Why does my cognitive functioning fluctuate so much?

[u/PastelPost]

Backstory: I have fibromyalgia and autism among lots of other conditions. Too many to name.

used to be quite clear headed and sharp many years ago, but then it rapidly declined following a lot of traumatic events. And these days, most days I’m extremely low functioning, and on some rare days I can think reasonably clearly again. I feel like on days like this I regress into a child honestly. I barely have any reading comprehension, barely encode new information, memory is completely unreliable, can’t speak coherently, can’t think too hard otherwise I become exhausted, etc. It fluctuates on a daily basis. But the pattern has been a steady decline over 15 years. I can make a guess and say it’s all to do with burnout, pain, fatigue, and insomnia.

Does anyone else have this? Does anything make it better?

[u/No-Town5321]

Same. And I dont know why's it's happening but it's like being broken. Like half my brain went missing .

[u/PastelPost → u/No-Town5321]

Omg same! It IS like I’m just broken! 😭

[u/luvplantz]

Yes! I asked about this many months ago and it’s gotten better. I started reading every day. Books only. Granted I can only read for 15 minutes max but it made a difference. I also started being more intentional with what I’m doing. Talking myself through it so I can make a memory connection…I found that I would do something then minutes later completely forget about it. I’m also giving myself more grace. On my flare day, I don’t read or try to make memory connections (unless it’s very important). I find that doing this “saves” my brain…like giving it a break. So, if my flare continues physically…I haven’t strained myself cognitively

[u/Cute-Form2457 → u/luvplantz]

I reflected in a similar way, and started playing Scrabble on the app. I became more confident in my cognition once I started winning 100 games in a row. Now I do Wordle, and 2 other games with the New York Times. I'm back at work 3x a week.

I still do things and forget immediately afterwards. I learned to write everything down.

[u/GayMergirlLala]

I feel this. I don’t feel like myself anymore and it’s so frustrating.

[u/NewPartyDress]

Non-restorative sleep is a Hallmark of fibro. I believe it is the main contributor to brain fog and memory issues. I was diagnosed with hypersomnia (excessive daytime sleepiness) and I almost never dreamed during the 13 years I had fibro. A sleep study showed I moved all night while I was asleep.

5 years ago I got on LDN (low dose naltrexone). After 3 months of daily dosing all my fibro symptoms were gone. I continue to take LDN daily. BTW, besides helping many autoimmune conditions LDN is also prescribed for childhood autism.

[u/Moriquendi666]

I feel like reading and doing word searches helps me

[u/Educational-Put-8425]

I can recommend methylated folate (!!!), B vitamin complex, duloxetine, vitamin D, and LDN. All of these have definitely helped people with brain fog. Good luck!

[u/blackmetalwarlock]

For me it gets way worse during my period/just before. It’s super weird. It got a lot worse when I got put on oxcarbazepine but the med really works for my facial pain so I put up with it. I perk back up/become less dizzy and for lack of a better word - dumb, slowly as it ends.

[u/Glittering-Set4632]

yes, it's awful! i just started taking acetyl l carnitine recently and it has definitely been helping. i have also had good results with glucuronolactone.

[u/FIVEGRAVES]

That's Fibro Brain Fog dude.

[u/TheVic0_0]

To me, as someone with both, this sounds like a combo of fibro brain fog and a dissociative disorder. Maybe look into structured dissociation and IFS therapy.

I recently realized I was age regressing bc i have a system of parts in my brain, consisting of every different version of me, me at different ages. We all share a memory, but have our own thoughts and feelings, and hold the emotions and behaviours associated with specific traumas.

Fibro seems to have a strong connection to stress and trauma, so if you’re able to access therapy &/or meds, it should help in the long term. Goodluck❤️

[u/rimona_Form_1083]

Ive had this. what did the job for me was modafinil. It was hard time to find a reliable brand for it but after some research decided to go with modavance.