Re: New poll for - Brain Fog

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron and others,

It seems like since my pain and arthritis have been controlled with

the Remicade, my thinking is a lot more clearer. When I first was

having unignorable symptoms of arthritis 6 years ago, I definitely

suffered a level 9 brain fog- unsafe to drive. Sometimes it was as

good as 7- oppressively interferes with my activities.

But about 3 years later the brain fog was more moderate and has

steadily gotten better the more controlled the arthritis has been.

I honestly don't know if the brain fog comes from the pain and

fatigue or is a separate symptom of the arthritis. Sure wish they'd

at least list fatigue as a symptom.

I just ask for the simple things!

-Meghan

>

> Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the

> group:

>

> " Brain Fog " - How much does it affect

> your daily activities?

>

> o 9. Severe (Unsafe to Drive)

> o 8.

> o 7. Oppressive (Interferes with job or other activities)

> o 6.

> o 5. Moderate (Dizziness at times)

> o 4.

> o 3. Mild (Barely noticeable)

> o 2.

> o 1. None at all (No " Brain Fog " whatsoever)

>

>

> To vote, please visit the following web page:

>

> /surveys?id=976401

>

> Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are

> not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the

> web site listed above.

>

> Thanks!

[Guest guest]

> People really do need to be a little more sympathetic.

> Unless you have it, you don't understand.

Yes Robinanne, that's precisely why it occurred to me to have a poll

to see what percentage of us have symptoms of " Brain Fog " (for lack

of better terminology).

I have yet to meet a rheumatologist who acknowledges the fact that

Brain Fog is the result of either PA or the drugs we take to treat

it. They all seem to think Brain Fog is either a figment of our

imagination or a symptom of depression rather than a direct effect of

the PA or the drugs we take for it. I mentioned it during my last

visit to my rheumy, but she attributed it to my slightly raised blood

pressure (146/80). You and I both know that amount of blood pressure

has nothing to do with it, but my rheumy seems to need to grasp at

straws for some explanation because she doesn't want to acknowledge

that Brain Fog is a symptom of PA. Years ago, I typically had blood

pressures around 150/90 but no " Brain Fog " at all. It has only been

since my PA has worsened that I've started to experience Brain Fog.

Since I've been taking Zestril for blood pressure, my BP is typically

perfectly normal (120/80) and I'm sure the temporary " blip " up to

146/80 has nothing to do with anything.

I think any reasonable person would acknowledge that inflammation

causes symptoms consistent with " Brain Fog. " When you have a cold or

flu (or any other disease that's accompanied by inflammation of some

sort), it's perfectly normal to experience fatigue and a certain

amount of mental " fuzziness " , but doctors seem to be in denial when

it comes to acknowledging the same symptoms for other inflammatory

diseases such as PA.

I plan on taking the results of the poll to my rheumy on my next

visit to try to prove to her that " Brain Fog " is present to some

degree in most people who have PA, so if you haven't already, I

encourage to take a couple of minutes to take the survey at:

/surveys?id=976401

Thank you,

-- Ron