Brain Fog

[Guest guest]

Yes, I have felt the same way with dosage change and sometimes just brain fog

hits for no apparent reason... It is tough

Dixie

Dstirratt@... wrote:

> From: Dstirratt@...

>

> I've been on 5mg of Pred for 6 months and when I went down to 2.5 to try to

> get completely off, my enzymes tripled. So doctor put me back up to 30 and

> will taper back down after it shocks my system back to normal. Problem is

> I'm extremely dizzy, headaches, and am having trouble thinking clearly (brain

> fog is the only way I know to explain it). I called and the nurse doesn't

> seem too worried. Anyone else felt this way after a big change in dose?

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

I lived in a constant state of brain fog for a couple of years! Turned out

that I have sleep apnea. Now I still get the fog when I change doses, but

I'm not always walking around with the fog lights on!

Don

[Guest guest]

Sounds like a very rapid pred reduction. When I reduced too rapidly my

main problems were from pain and fatigue though my labs stayed mostly the

same. I don't recall " brain fog " but maybe my brain is too foggy to

notice? My husband says that he's noticed that I seem to have an

increasing problem remembering words though this only happens when I'm

talking, not when I write. I remind me of my Mom after she'd had a stroke.

She used to get so frustrated she'd stop trying to find the right word and

just say, " oh, you know what I'm trying to say. "

I don't have a problem with headaches except that I notice that I often get

them just after I eat dinner.

Recently I saw a Rheumatologist and he told me that he recommends that I

not continue to try to reduce my pred at the rate of 1 mg. per week

(approximately). Instead, he suggested that I stay at 5 mgs. for 3-4

months or even longer then reduce by 1 or even 1/2 mg. for another several

months. If my labs stay okay I guess I'll try it. I've been under 10 mgs.

for months and so far no real weight loss. In fact, all I really notice is

that I'm a lot more tired and having considerably more leg and back pain.

From my experience, the average nurse, even a nurse who works for a

Hepatologist, isn't qualified to tell you whether or not you are having

negative effects from your medication. In fact, they shouldn't even

presume to try. I believe that they are overstepping some legal boundaries

when they do this, according to information I've read on medical law. Not

that many RNs aren't exceptionally knowledgeable because sometimes they

seem to have a better overall picture than the doctors do. Something many

of us forget is that even a Hepatologist is still not necessarily well

versed in the effects of the medication they prescribe. AIH is different

from other liver diseases since I don't think that other liver diseases are

treated with corticosteroids. Because AIH is a relatively rare disease, we

might all ask our doctors if they've treated anyone else with AIH. The

answers might surprise us. I've found that either a Rheumatologist or an

Endocrinologist would be better versed in the effects of corticosteroid

treatment. I know that my Hepatologists haven't exactly been vigilant

about monitoring possible side effects and they act like I'm commenting on

the weather when I mention some of the problems I'm having.

Take care,

Geri

[Guest guest]

Kaye and others

Thank you so much for talking about brain fog. I thought I was just dumb or

stupid or starting alzheimers. Also have trouble reading because lose

concentration easily.

>From: Kaye Gillis <kgillis@...>

>Reply- onelist

> " onelist " < onelist>

>Subject: [ ] Various topics

>Date: Tue, 13 Jul 1999 13:05:32 -0400

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>From: Kaye Gillis <kgillis@...>

>

>

>I have been out for the last five days due to illness so, rather than

>answer all the e-mails I received, here are my responses to the issues

>you all have been discussing. (I'm sure you have all been holding your

>breath waiting for me to come back and put in my two cents!!)

>

>As for the convention - I love the idea... money may be a problem but,

>if I start now, perhaps I can have enough stashed away by the time we

>have the big party!

>

> Regarding our immune system and not getting ill as often: When I first

>started on prednisone, my hepatologist recommended I take my temperature

>everyday for the reason that prednisone disguises many illnesses and you

>can get very sick before you have any symptoms. I quit taking my

>temperature after a few months because I can pretty well tell when I

>feel different than usual.

>

>I consulted a nutritionist about 2 years ago because I was using

>' Deal a Meal (you eat very healthy food and well balanced meals

>and snacks - start out at (I forget exactly) about 1,000 calories the

>first week and then stay at 1,200 until you have lost your desired

>weight. I got extremely fatigued (more than usual) and the nutritionist

>said it is very important for people with autoimmune diseases to never

>consume less than 1,400 calories per day; that that is what our bodies

>need to hang in there with this disease. He also recommended very few

>animal fats and sugars - they are hard on the liver....just a sensible

>diet.

>

>Re: BRAIN FOG - read this ---- I have worked at the same office for 7

>years. It is about 1-1/2 miles from my home to my office and I got lost

>on the way to work this morning!!! I had to whip around and make a

>u-turn to prevent heading onto the freeway!!

>

>Maybe we should also do a journal of all the dumb things we've done due

>to brain fog!

>I could fill a book!

>

>And, speaking of filling a book, I don't mean to do that here - just

>wanted to connect since I've been out.

>

>I love belonging to this group!! I feel sane again!!!

>

>Kaye - AIH - Ohio

>

>

>---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody,

I think that some doctors make statements that are both uncaring, and

unprofessional. Before i was diagnosed with AIH and experiencing

fatigue, brain fog, and memory loss, i was told by the doctor i was

seeing at the time, that i was getting old and must accept that these

things will happen. Her advice was to eat soy and linseed bread. I

went to see another doctor armed with a tube of urine, it was only

then that things started to move. I felt such relief when i realized

that my symptoms weren't in my head, but were symptoms of a very sick

liver. My new doctor is very caring and professional. Interestingly my

first doctor returned to Malaysia, i was never told why.

I still suffer memory loss, and often feel that my brain has gone to

sleep even though my LFT's are in the normal range.

Have a good day

AIH

[Guest guest]

Jody

Carrying your own records when you visit the doctor, what a good idea.

The problem is getting them from the various doctors, some devils keep

forgetting to hand them over.

On brain fog. I have noticed that when i am about to get a headache my

brain just doesn't function, and i experience extreme fatigue. I just

loose the whole day. Perhaps its my body telling me to rest? Or it

could be due to a boost of hormone levels? As someone suggested.

I wish my body could speak English and tell me what was happening, we

would't need to go to the doctors as often then, and that would be a

bonus.

Have a good day

AIH

_____________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Leona, we have to laugh at these things. They are funny and at the same time so

annoying. The other day I had intended in throwing some paper in the garbage

and opened

the back door and threw it out! I could go on forever about this stuff, I have

learned

to laugh at it, but hope nothing happens that is important and hurts someone.

Lynn in

Wa.

Leona Singleton wrote:

> From: Leona Singleton <lona@...>

>

> talk about stupid,

> i just went to have my dinner and i got out a glass not realising it and put

my

> lasange in it. it wasnt untill after i had realised it and my family broke up

> laughing... i guess it is funny to them but very frustrating to me... its been

one of

> thiose days i think

>

> ---------------------------

[Guest guest]

, All ya have to do to get your records is to send the doctor(s)

a note thats states your name, what you want, DOB, SS# and sign and

date it. This is a legal records request. When all this liver stuff

started I sent everyone, hospitals included this type of letter and

within 3 or so weeks they all arrived. There will a copying cost for

most offices. the Hospitals will for sure charge you but its well worth

it for the amount of hassles one has to go thru getting all the

specialists the info when your there seeing them.

Being the anal woman that I am, I also made a lab flow sheet. It was

something I did when I worked for the GI/Liver doctor. If you want I

can try to make one with my computer and email it to you or anyone

else..I like this cuz when the doctor I see tomorrow asked for me to

fax all my lab reports I just had to send the sheets. Made it a LOT

easier. It took me a couple days to organize the labs by date then fill

in the sheet..

Jody

--- brenda maguire <bmag21@...> wrote:

> From: =?iso-8859-1?q?brenda=20maguire?=

> <bmag21@...>

>

> Jody

>

> Carrying your own records when you visit the doctor,

> what a good idea.

> The problem is getting them from the various

> doctors, some devils keep

> forgetting to hand them over.

>

> On brain fog. I have noticed that when i am about to

> get a headache my

> brain just doesn't function, and i experience

> extreme fatigue. I just

> loose the whole day. Perhaps its my body telling me

> to rest? Or it

> could be due to a boost of hormone levels? As

> someone suggested.

> I wish my body could speak English and tell me what

> was happening, we

> would't need to go to the doctors as often then, and

> that would be a

> bonus.

>

> Have a good day

> AIH

>

>

> _____________________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks. Brain Fog is a big problem for me, although my very nice gp just looks puzzled when I mention the symptoms.

My new difficulty in spelling effortlessly does little harm, but it does remind me daily that my mind is different now. Oddly, I believe I think better in some ways. Maybe that's just because I'm not being tugged in twenty directions by the demands of a job.

I fowarded the article to my daughter, who's had a very severe case of CFIDS for 12 years. She introduced me to the term, Brain Fog, years ago; I thought she'd invented it. My LiverDoc says there is no connection between CFIDS and AIH, but everything I read leads me to believe that there is. Not that knowing does any good!

Harper (AIH 5-00, female, 57, California)

[Guest guest]

Don,

I too find this one of the hardest things of AIH to deal with!! I will go to

give out a phone number at work that we give clients all the time, and

suddenly can't remember it! People think I'm just dizzy! It's very

frustrating. I though for a long time I was going to end up with Alzheimers

disease. It was really scaring me; then I found out that it was related to my

failing liver. I was very relieved. Don't fret too much over it. I've found

that when my train of thought leaves without me...there's usually another one

coming around the bend any minute!!

AIH in MD

[Guest guest]

From the research I've done, Brain Fog is very common in autoimmune diseases. Nearly everyone with an autoimmune disease experiences it to varying degrees. For me, it's one of the most aggravating parts of my illness. As a top salesman, I was always able to think very quickly. Now, I'll lose my thought in mid sentece. Argh!!

Don

Terradon Unlimited

http://www.TerradonUnlimited.com

"People who ask me how we can still have such a positive attitude after all we’ve been through, have it all wrong…We’ve been able to get through all that we have BECAUSE we have a positive attitude". Don Hanson 8/2000

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I get very foggy during a flare! I don't work outside the home and

I really doubt that I could! I forget things that I've said or done.

It was kind of scarey at first, but now that I know that it's just a

symptom of PA, it doesn't bother me so much. Tell your son to hang in

there. Good luck!

Dian46226

[Guest guest]

When I took the comprehensive exam for my master's degree, the smartest

person in our class failed. She failed the second time. She petitioned for

an oral exam and passed with flying colors. The bar exam is the same. It

is more about your test taking ability than what you know. In a way, that

is fine. Lawyers have to perform under pressure. In the other way, it is

very unfair because your husband obviously passed every course. Since we

probably can't change the requirements, he has to figure out how to pass the

test. Private coaching by a law teacher or writing instructor could do the

trick. It is probably not the medication if he managed to get those kinds

of grades unless he just started taking the medication.

I put my husband through law school and know the kind of pressure you are

talking about. I'm sorry he has had to deal with health problems at the

same time. I hope he has a good job (law clerk) in the meantime where he is

able to use his education w/o the bar certification.

Ks Di

[ ] Brain Fog

I'm curious to know more about this brain fog some of you talk about.

The reason why I ask about this is because my dh recently graduated from law

school and has failed the bar exam twice. He was a A/B law student and this

is throwing him for a loop that he can't pass this exam. He realizes that

many people do not pass it but now I wonder if it has anything to do with PA

or Enbrel? We know of no one who suffers from arthritis like he does and

until I stumbled on to this list - I wouldn't know where to turn.

Has PA affected your job or schooling?

in NJ

[Guest guest]

Sorry Di but I think that I disagree with your opinion. The one opportunity

exam a year that you are given to pass a law school course is probably more

in line with your masters exam. Your husband who passed on the first round

doesn't have PA does he?

If memory serves the bar exam lasts about 6 hours a day for two days. A

normal person gets brain fog. The PA husband should ask for different time

constraints if he thinks that it would help...and it probably would with PA.

If he is working and trying to study for the bar ...then he should ask for a

month off or more and really put all his energies just on passing the

bar....he is probably exhausted particularly since most law firms work

clerks to death. Since he has to pass the bar to be a lawyer and he has

worked so hard this far (I know how hard law school is with PA...I had a

terrible time and was miserable and in so much pain and exhaustion...lost my

foot and wrist and knee and some fingers during it), he and you should make

whatever sacrifice it takes to get through the bar...even if he has to quit

his job to focus on it. I passed the first time but I focused totally on

passing the bar for two months....and even then it was a struggle; I was so

tired.

[Guest guest]

Ks Di, I didn't know you could take the test orally. This would help him

because after two days of extensive writing, his hands are so swollen and sore

that he can't hold a pencil at all! I know in lawschool you could take exams by

typing them but since my husband isn't great on the keyboard - that wasn't going

to work either. He is being tutored now by this guy who studies with you one on

one. It's quite expensive but will be worth it.

My husband only came upon Enbrel after law school unfortunately. He wishes he

did it sooner but he kept denying that he would have to go to this type of

medication. His 4 years of lawschool (he went part time at night) were murder.

The stress of school upon his full time job as a state trooper and then being a

husband and father (we had our second child during his 2nd year of law school)

made his PA turn into a continuous flare.

I still don't know how he did it/does it. Anyway, that is why I asked about

brain fog - just wondering if Enbrel could be the culprit.

in NJ

RE: [ ] Brain Fog

When I took the comprehensive exam for my master's degree, the smartest

person in our class failed. She failed the second time. She petitioned for

an oral exam and passed with flying colors. The bar exam is the same. It

is more about your test taking ability than what you know. In a way, that

is fine. Lawyers have to perform under pressure. In the other way, it is

very unfair because your husband obviously passed every course. Since we

probably can't change the requirements, he has to figure out how to pass the

test. Private coaching by a law teacher or writing instructor could do the

trick. It is probably not the medication if he managed to get those kinds

of grades unless he just started taking the medication.

I put my husband through law school and know the kind of pressure you are

talking about. I'm sorry he has had to deal with health problems at the

same time. I hope he has a good job (law clerk) in the meantime where he is

able to use his education w/o the bar certification.

Ks Di

[Guest guest]

DW,

Wishing you the best...you've been lucky to have found your way to this list.

These guys are great at giving good advice! And believe me, it all helps.

The brain fog you asked about has been one of the most difficult for my son

to deal with. He's always been a very good student, considered advanced in

all math and science classes, but Lyme has changed all of that...it has made

everything much more difficult. He is soon to be 16, and hasn't been able to

go to school for two years now...just finally got a diagnosis in January of

this year and he's on I.V. treatments and orals now. There are days he seems

much better, but he says the brain fog is THE WORST. He has always had a very

sharp mind, and I know this depresses him terribly. He describes it as the

feeling you have when you've stayed up way, WAY too late and nothing quite

makes total sense, and you almost feel like you are moving around outside of

your own body.

I really feel for you...I really do hope you have a great Lyme-literate

doctor. What a difference that can make! What region of the country do you

live in?

Do take pictures of the rash if you still have it...if not, be sure you

stress over and over how clearly it WAS a bulls-eye rash. My son never got

the rash, though we knew he was bitten. Honest to God, there are times when

we were asked if he got the bulls-eye rash I wish I had just lied and said

YES. It could have made all the difference in the world. No one wanted to

even consider Lyme because the tick bite never brought that rash, and I've

learned enough now to know it doesn't always show up, as so many doctors seem

to think it does. He did have other weird skin rashes, but not the bulls-eye.

Wishing you the best,

Judie

[Guest guest]

Cheri...couldn't have described it better myself! The description fits me to

a " T " . Although I hate that you are suffering from this frustrating symptom,

it's so nice to hear that I'm not alone in it and am not losing my mind! Best

wishes to everyone! ~Cyndi

[Guest guest]

I was very glad that I was able to retire before the pa " brain drain " . I was

known for my writing and putting logical reasons together for implementing new

education, etc. programs. I had my first major flare just before two grants

were due & I couldn't even move my wrists [to say nothing about the way my brain

felt, empty.] I don't know how you younger people manage with working and the

fatigue and " dead head " feeling. But I was relieved to find on this group that

I was not alone, it isn't just me. Thanks all of you.

Sylvia

Schroeder <lschroe3@...> wrote:

Cheri, Your description of brain fog was perfect. I feel exactly the same way.

Thank you. in Poulsbo, Wa.

For me the " brain fog " occurs with or without meds on board. It is not just

memory loss it is an inability to think like I did before PA, ie. I know that I

know the answer to a question but I just can't articulate it at the moment that

I need it but can 10 minutes later. It's like my brain is covered by a thick

cotton glove. Everything is still all there it just doesn't always function at

the level it did in the past. I don't really think it is age related because I

stay very interested and stimulated in my world. I definitely think it is PA

related. In my opinion meds bring on an entirely different kind of fog or

fuzziness.

Cheri

[Guest guest]

Yes Sylvia, working with brain fog is really difficult. I had to learn a

completely new job and computer system at the same time I started experiencing

the fog and I am still amazed they kept me. It is kind of a " catch 22 " .....does

the fog bring on the extreme exhaustion from trying to think and appear normal

or does the exhaustion brought on by the disease cause the fog? I am going to

try to answer Orin's question as indepth as possible. I am going to take my

time because it is so difficult to explain it properly. Maybe you feel up to

trying to answer his questions too.

Cheri

Re: [ ] bRAIN fOG

I was very glad that I was able to retire before the pa " brain drain " . I was

known for my writing and putting logical reasons together for implementing new

education, etc. programs. I had my first major flare just before two grants

were due & I couldn't even move my wrists [to say nothing about the way my brain

felt, empty.] I don't know how you younger people manage with working and the

fatigue and " dead head " feeling. But I was relieved to find on this group that

I was not alone, it isn't just me. Thanks all of you.

Sylvia

Schroeder <lschroe3@...> wrote:

Cheri, Your description of brain fog was perfect. I feel exactly the same way.

Thank you. in Poulsbo, Wa.

For me the " brain fog " occurs with or without meds on board. It is not just

memory loss it is an inability to think like I did before PA, ie. I know that I

know the answer to a question but I just can't articulate it at the moment that

I need it but can 10 minutes later. It's like my brain is covered by a thick

cotton glove. Everything is still all there it just doesn't always function at

the level it did in the past. I don't really think it is age related because I

stay very interested and stimulated in my world. I definitely think it is PA

related. In my opinion meds bring on an entirely different kind of fog or

fuzziness.

Cheri

[Guest guest]

I get brain fog quite a lot.. my mind just goes fuzzy.. I always thought it was

just me.. it never occured to me to ask on here if anyone else got it. I'm 18,

studying an advanced VCE course in college, and I find it really difficult to

learn, and take things in when I get foggy. I find I get really tired quickly

when I'm foggy..think that and fatigue related?

[Guest guest]

sorry... this may be off topic... i just signed up yesterday... pls

have mercy...

but i was thinking of posting earlier for some general information...

then i saw vicky's post, rather her email, as i just signed up

yesterday to the group after vic told me about it...

i guess you could say that her and i am an " item " and i love her with

all of my heart... it is very difficult to watch what she goes thru

on a daily basis and it is all i can do to keep my composure as i

type this...

she is so intelligent, such a shining star in the sky... yet i see

times where she is prone to moments where she just makes no sense...

but you can tell what she means if you use a little imagination...

the brain fog... misspelling words... incoherant sentences... i just

never realized it until she forwarded a bunch of emails from the

group to me... and i read them all... many while fighting back

tears... but many of your emails gave me hope... gave us hope... and

i want to thank you all for sharing...

i can handle this, at least i think and i hope that i can... i will

be there for her always... what frightens me is is that i will screw

up in the future and that my action or inaction will cause more harm

to her...

i guess what i am really getting at is that it seems that most

members here are sufferers of pa/etc... what, in all of your

experience, can a supporter of a loved one with pa/etc do? she has my

ultimate love and support, but it just doesn't seem to be enuff...

it is so hard when you care for somebody so much and you don't know

what to do... i would trade places with her in a heartbeat if she

could just have one night without pain... sorry if i ramble...

i guess i just am at a loss for words now and don't know quite what

to say... so let me just let vic know that i love her and i will

always be here for her, no matter what... we'll face it together...

i love you babe...

-brian

[Editor's Note: , such support for your loved one should NEVER be

considered as " it just doesn't seem to be enuff... " And you've already hit on

one of the most important things you can do for her: keep " trading places " with

her, as best you can, by which I mean, don't just " sympathize " with her, but

" empathize " , put yourself in her place, listen to her without saying to yourself

" she looks normal, why does she complain, or say she can't do such simple

things? " She is lucky to have you, and it's a shame that people of your quality

can sometimes be so hard to find....You may not know, so ask her sometime how

much your understanding and caring means to her....

D.]

> I get brain fog quite a lot.. my mind just goes fuzzy.. I always

thought it was just me.. it never occured to me to ask on here if

anyone else got it. I'm 18, studying an advanced VCE course in

college, and I find it really difficult to learn, and take things in

when I get foggy. I find I get really tired quickly when I'm

foggy..think that and fatigue related?

>

>

[Guest guest]

-Oh My Gosh -

That is one of the most beautiful posts I have read. Vic is lucky to

have you. I'd say you are on the right track supporting her. One

thing we learn along the road of life is that no matter how much we

love someone we can't fix everything for them. Also-it will take

communication between both you and Vic so please don't feel an

enormous pressure to always know the right thing to do or say. None

of us does. Learning and caring about her illnesses is wonderful.

Believing how much pain someone is in or how tired they are is very

affirming to that person.

>

Hi Vic-

Welcome to the group. What is an advanced VCE? degree? It sounds

challenging with brain fog. Try to get enough rest.

Marti

> i guess you could say that her and i am an " item " and i love her

with

> all of my heart... it is very difficult to watch what she goes thru

> on a daily basis and it is all i can do to keep my composure as i

> type this...

>

> she is so intelligent, such a shining star in the sky... yet i see

> times where she is prone to moments where she just makes no

sense...

> but you can tell what she means if you use a little imagination...

> the brain fog... misspelling words... incoherant sentences... i

just

> never realized it until she forwarded a bunch of emails from the

> group to me... and i read them all... many while fighting back

> tears... but many of your emails gave me hope... gave us hope...

and

> i want to thank you all for sharing...

>

> i can handle this, at least i think and i hope that i can... i will

> be there for her always... what frightens me is is that i will

screw

> up in the future and that my action or inaction will cause more

harm

> to her...

>

> i guess what i am really getting at is that it seems that most

> members here are sufferers of pa/etc... what, in all of your

> experience, can a supporter of a loved one with pa/etc do? she has

my

> ultimate love and support, but it just doesn't seem to be enuff...

>

> it is so hard when you care for somebody so much and you don't know

> what to do... i would trade places with her in a heartbeat if she

> could just have one night without pain... sorry if i ramble...

>

> i guess i just am at a loss for words now and don't know quite what

> to say... so let me just let vic know that i love her and i will

> always be here for her, no matter what... we'll face it together...

>

> i love you babe...

>

> -brian

>

> [Editor's Note: , such support for your loved one should NEVER

be considered as " it just doesn't seem to be enuff... " And you've

already hit on one of the most important things you can do for her:

keep " trading places " with her, as best you can, by which I mean,

don't just " sympathize " with her, but " empathize " , put yourself in

her place, listen to her without saying to yourself " she looks

normal, why does she complain, or say she can't do such simple

things? " She is lucky to have you, and it's a shame that people of

your quality can sometimes be so hard to find....You may not know, so

ask her sometime how much your understanding and caring means to

her....

> D.]

>

> > I get brain fog quite a lot.. my mind just goes fuzzy.. I always

> thought it was just me.. it never occured to me to ask on here if

> anyone else got it. I'm 18, studying an advanced VCE course in

> college, and I find it really difficult to learn, and take things

in

> when I get foggy. I find I get really tired quickly when I'm

> foggy..think that and fatigue related?

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

At 12:19 PM 10/14/03, you wrote:

>Brain fog or no brain fog - its the same old same old, we all are

>different. It is possible to work with the fog. I'm a technical

>writer and earn my living making sense out of gobbledegook for system

>users. Now how about that for one with both PA and FM.

I'm a tech writer too, and most of the time I can manage to do my work, but

I have to admit that sometimes with more complex things I am not nearly as

quick as I used to be to figure them out. Now, with complex things, I tend

to get the information and then mull it over for longer before I can make

sense of it; before I could just hear the info once, or play with a

software function once, and I'd get it completely, no extra thought

required! Oh well.

>[Editor's Note: Yep, JudiRose, I'm still counting, and you seem to

>represent the most popular count:

>5 out of 5: 3

>4 out of 5: 5

>3 out of 5: 4

>2 out of 5: 2

>1 out of 5: Curiously, Zero out of Five...

Hey, , can you change my " vote " ? I realized I do have symmetrical

arthritis in my knees and ankles (duh... speaking of brain fog, I don't

know how I forgot about that, except that I was thinking more about my

knees and toes while looking at the types). So instead of 4 out of 5, I

actually have 5 out of 5.

[Guest guest]

, I have relatives that say I have an abdomenal spirit (like in

the abdominal snowman). Regardless, There seems to be something to

deciding you can and must that helps the meds work. And this disease

would be totally unbearable without a sense of humor, even a wry one.

I am the gal that orders a sub with lots of onions at 7pm on the way

to a 7:15pm choir rehearsal - and I joked about to the clerk. (Her

expression was priceless!) I raised my daughter by sending her into

the grocery store to buy the microwavable meals on sale for supper

many evenings, taking pot luck on a teenagers taste choice.

I just went all over under the streets of Washingtom DC to avoid the

route I normally take because one fualty train messed up rush hour

on that line like you wouldn't believe. But I got here on time!

Someone above was looking out for me!

There are surely many ways of coping so we must share them all. And

be grateful for this forum to do it in!

JudiRose

> Fellow Foggers, I can't find it,BUT I read an article a few weeks

> back in either Arthritis, Rheumatology, FM or major medical site

that

> said the problem of distinguishing FM and PA is the overlap of

> symptoms - including brain fog - and the fact that there are many

> people with both conditions.

>

> Distinction between the two - FM has pressure points and has

painful

> reaction to blood-pressure cuff; - PA has fever at painsites and

> joint degenration. Everything else is pretty much the same.

>

> Brain fog or no brain fog - its the same old same old, we all are

> different. It is possible to work with the fog. I'm a technical

> writer and earn my living making sense out of gobbledegook for

system

> users. Now how about that for one with both PA and FM. Must admit

> that I am a perfectionist when it comes to reviewing my work before

> turning it over!

>

> I am facing catarract surgery in the near future, am in a moderate

> flare, and just floated down on my left knee for the second time in

> less then 6 weeks yesterday. (OK - I didn't exactly float - rapid

> free-fall.) Thankful that I landed better than . I got

right

> up (only took 5 minutes) and cased it out as a buckling knee (bad

> knee, bad knee, behave yourself) ;-)

>

> When the cool front crossing DC right now passes through I will

look

> for relief from some of this inconvenience of PA. But with over 40

> years of the symptoms and enough knowledge of meds to make it

better,

> safely, I am sitting fairly comfortably through the weather change.

I

> don't have mutalans, but I do qualify for the other four types for

> those counting.

>

> Wishing relief to all, JudiRose

>

> [Editor's Note: Yep, JudiRose, I'm still counting, and you seem to

represent the most popular count:

> 5 out of 5: 3

> 4 out of 5: 5

> 3 out of 5: 4

> 2 out of 5: 2

> 1 out of 5: Curiously, Zero out of Five...So far, so much for clear

definitions as to discrete, distinguishable " Types " of PA...

> Seperately, your letter reveals it's clearly possible to overcome--

or at least keep at bay--the Brainfoggery, both in what you do to

keep off your fee (okay, make a living), and in your skill with the

language and the evidence of an undiminished sense of humor and

sharpness of wit. Yet again, we see the advantages of an indomitable

spirit.

> D.]

[Guest guest]

> ...

> i guess i just am at a loss for words now and don't know quite what

> to say... so let me just let vic know that i love her and i will

> always be here for her, no matter what... we'll face it together...

>

> i love you babe...

>

> -brian

,

I wish that all of us had friends like you, and I wish you and Vicky

all the best. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) has a forum

specifically for " Parents and Caregivers " at:

http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/

You have to be an NPF member to participate, but the dues are low and

it is a very worthwhile organization.

Regards,

-- Ron