I've been a bit embarrassed to ask this but has anyone else experienced a form of dyslexia? I really mean words look jumbled, or mixed up on a page. Mostly with major headaches.
For example, remember when I made the mistake with oz"s name a while back? I think I called her ozkiwi for the longest time. but it was something else, I'll be darned if i can remember exactly but do you get where Im coming from?
My pain dr's name i still get mixed up, even though Ive been seing her for about 3 years now. Its so frustrating. Anyone else with this problem or am I alone on this one?
One of the first things that makes us realize that there is something wrong with us is the inability to perform intellectually like we once did. We seemingly accept the increasing pain, the muscles spasms, the insomnia, but when we keep forgetting our own phone number, red flags go up.
We lose things - misplace others - on a route we know, we get lost - we forget where we're going - shopping lists lose their importance because we keep forgetting to bring them - we lose our car in parking lots time and time again - we come home from shopping and realize we bought the exact same things the day before.
We forget friends' names. We stop in mid-conversation because we've forgotten what we were talking about. We start using gadgets and date books in order to keep track of our normal daily to-do list. If we handle our own checkbook, we gradually have more and more trouble with it.
So what do you do? Perhaps you're still working and notice you are unable to even grasp the simplest part of those new forms you have to use. Perhaps people are noticing that glazed-over look you have as you struggle to understand a new instruction. Maybe you've overdrawn your checking account again - despite superhuman efforts on your part to prevent it. Maybe you're watching the Weather Channel because it's the only channel that makes sense. The list is endless on how this cognitive dysfunction can effect your life.
Your personality is changing. You're no longer as spontaneous as you used to be because everything coming into your brain has to be sifted for importance - for nuances you used to catch easily. You're struggling to react appropriately to everyday situations - and it's a constant effort which adds to our stress.
The good news is that Brainfog is reversible, or, at least, the progression can be halted with medications.
Various herbs and medications have helped. Co-enzyme Q10 150mg a day seems to help many people while Gingko Biloba has helped others. Medications such as low dose Ritalin seems to jump start the brain. NADH helps some people and Neurontin may help with lessening of brainfog.
Because our brainfog is under-diagnosed by our doctors, very little research is being done to find a drug that will cure this disease so we are left to use drugs currently on the market to hopefully, lessen the symptoms
Even taking a shower is a major effort because we don't remember whether we've rinsed the shampoo out of our hair - we lose the washcloth - we drop everything - we forget whether we rinsed all those hard-to-reach areas. What were once functions that we handled without thought, we now need to consciously review every aspect of the process before it occurs.
We laugh about it. We learn to "cover" the errors with laughter. But we're embarrassed and silently start questioning our own sanity. We worry about brain tumors and Alzheimer's because we know the problem is far more extensive than other people are seeing.
If we tell our doctor about our problems, we are often easily placated by the doctor's words. "Everybody starts having trouble as they get older." So we joke about it with each other - further dismissing its importance.
But something is wrong. This is not the everyday forgetfulness that everyone experiences from time to time. This is a 24 hour, seven day-a-week continual struggle to appear and act normally.
Excellent post, DonnaC!!! You are so right in what you say! You`ve maybe "hit the nail on the head about the anti-oxidants! I`m taking fish oils (omega 3 not CoQ 10) and I think they must be doing a similar job to the other enzymes as my memory and reading /spelling havs improved. Annie, I`ve always been the best speller - until the mva! I`ve struggled with that and brain fog, until recently, but DonnaC has answered why I`m improving. If I make mistakes today, it`s because my son has left me this tiny computer, that I*m having to strain to see, worth mega bucks, called a tablet, as mine is still not connecting to the internet. (Next week, I hope!)
I do believe nutrition and exercise play a hugely important role in our recovery! So sorry to hear of your troubles, Bess! My legs are going on me, too and I now have a mobility scooter to get me about on the island as I can`t walk more than 100 meters. The weather has warmed up, though, and I`m getting exercise in the pool. I believe that taking the magnesium has allowed me to move more. Previously I was getting spasms in my back all the time -especially when I tried to swim. Now I have hardly any spasms at all, and none when I swim
Annie, please trll AH I`d love to hear from him!
Tammy, sorry I haven`t been in contact! I do hope you`re improving! I was heartened to learn in one of your recent posts that you`re no longer woried about losing your house. Did I miss something important? I`m so pleased for you!!
Anona and Kituk, sorry I havaen`t been in touch - no access of my own to the internet for such a long time now. Just know I`m thinking of you!
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