If you had asked me years ago how I was dealing with my fibromyalgia brain fog, I would have said, "what's that?" I didn't realize that my inability to remember people's names and birthdays, or recall details of a school or work project had anything to do with my aches, pains and fatigue...
much less that my condition had a name...
brain or fibro fog.
You see, I suffered with fibromyalgia without knowing what it was since I was about five, and brain fog comes with the territory.
So...
I started developing coping skills at a very young age and they were fairly well-developed by the time I really needed them in school.
I had to learn to write things down so I wouldn't forget.
I realized that I was different from other people and, wanting to fit in, did my best to hide my differences.
Fortunately for me, I was smart enough to realize that I needed to take lots of notes, both in school, at home, and eventually at work.
I learned to keep daily project lists and a calendar to keep me organized and focused.
Without my calendar and lists, my fibromyalgia brain fog would make me forgetful and I'd miss important appointments, information and instructions.
I would not have been able to function in the world without those written reminders...
a fact that makes me concerned for fibromyalgia sufferers who either don't realize that they have the syndrome, or don't understand that fibromyalgia brain fog is real.
Cognitive difficulties can include confusion, memory lapses, inability to focus or concentrate, and word mix-ups...
to name a few.
Fibromyalgia brain fog is often mistaken for attention deficit syndrome and dyslexia.
So you can see part of the problem...
it's misdiagnosis of the condition! What causes fibromyalgia brain fog may be anybody's guess, but a popular theory includes sleep deprivation and/or related depression and anxiety which are other symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Other thoughts on the subject are oxygen deprivation to areas of the brain which can also cause the frequent headaches and migraines experienced by fibromyalgia sufferers...
and nervous system disorders made worse by the severe chronic pain.
While there have been numerous studies of fibromyalgia brain fog, none have been able to pin down the exact cause, as reported in 2011 Arthritis Today, on the Arthritis Foundation's website.
There is, however, much speculation in the medical and scientific communities and future research and studies may yield more definitive results.
For the present, the efforts are being directed toward treating the symptoms, and helping fibromyalgia brain fog sufferers to learn to deal with everyday life.
Coping techniques and tools like keeping calendars, lists, diaries, voice recorders can be very useful for fibromyalgia brain fog sufferers.
Modern technologies also offer an ongoing array of organizational tools like laptop computers and pads, high-tech web-phones, and even in-vehicle information systems.
Some words of advice to fibromyalgia brain fog sufferers from someone who has coped with this condition for a many years...
"Set aside some time everyday to organize and prepare your agenda for the day...
early morning or before bedtime is usually best...
find out what works best for you! It may take some trial and error to find your way, but when you have found it, you will have one key to control your fibromyalgia brain fog and your life.
" The advice above includes physical tools that anyone can use to stay organized.
But one more thought for you to actually take control of your fibromyalgia brain fog symptoms...
nutrition is the key! For more information on how improving your nutrition can help you, click on one of the links below.
Find out how to survive fibromyalgia!