[Juliek72]

I am pretty sure I'm in stage 1 of CRPS but my forgetfulness is getting worse by the day. I think of things in my head and then a few minutes later I think I did it but I didn't. I feel as if I'm going nuts. Any suggestions please.


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[PurpleFoot721]

I'm so sorry to hear that Julie. I can never remember if I took my pills so every time it is time to take them, I have an alarm set and take them right at that moment. If I am busy and have to take them a few minutes after my alarm goes off, I always forget and have to do a pill count to find out if I took them. If you have to do something, try making a to do list and cross off each item as you do them, or write the things down that are important that need to be done. That way you can always look back and see if you have done them if you did forget.

I have seen a post here early on, right around the time that we both came on that suggests different way to keep your mind going and thinking. It is probably a few pages back but it should be within the first 5 pages of this board. It mentioned using things like flash cards, playing little memory games, and so on. I just tried to find it but I couldn't. Sorry!

[LIT LOVE]

You're under an incredible amount of stress, add high levels of pain, and you shouldn't be surprised. If you're taking meds that can effect memory, well, that's a triple issue. I wouldn't assume it's CRPS effecting your brain this early, but it could be.

[DejaVu]

Hi Julie,

I am sorry you are having a tough time right now.

I am glad you feel you can ask any question here.

I haven't much to add to great responses by Purplefoot and LIT LOVE.

I will share my experiences with you. When I am in an acute flare of pain and inflammation, and am also taking more medication due to the flare, I start to have thinking and memory issues. I generally lose some sleep to discomfort. I tire more easily. My thinking slows down, I lose my concentration, I begin to forget things (and I start using a notebook and post-it types of notes to keep myself organized with necessary tasks).

I whole-heartedly agree with LIT LOVE concerning stress, pain, medications side-effects and more. Add in sleep disturbance/insomnia, potential anxiety and/or depression (both normal reactions to severe pain)... and more.

Purplefoot has mentioned developing a strategy to remind us of what we need to do and when. It's a great strategy, as it's too easy to lose track of time when feeling so overwhelmed with so many symptoms and side-effects.

Many are also dealing with a doctor(s) whom don't quite understand how to treat and/or dealing with medical systems and/or insurers with lots of red tape.

We are fortunate if we find support to help us through these very trying times.

I want to let you know my thinking/concentration/memory has returned to normal many times, once the acute flare has calmed down.

I have read some opinions regarding not paying too much attention to stages and also not fully buying into the fact that my experience will have to become all of what's described in the literature. Although our experiences are very similar, they aren't all exactly the same. I feel I might find it helpful to be aware of the possible effects upon my life, in the longer term; yet, I may well benefit in holding out for, remaining steadfast in hoping for, the least amount of long-term impact.

Whenever I have the energy to do so, I make sure my focus is not entirely on any discomfort or condition. I try to focus upon activities, people, places I enjoy-- the ones which elicit joy and/or laughter, allow me to admire beauty, to feel love for others and to feel loved and supported.

I feel this balance is critical to my well-being. The endorphins help me with discomfort, with feeling low, etc.

I am sorry you are experiencing so many challenges, Julie; however, since you are facing this for now, I am glad you are here and are freely asking questions.



DejaVu

[NurseKris]

My doctor calls it "pain brain"!

I take my scheduled meds 4 times a day so every morning I prepare my pills for the day. I took empty pill bottles and labeled each one morning, noon, evening and bedtime. I found this helps when I have the did I take my pills moment.

We all have moments (sometimes days!) where we are stuck in a fog or just too tired to think straight. Don't let it get you down!

[-Spike-]

Originally Posted by NurseKris

My doctor calls it "pain brain"!

I take my scheduled meds 4 times a day so every morning I prepare my pills for the day. I took empty pill bottles and labeled each one morning, noon, evening and bedtime. I found this helps when I have the did I take my pills moment.

We all have moments (sometimes days!) where we are stuck in a fog or just too tired to think straight. Don't let it get you down!

i was at the point where my memory was so bad that I absolutely had to get a 31 day pill organizer. I fill it the minute I have my medications refilled. That way the fog and confusion of this disease has less of a chance of messing up my scheduled medication dosage times. I truly hate what this disease does to our brain's proper function in the areas of exercising intellectual aptitude, our reasoning skills, and memory. It makes planning organizing and following through on important matters nearly impossible. This is a terrible disease.

[Littlepaw]

I concur that stress and pain levels absolutely contribute to brain fog. Your body and mind have been under duress for a while. Just having surgery without having CRPS knocks people for a loop. Add on what you're dealing with and medications...that's a lot!

Early on, when I first had this my memory was terrible (maybe that was the initial pain brain). I was forgetting all kinds of things that should've been natural to remember. I felt fairly distressed about it at the time. However, that didn't last past a few months for me. Once I got past the initial flare, as DejaVu did, I started to have improvements.

Sending hugs,

[Jomar]

I don't have CRPS , but when on Lipitor for high cholesterol , I had severe brain fog.. That same time frame I also acquired chronic repetitive strain issues.
I stopped the lipitor after I read more about it online... and it made a big difference.

So if you are on Lipitor, or some other cholesterol med it might be worth changing that to see if the fog fades away..

[BioBased]

My brain fog varies throughout the day. I might not be able to do a cryptic crossword puzzle at 10AM, but at 1PM I suddenly have the answers.

So frustrating! Do you also find it is harder to make decisions?

[-Spike-]

Originally Posted by BioBased

My brain fog varies throughout the day. I might not be able to do a cryptic crossword puzzle at 10AM, but at 1PM I suddenly have the answers.

So frustrating! Do you also find it is harder to make decisions?

I used to be able to easily whip my iPad at Chess, not anymore--not even close!