Continuing mental fog

Posted by brerabbit @brerabbit, Oct 12 3:39pm

I’m going down to 10mg next week. Since day one of this recurrence, in August, I’ve had a difficult experience with mental fog. It has decreased a little but not enough so that I can drive or manage some apps on my computer. I have about an hour of clarity in the morning after I take my dose and then nothing but zombie land til evening. Is anyone else dealing with this and have any suggestions?

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rashida | @rashida | Oct 13 4:29am

@brerabbit what 10mg of medication do you take?

tuckerp | @tuckerp | Oct 13 7:09am

assuming your taking prednisone the fatigue and mental fog is real issue. Even after you have stopped prednisone. Your adrenal system goes into a sort of worn out state. However, 10mg is still a pretty healthy dose for PMR treatment. You dont say how long you have been on prednisone but your taper from here will be trying to keep the PMR under control and restarting cortisol.

brerabbit | @brerabbit | Oct 13 11:22am

In reply to @rashida "@brerabbit what 10mg of medication do you take?" + (show)

@rashida
Prednisone

danboldman | @danboldman | Oct 14 3:37pm

Welcome to my living hell, esp. since I have been on an ascending ladder of sulfaSALAzine and a descending ladder of prednisone. I feel horrible all day, brain fog, swollen face and eyes, burning hands, fore arms and lower legs that hurt and the skin peals off and bleeds at the slightest abrasion. Not to mention the mental anguish that comes along with all that and a loving spouse that just doesn't get it, she is trying God bless her. I am a tenacious old fart and am trying to work through all of this until I can get off the steroids but it sure is difficult. Anybody else out there with this degree?

mjontour | @mjontour | Oct 14 3:41pm

I don’t have any suggestions other than what you are describing appears to be part of the process - at least for me! I was pleased to see that others had the same experience as myself because you can feel so alone. Love this forum. I am down to 7 mg and the brain fog seems to have improved however comes back with a vengence when I get overly fatigued. My biggest concern is not the pain but rather the severe fatigue and brain fog. Going from a very very active life to one where I have to plan my day very carefully is challenging. I do not feel comfortable driving either - so I have to rely on others - which is new for me! Thank goodness for friends and family. What a ride this is - can’t wait to get to the other side!! Hang in there!

kathleendw | @kathleendw | Oct 14 6:48pm

In reply to @mjontour "I don’t have any suggestions other than what you are describing appears to be part of..." + (show)

@mjontour
That's exactly my experience. The pain is pretty well controlled but the fatigue and difficulty thinking are really getting me down.

brerabbit | @brerabbit | Oct 14 11:43pm

Thank you all for sharing your experiences with mental fog. It is comforting to know I’m not alone or crazy, which is what it feels like a lot of the time. I just heard from my Dr yesterday that I’m probably looking at least a year more of this “tapering.” This felt like a real blow even though I’ve been thru this before and should have expected her news. Any glimmers of hope and understanding are so helpful right now. Thanks again and please stay in touch.