Memory problems

i get that sometimes, but mine is just the lupus fog, like going to the store and forgetting why you went, or getting up and going into a room and forgetting why you got and what you are looking for. for me its even worse when i am high levels of pred like i am now, cuz i get even more scatterbrained.

Yes, please mention your brain malfunctions to your doctor. Most rheumies will want to do an MRI or have you see someone for neurological testing. My brain involvement had gotten bad enough that I closed my business, quiet working at all, and was almost afraid to drive, as I'd forget how to put two trains of thought together. It was *more* than a little frightening, I assure you. First we tried Imuran, which did nothing for my brain, then Cellcept --- the Cellcept has given me back my brain!!! It has truly been my miracle drug. I wasn't sure I'd even be able to live alone too much longer, as even grocery shopping became such a huge mental ordeal. Also, I want to say that I no longer believe "just stress" exists once we've had an actual lupus flare. Stress, of any size, produces a lupus response of some type -- short term, maybe, but the lupus is definitely a player. The stress doesn't occur without the lupus piping in with some comment! The sooner you mention this stuff to your doctor the better off you are. My dr didn't do much at first, but since I'd talked about it he could see how it was progressing and making me more and more frustrated, miserable, and frightened. Once he was able to see a measurable progression, he was much more comfortable taking action. A 'little' can be 'normal' brain fog, but a lot...... Good luck, I know how you're feeling,

I am right there with you all...my wife would get upset with me when I told her that "I had not heard that". So, she would get up set...Now, we have came to terms with each other...She will tell me something more than once, I will not get mad with her. If, I say I don't remeber something she will not get up-set with me. It's funny now, my good days are that I can remeber all 6 numbers of my securID at work....

Sometimes we just have to luagh....

Kitty:

I'm coming in a little late on this subject.  I have been diagnosed with Lupus CNS and experienced memory loss.  However, my loss also included getting lost in familiar places, not knowing who my children were, speech and motor problems as well as the short-term memory loss you described.  I had been diagnosed with Dementia, and later Alzheimer's - I have been getting much better and it is now 2 or 3 years since I was diagnosed, so I don't think Alzheimer's is the correct diagnosis.  If your short-term memory has been a problem for a while, then it would be good to get a neuropsych test done and get a referral to a neurologist.  This may help distinguish between the lupus fog and perhaps a more complicated neurological problem.  With my CNS I have had a bevy of neurological problems aside from, and leading up to, the dementia.  You may want to note any sensory problems, muscle usage difficulties, meningitis like symptoms, migraines, eye problems, blood clotting, etc.  I never realized all these things added up to a CNS disease.  The neurologist knew immediately it was Lupus CNS.  Back when, they did an MRA to see if there were blood clots or vascular problems.  MRI to see if there were structural problems.  Both turned out negative.  The neuropsych exam was the only evidence that I sustained some type of organic brain dysfunction.  They also can do bloodwork to see if you have the bio-marker(s) for CNS Lupus.  CNS Lupus is very rare and extremely hard to diagnosis from what I am told.   

Hopefully your Rheumy can sort this all out for you.  I am not sure what type of Lupus you predominately have.  Sometimes this makes a difference.  Memory loss is frustrating, but it sounds like you are handling it well.  I have notes everywhere and sometimes loose those too, but I get by.  Hopefully, it is the Lupus fog which will come and go.  I wish the best for you - Kristin