Fibro Fog Yuk!

General
1

Goodmorning to everyone, I am new to this site and I found it by searching information about Fibro fog. I had not heard of it before and now that I have read up about it I am sure that must be whats going on. My short term memory is almost gone. I can remember things from years ago, but I struggle with something that happened yesterday, or even earlier in the day. I now transpose numbers, a real bummer. I have to be extremely careful at work, or i could have a real diaster on my hands. I used to be the walking phone book, now I can't remember where the phone book is. I have sticky notes all over my desk, cause if someone tells me something I have to write it down right then. I type words backwards to. IF I sent this the way I typed it you wouldn't be able to understand it. I have difficulity spelling words too. This is all so frustrating for me. My husband is a very compassionate man and helps me all he can. I am so thankful to God for him. Just a short life history here. I have been married for 38 years, with 5 children, 4 boys and 1 girl. Our third son died in 2003 from colon cancer at the age of 20. I think thats what kicked off my fibro. Anyway, now I have 5 grandchildren and one on the way, due in May. I work two jobs. One is I am a school bus driver, and the other is a part time church secretary. My schedule is not to bad. I leave the house at 6:25 am and return home before 8:am, then I go to work at the church for 9:am until 1pm. Then come home and get a nap and leave for the bus at 2:25pm. I live only miles from the church so there is not much travel time there. My bus route is 26 miles twice a day. I would love to quit the bus, but thats where my insurance is and I don't think I can get outside insurance without it costing me and arm and a leg.. When I get in from work I am shot for the day. Can hardly go and need rest again. What I want to find out is how long does this fibro fog last? Anyone out there deal with this stuff, its terrible. Thanks for listening and any imput would be appreicated.

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Hi Sue and welcome to the group! It's nice hearing from you and I hope you find useful information and friendship here.

Fibro fog knocks me flat on my butt as soon as I get home from my part time job as a Meals on Wheels driver. I feel dizzy, light headed, "distanced" (like everything is being read to me from a book, instead of my experiencing it in person,) etc. I'm exhausted and can barely function. I get on line and read for a while, until I fall asleep. When I read about how much you do in a day, I was both amazed and exhausted! I don't know how you can manage to do all of that! It's quite a load when you also have fibro.

Does your state offer health insurance for people in need? If not, could you qualify for welfare? I know that's probably not what you want to hear but fibro fog is a serious matter. Especially since you're also responsible for the lives of all of those kids on your bus. I know it's not something you want to hear but it's something you'll need to think about seriously at some point, given you have fibro and fibro seems to be progressive for most of us. You could also look into getting disability if you got on welfare. They aren't great options, I know, but just put them into the back of your mind, for later use.

How long does this fibro fog last? I'm guessing for as long as we are afflicted with fibro, which is supposedly a lifelong illness.

I find that sleep is the key for me. I use a CPAP machine, which helps me get better sleep. Have you been diagnosed with any sleep disorders? Usually they run with fibro and help us to feel fatigued and fibro fogged. If you have any then seeing a doctor could help you to feel better rested and make a dent into the fog.

Simplifying your life is also important. Toss out the things you do that take up energy but aren't essential. Meals can be premade ones from the store. Paper plates can be used to conserve your energy as well.

I had to chuckle at the title of your post, "Fibro Fog Yuk!" because I tend to transpose letters when reading from time to time, and had a very interesting title, based on that. I think you can probably figure it out.

Yeah, the spelling stuff affects me too, esp. when I'm exhausted. And transposing numbers too. I've had that problem for a long time before the fibro but wonder now if it was the beginnings of it?

At any rate, to wrap up my ramblings, what you're experiencing is very normal for people with fibro. Of course, talking to your doctor about it is always advisable, but truly this is classic fibro fog. I wish I could tell you of a way to make it go away but I haven't figured that one out yet!

Smiling at you,

Petunia

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Thanks Petunia for answering me so quickly. I also use a cpap, just started about four months ago, I am finally getting used to the thing. It has helped some with the fatigue issue, but I still have it almost everyday. As for my schedule I pretty much have to work, my husband is disabled due to an offshore accident. His disability check doesn't go very far. He does all the cooking and grocery shopping. I know you can see how much help that is to me. I do clean the house but usually can't do but a room a day. If I wash clothes then thats it for that day. I used to fuss about how I used to be able to clean the whole house in a couple of hours and then do whatever I wanted. Now it takes me the whole week to get it together. I thought it was just my back causing all my problems. I just didn't want to believe I have fibromyalgia. But, as time goes on and I get where I can do less and less I decided to research this thing. Well when reading this site, and hearing people who have the same problems as I do has been a real eye opener. I have a dr. appointment in Feb with a neuro, and I want to see what he suggests. I am almost sure I will have to have an mri. we will see. At least I am not going crazy. ha ha.

I will deal with one thing at a time, thats about all I can do. Have you every had a problem with feeling like a wave coming over you and suddenly you feel like you can't keep your eyes open. I have had this happen several times recently. Some times I need sleep so bad, thats all I can think about, no food or anything else, just give me my bed. Its hard as once I was a very active person, always on the go, with five kids and all that goes with that. I could just imagine what my husband and I would do together when we retired. Don't think we will get to do half of what we wanted to do. I do enjoy my grandbabies, but I do get tired quick.

I need to go, thanks for listening and sending me useful information. Have a good evening.

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Hi Sue,

You're welcome. Glad to be able to help in some small way.

I know what you mean about the CPAP machine. Sometimes I feel like I want to rip the mask off my face and it just doesn't feel comfortable on at all. But it's helped.

Oh boy, can I relate to your words! I used to love going out shopping late in the afternoons after work. Can't do it anymore. Can go on occasion and that's it. And like you, I can't do much cleaning any more. Grocery shopping is terribly hard for me, especially because I have ten steps to get up at my home and carrying all of those bags up is torture. Even cooking has changed. I don't do much on my own and just buy pre-made stuff, usually.

Yes, I feel that horrible fatigue when I get home from work! All I want to do is sleep, sleep, sleep. I can't do anything after work until I've had that nap. It's almost impossible for me to make important calls when I get home, due to that awful fatigue.

I'm so sorry, Sue, about both you and your husband's situation. It's gotta be hard being the only one bringing in a decent-sized pay check. Again, I encourage you to think about alternative ways to get money should the time come.

I hope your doctor orders a bunch of blood tests for you, to rule out other illnesses that can mimic fibro. Psoriatic arthritis is one, and something to look out for if you or others in your family have psoriasis. Rheumatoid arthritis is another illness with similar symptoms as fibro, along with lupus and Lyme disease. So, as you can see, it's important to have a doctor check you for the other illnesses in order to rule them out. I know that when I started my journey, I thought I had psoriatic arthritis, due to my symptoms, but it was fibro.

And lastly, ohhhhhhhhh, how I can relate to your words about your back and how you thought it was the cause of all of your problems until you happened upon fibro! For several years, I went to back specialists, trying to figure out WHY my back was in non-stop horrible pain. FINALLY, almost 6 years later, I finally found out when my doc diagnosed me. Ironically, my mother read about fibro and said I had it the exact same time as my doc. Ironic. But I so know what you mean and how you felt. Fibro loves getting into our backs.

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Hey Petunia, I have been ready a lot of the posts on here. I even read the story about the spoons. Wow what a way to describe what goes on. Its funny now when I think about it. I used to be able to sleep until 6:10 jump up throw on clothes and grab something to drink and go drive my bus. Now I have to give myself plenty of time to just get up. I have to give myself and hour to get ready for church on Sunday mornings. I guess I really didn't realize how much I have slowed down. One of my sons has a set of twin boys, and the other has 2girls and a boy. The twins are now 5 months old and the other boy just turned a year old, girls are 2 and 4. Well one night about four months ago I ended up with all five of the kids to babysit. I told them not to ever do that to me again. I can not manage it. It would of been a total disaster if it were not for my husband and dad. So now they ask me if I am up to babysitting. I hate to say no, because I love being with my grand babies, but in moderation. Speaking of grandkids, three of them are arriving to have cake with mimi. I pray I don't get worse, cause I want to spend all the time I can with them. I am a christian and I believe in God helping me. Have a great night. Kaylee is wearing a footed pajamas with a tutu. So cute!

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I to understand i used to be the phone book and go to person at my house for appointments and what not. My husband months ago kept saying what is going on with you you have been becoming more forgetful and unsable to concentrate i thought it was the depression meds and axiety but after coming here it is nice to know i am not alone. Welcome

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Bless you and the grands and I hope you'll continue enjoying time with them without fibro being a party pooper.

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Thanks for the welcome Victoria, yes after reading about others and the things they deal with I realize I have been dealing with the same thing for awhile myself. Some of this stuff is a real eye opener for me. I didn;t know about the fibro fog until the other day. Reseaching that lead me to this site and I am so glad. Not only for the infromation but to make new friends who understand whats happening to me. Helping me to see what's happening to myself. Sometimes you wonder if your the only one dealing with all these different symptoms and now I have found out that there's hundreds of people in the same boat. I think whats bothers me the most is not remember things and transposing numbers and letters. I messed up our checking account last week because I paid a couple of bills and forgot about it. Well then we came up short and I had to try and figure out what I did. I have paid the bills at our home for years but now I am going to have to get my husband to help me. Somehow I feel like I am going backwards instead of forward. So much to deal with and so much to learn. Thanks for the warm welcome. Sue

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Hi Sue - You are explaining a lot of things that I go through. I definitely have 'fibro fog' and I really don't know how we developed this, but one of my theories is, I think mine comes from lack of sleep. I can't remember the last time I have slept through the night. It's an unfortunate side effect of Fibro, I guess. I make mistakes during the day. I drop things, I get up to go to another room to get something, and I can't remember what it is I was supposed to do. One time I had a doctor's appointment, and the night before I didn't sleep well at all. Well, I got on the freeway and totally forgot where I was supposed to go! I knew who I was, I knew I was driving my car and I was on the freeway- but for a few seconds my mind just went blank on where I was to go! Weird!! We all need sleep to restore our bodies for the following day, and we don't have that luxury. I sometimes think this is why we are always in pain. Our body never has a chance to relax and prepare for what's ahead of us. Working two jobs can be tough, Sue. I sure wish you didn't have to do this. But sometimes we don't have a choice. I worked two jobs years ago and I was just so exhausted, of course, not getting any sleep either. What you are going through is pretty much the 'norm' for us Fibro patients. But, if you find it really troublesome, you might want to get a check-up for it. I too have difficulty spelling words and when I look at what I have typed, It's a bunch of jumbled up letters that don't make any sense and I have to start over. I am so sorry about your son. He was so young! Colon cancer runs in my family and I have to be diligent in getting check-ups along with Colonoscopies. My father passed away from colon cancer - he was 63. Then I lost my mother just 5 months later. It's never easy when we have major trauma in our family and have to deal with Fibro at the same time. I think we are hit a little harder than most people who are healthy. Count your blessings that your husband is so wonderful with you. In answer to your question as to how long the fibro fog lasts. Sue, nobody knows. it's just an unfortunate thing that we have along with the Fibro. Please take care of yourself - and I am happy you have found this group. I feel so much better since I have been on this website. Have made some wonderful friends, who all know what I am going through. We will do everything possible to help you feel better and offer advice, if you should ask. Gentle Hugs! Laurie

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Welcome, Sue. You found a great site to discuss anything! I found it in July and it has helped me tremendously to not feel so alone and understand that most of my symptoms are due to FmS.

I am trying to work fulltime at a high school, but some days I don’t go in until 10:00 am so that I can try to get a few more hours of sleep. The lack of sleep has really knocked me for a loop and it has increased the pain and the brain fog. I give you so much credit being able to drive a school bus - there are days that I drive home ( only 2 miles) and don’t even remember doing so! Talking to parents on the phone and making myself sound halfway knowledgeable is a struggle. There are times during the day that I just start crying - nothing sets me off - its like my brain turned on the sprinklers! I am fortunate to work with great people who look out for me and my boss can see when I’m having a bad day and will tell me to slow down and take a break. Stress is my biggest trigger and I try really hard to avoid it, but life doesn’t work out that way. Our work desks probably look like twins with all the sticky notes!

I see a therapist on a weekly basis to help me work through the guilt of not being able to do what I used to and the whole responsibility of my job and not feeling guilty if I need to call in sick. It’s been a tough road but she’s helped me a lot. I now can leave work undone, knowing it’ll be there tomorrow and I am doing the same with housework. I don’t like it, but I don’t let it stress me out, which causes more pain, less sleep and increased brain fog. Don’t get me wrong…I still have horrible days, and know that I will have many more. I’m looking forward to seeing a new doctor the end of the month and hope I’ll be able to get some help. I’m not on any pain meds except for my migraines and take 1 mg of klonopin at night for TMJ and restless leg. Tried weaning myself off of it before Christmas, but after 3 weeks the symptoms all came back including night sweats terribly.

I wish you the best when you see the doctor in February. Enjoy those grand kids - I find they help take my mind off of my pain! Those smiles are worth it :slight_smile:

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Oh, I can relate to slowing down. I move like a sloth.

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I hear you, I have got to add a lot of extra time to getting ready to go anywhere. My dad (who lives with us) says that they will have to wait two hours on me to get ready and he is older than me. Of course I know he is teasing me, but there is so much truth in what he says. Some times just taking a shower and washing my hair wears me out till I don't want to go after all. Its just crazy, especially for someone who has been a go getter all her life. Hope your doing well.

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Hi Sue - you have pretty much described me in regards to the fact that you used to be able to get up early, get dressed and off you would go. Like you, I have to allow a lot of time before I leave the house, because I am so unstable in the morning, and it takes a couple of hours for me to feel relatively normal. It's awful feeling tired, isn't it?? It becomes really chronic as time goes on. For many years I worked in the surgical unit at a animal hospital. About 3 years ago. I had to leave the job. In the first place, it was going under new management and secondly, I had to quit anyway because my Fibro was getting so much worse. If I had to be at work by 8am, then I needed to get up about 5am, just to unwind and get the stiffness out of my body. By the time I got home, I was so exhausted, sometimes I wouldn't even eat. I would take a shower and just go straight to bed. It didn't matter how many hours I slept, when I woke up in the morning, I was just as tired as the night before. A miserable way to start the day and an awful way to live!! I now do volunteer work to keep me busy - but on my own terms, so I don't get exhausted. I am now on disability. The pay is a lot less, but I am able to take better care of myself now. I have the support of my family and some support from friends, but not all of them. I had to let go of a few people that refused to understand what I was going through. They had very little patience with me as well. It's their loss, because I am a wonderful friend to those that appreciate me.Hugs! Laurie