Q: Does anyone find that since being diagnosed with RA that they have difficulty coming up with vocabulary when speaking? I search for words often and cannot come up with what I want to say- FRUSTRATING!
Hmmmmm. I don't know why your RD would be dismissive, but then again, RD's can be mysterious. LOL
I, too, have issues remembering words sometimes. I have Fibro, too, though. Not sure if it is the RA or the Fibro, but it is something! I notice my mind "fog" is worse on the days I really don't feel well. Is that the case with you, too?
Peace,
V
I understand. It is so nervewracking to be talking to someone and know what you want to say, but the words just won't come to mind. I can imagine what it must be like trying to talk to the parents of the little ones. I also find when I am nervous, the problem gets worse. It is most definitely worse, when I am flaring, so there has to be some connection! Sometimes my husband just supplies the word for me, and I am thankful. LOL Hang in there.
V
i asked my pcp when i seen him 2 weeks ago about brain fog - here for a while now i caint remember where i put things even if i turn around an take two step im 43 an it makes me so mad - but my pcp said no it doesnt effect your brain but i think it does
how well controlled as your RA? How much pain are you in? Being in pain can take up a lot of place in your head, making it hard to focus on other things. Most people who live with chronic pain or chronic illness can recognize that feeling of not being able to find words. It's like being in a fog and trying to see your neighbors house. You can sort of see the shape, but not the details. It's really important to have your pain well controlled, not just in terms of being able to improve your quality of life, but also what ot does for your ability to think.
Certain RA medications can also make you fuzzyheaded. What meds are you on - check your profile, but you haven't entered any details. If you find that you're especially fuzzy days after you take a medication, it may be related to that.
I hadn't thought about the pain making me fuzzy. I am one of those people that when I feel my worst it doesn't always show up in my levels but sometimes my levels are high and I feel decent. I think it is usually I feel it before it shows and by the time it shows I am sometimes on the way back to feeling better. I am good at ignoring and pushing it aside, but perhaps I should look at it differently again. I have hip surgery scheduled in a couple of weeks so no meds right now and it's TOUGH because I am still at work and trying to keep up with my own children as well. I am still on Enbrel and have been for 12 years. It still works for me. I also take 800 mg of ibuprofen every 6 hours, Tramadol every 4 (but this one is new within the last couple of years), Plaquenil, and at times Prednisone. Nothing too major and nothing new. I do struggle with feeling low and exhausted at the end of the day, but I am a kindergarten teacher and that isn't unusual :) I will pay attention to when I take my Enbrel and when it is the worst. Thank you for your input!
if you're off your pain meds, I can understand why you're feeling fuzzy!
taking a look at how you manage pain can be a big help in getting ahead of it and also reducing the fuzziness. We have a special area for articles related to pain management that can give you more information about this. And please don't hesitate to ask any questions.
Good luck with your surgery! Please keep us posted on what happens?
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Yes, when it's not a good day it is definitely worse, but it is embarrassing when I am trying to have a discussion with someone who doesn't know me well and I sound uneducated or not too well versed in the subject! It just drives me mad some days! I am a kindergarten teacher so I don't notice it as much with my little ones, but more with adults when I am using larger vocabulary. I will just keep asking my doctor about it. It is good to know that it is not just me :) Thank you.