Brain Fog
in Multiple Sclerosis
Brain Fog
Brain Fog is a term used to describe a loss of mental acuity. It has, to the best of my knowledge, no clinical name. It is a form of cognitive dysfunction, although this term encompasses any of a range of cognitive deficits.
I suffer from this, almost constantly, to one degree or another. It presents as absent-mindedness or forgetfulness, a difficulty in concentrating, and, occasionally as a lack of spatial awareness or dysmetria. I have seen it described as a ‘mental cataract’ preventing you from seeing things clearly.
It can give rise to periods of ‘staring seizures’ where you space out and then drift back. This can be unnerving and I have experienced it only once. I was in my kitchen making a mug of coffee, I had put a teaspoonful of coffee in the mug and switched the kettle on. I found myself staring at the mug, with it’s teaspoon in, and I had no idea what it was. This lasted for perhaps 20 seconds and something made me take a step back, at which point everything became clear again.
The forgetfulness can lead to many ‘senior moments’, and can really make you think you are beginning to suffer from dementia. Where dysarthria can leave you fumbling to enunciate words, the brain fog can leave you searching for the words to start with. This leaves me feeling idiotic.
Sjorgen’s Syndrome is a CNS condition that also presents these symptoms, but should not be confused with multiple sclerosis.
Treatments
I am not aware of any medication that can specifically target brain fog. Many pain-relieving drugs can, however, exacerbate it. I have found amitriptyline particularly bad and I believe Gabapentin can be equally detrimental.
DISCLAIMER: The content of this site does not represent a qualified medical opinion. It is simply the information amassed by an MS patient while trying to understand this condition. You should seek the advice of your medical practitioner or neurologist before trying any treatment you may read about on this site. I am not a doctor, I am a patient.
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