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Brain Fog?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 5/4/2018 1:01 PM (GMT 0)
UC since '99, currently on Humira, Methotrexate, 20mg prednisone daily.
Humira for UC, MTX for severe arthritis pain in proximal thumb (CMC) joint, pred for flare that responded to 40mg/daily, then taper got to 15mg and failed to control the flare, so back to 20mg/daily.

Anyway, I am getting pretty concerned about my mentation. I am a supervisor, and given that my facility has gone through a major acquisition, and staff management concerns have been frequent, I find that I am almost paralyzed sometimes, and my brain just isn't functioning properly.

The company who acquired the former is getting concerned about my lack of ability to do my job. I am at a loss. I am not in over my head, but I just feel overwhelmed and brain locked at times.

I also do have ADD/ADHD....and I do not take medication for it, I used to, and maybe I need to get back on it? I HATE the thought of taking any more meds...sheesh.

I exercise, alot. I cycle and I ride 200 miles/week, which is good for my brain, cardio, and doing my best to avoid the Prednisone water retention weight gain, which I have been able to hold back, for now.

I think I need to get back with a therapist? I just feel like the walls are closing in at times. My brain doesn't work the way it is supposed to work...

Deacon
Posted 5/4/2018 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
I write user help/documentation for software as a technical writer, which involves translating very technical jargon (computer programmer notes) into something your average clerk using the program can understand. When I was on high doses of pred, the brain fog was a real killer and made work a lot more difficult. Grasping complex concepts became harder, and I am sure I asked a lot more questions than my normal, and likely even repeated questions to the same person. Only tapering helped with the fog.

You try what you can to have a crutch to help you through the pred. A few thoughts on that. Make extensive use of lists (excel spreadsheet or pen and paper), for this project I need to A through Z, in order, checkoff each item as it is completed. Write down people to call, questions to ask them, and cross them off as you do them. Take detailed notes when you talk to people (which you can refer back to later). Make a daily list for what you need to accomplish, and cross things off as you do them. You just have to trust your mind and memory a little less, make it more accountable and measurable with list verification. Keep a paper trail so nothing falls through the cracks or gets forgotten due to the fog.
Posted 5/4/2018 2:47 PM (GMT 0)
Deacon -- I second the prednisone brain fog. It just made me blank out and trip over my words when I am usually a pretty articulate person. It also super increased my anxiety. You're in the US, so you do have disability-related legal protections. It might be worthwhile to be upfront with your supervisor about you being mid-flare and the prednisone side effects and how you plan to address it so your job is still done.
Posted 5/6/2018 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
When do you rest????? I find that, even in remission, I get brain fog when overloaded with activities &/or physically overtired. / Old Hat (37 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 5/8/2018 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
LOL Makes me SO happy to know I'm not the only one who gets 'brain fog' from prednisone. I'm currently down to 30mg. Usually, once I get below 15mg. the fog, blurry vision, wobbly legs, shaking hands...seems to begin to get better. Then I get really dry skin on my face. That goes away, upon completion of prednisone, after a week or two. I would think your thought process is feeling the effects of good ole, much hated, prednisone...but it sure make ya feel better for a while!
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