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Posted 9/2/2015 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, I am a 32 year old female newly diagnosed with systemic lupus. I have been reading some information that my dr gave me and read about lupus fog. I have been having memory/concentration issues for almost a year now and I originally thought it was simply because i started a new job, have a 1.5 year old, house, husband etc. I have been trialing ADD/ADHD meds but haven't noticed a great difference. After reading about lupus fog, it got me to wondering. Is there a way to determine if memory loss/concentration issues are a result of the lupus or just a busy life? FYI- i do plan on asking the dr when I go back in a month. I figured I would see if anyone else has had a similar experience and just get some thoughts or insight from others with lupus. TIA!
Posted 9/3/2015 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Martha, welcome to Healing Well.

Lupus fog is very common, basically it's just a feeling that something isn't clicking quite right and that you are walking around in a bit of a haze, or fog. Unfortunately, there really isn't any way to determine if these initial memory & concentration issues are from stress, Lupus, or some other cause. In some cases a course of prednisone will help with inflammation and seems to lesson some fogs.

However, with Lupus cognitive issues can also be very serious. These can actually be detected with brain scans (sorry, don't remember which techniques are used off the top of my head) and require different kinds of treatment. Fortunately, this more serious mental involvement is also fairly rare.

Read the Lupus 101 thread if you haven't already - I think there are some tips on how to cope with the fog in it. And be sure to mention to your Dr.
Posted 9/3/2015 5:32 AM (GMT 0)
I went to a neuropsychologist who did a bunch of cognitive testing on me. I also saw a neurologist who did a MRI of my brain to rule out MS.

I did show a cognitive impairment and white matter in my brain from lupus.
Posted 9/6/2015 10:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Joy,

I wanted to email you and tried the email address on here but it came back undeliverable. Not sure, is there another way. I just have some questions that I wanted to ask you.

Barb
Posted 9/7/2015 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
My email expired on that site. Let me renew it again. Then try it over.
Posted 9/7/2015 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Awesome, thank you!!! :))
Posted 9/8/2015 5:07 AM (GMT 0)
I had been tired/foggy feeling for a year, when all the lab work and diagnosing was going on. I had to take naps after work. I figured it was from the low hemoglobin. Finally diagnosed with Lupus.
Was recently put on prednisone when hemoglobin around 8.0 (normal 12-16) and couldn't talk myself out of medication anymore! I can't believe the energy I have and how sharp I feel now. Will be repeating labs.
Posted 9/10/2015 10:25 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you. I go back at the end of this month to meet with the rheum. Potentially receiving this diagnosis actually answers many questions. My memory and concentration issues began occurring around the same time as my other symptoms. I was actually prescribed Vyvanse to see if that would help but it hasn't-and now I may have a reason why.

I am finding it very hard to get words out some days and forget what I was going to say in the middle of saying it. It seems like I have a slight studder because I cant get the words out. Its getting frustrating and I think that is the worst part about possibly having Lupus. The other symptoms I can live with and accept but the lupus fog is a totally different beast.
Posted 9/10/2015 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
The fog isn't permanent! I gets better with treatment, I promise.

I know it's scary as the dickens, makes you think you are losing your mind.

Hang in there!
Posted 9/11/2015 1:34 AM (GMT 0)
I was like that at first, the stuttering, forgetting what I was going to do or say, saying the wrong word, etc. Since I started getting my flares under control there are fewer and fewer episodes. I find if I fight it, it gets frustrating.
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