Do I have Alzheimer's or is it RA? | Arthritis Information

 

Just a question for all out there. For the past 6 months or so my memory is failing me..I forget things, lock my keys in my car...the list can go on and on. I thought it was the Imuran I was on. Doc took me off and I still have these reoccurring episodes of DUH!!

 My husband thinks its the pain meds ...I am sure its a bit but I take just what I need to get some relief. My mind is shot at 41. I was diagnosed with sero neg Ra 2 years ago and fibro more recently. I really think I might mess something up at work because I forget ALOT!!..

Any help would be welcomed!!!My money's on the combination of medications you're on (specifically cymbalta, lyrica, flexeril) You could also be going through perimenopause.All I know is I'm in the same boat and it's scaring the h-ll out of me. I'm not on any pain meds. Just MTX and Prednisone. I have asked myself the same question. Fibro and Ra can cause you to have "brainfog". At the advice of my doctor, I recently started taking 1000 mg. vitamin D and 30 mg. DHEA (it's prescription made at a compounding pharmacy), and I feel much clearer. I was borderline low on thyroid levels as well, so I take a low dose of thyroid medicine too. Have you had your thyroid checked? I am 42, and I agree with hessalina, I am sure some of my bumbling is due to perimenopause. I definitely took a dive once I turned 40 - everything started going downhill, lol. Let your doctor know what you are going through and ask to have your vitamin D level checked for sure. Most of us are defficient and it's an easy thing to supplement. Chris, I'm 38 and I am also having "cognitive difficulties" but they tend to be different things than yours.  I would guess that part of it is the meds, part of it is brain fog (I think we get a double dose with RA and fibro), and if your inflammation isn't under control (mine isn't) that the inflammation and chronic pain are affecting your brain (studies have shown this happens).

 

I understand your concern about making mistakes at work.  Is there someone there you trust who could help you out by just checking over things for you at least once in awhile?  Other than that, just all the standard organization techniques, like detailed lists, might help to be sure nothing is missed.

When I read your post it sounded exactly like one that I may have typed except for the meds, mine are different.  It is very scary, expecially at work.  I know they all think I am a dingbat.  I got really scared this morning driving to work and I could not remember who the presidential candidates were!  Took me almost the whole way to work to figure it out.  Plus my husband gets frustrated at me all the time because I tell him he never told me something then him and my daughter will both say he did.  Have your Iron checked. Low Iron can cause this.So what does everyone do to cope? I write myself a lot of notes...but sometimes I forget to read them! [QUOTE=inflamedOnline]Have your Iron checked. Low Iron can cause this.[/QUOTE] Brain Fog is a common complaint of Lyme as well...just fyiA friend of mine recently attended a lecture in Brisbane Australia -- one of the things mentioned is that MTX will make you forget words (and maybe everything else???)



Copyright ArthritisInsight.com