On Tuesday, I decided to make my husband his favourite cheesecake. It’s a chocolate chip cookie one, with a base of cookie, and more cookie bits baked throughout.
Now, I usually bake it in a glass Pyrex dish lined with baking paper. This time, I forgot the paper. I was so tired by the end of my baking, and my brain felt so foggy, that I just didn’t think about it. I kept looking at it, thinking the whole thing looked off, but yet couldn’t figure it out.
As soon as my husband came home, he asked why I hadn’t used the paper. Oh. Duh.
This is the unfortunate reality of life with chronic disease. Fatigue, pain, medication, and even malnutrition (in my case) causes brain fog.
Brain fog is exactly how it sounds. It’s when your brain feels like it’s swimming in a sea of fog, and you can’t think clearly. You have cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems, trouble concentrating, irritability, and confusion.
When I did my MSc in Psychology, I did a course in Memory. We studied how we as humans process memories, and looked at various specific topics in Memory. During the course, we did a quiz to test our own memory. I scored quite poorly! In fact, my professor suggested that I was probably the “absent minded professor type.” πππ
We discussed it, and realised that my brain fog from my chronic pain probably added a lot of memory issues to my already “absent minded” personality (as I’m sure my family would agree lol).
When I was recently at my dietitian’s appointment, I kept forgetting words. She told me that it was understandable that I’d have brain fog, and couldn’t remember words that I wanted to say, because I am malnourished.
Additionally, some of the medications I’m on can also have these side effects too. I’ve also had issues of increased brain fog when going up and down on certain meds.
When my fatigue is worse, you can guarantee the fog creeps in very heavy. I can’t concentrate, remember anything, or think straight at all.
This is why I find it hard to be more functional some days, or follow along with complicated TV shows or films.
Instead, I do what I can, when I can. I make lists, I use apps and alarms to remind me of important things. I watch simpler shows when I need to. I use the coping strategies that I have.
I swim through the fog.
Reblogged this on Life is how you live it⦠and commented:
A very relatable experience to mine.
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Very much the same experiences I manage (attempt to) each day.
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It makes life fun, doesn’t it? π
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That’s one way to look at it π
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Completely agree with this and it makes a lot of sense now when I used to wonder what was going on and whether I was going loopy in my old age ( well in my 40’s ) π Well written Erin xx
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Thank you! βΊ
It does feel like you are going mad, doesn’t it? It’s good to know there is a real reason behind it all. xx
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I can relate. You have put it into words so well. And being retired from a science medical career Iβm latching on to nutty professor!
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Thanks… I’m sorry you can relate, but I love the idea of leaning into being a nutty professor lol.
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Iβve lately been quite stressed and not sleeping enough and went through a phase of not eating recently. My brain is become forgetful and Iβm making really silly mistakes. Especially with my writing, yesterday I sent out an email which was covered in repetition. Iβm curious if you have always had this or if itβs a case of doing something to decrease it if that makes sense? x
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Not sleeping and eating can definitely make you feel like that.
I’ve had these issues for several years. I have chronic pain and illness, which causes my brain fog problems. I’m hoping if I can fix my malnutrition issue, but that’s a big hurdle at the moment.
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Well I hope figure it out soon and can start to feel better π
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Thanks π
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I would so think pain would dull memory. So glad you shared as part of blogging for me is to let people know they are not alone. Great you are using resources to help.
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Thanks π Yes, a huge part of why I blog too is to let others know that they aren’t alone. xx
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Oh I can relate so much to this, and I think you are doing wonderfully swimming through the fog. This is a great post as it lets people know there are others with the same. Wishing you well xx
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Thank you very much!
Sorry that you can relate. β€
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we all go through this issueβ¦Medication is one issue, stress and pressures are major causes too. Itβs nice that we have resources to help us in form of reminders on apps.
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Apps and such are a lifesaver for me. It’s great we have these things for sure. βΊ
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You should be proud of the progress you have made. I can’t imagine what you’re going through.
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Thank you! That means a lot. π
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Boy do I know this feeling, struggling for words (the most basic ones) is the worst for me. Walking into a room and having no clue why Iβm there is another one.
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I’m so sorry that you can relate! It’s very frustrating, isn’t it? β€
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I get so angry and frustrated!! And the way people look at you when it happens ( not family cause god love them they know) but work colleagues think Ive lost it at times!
I tend to laugh it off, if I donβt Iβll probably cry. And then forget why I started π
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It is so difficult to get others to understand sometimes.
Laughing is definitely a good way to deal! I laugh at my ridiculous brain all the time. π
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Weβll keep swimming together!!!
Thanks for writing this ,as much as you hate to hear someone else is suffering how you are itβs a relief to know youβre not alone πππ
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I still get angry at myself when I can’t make myself understood or can’t find the words I want. I feel so stupid and am so hard on myself for it. And it’s so hard to explain to people because outwardly, I don’t appear impaired, but I feel so different that I get upset. They say I’m communicating fine, but it’s such a struggle to communicate… arrgh.
On a different note… THAT CHEESECAKE SOUNDS DIVINE AND I MUST HAVE THE RECIPE! Would you mind sharing???
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It is such a frustrating symptom, isn’t it? I mean… last night, I realised that I took my night pills in the afternoon instead of my afternoon ones. Despite my phone telling me what to take, and a med organiser with the times labelled clearly. My brain just messed up.
I’m happy to share! I’ll pm you the pictures of the recipe cards,when I get up. My husband asks for it often lol. π
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Itβs amazing how much technology can enhance and assist with our daily lives. I know this all too well. Great insight thanks. Youβre doing fab!
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It’s so true! I rely on it a lot.
Thanks π
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