bigfish.com for a large variety of thinking games.
They help a lot, but I still have bad days.

I understand.

I find that short bursts are far more effective than long periods of concentration. My brain focuses better when I take breaks every hour. If you are going to be taking a test, don't overly tax your brain right before. I rest.

I also have made peace (kinda) with the fog. My memory isn't what it once was. I am trained as an actor, but memorizing lines is very difficult for me now, as is expending the focus stage-work needs. I find that the more I get the information into long-term memory, the better I am in recalling it. My short-term memory is shot. Of course, long term memory takes time, and you do need to exercise it regularly, or else it gets worse. I mean that you have to actively find things to work with, or else the facility becomes dull. I honestly do not know of any other ways to hone memory. I rely on pneumonics far more than before.

As far as losing words go, my best technique is to just move on. Leave a blank, and continue with the thought. Usually, after a minute or so, the word will appear. If speaking, just take a breath, don't panic, and smile. Usually, something that works will appear, so long as you do not tense up and freeze the brain.

Welcome, Daddysred. It's at the very top of page when you click into the Fibro Board. Might be labelled resources.

Managing the pain is key with me to managing the brain fog. Your typical opiates seem to help me a lot. I did not articulate this thought in my earlier post because I was in pain. I took a pain killer, and I think clearer. I hope this helps: deep tissue massages, pain management, no refined carbs or any kind of junk food, yoga or mindfulness course. As I said in my earlier post, the ADD drugs can complicate things. I took a Mindfullness course at University of Penn for 8 weeks, and it helped tremendously. Yoga helps also, it has to be the relaxing kind where you go into the moment, and think of nothing else. Deep tissue massages help the pain, and the brain fog. I don't know why, but it does. I go to a woman that really digs in. If she finds a spot that hurts, or a knot, she works it out. This hurts momentarily, but takes away the daily pain, and therefore reduces brain fog. Cutting down on refined carbs helps also. I saw your comment on Celiac. I do not have Celiac, but there is a definite link in my body from refined carbs and brain fog. When I eat a high protein diet, fruits, and vegetables, no soda, no sugar, no bread, I feel so much better. It takes discipline to have a Spartan diet. Since you have Celiac, you are eliminating a lot from your diet already that would be included in this category. Take care :)

At my university, I have a disability action plan that allows me to have an extra 15 mins on top of every standard hour allowed during a test or exam. In other words, I have 25% extra time to figure out my answers to help compensate for the brain fog.

Try olive leaf extract or Olive leaf tea! :)

I have to remove myself from the stimulation. Go to a quiet calm place and focus on relaxing and centering. This works better for me than just trying to push through it and crashing. I am still learning that fibromyalgia means you need to take time for yourself before you can be yourself.