Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Brain Fog

sherrylynn

Recommended Posts

sherrylynn Contributor
sherrylynn
Posted

I have heard people say they had brain fog before going gluten free. and I was wondering when they say brain fog what do they mean. Is is just being absent minded. Do they feel like they are on drugs or is it like they can't think.

I have very great long term memory, but my short term memory sucks.

I took my grandson to the doctor for his shots about 6 months ago and just about a month ago my daughter wanted to know what they gave him. I honestly can not even remember taking him to the doctor. I have had a lot of memory lapses like that and it scares me. :ph34r:

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mscan91 Newbie
mscan91
Posted

Yea I know where you're coming from.

My boyfriend often gets MRSA boils and needs them surgically removed. The other day I was asking about the scars and when they all happened. He told me the one on his arm was 2 months ago... and I was there. NO memory what so ever.

And my dad told me that a few months ago he had enlisted my help to fish a frog out of our pool and we spent hours doing it. Can't remember it at all.

AlysounRI Contributor
AlysounRI
Posted

Sherry:

"Brain fog" ... it's something you know you had when it's no longer there.

It's a feeling of not not being very sharp, feeling kind of fuzzy, and generally tired.

But you know more what is was when it's no longer there.

sherrylynn Contributor
sherrylynn
Posted
  • Author

I also forget words several times a day. I will be talking to people at work and I can not remeber a word that I want to say. It is usually a common word like cup or stappler but I cannot rememer how to say a word.

People usually have to finish my sentence for me. That is so irritating.

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

Sherry:

"Brain fog" ... it's something you know you had when it's no longer there.

It's a feeling of not not being very sharp, feeling kind of fuzzy, and generally tired.

But you know more what is was when it's no longer there.

For me it was a vague feeling for a long time, but in the year before my diagnosis, it got so bad that I'd struggle with even the most simple things.

For example:

I'd drive to somewhere I'd driven countless times, and I'd forget how to get there.

I'd work on my computer and try to preform a task that was once easy (like downloading onto my iPod), and I'd get so confused that I'd have to have my husband help me.

I'd misplace things far more often than I do now.

Because I'd forget things so easily, my sense of urgency heightened. Things like I'd find myself interrupting people as they spoke so I wouldn't forget what I wanted to say.

It's gone now, thank goodness . . . however, it does creep back a little bit (just a little) if I get glutened.

Crazy.

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

As I sit here remembering, I've remembered a few more symptoms I had:

When I'd type, I'd make TONS MORE typos than what is normal for me. Sometimes I'd even write one completely different word when I'd mean to write another -- instead of writing "I'm going home," maybe I'd write "I'm going town."

Sometimes I'd talk the same way. It was as though I had a mini stroke (which I hadn't).

I'd forget words far more frequently, and often, it was hard to answer questions. If someone asked me "Where are the postage stamps?" I'd have to get up and show them because it was difficult for me to put the answer into words.

I had a very tough time sitting still or focusing on things for prolonged periods. Some of the way I acted mimed Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder -- back then. Now it's gone.

Years ago, I gave up knitting because it was hard for me to focus on it. Now I knit like the wind and have fallen so in love with it. (I still drop stitches, but so does everyone!) :)

It was horrible pre-gluten-free. I blamed it on age. I blamed it on stress. I blamed it on everything but gluten.

It just breaks my heart to think of all the wonderful folks out there who suffer the same way. They are walking around beating themselves up for "falling apart" and thinking they are helpless to do anything about it, when all it takes is a change of diet.

Anyway, I hope this helps clarify brain fog a little more.

scuzy Rookie
scuzy
Posted

Wow, so is it a proven symptom to have a horrible memory? I never even thought of that as a symptom. My memory used to be good, but the past few years, when all my other symptoms started it has gotten bad. I can't even remember when my friend visited me, or when a friend slept over 6 months ago, what I just heard in class.. ect... And I'm only 21...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

Wow, so is it a proven symptom to have a horrible memory? I never even thought of that as a symptom. My memory used to be good, but the past few years, when all my other symptoms started it has gotten bad. I can't even remember when my friend visited me, or when a friend slept over 6 months ago, what I just heard in class.. ect... And I'm only 21...

Scuzy,

Brain fog is very common, but with the severity you describe, you might want to ask an expert.

Just wondering: Do you have other neurological symptoms as well? Do you suffer from celiac in addition to gluten-intolerance? Have you gone through testing, etc.?

Lynayah Enthusiast
Lynayah
Posted

Scuzy,

PS: I do not have celiac. I am HIGHLY gluten intolerant -- I am told I am more sensitive to gluten than most, including those who suffer from celiac.

I just wanted to add this info because you refer to wondering if you have celiac in your posts.

So, if you are gluten-intolerant, it doesn't necessarily mean you also have celiac disease.

scuzy Rookie
scuzy
Posted

My Celiac test came back negative, but if you read my post: , it explains my situation (to much typing) :). Not sure what other neurological symptoms you might be referring too. I personally always chocked up my horrible memory to having such a traumatic child hood. But then again a friend sleeping over is not traumatic, so in theory my mind should remember it, right? Thanks for your input.

CarolinaKip Community Regular
CarolinaKip
Posted

I also forget words several times a day. I will be talking to people at work and I can not remeber a word that I want to say. It is usually a common word like cup or stappler but I cannot rememer how to say a word.

People usually have to finish my sentence for me. That is so irritating.

I was the same way! I also couldn't think clearly, easy confused. I also would wake up in the morning and could not seem to fully wake up. My mind was "sleepy" until about noon.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):


  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      131,871
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    GR82BNTX
    Newest Member
    GR82BNTX
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.4k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):


  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • Colleen H
      Ibuprofen

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Yes thyroid was tested.. negative  Iron ...I'm. Not sure ... Would that fall under red blood count?  If so I was ok  Thank you for the detailed response..☺️
    • Colleen H
      Methylprednisone treatment for inflammation?

      By Colleen H · Posted

      Hi all !! Did anyone ever get prescribed methylprednisone steroids for inflammation of stomach and intestines?  Did it work ??  Thank you !! 
    • cristiana
      Ibuprofen

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi Colleen Are you supplementing B12/having injections? I have learned recently that sometimes when you start addressing a B12 deficiency, it can temporarily make your symptoms worse.  But it is important not to stop the treatment.  Regarding your problems with anxiety, again that is another symptom of a B12 deficiency.   I didn't know what anxiety was until it hit me like a train several months before gastrointestinal issues began, so I can certainly relate.   Two books which helped me hugely were At Last A Life by Paul David (there is a website you can look up) and The Depression Cure: The Six-Step Programme to Beat Depression Without Drugs by Dr Steve Llardi.  Although his book is aimed at people who have depression, following the principals he sets out was so helpful in lessening my anxiety.  Llardi suggests we need to focus on getting enough: - physical exercise - omega-3 fatty acids - natural sunlight exposure - restorative sleep - social connectedness - meaningful, engaging activity   ... and we should feel a lot better. That is not to stay you must stop taking medication for depression or anxiety if you have been prescribed it, but adopting the changes Dr Llardi sets out in the book should really help. Can I just ask two more questions:  1) you say that you are B12 deficient, did they test your iron levels too?  If not, you really ought to be checked for deficiency and, 2) did they check your thyroid function, as an overactive thyroid can be cause rapid heartbeat and a lot of coeliacs have thyroid issues? Cristiana        
    • Jmartes71
      My only proof

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      Hello still dancing around my celiac disease and not getting medically backed up considering Ive been glutenfree since 1994.All my ailments are the core issue of my ghost disease aka celiac disease. Im angery because the "celiac specialist " basically lightly dismissed me.Im extremely angery and fighting for a new primary care physician which is hard to do in Northern Cali.So currently without and looking.Im angery that its lightly taken when its extremely serious to the one who has it.My only evidence is a brochure back in the days when I got news letters when I lived at my parents.It was published in 1998.I was diagnosed before any foods eliminated from my diet. Angery doctors don't take seriously when Im clearly speaking.I did write to the medicine of congress and have case number.
    • Scott Adams
      still struggling with cravings

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I totally get this. It's absolutely a grieving process, and it's okay to feel gutted about the loss of those simple joys, especially at 18. Your feelings are completely valid—it's not about being ungrateful for your amazing boyfriend, it's about mourning the life you thought you'd have. That "tortured by the smell" feeling is so real. It does get easier, I promise, but it's okay to sit in the sadness and just vent about how much it stings right now. Thanks for sharing that. Celiac.com has published a book on our site by Jean Duane PhD called Gluten-Centric Culture, which covers many of the social aspects of having celiac disease: This chapter in particular covers issues around eating with family and others - Gluten-Centric Culture: Chapter 5 - Grabbing A Bite Together:    
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.