Fibro Fog: What is it?

Fibro fog is the nickname for a horrible symptom of fibromyalgia. It is a symptom that causes a lot of stress, loss of confidence, and in some instances can even cause mental illness. People who do not have fibromyalgia are usually unaware that it even exists. They think that others with fibromyalgia are playing around or making it up. Unfortunately it is all to real and something that everyone with fibromyalgia has to deal with daily.

Have you ever forgotten a word? You know what the word is, you can describe the word, you can even see it in your head sometimes but no matter how hard you try you can't say it. To most people this is a minor inconvenience that happens very rarely; to people with fibromyalgia it is a common occurrence. Fibro fog feels like your brain just shuts off and you can't remember things that should be simple. Things like remembering your name, birthday, address, and phone number become difficult and nearly impossible on the bad days.

On the worst flares fibro fog can make someone seem like they have short term memory loss. Forgetting entire conversations, trips, and where you are is not impossible and has happened to many individuals. It is both embarrassing and frightening to people who normally can cope quite well and be strong and independent. Imagine forgetting words and stumbling over your sentences in every conversation or going to the store and forgetting why you are there in the first place. These don't seem like serious complications, but when they happen constantly it can have a horrible effect on a person's psyche.