So today I wanted to talk about one of the symptoms that you are really not warned about.....the dreaded brain fog!
So what is brain fog?
The only way I can describe mine is to say that it's like your mind has turned to treacle! Everything seems slower, harder, memories have disapeared and I am ANGRY!
It's like I am living in someone else's head and no longer able to function in my own! A terrifying battle between myself and this imposter who is relentless in their attack on my personality!
Brain fog is common in many diseases, lupus, m.e, fibromyalgia! How it affects you is personal only to you and that is why it is the hardest symptom for many to deal with!
In fact I am having it right now...making this posts so much harder to focus on!
So what can you do?
That's the million dollar question and if I knew I would share it! There are some things like resting your brain and body that will help. Some antidepressants will help to relax your brain, get you to sleep and feel a little brighter.
Some people will cope by simple trying to carry on, not something I can do. For me I just have to ride it out, I won't do anything today, all my energy is taken up by trying to remember where I am, what I'm doing and what happens next!
Can you plan for the fog?
Simple answer, probably not! However you can do things to help you in advance of a bad day! My personal favorite is to plan everything I am doing a week in advance. This has obstacles though that can set the fog off; plans change, other peoples plans change and I can get to sick to do my own plans.
If I have them there though, I can just about function to do the things I want to do such as work and enjoy others company!
Lists are another option if your memory is affected! Make lists for everything f in your day, well in advance of a fog storm appearing! Tell others about your lists so that they can help when it does appear.
I have planed and I have lists so today I can push through!
What to do when your loved one has the fog....
Watching a loved one in pain sucks, I've done it before and it's a helpless situation . There are some things that you can do to help though even if they seem trivial to you!
Sometimes in life it's the small things that say the most. Start by helping your loved one plan for the fog. This could be helping them to remember tablets, organize their social life or simply plan their day with them!
Understand their triggers!
This is the but that needs the most attention if you want to help them. For me I am triggered by stress 100%! If I get stressed the fog will come and the worse the stress the longer it will last.
The hardest for me is plan changes because I get so confused and muddled. This makes me angry and scared the two things that are most unhelpful!
Once you know the stressers avoid them as much as possible. Help to alleviate the trigger as much as possible and remember to make your loved one feel safe and secure.
Above all else remember that they can't help forget everything or shouting or even screaming at the top of their lungs. Being locked In your mind is hard work and they need to do what they can to let it out! Don't judge them or make them feel alone...trust me it makes it so much worse!
So that's the fog...my nemesis...my fight!
What's your experience?
