Brain Fog

[sherrylynn]

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.

[mscan91]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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...

[Lynayah]

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]

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]

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]

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.