Fibro Fog

Oh how the horned evils of Fibromyalgia can make an appearance when they're least welcome.

One of my personal favorites...sense the sarcasm?...is the brain fog a.k.a. fibro fog.

If you don't have fibro or any other condition, bless you and I'm jealous, it feels almost like when you walk into a room and forget why, or you go to put the milk in the pantry, or drive to the wrong place, but ALL DAY or DAYS. Well, that, and with a pinch of dementia.

No matter how hard you try to concentrate you just can't get that clear thought, you can't seem to get your coordination in check, and you just don't understand anything...Charlie Brown knows.

It might sound funny, but it's a real issue. 

Your day can leave you feeling defeated, stupid, and worthless. 

Incapable of even the simplest task of communicating. You feel like you're hitting your head against a wall all day long, it's an exhausting symptom I tell you.

This joyful little symptom always strikes for me most at work.

Do you think it could be a flare of stress? Lack of sleep? Not eating enough?

Well, it's all of the above. One thing I've learned about fibro, it's never one thing!

Now, don't lose hope, that's too easy.

The only way to clear your fog is to wait it out.

Until then go slow, in times of "um, uh, uh's" stay quiet and use the first generic word that comes to mind.

 Don't push it, luckily everyone has that "senior moment" and any judgement you feel is on your side. It's ok to just admit the thought or word escaped you.

Keeping organized is your other savior.

Make a note and keep it in your phone, or like me, use post its, everywhere....and still forget, hey, it happens.

But of course your very best tool is to stay inactive. 

Upping your activity in this time will only make your day worse, put important work aside if you can, make this an easy day, or if you can, take the day to yourself.

Try to be aware of what you're doing...walking, sitting, reaching, anything!

Not being aware is how we fall, stub, burn, and hurt ourselves and make messes....what did I leave out that this can be a lethal time? 

We're talking BUBBLE PEOPLE time here!

Most importantly don't be afraid to let others know you're having an off day and you'd rather not risk potential errors, ask for extensions, take several short breaks, and just prepare for the next day....if it passes.

You can do it, and if you're not a fogger, 

support those that do have the misfortune of feeling this way. 

Peace and sanity are the same thing.